Hi everyone! Bowler from the 1980s here

[panbanger]

Hi everybody! I’m Todd, in North Texas. I’m recently getting back in to bowling after quite a long absence. I bowled quite a bit back in my teens – was in a weekend youth league and also in the high school league. This was in the mid to late 1980s. My average usually hovered around 150-160 in the last couple years of my teens. I’m a stroker (didn’t know there was a term for that style until recently) and aim for the 6th or 7th board and shoot the ball in a straight line (hopefully) in to the pocket. That was my style then, and that is my style now that I’m getting back in to the sport.

I’ve bought a new ball since my old ball was lost. The old ball was a black Rhino 16lbs the new ball is a Storm Ice 15lbs. I told the gentleman at the pro shop that I didn’t throw a hook and he said basically any of the new plastic balls would do me fine. Bowled 3 games with the new ball: 170-161-103. Ouch that 3rd game hurt! Was the first time I’d bowling 3 consecutive games in…maybe 2 decades? But I like the new ball, plus it seems to fit my hand better than the ol’ Rhino did back in my younger days.

Last week I rented a lane for an hour and didn’t really keep track of my score, just concentrated on my approach and release mostly. What I’m finding is that I’m really comfortable throwing the ball in more of a straighter line and putting a bit of a hook on it. The problem is that the Storm Ice doesn’t really care! He just goes straight on his own merry way. A few times he did hook 1 board or 2, but that’s it.

My question right now is – would it make sense for me to get a ball designed for a slight hook? And if so, can anyone suggest a brand/model or two? I don’t ever see myself as throwing a massive hook, I’d just like something that would react a bit to the spin that I seem to like putting on the ball.

This is a pretty long introduction post! Perhaps I should have just said “Hi” and put my question in the proper forum subcategory! Thanks for bearing with me :D

[ursus]

Welcome to the boards!! Most of the manufacturers offer an entry level performance ball. If you do a query on here about beginners ball, it should return quite a few threads that give some good suggestions

[GeorgiaStroker]

I wouldn't put a lot of money into a ball until you find out whether or not you want to continue throwing a hook. Maybe start off with a DV8 Misfit or something similar. Not too pricey but a very good ball to begin with. Most people find that a hook will give them better pin carry but you do have to relearn your release and a lot of people don't have the patience to put in the practice required. Good luck and welcome to the boards.

[eugene02]

Hello and welcome to the board! I would recommend you to get a DV8 Misfit / Columbia 300 Freeze / Storm's Tropical / Brunswick Slingshot.. anyone one of these will be a good ball to start with.. :)

[billf]

The Storm Ice you are currently using is a good straight ball, excellent for picking up most spares. If you're getting any rotation at all then a DV8 Misfit is a great entry-level ball choice. It has a symmetrical core so the skid to hook phase is very controlled. The line you're currently using may even work well. It's close to the same line I use with my Misfit. A good pro shop will take what you want to do into consideration and hopefully watch you bowl and select a layout for the drilling accordingly. It sounds like you at least have an honest pro shop as they sold you what fit the style you stated instead of selling you something more expensive. Welcome back to the sport and welcome to these forums.

[eugene02]

for my pro shop here.. the one i go to get my balls.. he doesn't see anyone bowls before he introduce them a ball.. he will ask. where do you bowl. than you yourself will tell him how you want the ball to go.. he wouldn't recommend you the costlier balls when your starting.. only the lower levels one maybe the slingshot/freeze all this for just the beginner.. so.. his experienced i would say..

[got_a_300]

Welcome to the forums and welcome back to the sport of bowling
I'd have to second what the others have said about the ball choice.
The DV8 Misfit and the Brunswick Sling Shot are both great balls to
start out with as they are not to pricey and are the best bang for the
buck.

[panbanger]

Thanks for the replies and advice everyone!

Billf - yes the man who runs the pro shop seems like a good guy. He even watched me bowl a few frames with the new ball to make sure it was working out. I think when I do decide to take the plunge with another ball he will steer me in the right direction.

[martinezsam2495]

thats nice to hear! welcome back to bowling, it is such a fun sport, hope you keep enjoying it for many more years to come, I don't know much about balls, since I'm still using my Dad's ball,

[The German Shepherd]

Welcome to the community, Todd. AND welcome back to the sport!. Billf's avice is good and I would also suggest something like a Storm Tropical Storm or something similar - very controllable but a lot more "kick" than the Storm Ice you are using...

Jay

[martinezsam2495]

Get one for your style, as it might change due to the new technology since then.

[eugene02]

I will say get a DV8 Misfit to start with and try it out.. Definitely hooks much more than the Storm Ice.. Good luck!

[martinezsam2495]

Yeah, thats some good advice,

[panbanger]

http://youtu.be/n-wcf5NNnno

This is my 'normal' style. Video is from maybe 4 years ago, but it hasnt changed since the 80s so it hasnt changed since then either! Just me throwing a house ball on a fun bowling trip while some relatives were in town. I'll try to get some current video of myself trying to throw more of a hook hopefully next week. After I get over the depression of the video proof of the pounds I've gained since the above vid was taken, I'll post that also :eek:

[billf]

With that style, speed and rev(?) rate, get the Misfit with a Rico drill pattern and it will hook for you.

[panbanger]

I'm also thinking of going for a fingertip grip, though the thought of it is a bit frightening. Scared I'm going to drop the ball, hurt my shoulder (I've dislocated my shoulder a few times in the past, NOT from bowling though), things like that. Plus I've got pretty small hands. I've used conventional grip forever, but from what I've read a conventional grip will only get you so far. I'm going bowling again hopefully Monday or Tuesday, don't really feel like doing the weekend open bowling thing, and will talk to the man at the proshop. Who knows, I may finally make the leap in to fingertip grip lol

[Florida Bowler]

I highly recommend a fingertip grip. It does not put any more strain on your shoulder (I also have dislocated my shoulder more than once, and never while bowling). If it fits properly, you should not have to squeeze it to hold on to it.

-DJ

[Stormed1]

All the manufacturers make great entry level balls. It sounds as though your pro shop operator is knowledgeable and customer oriented so he should steer you in the correct direction as far as the next step goes