Buying my first ball

[ThumbHole]

I've recently started bowling with friends every week and been toying with getting my own ball, though from doing some research it's a lot more complex than I expected!

I get the impression the local lanes aren't that well kept but it is half the price of everywhere else and it's the only one in walking distance. So would this mean that the lanes are probably dry and affect which kind of ball I get?

Would I be best off just getting a plastic ball rather than jumping in with a reactive one? It's worth having one for shooting spares anyway right, so could be a good starting point?

[noeymc]

ok buddy frist balls are great experince here is a list of starter balls so you can learn to throw a hook before getting a big boy hook

http://www.bowlingball.com/shop/all/...ormance%282%29

what pound ball do you use? cuz when u get your first new ball if your useing a house ball u can normaly add a pound to your own ball cuz its drilled to your hand

i have heard alot of good things about these balls

Roto Grip Shout
Brunswick Slingshot

[scottymoney]

Thumbhole, a few tips that I think may be best for you.

1. Ask yourself what style you want to be. Are you going to throw a straight ball the whole time and always throw straight? Do you want to put some hook in the ball?

2. If you are going to throw some hook, your best off with an entry level reactive ball. This will allow you to have some hook and learn the basics before getting the stronger balls. Like noeymc mentioned Brunswick slingshot is a good entry level ball, each company has one entry level ball and it will get you started in the right direction.

3. Find a prop shop, preferably one who can watch you bowl, but also will listen to you and want to help you. Things you should tell the driller are what you have been doing and what you are looking to do.

4. Look through all the forums here and there is FAQs sections. Look through and get a good grasp on form, releases and ball maintenance. Especially if you are going to start throwing some hook, you will need to learn a good release and there is definitely good material here and across the internet.

5. Commit to a style, don't start changing. If you are going to bowl a one handed hook, don't try to 2 hand it and start creating bad habits. 2 handed may be the way to go for you, but if you try it stick with it for awhile and see if it helps you. Don't start waffling as it will just mess you up in both styles.

6. Finally have fun! We all want to get better, but make sure you are having fun doing it. Don't beat yourself up over mistakes cause it will just create more mistakes and in a single game it is touch to recover. I myself have been victim of this and it hurts scores. Bowl one frame at a time and then leave it behind.

Good Luck!

[Zothen]

Slingshot is the least hooking,but,a very nice ball on dry. The shout is also a nice ball,but,needs some oil as it really moves on the dry. For your first ball I would recommend the Slingshot as it can be used for spares as well. All you have to do is deceid fingertip or conventional drilling.

Much success with whichever ball you get!

Zothen

[ThumbHole]

Thanks for the replys so far, I've tried searching but had no luck. What actually is the benefits of throwing a hook ball vs a straight one?

[scottymoney]

It is hard to create the correct angle into the pocket with a straight ball as it is with a ball that hooks. The hooking ball will create a more consistent angle to hit the 1 and 3 pins better. The downside to a hook ball is different oil patterns which will make you have to adjust to keep hitting the pocket. The straight is not effected by oil patterns as much.

From my experience throwing a straight ball will cause you to leave many more splits because of the angle the ball takes to the pocket.

My advice would be to get an entry level reactive resin ball which will give you a small hook to get you started. By having the small hook you will be able to throw it rather straight but get the few boards of movement for a better pocket hit.

[J Anderson]

Thumbhole, a few tips that I think may be best for you.

5. Commit to a style, don't start changing. If you are going to bowl a one handed hook, don't try to 2 hand it and start creating bad habits. 2 handed may be the way to go for you, but if you try it stick with it for awhile and see if it helps you. Don't start waffling as it will just mess you up in both styles.

6. Finally have fun! We all want to get better, but make sure you are having fun doing it. Don't beat yourself up over mistakes cause it will just create more mistakes and in a single game it is touch to recover. I myself have been victim of this and it hurts scores. Bowl one frame at a time and then leave it behind.

Good Luck!

Just to give a different point of view, If you're just starting out this is the easiest time to play around with different styles. Play around with different ways of throwing it and find out what feels most comfortable. Yes, this will drive anyone trying to coach you crazy but that's their problem not yours. Once you decide which style is best for you, then a good coach can work with you and make it perform even better.

Have fun, it is just a game.

[billf]

Hook VS. Straight. The optimum entry angle to the pocket to generate the highest chance of striking is 4-6 degrees. To do that with a straight ball you would have to be on another lane. That is why bowlers even bother to throw a hook. After that, accuracy is the most important part of any game. Proper balance, leverage and timing all contribute to accuracy. Good bowling is the ability to repeat your best shot often.
whatever ball you get, if you're serious about improving, get the ball drilled with fingertip grips. It helps with the hook.

[ThumbHole]

I'm also curious about what weight ball to get. I usually use a 10lb house ball but I've also used a 12 on occasion (depends on if I can find one with holes that are comfortable...)

I'm a fairly small guy 5'6" and about 140lbs (64kg). Looking around I see that some of the lighter balls have different cores from their heavier counterparts and also some balls don't even come in weights under 14lbs.

Apparently a properly drilled ball lets you bowl heavier than usual with a standard drilled house ball, but how much heavier is realistic?

[scottymoney]

The rough percentage to use is 10% of your body weight. So Thumbhole you probably want to try 14lbs, which is probably the most used weight by bowlers these days.