Beginner: What ball to get?

[w0m]

Hello all.

I'm new to bowling; and joined a league with a few friends.

I'm a some what big guy; 6'1", 230lbs; I don't have a hook to speak of yet; but plan on working on it as time goes on, and I feel like I can throw it fairly hard; if not consistently straight(yet).

A 16lb house ball with poor fitting finger holes also seems to tire me out after half a game or so (Was thinking buying a 14lb..)

From independent research; I was thinking Storm Tropical series; but reading reviews led to more questions than answers. Any recommendations here?

[serial bowl]

Welcome to the Boards w0m.
A properly fitted ball is going to feel a couple of pounds lighter than it actually is.
Because of today's ball technology, you no longer have to throw the heaviest ball, the most common weight is 15 pounds, even for big guys.
As far as recommending a ball, stop reading reviews, go to your pro shop, get a reactive resin ball with a pearl coverstock for medium/dry lane conditions, and start practicing.
Oh, and by the way, if you want to get better at bowling, stop trying to throw the ball as hard as you can.

[Zothen]

1st off Serial Bowl is right about throwing hard especially if your a straight baller. Slow it down a bit! I recommend either Slingshot or Cyclone as a very good entry level ball for dry-medium oil for people that want to learn to throw a finger tip ball. I would suggest 15lbs as this is the general weight and most companies are making 15lbs balls hit just as hard as the 16 + the fact it will save your wrist in the long run. Anyone can throw hard,but,it will leave a lot of pin deflection where as a slow controlled throw will pick up more pins. Example-In my league we have a guy about 6' 300+ and he throws about 20-25mph. 95% of the time he is in the pocket,but,half the time his shots are strikes the other half are splits,10 pins,8 pin and he gets mad cause he's not getting strikes all the time on pocket shots. He refuses to throw slower where as his teammate slightly smaller throws about 16mph gets more carry because he's not throwing hard.

Anyways good luck & good scoring!

Zothen

[w0m]

Thanks for the feedback Makes allot of sense; I think I'll pick up a Brunswick Slingshot it looks like; 15lb. Much to learn; I probably average 100 now; hope to raise that appreciably in the next few months.

[billf]

The Slingshot would be a good choice. As for speed, let it happen naturally. A ball that hits the pocket in excess of 21mph will usually drive straight through. It's way more important to be accurate. I would also suggest a fingertip grip when you get a ball as opposed to the conventional grip of a house ball. The grip takes a few shots to get use to as it will feel like it's going to fall off your hand. It won't. Don't grip with your thumb either. Once you start throwing a hook some of your speed will diminish. This is normal as you learn to create revs and axis rotation.

[jimlc2001]

The Slingshot is a great first ball. I agree with everyone about having the ball 15 lbs, with fingertip grip. Another thing I would recommend is getting a lesson along with the new ball. The instructor can guide you to a more consistent approach and release. This is very helpful since you are not used to the fingertip grip.

[Big Nick]

I'm still new to bowling myself, so I can't comment on the Slingshot. However, my first ball was a Storm Tropical Heat and I really like it for what it is. I'm getting a new ball later this week, but that's mainly because I'm wanting to move to a heavier ball. If the Heat was a heavier ball, I'd just be having it re-drilled for fingertips.

[Ball99999]

My first ball was a Brunswick Damage.. And even with my slower speed it was fun to bowl with and see a cool hook. So something for medium oil. Maybe a storm Crossroad, since you have higher speed

[The German Shepherd]

I agree with Billf and jimlc about the Slingshot - a good ball that should get you started. I would also recommend the Storm Tropical Heat Black and Silver. it has a hybrid cover that works well on a variety of conditions.

Jay