Does brand REALLY matter ???

[billf]

Demoman, like any other business, there are great ones and ones that leave something to be desired. Sounds like you have a great one. Be thankful.

[Zothen]

I used to use all Track,now I use Roto Grip(Defiant,beserk & shout) & Brunswick(neXus)because these balls suit my needs. I still use my 508A & 300C when I do sport leagues. For THS Roto Grip are my go to balls.

Zothen

[Demoman]

Demoman, like any other business, there are great ones and ones that leave something to be desired. Sounds like you have a great one. Be thankful.

I'm thankful for my pro shop for sure - the majority of bowlers in this area go to the same place and expect and get the same treatment. I shouldn't have expected it to be like that everywhere but imagine there are shops within alleys in every state and would hope they would at least watch you bowl before spending $200 plus

[billf]

My local alley doesn't even have a pro shop in it. The local pro (?) lives about a mile away and runs the business part time out of his garage.

[Keithalw]

Lol bill the guy that drilled my dv8 does it part time out of his garage lol... Not saying he isnt good I thought he did an awesome job and actually asked the pap when I said I do not know offered to come watch me bowl and figure it out... I am not loyal to any company as of yet but will say that I have a feeling my next ball I purchase will be dv8 most likely . All I can offer is research research and more lol... I know some bowlers that build there arsenal all around one brand and then some of the best in my part will use whatever they think will work at the time. One guy actually bowls hammer rhythm , track 508a, and track something numbered c lol..

[Davec13]

I'm thankful for my pro shop for sure - the majority of bowlers in this area go to the same place and expect and get the same treatment. I shouldn't have expected it to be like that everywhere but imagine there are shops within alleys in every state and would hope they would at least watch you bowl before spending $200 plus

There definitely are good and bad pro shops out there. Finding a good one and sticking by that shop will definitely pay off for you too. Like I said I have seen some really bad ones and wouldn't just recommend someone to buy a ball because of a pro's recommendation.

With the technology available today you really are better off doing online research before you ever step foot into a pro shop and look at the balls. Otherwise just walking in and seeing 50+ balls on a shelf you will be completely overwhelmed.

[GeoLes]

Newbie here, so take it with a TON of salt. In my opinion, brand has some relevance. It is more a matter of personal preferance. So many variables are scattered among diverse brands and models, that there are no hard, fast rules. Individual bowlers develop personal tastes based on their personal experiences and sucesses. I firmly believe that if bowlilng competititon required bowlers to compete with identical balls and Identiacal drillings, bowlers would adapt sucessfully. (granted, some more than others), but bowling is a game of adaptation. Change in approach speed, grip, etc. would overcome any shortcomings the ball has.

[Ball99999]

I've purposely gone for Storm because I want my balls to smell

[Hampe]

I personally don't think it matters. All the major brands have put some great balls out there.

[bowl1820]

Some people just seem to match up better with some brands. It's not if one is better than the other.