A bit overwhelmed by all the options

[AZBowla]

First of all, great forum, I've been lurking for a while and I like how friendly everyone is here, so I decided to register.

On to the topic at hand: I've got a birthday coming up next month and the better half has OK'd the purchase of a new ball to celebrate (I love new toys, so this is great). So I start looking around online. I thought I knew bowling but I found out quick that I don't know jack diddly. I bought my last ball - a Brunswick Cyclone - at K-Mart about 10+ years ago at least and back then all I knew was that I wanted a fingertip ball so I could throw a hook (and hook it does, although these days it doesn't hook like it used to - I like to think it's the ball and not my aging wrist but I digress). Anyway I can throw a decent game with it, 160-180's usually, but I'm thinking with a properly drilled reactive resin ball I could do much better (that's my theory at least). But for all I know, I could be paying $150+ for a paperweight. I look at the stats on sites like bowlingball.com that talk about coverstocks, cores, oil patterns, grit patterns, flare potential, partridge in a pear tree (OK I made that last one up but still) and I'm just like "ummm... I'd like... a ball?"

Here's what I do know. I'm left handed, my bowling style is somewhere between "stroker" and "tweener", I throw the ball about 14 mph according to the computer at the last alley I bowled at, and the lanes I bowl on are your typical bowling alley lanes, nothing special, no sport shots or anything like that. I'm not looking to go pro or anything, I just want to be able to bowl above 200 consistently. What would be a good ball to get that won't cost a bunch of money and will perform reliably on typical bowling alley conditions and give a good strong hook? Also what weight should I get? I throw a 14lb now but I have no idea if that's the right weight for me or not. I intend to purchase from a pro shop so it will be drilled right and to get some additional advice from the staff, but I need a starting point so I don't go in there and just go "duh, me wants a ball".

Thanks everyone!

[billf]

First, welcome. If you're averaging 180 and want 200, then I would suggest converting two more spares each game. That's the difference.
As for a ball, the DV8 Marauder is a very good ball that doesn't require lots of oil to work. I only use DV8 so I can't speak to much about the other brands. You could ask the pro shop at the lanes what ball they would suggest. A good pro would want to see you bowl before deciding on a lay out anyway.

[J Anderson]

First of all, great forum, I've been lurking for a while and I like how friendly everyone is here, so I decided to register.

On to the topic at hand: I've got a birthday coming up next month and the better half has OK'd the purchase of a new ball to celebrate (I love new toys, so this is great). So I start looking around online. I thought I knew bowling but I found out quick that I don't know jack diddly. I bought my last ball - a Brunswick Cyclone - at K-Mart about 10+ years ago at least and back then all I knew was that I wanted a fingertip ball so I could throw a hook (and hook it does, although these days it doesn't hook like it used to - I like to think it's the ball and not my aging wrist but I digress). Anyway I can throw a decent game with it, 160-180's usually, but I'm thinking with a properly drilled reactive resin ball I could do much better (that's my theory at least). But for all I know, I could be paying $150+ for a paperweight. I look at the stats on sites like bowlingball.com that talk about coverstocks, cores, oil patterns, grit patterns, flare potential, partridge in a pear tree (OK I made that last one up but still) and I'm just like "ummm... I'd like... a ball?"

Here's what I do know. I'm left handed, my bowling style is somewhere between "stroker" and "tweener", I throw the ball about 14 mph according to the computer at the last alley I bowled at, and the lanes I bowl on are your typical bowling alley lanes, nothing special, no sport shots or anything like that. I'm not looking to go pro or anything, I just want to be able to bowl above 200 consistently. What would be a good ball to get that won't cost a bunch of money and will perform reliably on typical bowling alley conditions and give a good strong hook? Also what weight should I get? I throw a 14lb now but I have no idea if that's the right weight for me or not. I intend to purchase from a pro shop so it will be drilled right and to get some additional advice from the staff, but I need a starting point so I don't go in there and just go "duh, me wants a ball".

Thanks everyone!

The following link has a description in the second to last paragraph on how to determine how heavy your ball should be.
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip14.htm

[billf]

Thanks John. You found it before I did lol

[Demoman]

Since you have been throwing a Brunswick all those years I would say stick with that brand. I can say recently I was between balls and before deciding on my hammer I was trying out a Brunswick nexus p+r and it was a really strong ball - it hooked nicely with its reactive cover stock and hit the pins really nice.

The best advice I can give you is to find a pro shop within a bowling alley and have the owner or tech watch you bowl while he watches and to work it out that way. The particular pro shop I use even has multiple balls to demo when your looking to buy which really is a nice perk. Also look for any local ball demos where pro shops bring tons of balls for everyone to try out.

[AngeloPD]

Welcome to the boards!

I agree with bill regarding on DV8 Marauder, i have a columbia freeze hybrid that i use for 10 pins only because it does not hook that much. I also have a DV8 Hellraiser revenge and i have gotten great results from it. my average went up from 170 to 190-200+

[Zothen]

Their are a lot of balls out their and everyone here has their own brand they like. I happen to like Roto Grip-Defiant,beserk & Shout. I have heard the Columbia Voilent Eruption is a good hooking ball for medium-medium heavy oil as well as the Brunswick C-(System)Maxxed out. I bowl with several people who Have the Roto Grip Defiant,beserk & Shatter and are really happy with the ball.

A good source would be people in your league(If you bowl leagues)as well as the pro shop. If you can throw a 15lbs I would suggest that for more hitting power. You can also go to youtube and type in youtube video of(Insert ball company & name here)and see the balls in action.

Good luck & good scoring!

Zothen

[MisterSinister]

If you go into a good pro shop, and you tell him everything you posted here, I'm sure you will be steered in the right direction. Also, tell him you would like him to watch you bowl, so he can help you make the choice, and help lay it out correct. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

[Demoman]

If you go into a good pro shop, and you tell him everything you posted here, I'm sure you will be steered in the right direction. Also, tell him you would like him to watch you bowl, so he can help you make the choice, and help lay it out correct. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

My thoughts exactley - best advice you can get. As mentioned prior if you get frustrated with all the options I would stick with your old brand.

[billf]

DV8 is owned by Brunswick so it's not like you'd be changing companies. Plus if you like to bowl with the black lights, all DV8 balls glow under the lights.