How many bowling balls are enough?

[barcar]

Bowling in two leagues at the same house, both are 5 man teams, and it seems most of us use the same line, so it changes every few frames.
Thinking it is time to change my line completely and see if I can move away for the rest of cattle.

[Kobra167]

I say the magic number is 4 or 5. One primary for your fresh shot. One weaker one for broken down, light oil, or second series ball. One "OMG, the Laneman messed the lane I don't know what's going on" ball. I prefer to that to a "beginner ball" of sorts. Just go down-and-in playing the track or near gutter. One plastic ball for the spares. If you happen to bowl in more than one house. Then the 5th piece can be something to handle a longer or shorter oil pattern if there is a big difference. That's all you need unless your trying to be a pro.

[barcar]

Kobra I was thinking about the same amount of balls 5-6 and that is what i have been using.
I keep 3 balls, plus a spare ball at the lanes, and have two extras at home along with an pair of shoes, just in case I go out at the last minute to another house.
I am looking at a heavy oil ball and was going to get rid of my oldest/least used ball.

[SmilingBowler]

I have a three ball bag, but I'm considering purchasing an (: .) EBONITE Maxim (spare ball) for States in May.
I have a few older bags that I can use for it when traveling.

My (: .) EBONITE Innovate is my primary.

My (: .) Jacked Raw HAMMER for drier lanes because it goes long before breaking, so it won't cut across the headpin.
My (: .) HAMMER Black Widow when the oil shifts down closer to the pins. Generally this happens in a 3rd game after an earlier league or when open bowling... when the freshest lanes aren't available.

I feel I can control my Innovate in almost any condition, however. I'm really learning how to adjust my step speed, arm speed and release. Most specifically how far I throw it out over the foul line; which is why I practice twice a week.

[greycat]

I have a ball rack that holds 16 balls and its full. I have 3 3 ball bags full and some plastics in cups. I take 7 3 oob 3 with changed surfaces and a spare. If I had to cut down to 3 I'd take numbers 1,3,6 from the bottom list. I broken the list to the most basic to explain.

The changed surfaces I like are
1. 800-1000 sanded solid
2. 3000-4000 sanded pearl
3. 2000 polished hybrid
-----
oob
4. stacked
5. control layout
6. long and strong
7. urethane or plastic with pba plastic ball layout

[billf]

How many? Depends on my mood. There have been league nights I will bring just one, others four. For tournaments I bring most of them. For the City Tournament at my local center I brought 13. Most of my teammates don't have newer equipment and will often use mine when needed. Combine that with not knowing how the patterns or lanes would be that day and I end up with a wall full of balls.

Given second in team event and a first in doubles I made the right choices most of the time. The ball that was playing the best is my least used ball so it was a good thing I brought it with me.

[barcar]

Billf,
How are you transporting so many balls to the lanes?
I have a three ball roller and I leave that at my locker at the lanes.
Don't get me wrong I think it is great that you are able to help out your teammates, but I sure hope you are a younger man with a strong back, cause that is a lot of balls, even for a tourney.