Surprise at the pro-shop

[vdubtx]

Pretty sure at some of the major open tournaments, they usually check balls there if need be.

Yes, at Nationals they check each and every ball you are going to use on several scales to check for out of balance weighting. They do this during check in for the team event. They do not check again for Doubles/Singles.

[Aslan]

Nothing wrong with doing something for the experience, (except for playing Russian roulette), but I would start off a little smaller. A local USBC tournament would be much less costly to participate; lower entry fee, no hotel cost, lower travel expenses. Also you might find one at a center where you have bowled before, so while the oil pattern may be different, being in a familiar environment would offset any nerves from competing in a tournament format

Thats an option. I keep my eyes open...but I figure half the people bowling in the local tournaments here are going to be the same people bowling at the bigger tournaments in Vegas (3.5 hour drive)...so the only difference is less travel and tournament cost...but with a "less cool" experience. But...still a LONG way off....LONG way off.