Do pros use a plastic ball for all spare leaves?

[Aslan]

Sorry, but I disagree. I would say to ALL new bowlers...learn to pick up spares with a spare ball. It's one of the things I so wish I had learned early on, as sometimes he transition at this age is difficult at best!

It's okay to disagree.

I "think"…

[bowl1820]

new players should be taught to pick up spares with lateral movement and adjustments rather than switch to a "spare ball"

Sorry, but I disagree. I would say to ALL new bowlers...learn to pick up spares with a spare ball. It's one of the things I so wish I had learned early on, as sometimes he transition at this age is difficult at best!

As far as "New Bowlers" (meaning those just learning how to bowl) are concerned. Aslan's idea above is okay, (especially if they have only one ball).

But a "New Bowler" shouldn't be learning to bowl with the most powerful ball out either. That's the mistake a lot of new bowlers make, they get this real powerful ball. Then they either can't control it or they don't know how to use it and it does nothing for them and they get frustrated.

When starting out they should be learning the basic's of play and spare shooting. Using a good controllable, entry level ball.

Once this is done and they have the basic's and spare shooting skill's down and they then can move up to a more powerful ball to increase their striking ability.

The transition here would be easier and they will already have a ball they are confident in using for picking up spares.

[Aslan]

OH MY GOD…I'm going to CRY!!

Bowl1820 just said what I've been trying to say…but in SUCH a better way!!

1) New bowlers..
2) They usually only have one ball anyways..
3) They usually aren't using a mega-hook ball… (making a spare ball far less necessary)
4) The straighter ball then transitions into a …we'll just call it "back-up ball"…

Well done Bowl1820!!! And because it's YOU and not ME…95% less chance of it causing an argument!! Well played.

[e-tank]

OH MY GOD…I'm going to CRY!!

Bowl1820 just said what I've been trying to say…but in SUCH a better way!!

1) New bowlers..
2) They usually only have one ball anyways..
3) They usually aren't using a mega-hook ball… (making a spare ball far less necessary)
4) The straighter ball then transitions into a …we'll just call it "back-up ball"…

Well done Bowl1820!!! And because it's YOU and not ME…95% less chance of it causing an argument!! Well played.

actually bowl said he agrees with you in a perfect world where new bowlers actually buy entry level balls as a first ball. Most however buy that advanced heavy oiler making a spare ball necessary essentially as it will go mostly straight

[Aslan]

Most however buy that advanced heavy oiler making a spare ball necessary essentially as it will go mostly straight

Whoa whoa whoa…where are we getting those stats?? I guess thats a topic for another thread…but what are people commonly seeing new bowlers buy??

I actually see most "new" bowlers with Columbia WD plastic balls or Storm Tropical Breezes. However, I'll admit those a mostly new female bowlers. I don't see many new male bowlers very often but I do admit the few I've seen tend to wind up with a Hammer First Blood or a Storm Sync…which is probably too much ball right off the bat. I've heard the DV8 Misfit is a popular entry level ball for both males and females…not sure if thats something others have noticed or not. And I don't think that would be considered "too much hook" where you'd need a plastic spare ball for spares.

[dnhoffman]

I don't advise "new bowlers" to even bowl fingertip so a separate spare ball is a moot point there. Teaching them beginners mechanics involves spare shooting with urethane/polyester.

When they move to a fingertip ball that's even medium performance, that's when I'd suggest the separate spare ball.

[dnhoffman]

actually bowl said he agrees with you in a perfect world where new bowlers actually buy entry level balls as a first ball. Most however buy that advanced heavy oiler making a spare ball necessary essentially as it will go mostly straight

Or the more common worst case scenario: learning to bowl by palming the ball for an easy hook. UGH...

[e-tank]

Whoa whoa whoa…where are we getting those stats?? I guess thats a topic for another thread…but what are people commonly seeing new bowlers buy??

I actually see most "new" bowlers with Columbia WD plastic balls or Storm Tropical Breezes. However, I'll admit those a mostly new female bowlers. I don't see many new male bowlers very often but I do admit the few I've seen tend to wind up with a Hammer First Blood or a Storm Sync…which is probably too much ball right off the bat. I've heard the DV8 Misfit is a popular entry level ball for both males and females…not sure if thats something others have noticed or not. And I don't think that would be considered "too much hook" where you'd need a plastic spare ball for spares.

From my own limited experience, that is not the case. They always buy the top level ball expecting the ball to get them their good scores or pro like hook. The misfit is labeled an entry level but its more of a medium level ball but i would still say it could be used for spares...maybe not the 10 pin though

Or the more common worst case scenario: learning to bowl by palming the ball for an easy hook. UGH...

haha you mean thumbless? Thats how i learned initially. I didnt even know you could hook a ball with your thumb in until i started bowling with my friend who about a 220 avg. It was still a learning process for me to learn thumb in which started with a thumb tip grip with a release that resembled literally throwing the ball vs rolling it off the hand

[dnhoffman]

haha you mean thumbless? Thats how i learned initially. I didnt even know you could hook a ball with your thumb in until i started bowling with my friend who about a 220 avg. It was still a learning process for me to learn thumb in which started with a thumb tip grip with a release that resembled literally throwing the ball vs rolling it off the hand

Aye, thumbless. Or as I refer to it "junk-balling"

[dnhoffman]

Because trying to explain how to throw spares with plastic or otherwise to someone who junk-balls is just...frustrating.