The Spare ball debate thread

[bowl1820]

To get TotallyDefiant's post back on "his" topic, I've created this spare ball debate thread where you can discuss it all you want.

[Vince805]

Im no professional at all by any means i have a 215 average lol but i have never used a spare ball in my life and i have been bowling for YEARS! I have 2 first balls, no spare ball. i can pick them all up with my fist ball by changing my wrist position and release. and i have a pretty decent hooking first ball. so dont think im a straight line player lol.
just my unrelated 2 cents ;-)

[Aslan]

To get TotallyDefiant's post back on "his" topic, I've created this spare ball debate thread where you can discuss it all you want.

Well, I don't really agree with it being "Aslan's Spare Ball Debate thread" when it was Trex's absurd comment that started the whole thing.

I've tried to not participate in anymore spare ball talk...I actually have come around a bit and agree that under certain circumstances it is very advantageous. I only responded most recently because Trex not only stated it in a way where it was "absolutely essential" but was giving that advice to a NEW player and framing it as "the most important thing he could do to improve his game". I realize everyone like to "get me going"; but I gotta think even experienced bowling teachers would agree that a NEW bowler has many, many important things to work on that supercede expanding his/her arsenal and getting a plastic spare ball.

But, whatever. Buy a spare ball. Buy 12 spare balls. Good luck. Like I said about arsenals, it's pretty silly to see beginner bowlers switching from ball to ball yet absolutely unable to tell you WHY. And it's 6x as silly to see a right handed player switch to a "spare ball" to pick up a left side leave. There's no point to it. Move over 3-6-9 or 4-8-12....hit the same s***id (silly) target and oh look...you picked it up. No need to switch balls...or change your approach or do anything at all different other than where you start moving.

But AGAIN....NEW PLAYERS. Not Pete Weber. Not vdub. Not Rob M. I'm sure those guys shooting 99% at single pin spares...have a system that works near flawlessly and it involves a spare ball because their other balls move too much and the conditions they ball on are about 40x more difficult than your THS.

I'm starting to really believe that we need to segregate bowling forums. Beginners and those like me with opinions not backed up by titles...we should either not be able to post or just be able to post in one section. Then, as we get better averages, and more titles...we get to have an opinion and participate in higher level discussions. And the higher level folks that contribute to the new bowlers...are doing so with it CLEAR that they are giving "beginner advice"....no modern release, ball specs, arsenals, spare balls, sport shots, etc... Save that for your high level forums so the newbs don't get confused.

[bowl1820]

Well, I don't really agree with it being "Aslan's Spare Ball Debate thread" when it was Trex's absurd comment that started the whole thing.

I had gave the thread the title I did because you are the most vocal in the discussions about spare balls. Since you don't like it there you go I changed the title.

I'm starting to really believe that we need to segregate bowling forums. Beginners and those like me with opinions not backed up by titles...we should either not be able to post or just be able to post in one section. Then, as we get better averages, and more titles...we get to have an opinion and participate in higher level discussions. And the higher level folks that contribute to the new bowlers...are doing so with it CLEAR that they are giving "beginner advice"....no modern release, ball specs, arsenals, spare balls, sport shots, etc... Save that for your high level forums so the newbs don't get confused.

As for you having a opinion and being able to participate in higher level discussions. Your perfectly free to do so!

Separating all this spare ball talk from the other thread in fact increases yours and others ability to express opinions on this subject.

Without taking away from another users post on a different subject, who felt it was taking to much away from their subject or being lost in another thread with a different subject.

[Perrin]

The following is my own opinion and not to be taken any other way

I would always encourage new or inexperienced bowlers (and I include people who have bowled for years with house balls and are now getting their own)
to start with an entry level ball (Low end reactive or mid-level urethane) drilled finger tip
Once you are throwing that ball comfortably and consisitently IF you have trouble with right side spares then you should then pick-up a spare ball.

some people will have problems with right side stuff and some won't.

if you are trying to raise your average and pick up 10 pins less than 9 out of 10 using a flattened wrist I encourage a spare ball.

The whole thing with spareball is it makes the right side spares easier to pick up. just like choosing to throw cross lane gives you more room for error.

I for years refused to get/us a spare ball. For Me using a spare ball increased my conversion % from ~70% to ~90%

do I still strugle sometimes? heck yeah. there is even on place I bowl that even with plastic I still have to flatten my wrist and kill the hook.... but with my strike ball I would litterlly have to thow a backup to get to the 10 so..... again not an answer to everything but makes it easier.

[MICHAEL]

For some, if not all spares. What does that tell you Aslan??

I don't use plastic, but use a weak drilling on a Sling Shot ball. The secret I have found that works for me is when throwing at the ten pin, or any pick up that I don't want the snap at the end, (( THROW WITH YOUR PALM UP))!

It gives forward revolutions, and takes the hook out,,, esp with some speed!

I had a older guy come up to me the other day, and asked me how to pick up the 10 pin,,, I give him the info above.

He then came back after league that night and THANKED ME FOR THE ADVISE,,, he said it worked great!

I stand far right even with gutter, then aim the center arrow! If I hit my mark, I always pick up the 10 pin!

[tccstudent]

I was told a long time ago when throwing for a 10 pin just point your thumb towards the 10. I works pretty well. I have broken down and went to plastic and I just aim at the same spot as I do with my strike ball and been pretty consistent at that diabolical pin.

[Aslan]

I had gave the thread the title I did because you are the most vocal in the discussions about spare balls. Since you don't like it there you go I changed the title.

You're a gentleman and a scholar. And I have no problem with seperating this discussion from that other guy's thread. I kinda felt bad that it got hijacked. And of course, I get blamed for hijacking it...even though, again, I didn't start the divergent topic and sure as "heck" wasn't arguing with myself...but whatever. I put the guy on my ignore list (first member!). It's a pet peeve of mine when a new user comes on asking for help then immediately goes all KGB on people for posting about things he doesn't like in HIS thread. Welcome to the internet son.

As for you having a opinion and being able to participate in higher level discussions. Your perfectly free to do so!

I just keep getting opinions from various members that some people's opinions are more valuable and more worthy of discussion than other opinions. If thats the case....maybe set it up so us lower average bowlers can't pollute the site with erroneous nonsense?? Just an idea.

The following is my own opinion and not to be taken any other way

Good luck with THAT!

Once you are throwing that ball comfortably and consisitently IF you have trouble with right side spares then you should then pick-up a spare ball.

some people will have problems with right side stuff and some won't.

Wow. The BEST advice given on the site in over a month. Thank you for stating it in such a non-Aslanish way that hopefully will limit the backlash.

For some, if not all spares. What does that tell you Aslan??

That if you're a pro, with pro equipment, on pro patterns...it might be a pretty good thing to consider. Since nobody on this site is ALL of those things...other than a few guys who tried sport patterns and the guys that have pro level equipment...that stat is on par with 98% of people liking scented bowling balls.

I don't use plastic, but use a weak drilling on a Sling Shot ball.

Oh, then you're on my side, the evil side, and according to Trex the NUMBER 1 (with a bullet) way of advancing your game Iceman is to ditch that silly Slingshot and get a nice plastic ball. I've heard 99% of pros use plastic; 0% use Slingshots...what does THAT tell ya!?

The secret I have found that works for me is when throwing at the ten pin, or any pick up that I don't want the snap at the end, (( THROW WITH YOUR PALM UP))!

It gives forward revolutions, and takes the hook out,,, esp with some speed!

I actually would prefer the plastic ball over changing releases. I also do that on occasion. I'd rather flatten the wrist than use a house ball...but I think one of the reasons behind NOT using a "spare ball" is you want to stay with the same ball, weight, grip, everything....rather than introduce a variable. But if I MUST introduce a variable...I'd agree with the pro-plastic crowd that a spare ball is preferable to changing your approach/release.

On the flip side, I prefer "slight" changes to release/swing over an "arsenal" because I feel like, especially for the non-pro/high level guys, there's a great deal that can be learned from learning how to make those small changes/adjustments. Everyone thinks that the pros ONLY switch balls when things start going slightly off. But if you watch closely (or luck out and they actually tell you since it's harder to see), you'll notice guys lofting a little more, slightly altering their backswing, using forward/backward movement, sometimes even changing how many steps they take. The casual bowler doesn't even see it. And if you grow up in the "arsenal era", sometimes you have people that never learn to make those adjustments and are completely befuddled when they are "between balls".

And I think we get lost in this discussion and people think that a "spare ball" is 99%. In the leagues I've played in and the tournament I was in..I was surprised that probably less than half threw plastic spare balls. I honestly thought I was the exception to the rule...and I've found I'm actually one of many. But, to each their own. I'm sure Mike and zDawg will have their plastic spare balls in full effect come Saturday.

[sprocket]

I am over 95% at picking up the ten pin. I'll bet I am the best spare shooter on my league. I have converted the ten pin more than 50 times in a row on several occasions. I do not use a spare ball. If the lanes were FLYING I might use plastic for spares BUT I would also being using plastic for a strike ball so it's a moot point.

[Jeral999ok]

Ok. I'm a late comer to this "Party"

But, to each there own, that is WHY I love this sport, I use a plastic ball (NOW) for my 10 pin shot, I use to use a urethane ball with a little bite at the end to hold the line, they both do the job for me.

I know I CAN NOT lay out my hand and throw my newer equipment straight, I've tried, so plastic works great for me as I just release my normal release but see the ball head for pin straight on, but it may not be for you, awesome, you make your shot work and I make my shot work. cheers

I know I want to become a HS Bowling Coach and help others and I figure I have to work with their strong suites, not their weaknesses, I have gotten my wife bowling pretty good (for only bowling for 2.5 years) but she does her 7 pin totally different, she is a righty but throws a backup ball. I am far far from any "PRO" or tournament winner player, but we all like to think we know more than we do, it's in all of us, LOL, so I listen and read these forums and love the debates.

Jerry