The Spare ball debate thread

[Mike White]

Hard to say because it's still too early on in the process. Like I said, a good bowler like you...if you make that change...you see an increase in picking up the 10-pin...BAMM....makes sense to use a spare ball. But if you're a beginner and you're picking the 10-pin up 35% of the time....then get a plastic spare ball and over the course of a year that raises to 65%...was it the ball....or the year of learning how to bowl??

Ok maybe for you a plastic ball wouldn't help because your problem isn't the ball over reacting, but a lack of accuracy with any ball.

For many, the "little" hook at the end gives them almost no room for error on 10 pins, so for them a plastic ball increases the room for error by reducing that "little" hook at the end.

[noeymc]

plastic ball is a must but i do sport shots in the summer and to say duke is flawed is crazy that man is a master of the sport

[J Anderson]

plastic ball is a must but i do sport shots in the summer and to say duke is flawed is crazy that man is a master of the sport

Do not rise to the bait Noeymc. Aslan just puts things like that to see if we're paying attention.

[CaptainXeroid]

I have a White Dot for solid 10's, a Yellow Dot for half 10's, and I was thinking about getting a Blue Dot for those times the 6 bumps the 10 close to the gutter but doesn't quite knock it over. Good plan...or should I look for a Black Knight?

I wonder if any one has done serious research on what percentage of bowlers switch balls for spares in the pros versus amateur league bowlers. I would bet that it's pretty even because some people feel comfortable throwing their strike ball. I just didn't realize it could spark such a passionate debate.

[larry mc]

i use my freeze solid for spare ball , slides enough to reach the ten and has enough when i miss right to hold the edge and not go into the gutter , any thing i leave on the left side i use my strike ball

[bdtrob300]

I use a 12lb. Victory Road for spares. But I'm no Norm Duke.

My Pro Shop guy gives me heck for using a lighter ball for spares all the time, says I can't be consistent, yada yada. I honestly dont think it makes a difference. Maybe on a burnt shot, getting it to slide enough can be a challenge, but when its like that I just "Briefcase" it.

If your accurate and your not pawing at the ball on your release, I see no reason why you need a plastic ball...

As far as the Sport Shot goes, I've always found spares to the right of the head pin easier with my strike ball, just huck it to the 5 board and it sits and rolls right over the ten. I dunno, maybe its just me...

[austin]

I am one of those people that was indecisive about the plastic spare ball as well. I am right handed so for all spares on the right side of the lane I used to just flatten out the wrist instead of my usual shot. Accuracy was a bit patchy at times so I eventually relented and got myself a plastic ball to spare shoot the right side of the lane. My accuracy did not improve at all. So now I no longer use a plastic ball for right sided spares. I feel the spot in my bag is better used by having another ball for other types of lane conditions for when I bowl tournaments. I bowl tournaments bi-monthly and having that extra option in the bag far out weighs the marginal if any increase in sparing accuracy.

[Hammer]

I shot my highest scratch game, a 276 and highest scratch 3 game series, 710 with one ball. That was an urethane Blue Hammer that I bought in the 90s. I used to practice quite a bit then. That urethane ball was good for picking up spares because I could throw it and not have to worry about a big hook. It had just a very slight hook when going after a 7 pin leave-I am left handed-and just the right amount of hook when going after the 10 pin. I play only THS patterns so for me a urethane for a spare ball or a strike ball works for me. I don't have high speed or revs.

[RobLV1]

In your situation, throwing your old blue urethane Hammer works just fine; a lot like throwing plastic.

[Aslan]

In your situation, throwing your old blue urethane Hammer works just fine; a lot like throwing plastic.

Yeah...I've never understood why people insist on plastic when urethane is equally as straight. : /