higher vs. lower end balls

[rv driver]

In a word….NO.

P.S. Thats from a first time fingertipper that started with a mid-range ball (Storm Frantic; formerly of the HOT series).



Yeah…but thats slightly disingenuous. I mean, Mike W. (your hero) bowled a 300-game with a Storm Ice or Storm Mix. Does that mean a Storm Ice or Storm Mix would be the perfect ball for a new player?? Maybe as a spare ball…if the oil is heavier than a light dusting!

You and Mike have a higher level of skill and can use weaker bowling balls to attain a high score.

I still think…the guy goes midrange…symmetric…probably hybrid coverstock…and the ball serves him well for 9 months. He finds his game…then starts thinking about building an arsenal, etc…

Or…he gets a ball that smells like a birthday cake, all the other male bowlers tease him…2 weeks later he over-reacts and impulse buys a DV8 or Motiv with a manly monster name…then can't sell his 15lb Tropical Breeze because girls generally throw 10-14lbers….then he misses a credit card payment…pretty soon he's paying 29.99% and has a 490 credit score.

Ha! yeah, that'd be about par for the course for me -- a series of escalating, unfortunate events.

Seriously, I [I]do[I] worry about pairing a strong ball with a low ball speed. Wouldn't a Hy Road hook sooner than, say, a Breeze -- and undesirably so?

[Amyers]

The difference in hook between the two is not that big when we are talking about hook the difference maybe 3-4 boards from what I have seen. he hyroad is not a hook monster

[rv driver]

The difference in hook between the two is not that big when we are talking about hook the difference maybe 3-4 boards from what I have seen. he hyroad is not a hook monster

You might be right... definitely food for thought.

[Amyers]

I mentioned the Hy Road series. Excellent series with a proven track record. And I think very controllable. The "issue" is cost. Hy Roads aren't cheap. Not a lot of sales since it's so popular.

One of the things I don't get is people who react over the cost of a bowling ball. I know money doesn't grow on trees and believe me I struggle as much or more than anybody else when it comes to money but the price difference between the balls we have discussed earlier about $90 dollars the hyroad is about $120 its $30 if you figure the ball is good for at least a year more likely 2 or 3 but even at a year if you only bowl one three game league per week no practice or anything else its about .19 cents per game. Lets please quit with the money thing no one wants to spend more than they have too but I hear this all the time. it doesn't matter if its USBC dues, league dues, sport certification fees, or balls. Bowling is cheaper than just about any sport.

[rv driver]

One of the things I don't get is people who react over the cost of a bowling ball. I know money doesn't grow on trees and believe me I struggle as much or more than anybody else when it comes to money but the price difference between the balls we have discussed earlier about $90 dollars the hyroad is about $120 its $30 if you figure the ball is good for at least a year more likely 2 or 3 but even at a year if you only bowl one three game league per week no practice or anything else its about .19 cents per game. Lets please quit with the money thing no one wants to spend more than they have too but I hear this all the time. it doesn't matter if its USBC dues, league dues, sport certification fees, or balls. Bowling is cheaper than just about any sport.

I'm not worried so much about cost as I am what's right for me, and what I like.

[Aslan]

I'm not worried so much about cost as I am what's right for me, and what I like.

1) You're too worried about balls hooking too much. EVEN IF IT DID...which it won't...a 0.5-1.0mph change in velocity will most likely fix any "over-hook".

2) The reason, as I said before, for recommending something above the Tropical Breeze is I think you'll IMMEDIATELY grow out of it. You'll get frustrated that it's "not hooking enough" and you'll start adding a bunch of hand to the release to try and compensate. Think of it like a computer purchase. You go out, buy the $299 special at Costco...and in 2 months you're out of memory and pissed that it's too slow for the video games you want to play. So you either start investing in $1000 worth of aftermarket upgrades or you go out and spend the $899 you should have in the first place and get a real computer.

3) I agree that the money thing isn't the driving factor...but why **** $50-$70 away on a ball when you don't have to? Don't get me wrong...I support the Hy Road choice and think it will serve you VERY well as a starting ball. Very controllable and a great track record. But for a "first" ball? I think the others on the list can be had for less and suit your needs. One minute you're talking about getting an entry level Tropical Breeze, then I mention there are some nice mid-range balls that can be had for less, then we're talking about the Hy Road series. Pretty soon Iceman is going to be in here pitching the Hammer Deadly Aim and you're going to be considering the BYTE or Mastermind. I mean, whats another $140??

Answer: For ME...$140 is TWO balls...so a $210 ball better be magnificent!! Becuase I coulda got 3 mid-high end balls shipped to me for that price.

[rv driver]

1) You're too worried about balls hooking too much. EVEN IF IT DID...which it won't...a 0.5-1.0mph change in velocity will most likely fix any "over-hook".

2) The reason, as I said before, for recommending something above the Tropical Breeze is I think you'll IMMEDIATELY grow out of it. You'll get frustrated that it's "not hooking enough" and you'll start adding a bunch of hand to the release to try and compensate. Think of it like a computer purchase. You go out, buy the $299 special at Costco...and in 2 months you're out of memory and pissed that it's too slow for the video games you want to play. So you either start investing in $1000 worth of aftermarket upgrades or you go out and spend the $899 you should have in the first place and get a real computer.

3) I agree that the money thing isn't the driving factor...but why **** $50-$70 away on a ball when you don't have to? Don't get me wrong...I support the Hy Road choice and think it will serve you VERY well as a starting ball. Very controllable and a great track record. But for a "first" ball? I think the others on the list can be had for less and suit your needs. One minute you're talking about getting an entry level Tropical Breeze, then I mention there are some nice mid-range balls that can be had for less, then we're talking about the Hy Road series. Pretty soon Iceman is going to be in here pitching the Hammer Deadly Aim and you're going to be considering the BYTE or Mastermind. I mean, whats another $140??

Answer: For ME...$140 is TWO balls...so a $210 ball better be magnificent!! Becuase I coulda got 3 mid-high end balls shipped to me for that price.

Really looking at something more like a Lights Out or a Wrecker (to stay with the hybrid motif) -- and still interested in the Freeze hybrid too, and possibly the Up Roar (not a hybrid, but I like the looks and the numbers).

[rv driver]

I took a good look at a few new balls today. I reeeeaaally like the Wrecker and the Lights Out. I also continue to be intrigued by the Motiv Ascent. Additionally, I took a look at the DV8 Misfit Orange (I'd never seriously considered DV8 -- don't know why...) and I'm interested, but I like the length and continuous back end movement of the first two choices. They seem similar to the Breeze hybrid, but stronger. And still interested in the Freeze...

I'd like to know what everyone thinks of the Wrecker and Lights Out as compared to each other (and to other balls). they both seem to be great balls for the money.

[edit] I found both balls on Bowler X, for $2-10 cheaper than Bowlingball.com.

[circlecity]

I have a wrecker and it' a solid ball. I used it last night on a Cheetah pattern around 5-8 board and when I threw it correctly, speed, spot etc.. It when long and then snapped right in the pocket or brooklyn hehehe. I wished I had used it the whole night instead of my Hyper Cell.

[Amyers]

I haven't seen anyone throwing the lights out but the owner of the alley I bowl at has a wrecker and about 6 other balls usually if he is bowling with anything other than the wrecker at the end of the game he walks by says that was stupid and gets the wrecker