Noobie question

[rv driver]

I pm'd a member with this question, and he suggested that I post it here for everyone. There may be Noobies out there with similar questions, and the answer(s) may be helpful to more folks than just myself.

I'm going to buy a bowling ball through Bowler's X. I've decided on a Motiv Ascent pearl, which sells from the manufacturer for about $130 and is not available through Bowlingball.com. (It's $92 through Bowlers X.)

On the Bowler X page where you buy the ball, besides the obvious "what weight do you want" option, there are two other options: "pin height" and "top weight." These options aren't available on the Motiv page, so I'm assuming that it's not some "factory option," where you can order one of several "types" of pearl Ascent, but is rather something that happens "afetermarket?" Like a customization or something? It's also not an option on the Bowlingball.com site. There's no explanation on the Bowler's X site.

1) Should I concern myself with these options?
2) What are "pin height" and "top weight?" Are they merely markings or instructions for drilling?
3) Are they, indeed, different "models" of the same ball -- different "configurations," so to speak -- that happen at the factory?

I've never heard these terms before and don't know what I'm dealing with. Some explanation from a ball-savvy person would be helpful for the woefully ignorant and overly-curious.

[vdubtx]

#1 Yes you should concern yourself with this. Maybe get some input from pro shop before ordering.
#2 Copy pasta

"All bowling balls have different pin distances out from the CG and various top weights. Usually your pro shop professional will decide what specifics he wants based on your span, relative to where he wants to place the pin and cg and if he wants to use a balance hole. These specifics aren’t necessary for the consumers to choose, but we allow you to pick what you want and we fill all orders exact or as close as possible based on availability.

Pin Position – The pin distance describes how far the pin and the cg are apart. A pin-in ball is where the pin and cg are any where from 0-1” apart. A pin-out ball is where the pin and cg are any where from 1” + apart.

Example #1: Balls with a 0-1” pin will get the ball into a slightly earlier roll with slightly less flare potential.

Example #2: Balls with a 3-4” pin out will give the ball slightly more length and more flare potential than the ball in example 1.

Top Weight – The amount of imbalance placed in the bowling ball to offset the removal of weight from the gripping holes. Average top weight ranges from 2-4 oz.

Example #1: Balls with 2 oz or less top weight will get the ball into a slightly earlier roll.

Example #2 Balls with 2 oz or more top weight will give the ball slightly more length than the ball in example 1."

#3 Yes, indeed there are different variations of pin and top weight to satisfy the needs of many bowlers. Not everyone has same specs etc.

All of my balls have 3.5-4" pins.

[rv driver]

#1 Yes you should concern yourself with this.
#2 Copy pasta

"All bowling balls have different pin distances out from the CG and various top weights. Usually your pro shop professional will decide what specifics he wants based on your span, relative to where he wants to place the pin and cg and if he wants to use a balance hole. These specifics aren’t necessary for the consumers to choose, but we allow you to pick what you want and we fill all orders exact or as close as possible based on availability.

Pin Position – The pin distance describes how far the pin and the cg are apart. A pin-in ball is where the pin and cg are any where from 0-1” apart. A pin-out ball is where the pin and cg are any where from 1” + apart.

Example #1: Balls with a 0-1” pin will get the ball into a slightly earlier roll with slightly less flare potential.

Example #2: Balls with a 3-4” pin out will give the ball slightly more length and more flare potential than the ball in example 1.

Top Weight – The amount of imbalance placed in the bowling ball to offset the removal of weight from the gripping holes. Average top weight ranges from 2-4 oz.

Example #1: Balls with 2 oz or less top weight will get the ball into a slightly earlier roll.

Example #2 Balls with 2 oz or more top weight will give the ball slightly more length than the ball in example 1."

#3 Yes, indeed there are different variations of pin and top weight to satisfy the needs of many bowlers. Not everyone has same specs etc.

All of my balls have 3.5-4" pins.

Thanks, Vdub! But are those choices actually different balls that come that way, undrilled, from the factory, or is the pin height and top weight some magic that the driller performs on the same base ball, drilled for different people? In other words, when I'm ordering the ball, undrilled, do I need to specify pin height and top weight, because I'll actually be getting a completely different ball, based upon my choices? Or will I get a "Motiv Ascent Pearl," and then the driller will manipulate a pin height and top weight from that prototype ball?

I don't know why I'm so confused about this, but it's driving me nuts!

[edit] If the ball comes one of a myriad different ways from the manufacturer, why don't the manufacturers' pages give you this option? Why doesn't Bowlingball.com?

[vdubtx]

The manufacturer creates balls with varying pin and top weights. But, if you order one and need a 1-2" pin but get a 3-4", the ball driller can make changes to the drilling so it will work for you. The pin and top weight are both minor adjustments that can be adjusted by a driller.

[rv driver]

The manufacturer creates balls with varying pin and top weights. But, if you order one and need a 1-2" pin but get a 3-4", the ball driller can make changes to the drilling so it will work for you. The pin and top weight are both minor adjustments that can be adjusted by a driller.

I see. it's beginning to make sense now! I wonder why the manufacturers don't list that option??

[Amyers]

I pm'd a member with this question, and he suggested that I post it here for everyone. There may be Noobies out there with similar questions, and the answer(s) may be helpful to more folks than just myself.

I'm going to buy a bowling ball through Bowler's X. I've decided on a Motiv Ascent pearl, which sells from the manufacturer for about $130 and is not available through Bowlingball.com. (It's $92 through Bowlers X.)

On the Bowler X page where you buy the ball, besides the obvious "what weight do you want" option, there are two other options: "pin height" and "top weight." These options aren't available on the Motiv page, so I'm assuming that it's not some "factory option," where you can order one of several "types" of pearl Ascent, but is rather something that happens "afetermarket?" Like a customization or something? It's also not an option on the Bowlingball.com site. There's no explanation on the Bowler's X site.

1) Should I concern myself with these options?
2) What are "pin height" and "top weight?" Are they merely markings or instructions for drilling?
3) Are they, indeed, different "models" of the same ball -- different "configurations," so to speak -- that happen at the factory?

I've never heard these terms before and don't know what I'm dealing with. Some explanation from a ball-savvy person would be helpful for the woefully ignorant and overly-curious.

RV have you talked with the person who will be drilling this ball for you? this is just my personal situation I always talk with my pro-shop first. I let them know what I am looking at and give me a price for the ball drilled and just to drill the ball. I also let them know what price I'm looking at online. If they can match it or beat it with what they are going to charge to drill included I buy from them happens a lot. Sometimes he tells me I can't buy it at that price I order it online and take it to them and I ask what they need to do the drilling he has picked for the ball in and top weight wise.

Some things you should be aware of ordering online that I have learned spending too much time sitting around the pro shop at my home alley.

#1. If you by the ball online and it cracks during drilling its a you problem not a them problem
#2. I have had my pro shop do a lot of extras form me in adjusting my grip angles and things like that for the balls I have bought from them and they don't charge me (just recently slugged and re-drilled my thumb with different angles twice) didn't charge me a dime for it would have been about $40 don't think that would have happened if I hadn't bought from them.

Online can save you some money but is pisses some of these guys off too so make sure you know what your getting into before you buy.

[rv driver]

RV have you talked with the person who will be drilling this ball for you? this is just my personal situation I always talk with my pro-shop first. I let them know what I am looking at and give me a price for the ball drilled and just to drill the ball. I also let them know what price I'm looking at online. If they can match it or beat it with what they are going to charge to drill included I buy from them happens a lot. Sometimes he tells me I can't buy it at that price I order it online and take it to them and I ask what they need to do the drilling he has picked for the ball in and top weight wise.

Some things you should be aware of ordering online that I have learned spending too much time sitting around the pro shop at my home alley.

#1. If you by the ball online and it cracks during drilling its a you problem not a them problem
#2. I have had my pro shop do a lot of extras form me in adjusting my grip angles and things like that for the balls I have bought from them and they don't charge me (just recently slugged and re-drilled my thumb with different angles twice) didn't charge me a dime for it would have been about $40 don't think that would have happened if I hadn't bought from them.

Online can save you some money but is pisses some of these guys off too so make sure you know what your getting into before you buy.

I've spent some time with the house pro, but not with this particular ball. My center is not a Motiv dealer, so I'd have to order it online.

However, what you say is important. Perhaps I'd be better off buying a different brand from him. If so, that puts the Freeze and the Misfit back on the table...

[Amyers]

RV

Talk with him and explain you really like this ball he maybe completely cool with it my guy is others I have talked with are not. Just make sure you understand his rules before you buy and can live with them. If you can great if you can't it may be time to pick a different ball or pick another driller. I'm surprised he can't order one even if he isn't a dealer for that brand a lot of these guys purchase through wholesalers for the brands they don't have relationships with.

[rv driver]

RV

Talk with him and explain you really like this ball he maybe completely cool with it my guy is others I have talked with are not. Just make sure you understand his rules before you buy and can live with them. If you can great if you can't it may be time to pick a different ball or pick another driller. I'm surprised he can't order one even if he isn't a dealer for that brand a lot of these guys purchase through wholesalers for the brands they don't have relationships with.

Hey! There's an idea. I didn't know they could do that.

[tccstudent]

RV
Knowing that you are in Springfield where the proshop prices and damn near the same as internet pricing. I may just pick something that he carries.
Once you buy that ball you are going to spend 92 plus shipping then 50-70 to have it drilled. That is going to make it higher than any ball in that proshop drilled.