Does anyone not use a spare ball?

[Blomer]

In my short bowling experience, I never used a spare ball. A large percentage of the time I can get my spares....except the dreaded 10 pin. With the 10, I go on streaks of getting it, nothing to consistent. I just liked using 1 ball through out. Now that I upgraded my strike ball, Brunswick Karma to Storm Optimus, I use both those balls as the Optimus is to aggressive for me to get those pins close to the right gutter. Today I went to get my thumb hole opened up a little bit and broke down and bought a spare ball. If I can get those 10 s I will increase my average a lot.

Does anyone not use a spare ball? Or is it an expected practice?
Also, throwing a spare ball, do I have to do anything special or just toss it like my normal shot?

Thanks for the info!

[Aslan]

Does anyone not use a spare ball? Or is it an expected practice?
Also, throwing a spare ball, do I have to do anything special or just toss it like my normal shot?

Awwww....boy.

Lets just say...this topic has been discussed about as much as the Kennedy Assasination.

In a nutshell...just about EVERYONE on this site uses a plastic spare ball and swears by it.

Iceman and myself use a less reactive spare ball (but not plastic).

Nobody uses their strike ball on all spares. Many use it for spares on the left side of the lane (for righties)...but then switch to a non-reactive (or less for me and Iceman) ball for most right side leaves.

I initially learned to bowl using my strike ball for all shots. I think it's a good way to learn lateral movement. I personally feel too many people start relying on a plastic spare ball too early and don't get good at lateral movement and targeting first.

But as you progress, you'll either:

1) Have a weak release that allows you to use a less reactive spare ball for right side spares...and it'll give you a slight cushion if you miss right...but a slight problem if you miss left.
or
2) You'll learn to flatten your wrist to throw any ball straight and prefer that method.
or
3) Like 97% of real bowlers and pros...you'll find an excuse to get a nice shiny plastic ball and that will be your "spare ball".

[CaptainXeroid]

• Some folks like to use the same ball so they don't have to worry about the spare ball feeling different.
• Some folks like plastic so they don't need to radically change their release
• Some folks have a slower ball speed and prefer the extra margin of the plastic going STRAIGHT.

The key is to find what you find comfortable and repeatable to cover your spares. As long as ball meets pin, there is no wrong answer.

[Hammer]

I don't use a spare ball. For spares I use my urethane Blue Hammer with a 2000 Abralon dull surface. Being a lefty my usual corner pin leave is the 7 pin. My urethane Hammer is good for me on spare leaves that are from the 5 pin left. From the 6 pin right I use my resin ball which is my Raw Hammer Anger with a 4000 Abralon surface polished. I bowl on THS patterns which are most house leagues. After years of playing this way I think a plastic ball would screw me up. Everybody has their own preference on how to pick up spares.

[classygranny]

I don't use a spare ball. For spares I use my urethane Blue Hammer with a 2000 Abralon dull surface. Being a lefty my usual corner pin leave is the 7 pin. My urethane Hammer is good for me on spare leaves that are from the 5 pin left. From the 6 pin right I use my resin ball which is my Raw Hammer Anger with a 4000 Abralon surface polished. I bowl on THS patterns which are most house leagues. After years of playing this way I think a plastic ball would screw me up. Everybody has their own preference on how to pick up spares.

Sorry, but I disagree. You say you don't use a spare ball, and then in the next sentence you say, "for SPARES I use my urethane Blue Hammer". Thus, to me, you use a Blue Hammer as a spare ball.

While I understand it is not a plastic spare ball, and you could bowl with it as your strike ball, so can those that throw plastic, if they so choose.

So as the OP asks, "Does any one NOT use a spare ball? The answer would probably be, not very many people, including yourself, Aslan, and Iceman.

Using a ball that doesn't hook as much just makes sense - just because it isn't a PLASTIC SPARE ball, doesn't mean it isn't a SPARE ball.

[Amyers]

Sorry, but I disagree. You say you don't use a spare ball, and then in the next sentence you say, "for SPARES I use my urethane Blue Hammer". Thus, to me, you use a Blue Hammer as a spare ball.

While I understand it is not a plastic spare ball, and you could bowl with it as your strike ball, so can those that throw plastic, if they so choose.

So as the OP asks, "Does any one NOT use a spare ball? The answer would probably be, not very many people, including yourself, Aslan, and Iceman.

Using a ball that doesn't hook as much just makes sense - just because it isn't a PLASTIC SPARE ball, doesn't mean it isn't a SPARE ball.

I use my euphoria as a strike and spare ball. If I'm throwing the asylum I do use the euphoria for right side spares but I throw a backup ball at 10 pins. I wouldn't suggest this route though I plan to add a spare ball.

Spare balls are generally a good idea especially if playing on sport patterns

[Hampe]

Spare balls are generally a good idea especially if playing on sport patterns

It doesn't even have to be sport patterns. Just playing in a different center can be a huge difference. Depending on the lane surface and amount of oil being used, two THS patterns will react differently. I used to struggle to get spares when playing in different centers (or at least had a transition period of 2-3 games), because the lines for each spare I had to play were different than what I was doing at my home center.

I've noticed a huge improvement in my game since January (I had been using the spare ball for 4-5 months at that point and finally had all my lines worked out), and it's MUCH more noticeable playing in other centers. Now when I go play a tournament in another center, my spare game is on from frame 1, no transition, no adjustment, no change required at all. Having your spare game to always rely on will also give you a nice boost in confidence.

Also, throwing a spare ball, do I have to do anything special or just toss it like my normal shot?

Unless you have a really slow ball speed (or the lane your playing on hasn't been oiled for a week), you most likely wont have to change anything on your release when shooting spares. That's the big advantage of a spare ball. No calculations required as to where you're aiming and what kind of release you need to do, just hit your spot and get your spare.

[rv driver]

No calculations required as to where you're aiming and what kind of release you need to do, just hit your spot and get your spare.

That seems more up my alley (no pun intended) at this point in my game.

[H3RBSKI]

never used a spare ball and see no point. i can bowl my hook balls straight as any spare ball. just keep my hand behind the ball on release and bowl a little faster.

[Aslan]

It doesn't even have to be sport patterns. Just playing in a different center can be a huge difference. Depending on the lane surface and amount of oil being used, two THS patterns will react differently. I used to struggle to get spares when playing in different centers (or at least had a transition period of 2-3 games), because the lines for each spare I had to play were different than what I was doing at my home center....That's the big advantage of a spare ball. No calculations required as to where you're aiming and what kind of release you need to do, just hit your spot and get your spare.

I actually agree with that 100%. IF/WHEN I convert to a urethane or plastic spare ball...it'll be for those 2 reasons:

1) I do struggle when going from center to center because by right side spare shot is somewhat dependent on the amount of dryness on the outside.
and/or
2) I don't like changing (flattening my wrist or back-up ball) my release. I'd prefer a spare ball over changing my release...at this point anyways.