First Bowling Ball

[josh83]

Hi everyone

I am new to this forum. I just started in a bowling league about the beginning of November. I have a 89 average but my last 3 games were a 101 average. I am going to be getting my own Ball in about a week. I was just wondering what your thoughts are for a first ball. I have a feeling the pro at the pro shop will have me go with a straight shooting plastic ball. Which I have doubts with. My first doubt is cracking I have read many reviews where these plastic balls have cracked after 2 uses. My next doubt is I want a ball that will allow me for room for advancement I don't know if there is such a thing. But I don't want to buy a ball then my game improves over a few months and am already looking at another ball. One thing I will tell you is I feel very motivated to improve my average and game.

i hope that makes sense and looking forward to your thoughts. Thanks in advance:

[rv driver]

Welcome to the forum!

What weight are you throwing? What are the lanes at your house like? What's your throwing style/ball speed? Those are questions that are pertinent to receiving a decent answer as to what ball you should use. With an 89 average, it sounds like you don't yet have the fundamentals of your game developed. Might be best to begin with a plastic ball that could become a spare ball later on, while you develop your stance, balance, approach, swing, aim, speed, etc. Once those things are in place, you could step up to something like a Strike King, an Ascent, an Outcry, a Misfit -- some entry or step-up level reactive equipment that will help you develop a hook. Have your house pro watch you throw a few and make some suggestions.

But post your answers to the questions I asked, so we can begin to point you in the right direction.

And have fun here -- lots of good information and cameraderie. And have fun with your bowling!

[josh83]

Welcome to the forum!

What weight are you throwing? What are the lanes at your house like? What's your throwing style/ball speed? Those are questions that are pertinent to receiving a decent answer as to what ball you should use. With an 89 average, it sounds like you don't yet have the fundamentals of your game developed. Might be best to begin with a plastic ball that could become a spare ball later on, while you develop your stance, balance, approach, swing, aim, speed, etc. Once those things are in place, you could step up to something like a Strike King, an Ascent, an Outcry, a Misfit -- some entry or step-up level reactive equipment that will help you develop a hook. Have your house pro watch you throw a few and make some suggestions.

But post your answers to the questions I asked, so we can begin to point you in the right direction.

And have fun here -- lots of good information and cameraderie. And have fun with your bowling!

Thanks for your reply. I am throwing a 12 pound ball. My style/ball speed is a tough question for me to answer right now am not sure. The lanes look like they have a good amount of oil on them as to how much it's hard for me to say but I am smelling a pretty strong chemical smell as soon as I walk into the bowling alley. Hope some of that is helpful.

[rv driver]

Thanks for your reply. I am throwing a 12 pound ball. My style/ball speed is a tough question for me to answer right now am not sure. The lanes look like they have a good amount of oil on them as to how much it's hard for me to say but I am smelling a pretty strong chemical smell as soon as I walk into the bowling alley. Hope some of that is helpful.

I've never been in a house that didn't smell like oil. If you don't mind my asking, how old are you? What is your physical condition? The reason I ask is because most male bowlers throw 14-16# balls. Unless they're seniors, or have some physical limitation. I judge by your name that you're a guy, right? I throw 12# because I'm in my mid-50s and have arthritis and bursitis issues. I'd throw heavier if I could.

It makes a difference as to how the reactive balls will perform. When you read the specs on web sites, those specs are usually for a 15# ball. 12# balls can go longer or even hook more and still get less pin carry than their heavier brothers. If you are a hale and hearty younger guy, you really ought to look at throwing at least 14#, and if you're going to do that, you may as well go ahead and throw 15# (unless, as I say, there's a good physical reason for you not to). Again, I'd talk to your house pro, have him take a look at your game and make some recommendations. Until then, I think if I were you, I might go with a plastic ball until you get your game figured out. I started with a weaker reactive ball, but that's because I used to bowl seriously years ago, and already had my game down. It sounds like you're in a different place. You really might be less frustrated with a plastic ball, rather than trying to learn to control a reactive ball when you're also trying to establish your own muscle memory and get your basics under control.

But I'd defer to the more experienced people here. Rob, Mike, Bowl, whaddya guys think?

[bowl1820]

First, Unless it just happens to be defective, plastic balls don't crack after 2 uses. "many reviews"?

Also you can't tell how much oil is on the lanes by the smell.

A plastic ball is a okay place to start, you can get your fit worked out, get some consistency in your form and release first. Before spending more money on a "Better" ball.

The plastic ball would also serve later on as a "Spare" ball.

A entry level reactive ball is also a good place to start. It can give you some "help" with a bit more ball motion.

Something along the lines of a Ebonite Cyclone, Storm Tropical Breeze, Columbia 300 Scout, Brunswick Slingshot, DV8 Misfit.

As rv driver suggested moving up in weight if possible would be a good idea.

[josh83]

I am 31 years old and in decent physical shape. Before I joined the league I was using a 11Ibs ball then when I started someone suggested trying a heavier ball so I went to 12 Ibs. I could try a heavier ball but I won't want to push it as I do not want to injure myself. I have read that you should be able to bowl 3 games with out and pain or fatigue if you have any pain etc the ball is too heavy. 12ibs feels comfortable to me right now but I could possibly try a 13 Ibs or 14 Ibs but it doesn't Pay injure myself just so I can be throwing the weight of ball they suggest men should be throwing.

[rv driver]

I am 31 years old and in decent physical shape. Before I joined the league I was using a 11Ibs ball then when I started someone suggested trying a heavier ball so I went to 12 Ibs. I could try a heavier ball but I won't want to push it as I do not want to injure myself. I have read that you should be able to bowl 3 games with out and pain or fatigue if you have any pain etc the ball is too heavy. 12ibs feels comfortable to me right now but I could possibly try a 13 Ibs or 14 Ibs but it doesn't Pay injure myself just so I can be throwing the weight of ball they suggest men should be throwing.

Are you talking hand/wrist pain? If the ball is fit properly, you shouldn't get any pain from a 14# ball. Unless you're grossly out-of-shape. Plus, when the ball is fit to your hand, it will feel much lighter. House balls can make you sore because they're not custom fit to your hand.

[bowl1820]

I am 31 years old and in decent physical shape. Before I joined the league I was using a 11Ibs ball then when I started someone suggested trying a heavier ball so I went to 12 Ibs. I could try a heavier ball but I won't want to push it as I do not want to injure myself. I have read that you should be able to bowl 3 games with out and pain or fatigue if you have any pain etc the ball is too heavy. 12ibs feels comfortable to me right now but I could possibly try a 13 Ibs or 14 Ibs but it doesn't Pay injure myself just so I can be throwing the weight of ball they suggest men should be throwing.

Being 31 and in decent physical shape, a 12# ball is pretty light to be using. A 12# ball will have a lot of deflection off the pins. Whether you baby it down the lane or throw a rocket to the pocket.

Every ball will feel heavier than it should when the fit is not right. Once you get a properly fitted ball it will feel lighter. I use 15# ball with a fingertip grip, If I go over and pick up a 15# house ball it feels heavy compared to my personal equipment.

Here's a test to get a idea of what weight ball you could use.

Ron Clifton:
"The first thing I check when trying to pick a ball weight is the persons wrist strength. I have them hold the ball down by their side with their wrist relaxed. Then I ask them to cup their wrist forward. They should be able to hold that position for a slow count to 10 or the ball is too heavy."



The test is from Ron Clifton's article "WHAT WEIGHT BALL? COULD 14 LBS BE YOUR "SWEET WEIGHT"?
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip14.htm


Another method is this from the bronze coaching manual.

"One method is to have your athlete use the balls on the storage racks. The athlete needs to place the palm of the bowling hand facing the ceiling at about waist high. The forearm of the bowling arm is in a position that is 90 degrees from the torso of the body.
When placing a ball in the palm of the hand, look for a ball that will slightly push the hand downward. If the athlete has no problem holding a ball, it is too light. Conversely if the athlete has difficulty maintaining the hand and forearm at the 90 degree position it is too heavy. The ball that seems slightly heavy in most cases will feel fine once the ball has been drilled with the proper fit. "

[josh83]

Are you talking hand/wrist pain? If the ball is fit properly, you shouldn't get any pain from a 14# ball. Unless you're grossly out-of-shape. Plus, when the ball is fit to your hand, it will feel much lighter. House balls can make you sore because they're not custom fit to your hand.

I am not having any pain with the 12lbs. But am worry if I go with. 14Ibs i will because it may be to heavy and it's not worth injuring yourself over. I am in ok shape. But people have there limits. I have been told though that I have a weak wrist. I will leave it to the pro at the pro shop to determine if 12 is or is not the right weight.

[josh83]

Bowl1820 that may be true but until am fitted with my own ball I would have no way of knowing.