How often do you get a new ball?

**Ryster** · 03-07-2015, 09:08 AM

I am in the process of refreshing my arsenal. The stuff I am replacing is just over 2 years old. I had 5 new balls stockpiled that I picked up really cheap on eBay or on closeout online.

I tend to retire balls after the lane damage gets too unsightly. For some reason, my stuff tends to get tons of cuts, gouges, scrapes, gashes, etc. I rarely ever put a ball in the gutter, so I don't know why it happens. My teammates never have such issues. In any event, once the ball looks like it has been constantly rolled down a gravel road it gets replaced.

There have been a couple of balls that I bought that didn't work for me, I just chalked them up as a loss and threw them away (after trying multiple different surface preps to tune them.) My 900Global Network and Columbia Encounter fell into that category.

Just like others have said, I clean my stuff at the end of bowling before packing up to leave. I use Monster Tac as well. Great stuff!

My arsenal should be totally refreshed by the end of this month. Once I am confident that everything is going to work out, I will throw away my old, beat up stuff. I expect the new stuff to go another 2-3 years and then I will start refreshing again.

There are only so many technology advancements that can be made with core and coverstock combinations. That's why I buy closeout stuff. I get current tech for a fraction of the price of new, and get to try a variety of different brands. I never would have tried Radical or DV8 otherwise, and really ended up liking their products. I also picked up a Lane#1 ball, new, for $60 (the only way I would ever be able to justify buying one.) Motiv is the only brand I haven't tried, so I actively "hunt" for Motiv bargains

**NewToBowling** · 03-07-2015, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by jab5325

Sounds like you're making really good progress.

It's never too early to start learning about ball technology. The equipment used today is so vastly improved over that of 10 years ago. There a lot of posters on this board (RobLV1, etc.) who are phenomenal resources about today's equipment. Continue to work on your game while learning more about lane conditions, and ball technology.

Once you get comfortable with what you're currently working with, you'll then have enough knowledge to make well-informed purchases about your first true arsenal. Make sure you find a good pro shop who will take the time to watch you throw and recommend a ball to fit "you". Don't get your heart set on one brand or ball at first--keep your mind open, and then find other "weapons" to complement each other in your arsenal.

Yeah, even when you think you got it every lane plays differently so you have to be able to adjust. Just the other day the alley we went to had bone dry lanes. Literally there was no oil. We bowled for two hours and balls never needed wiping. Still bone dry. Balls were hooking like crazy, this on an Ebonite Cyclone. Of course not really good enough to start tweaking relaase but adjusted enough with lane position and targets to be ok. And with it being bone dry I guess the balls couldn't maintain speed so not much pin carry.

Then we went to another place last night with plenty of oil and ball reacted like I expected it to.

**larry mc** · 03-07-2015, 04:43 PM

i get new ones because its a hobby of mine , i like to see what each ball does and so on , i quit drinking and smoking so i feel its a healthy hobby and i like it , do i need all these balls , no but im not hurting anyone and its fun

**Stormed1** · 03-07-2015, 06:42 PM

You're correct in your assumption as to why I srill balls so often. I have been a driller for 30+ years. As a result like to give my customers first hand knowledge of how a ball reacts. I also like to throw the brands that not everyone and their brother throws such as 900 Global & Motiv. I have sold many of those balls just from people seeing my ball reaction with them

**rv driver** · 03-07-2015, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by larry mc

i get new ones because its a hobby of mine , i like to see what each ball does and so on , i quit drinking and smoking so i feel its a healthy hobby and i like it , do i need all these balls , no but im not hurting anyone and its fun

I like this.