How to compare bowling balls?

[NewToBowling]

I guess what I'm saying is a new ball released in 2015 to replace the 2014 version probably isn't exponentially better. Just new fangled marketing hype. Guess they have to release new models each year (kind of like cell phones) to push more sales.

[RobLV1]

I guess what I'm saying is a new ball released in 2015 to replace the 2014 version probably isn't exponentially better. Just new fangled marketing hype. Guess they have to release new models each year (kind of like cell phones) to push more sales.

Ball companies don't release a new version each year. Bowling balls are not sold like cars. It's not a matter of a new and improved model each year. Check out some of the ball companies websites (not retail sites, but the manufacturers sites). You'll see that each company has groupings of bowling balls. If you look at the release date of each ball in the grouping, you'll see that some balls come and go very quickly, and others have been around for a long time. The Storm HyRoad has been around since 2008, and it is still one of their best selling balls. One of the differences between newbee bowlers and experienced bowlers is that newbees tend to buy the newest releases just because they're new, while more experienced bowlers will make new purchases to fill holes in their arsenals, or to replace balls that are dying.

[NewToBowling]

Ball companies don't release a new version each year. Bowling balls are not sold like cars. It's not a matter of a new and improved model each year. Check out some of the ball companies websites (not retail sites, but the manufacturers sites). You'll see that each company has groupings of bowling balls. If you look at the release date of each ball in the grouping, you'll see that some balls come and go very quickly, and others have been around for a long time. The Storm HyRoad has been around since 2008, and it is still one of their best selling balls. One of the differences between newbee bowlers and experienced bowlers is that newbees tend to buy the newest releases just because they're new, while more experienced bowlers will make new purchases to fill holes in their arsenals, or to replace balls that are dying.

You're probably correct, thus the reason I'm a newbie.

[NewToBowling]

I know it's superficial but how a ball looks is a factor for me also. Not into one color scheme balls. Two of the best looking balls are the Roto Grip Wrecker and Sinister. Of course Sinister is too aggressive for me though.

You can tell I'm a newbie now

[RobLV1]

I know it's superficial but how a ball looks is a factor for me also. Not into one color scheme balls. Two of the best looking balls are the Roto Grip Wrecker and Sinister. Of course Sinister is too aggressive for me though.

You can tell I'm a newbie now

Three common reasons that newbee bowlers choose a particular ball are: how it looks, how it smells, because it's on sale. All three are really bad ideas.

[NewToBowling]

Three common reasons that newbee bowlers choose a particular ball are: how it looks, how it smells, because it's on sale. All three are really bad ideas.

Well if two balls have similar characteristics I will choose looks over mfg or price.

The pro shop I went to had 4 Ebonite Cyclones, all different colors. But he only had 1 in each weight. So to get the 14lb one I had to get the Orange/Purple/Red combo ball. Would have preferred the black/gold version but oh well.

[Aslan]

Three common reasons that newbee bowlers choose a particular ball are: how it looks, how it smells, because it's on sale. All three are really bad ideas.

For me it's only ONE of those 3. I could give two hoots what it looks like or smells like or what it's named or even who made it or where it was made (although I do tend to prefer Brunswick and AM disappointed they manufacture their balls in Mexico...). But yes...price for me is a factor. Not because I can't afford a new highest end arsenal every year...I just don't feel my skill level is at the point where technology is going to take me to that "next level".

Pros are all very highly skilled. So differences between balls is like differences between pit crews when it comes to Nascar. They can all drive...all the cars are essentially to the same specifications as are the parts. But if I never drove a race car...and suddenly am behind the wheel of a Nascar car with the BEST pit crew...I'm not going to win. I'd have to spend years learning how to actually drive a car on the track at that speed before having the fastest pit crew means anything.

Same with bowling balls. I see some really strong, great balls out there. The Motiv Jackal and the Radical Guru...great bowling balls...lots of movement. But I don't want to bowl like the 2 guys I know throwing those balls. 224-180-124 or 153-182-127. The two guys I know throwing those balls in league play lack any semblance of proper form. And the only reason the guy throwing the Jackal scores so high is he's a very accurate single-pin spare shooter. I want to get my GAME to a high level...where the ball really doesn't matter that much...THEN get some new fangled equipment to help get me over that next level.

Too many bowlers looking for short cuts nowadays. Too many beginners that get a $279 bowling ball thinking having a ball that hooks will mean they won't have to develop a proper release. I bowl with a thumbless bowler, a lefty, on Wednesdays. He carries like a 170-180 average...and man does he think he's God's gift to the universe. But during league play last week he had to re-set a pin that had fallen over and had to ask me what is the pin next to the middle pin on the right side.

Really? A 170-180 average...a guy that literally acts like PDW everytime he strikes...yet not only did he go 0 for about 8 on single 7-pins...but he doesn't even know which pin is the 6-pin??? <------THATs what I'm talking about. Thats disgraceful. And it makes a joke of the sport.

[NewToBowling]

For me it's only ONE of those 3. I could give two hoots what it looks like or smells like or what it's named or even who made it or where it was made (although I do tend to prefer Brunswick and AM disappointed they manufacture their balls in Mexico...). But yes...price for me is a factor. Not because I can't afford a new highest end arsenal every year...I just don't feel my skill level is at the point where technology is going to take me to that "next level".

Pros are all very highly skilled. So differences between balls is like differences between pit crews when it comes to Nascar. They can all drive...all the cars are essentially to the same specifications as are the parts. But if I never drove a race car...and suddenly am behind the wheel of a Nascar car with the BEST pit crew...I'm not going to win. I'd have to spend years learning how to actually drive a car on the track at that speed before having the fastest pit crew means anything.

Same with bowling balls. I see some really strong, great balls out there. The Motiv Jackal and the Radical Guru...great bowling balls...lots of movement. But I don't want to bowl like the 2 guys I know throwing those balls. 224-180-124 or 153-182-127. The two guys I know throwing those balls in league play lack any semblance of proper form. And the only reason the guy throwing the Jackal scores so high is he's a very accurate single-pin spare shooter. I want to get my GAME to a high level...where the ball really doesn't matter that much...THEN get some new fangled equipment to help get me over that next level.

Too many bowlers looking for short cuts nowadays. Too many beginners that get a $279 bowling ball thinking having a ball that hooks will mean they won't have to develop a proper release. I bowl with a thumbless bowler, a lefty, on Wednesdays. He carries like a 170-180 average...and man does he think he's God's gift to the universe. But during league play last week he had to re-set a pin that had fallen over and had to ask me what is the pin next to the middle pin on the right side.

Really? A 170-180 average...a guy that literally acts like PDW everytime he strikes...yet not only did he go 0 for about 8 on single 7-pins...but he doesn't even know which pin is the 6-pin??? <------THATs what I'm talking about. Thats disgraceful. And it makes a joke of the sport.

I don't know. Some people are playing because it's fun. I wouldn't disparage him just because he doesn't know pin numbers. I could go the other way and say the sport isn't growing because some people aren't as welcoming to newcomers

[rv driver]

At my stage of relearning the game, there are many balls that are similar according to the numbers and the coverstock. So, I look for the numbers and cover I like (whether it's going to be a skid/flip, an arc, a light oil ball, etc.) then shop for color. I couldn't really care less about brand or name of the ball. Except that I look for companies that have good customer service.

[Aslan]

I don't know. Some people are playing because it's fun. I wouldn't disparage him just because he doesn't know pin numbers. I could go the other way and say the sport isn't growing because some people aren't as welcoming to newcomers

Im not knocking new players. I'm just semi-continuing my rant that nowadays a person takes strong equipment, gets it 12-14lbs, and then just flings it down the lane to get maximum revs. They don't bother learning anything about the sport or how to play it. They don't bother to learn how to pick up a corner pin. They don't understand the terminology nor even which pins are standing. And the KICKER is that after each throw he acted like he just won the USBC Masters. I have had lots and lots and lots of teammates that couldn't tell you the first thing about bowling balls or even accessories like thumb tape...and I get that...I give them a pass on that. But not knowing which pin is the #6? I don't know....maybe most bowlers are idiots and I'm some kind of "bowling elitist" that actually took bowling as a college class one quarter...so I have an unfair advantage....but come on. We're counting to 10 here. If you know the headpin is the 1-pin and the corner pin on the right is a 10-pin...you could probably train a chimpanzee to figure out which one is #6.