How long did it take to adjust to a new ball?

[Gutternut]

For years I used a 14lb plastic house ball, learned to get it to hook a little but only using my 2 fingers and spun the heck out of it. I averaged 175 with my highest game being 276. I've acquired 3 mid performance balls and have been throwing them in league for 2 weeks and the highest I've managed to score has been 181. I cannot find consistency with them, I know practice makes perfect but I'm wondering if switching to a traditional grip would be useful. I know it will be awkward for a while doing so but could it help? How long did it take you to adjust to a new ball?

All 3 balls a are drilled for a lefty (I'm left handed as well) but layout speaking, does the layout matter if I'm not using my thumb?

Balls in question are

Messenger Black
Messenger Ti pearl
Track Rule Delta 1

[Jessiewoodard57]

I would see my local Pro Shop and have them look the balls over. I would not go to conventional grips. You said "acquired" they probably need cleaning at the very least or resurfacing the Pro Shop would advise your best course to take at this point. Welcome to the forum

[Amyers]

See a pro shop and have the balls fitted to you!!! Equipment that doesn't fit correctly makes your game more inconsistent and can cause you to develop bad habits.

[Gutternut]

I would see my local Pro Shop and have them look the balls over. I would not go to conventional grips. You said "acquired" they probably need cleaning at the very least or resurfacing the Pro Shop would advise your best course to take at this point. Welcome to the forum

Yeah, they probably need cleaned and resurfaced. The black messenger is in perfect condition.

I took the Ti into the pro shop, the guy made face and immediately tried to sell me something new. Kind of off putting but I want to see if these will work before I go that route.

Forgot to mention these balls are 16lbs........so 2 lbs difference.

[vdubtx]

The difference in weight can certainly lead to some inconsistencies being that you are used to throwing 14's.

The PSO is there to sell new balls obviously, but it you want to learn to use these as they are, a good PSO will do what you ask of them on your equipment. Getting them fitted to you though could mean plugging and re-drilling them. That can sometimes be as much as $60 per ball. Up to you if you wanted to plug all 3 and be in them for ~$180 or get a new entry level reactive ball that is drilled to fit you and learn to use it. Once you are consistent with that one, then add a higher level reactive.

A lot of ways you can go. Whatever you do though, pick a weight and stick with it for all of your equipment. Will only help you in the end.

Good luck.

[Jessiewoodard57]

the fact you had been using 14# for years and jumped to 16# will throw you off . Also as Amyers said a good fit is paramount to having a consistent release. I would almost bite the bullet and buy a new ball. you have so many variables working against you with someone else's used equipment. The cost alone to plug and re-drill and resurface would make a new ball the route to go.

[Gutternut]

Thanks for the insight. I hadn't considered the surfacing and redrilling costs since I don't use the thumb.

There is a demo day this weekend in my area, I think I'm going to go and check it out.

Any advice on going to one of these? Bring my own also or just show up and roll?

[vdubtx]

If you can go to one, by all means go. Then you can really see the difference in how a low or high end ball will roll for you. Nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying out different balls all at one time.

[Gutternut]

If you can go to one, by all means go. Then you can really see the difference in how a low or high end ball will roll for you. Nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying out different balls all at one time.

Glad I went to the demo day, it was great to try out all the different balls and they had the Track ID system so I was able to find out my ball speed and rev rate. (18 / 360)

Most aggressive ball there was the track Paradox

I really liked the Hammer Arson high flare.

[vdubtx]

Glad I went to the demo day, it was great to try out all the different balls and they had the Track ID system so I was able to find out my ball speed and rev rate. (18 / 360)

Most aggressive ball there was the track Paradox

I really liked the Hammer Arson high flare.

Excellent. Always good to try different ones. It's not always the latest and greatest that fits a bowlers style and being able to try before you buy is awesome.