Do you prefer to buy your bowling equipment from pro shops or on-line?

[comfortably numb]

And, why do you prefer one over the other?

[Trex]

on-line...Hands down!!!

Once they have my specs they can drill the ball, or balls, and ship them to me, all I have to do is glue the inserts in place and go bowling!!!

No fuss over layouts...blah blah blah!!

I get what I want without any arguments.

[jaydee]

My preference is the local Pro shop. Very knowledgeable people, supports the local economy and builds relationships.

That said I do occasionally buy stuff online, as I can't always get everything I need from the pro shop.

[comfortably numb]

I prefer on-line. In this economy, why spend more money than you need to?

[glen290]

I prefer my local pro shops, always find it easier when i can have a chat about specs, and because I bowl with the owner, heknows my style and suggests equipment from experience

[TCDale]

I buy online for things my local pro shops (which aren't very good and have terrible hours) can't or wont help me with. Also with limited hours, I cannot get a dialogue started with them. We have a Bronze level coach here, but, to ask him questions or try to learn more about the balls and equipment, he just gives us quick answers, and doesn't care about us unless we are spending big bucks in his store.

So the online stores are my only place I can find good prices, good balls, and intelligent discussions on things that confuse or that I need more information on. I haven't bowled league in years, but, I would love to again, but, I need to learn my new (to me) Storm HyRoad before I can join a league. It is not working like I want, but, I am learning it's nuances and I hope to be more consistent. (Grew up throwing my dad's Black Beauty, and I have Mineralite in my arsenal that I use for spares.. I miss the ol' Black hard rubber ball.)

[Trex]

I buy online for things my local pro shops (which aren't very good and have terrible hours) can't or wont help me with. Also with limited hours, I cannot get a dialogue started with them. We have a Bronze level coach here, but, to ask him questions or try to learn more about the balls and equipment, he just gives us quick answers, and doesn't care about us unless we are spending big bucks in his store.

So the online stores are my only place I can find good prices, good balls, and intelligent discussions on things that confuse or that I need more information on. I haven't bowled league in years, but, I would love to again, but, I need to learn my new (to me) Storm HyRoad before I can join a league. It is not working like I want, but, I am learning it's nuances and I hope to be more consistent. (Grew up throwing my dad's Black Beauty, and I have Mineralite in my arsenal that I use for spares.. I miss the ol' Black hard rubber ball.)

I had to use my....ol' Black hard rubber ball today!! ...It's the only thing that would work!! Everything else was burning up so bad it was silly!!

I have the same problems as you with the locals (which aren't very good and have terrible hours).

So I know what you mean!! Thank God for Bowlingball.com!!

For those who need them, they are an answer to Prayer!!

[The Mayor]

I buy online for things my local pro shops (which aren't very good and have terrible hours) can't or wont help me with. Also with limited hours, I cannot get a dialogue started with them. We have a Bronze level coach here, but, to ask him questions or try to learn more about the balls and equipment, he just gives us quick answers, and doesn't care about us unless we are spending big bucks in his store.

So the online stores are my only place I can find good prices, good balls, and intelligent discussions on things that confuse or that I need more information on. I haven't bowled league in years, but, I would love to again, but, I need to learn my new (to me) Storm HyRoad before I can join a league. It is not working like I want, but, I am learning it's nuances and I hope to be more consistent. (Grew up throwing my dad's Black Beauty, and I have Mineralite in my arsenal that I use for spares.. I miss the ol' Black hard rubber ball.)

What seems to be the problem with your Hy-Road? Why is it not reacting they way that you'd like? What do you wish it was doing that it's not? Maybe I can help you get things straightened out!

[TCDale]

What seems to be the problem with your Hy-Road? Why is it not reacting they way that you'd like? What do you wish it was doing that it's not? Maybe I can help you get things straightened out!

Not hooking very well. I "believe" I am more of a stroker bowler, and not a tweener, but, in a house with less oil, I can lay ball down on the five to six board and it hooks nicely into the pocket. But moving crosstown to a heavier oiled center, same place the ball (of which it is supposed to be better in the slicker stuff) just can't stay on the right side of the pins, making adjustments to left not work, as the ball slides too much and not hitting the pocket.

I had the ball sanded to 2000 grit as the pro in our capital city said it needed. I was seeing the ball slide too much and not make enough room back. So... my game is inconsistent, most of it my own, but, bowling for as long as I have, I know to make adjustments. Trouble is with the HyRoad, I am not as comfortable with it as I was my old Columbia 300 and Black Rubber balls. More of a straight shot, and now the HyRoad is closer to the game I play now, dropping from 16 to a 15.

So my old Black Beauty would lay down at the five board and pile into the pins, but, I was hoping to be able to get the ball to arc better into the pocket, and not just from the second arrow.

I wish I could tell you my stats on the ball, but I dont have the measurements to tell you. Under the impression that is drilled for slower stroker type bowling. Any ideas would be helpful!!! I am in my early 50's and could use some help!

[The Mayor]

It sounds like your A game is playing straighter up the boards. There's nothing wrong with that. Look at Norm Duke and Walter Ray. Granted, the Hy-Road should give you more area and room to the left, but it's not going to totally change your style. I would take the ball to 1000 and polish. I did this with mine and it gave me a much smoother reaction, more aggressive and started up earlier. I think this will help you!