Advice for a Shoveler looking to change form and equipment?

[atroc]

For about 5 years I've been a shoveler, using a 14lb Tropical Storm. I went bowling for the first time in a few months and my ball had cracked due to being left in my car over the course of 5 years. So, now I need to purchase a new ball and I am debating on what to buy, especially since I feel I should start learning a more conventional bowling form. I have been able to pull off some nice scores shoveling the TS, but I can be wildly inconsistent. So really, my decision is, do I buy a ball with more hook and try to bowl thumb-in, and what is the best style to convert to coming from a shoveling style, or do I try a new ball with a more mild hook and continue to bowl thumb-out. Overall, I am looking for thoughts and suggestions for a new ball for either style, as well as thoughts on converting to something more conventional vs polishing my shoveling "technique." I don't bowl often, maybe once or twice a month, so maybe I am doing better than I think to be able to pull off 200 games without playing too often. In a 5 game set I will often have one good game around 200 and several low hundreds. I've tried bowling normally with a ball that should hook, but it just never feels right to me or performs with the sort of hook I desire.

[Drano]

Well if you want to stay shoveling, I'd recommend something like a slingshot or even another tropical storm. If you want to change something form-wise, I'd recommend trying two-handed, it's a lot easier to be consistent than no-thumb one handed.

If you want to try bowling 'normal' with the thumb, I'd recommend a higher end ball like a nano or a nexus.

Overall the best way to go is to ask your pro shop guy what he thinks.. as he can watch you bowl and give you lessons and such.

[got_a_300]

I tried the no thumb shoveling bowling back in the mid 1990's and it took its toll on my
body in the way of hurting my muscles in my arm and my back. I'd have to say if you
plan on bowling a lot of games each week then I'd have to suggest to start using your
thumb by all means.

The two handed style looks cool but some of the guys that I know that have been doing
it are already complaining of muscle pains and a few have went back to using their thumb
in the ball.

Sure you get mega revs on the ball with either style shoveling / two handed release but is
it worth the pain and toll on your body?

I agree with the suggestions that Drano made in his post.

[The Mayor]

One handed with your thumb in and Two Handed are both far superior to the No Thumb release. This is due to the fact that both have a stabilizing agent (Thumb for one handed, 2nd hand for two handed). This gives lateral stability and will be much more consistent. So as was already said, either thumb in or two handed.