Hi everyone! Bowler from the 1980s here

[panbanger]

Hi everybody! I’m Todd, in North Texas. I’m recently getting back in to bowling after quite a long absence. I bowled quite a bit back in my teens – was in a weekend youth league and also in the high school league. This was in the mid to late 1980s. My average usually hovered around 150-160 in the last couple years of my teens. I’m a stroker (didn’t know there was a term for that style until recently) and aim for the 6th or 7th board and shoot the ball in a straight line (hopefully) in to the pocket. That was my style then, and that is my style now that I’m getting back in to the sport.

I’ve bought a new ball since my old ball was lost. The old ball was a black Rhino 16lbs the new ball is a Storm Ice 15lbs. I told the gentleman at the pro shop that I didn’t throw a hook and he said basically any of the new plastic balls would do me fine. Bowled 3 games with the new ball: 170-161-103. Ouch that 3rd game hurt! Was the first time I’d bowling 3 consecutive games in…maybe 2 decades? But I like the new ball, plus it seems to fit my hand better than the ol’ Rhino did back in my younger days.

Last week I rented a lane for an hour and didn’t really keep track of my score, just concentrated on my approach and release mostly. What I’m finding is that I’m really comfortable throwing the ball in more of a straighter line and putting a bit of a hook on it. The problem is that the Storm Ice doesn’t really care! He just goes straight on his own merry way. A few times he did hook 1 board or 2, but that’s it.

My question right now is – would it make sense for me to get a ball designed for a slight hook? And if so, can anyone suggest a brand/model or two? I don’t ever see myself as throwing a massive hook, I’d just like something that would react a bit to the spin that I seem to like putting on the ball.

This is a pretty long introduction post! Perhaps I should have just said “Hi” and put my question in the proper forum subcategory! Thanks for bearing with me

[ursus]

Welcome to the boards!! Most of the manufacturers offer an entry level performance ball. If you do a query on here about beginners ball, it should return quite a few threads that give some good suggestions

[GeorgiaStroker]

I wouldn't put a lot of money into a ball until you find out whether or not you want to continue throwing a hook. Maybe start off with a DV8 Misfit or something similar. Not too pricey but a very good ball to begin with. Most people find that a hook will give them better pin carry but you do have to relearn your release and a lot of people don't have the patience to put in the practice required. Good luck and welcome to the boards.

[eugene02]

Hello and welcome to the board! I would recommend you to get a DV8 Misfit / Columbia 300 Freeze / Storm's Tropical / Brunswick Slingshot.. anyone one of these will be a good ball to start with..

[billf]

The Storm Ice you are currently using is a good straight ball, excellent for picking up most spares. If you're getting any rotation at all then a DV8 Misfit is a great entry-level ball choice. It has a symmetrical core so the skid to hook phase is very controlled. The line you're currently using may even work well. It's close to the same line I use with my Misfit. A good pro shop will take what you want to do into consideration and hopefully watch you bowl and select a layout for the drilling accordingly. It sounds like you at least have an honest pro shop as they sold you what fit the style you stated instead of selling you something more expensive. Welcome back to the sport and welcome to these forums.

[eugene02]

for my pro shop here.. the one i go to get my balls.. he doesn't see anyone bowls before he introduce them a ball.. he will ask. where do you bowl. than you yourself will tell him how you want the ball to go.. he wouldn't recommend you the costlier balls when your starting.. only the lower levels one maybe the slingshot/freeze all this for just the beginner.. so.. his experienced i would say..

[got_a_300]

Welcome to the forums and welcome back to the sport of bowling
I'd have to second what the others have said about the ball choice.
The DV8 Misfit and the Brunswick Sling Shot are both great balls to
start out with as they are not to pricey and are the best bang for the
buck.

[panbanger]

Thanks for the replies and advice everyone!

Billf - yes the man who runs the pro shop seems like a good guy. He even watched me bowl a few frames with the new ball to make sure it was working out. I think when I do decide to take the plunge with another ball he will steer me in the right direction.

[martinezsam2495]

thats nice to hear! welcome back to bowling, it is such a fun sport, hope you keep enjoying it for many more years to come, I don't know much about balls, since I'm still using my Dad's ball,

[The German Shepherd]

Welcome to the community, Todd. AND welcome back to the sport!. Billf's avice is good and I would also suggest something like a Storm Tropical Storm or something similar - very controllable but a lot more "kick" than the Storm Ice you are using...

Jay