All Things Bowling

[Reckless Fable]

Brett and others who are into bowling. I was really into it when I was a kid and had a proper hook with fingertip drilling. But once high school hit, my family moved and I just never found myself in a place where I had decent access anymore.

BUT, as Brett knows, my fiancé lives 3 min from Earl Anthony's Dublin Bowl. And, my two teenage stepsons and I are all getting into it.

I need to get a ball. It's been super overwhelming. The amount of tech that is in these new bowling balls is insane. I'm probably a sweet spot 15 lb ball?

I basically want something where I can re-establish a consistent hook. Since I'm pretty casual about it now, I'll be mostly bowling on pretty dry conditions, right? Or is this old 90's thinking? I'll try to join a handicap league this summer.

Also, any advice on getting back into it again is appreciated. I'm 48 and in really good shape for a guy my age.

I don't know where to put this thread, so feel free to move it. Thought I would tap my friends here! Could be fun!

[Brett]

So you want to know what kind of ball you should get starting back up? My advice would be to start with something like a Roto Grip Hustle X-Ray. It’s a controllable ball. It’s not super expensive, and you can build an arsenal around it once you’re comfortable with your game getting back into shape. There are other choices from other ball manufacturers, but I usually throw Storm products so I know their stuff best. You can ask a pro shop guy what might be the equivalent of a Hustle in other brands. Stay away from the Tropical Storm. I know a lot of pro shop guys will throw that one out there to guys coming back or beginners, but I would avoid that ball. It’s not a good ball.

Another ball that would be a very good choice would be a Storm Phaze II. It’s very reliable, and a good benchmark ball. It’s been around for a long time because it’s so popular and there have been a lot of big scores shot with them. A lot of pros will still throw them. If you wanted to start with two balls, I think you would be good with a Phaze II and a Hustle.

You do not need to throw a 16 pound ball anymore with the way the technology is. I don’t throw a 16 pound ball anymore. I throw 15. Most people I know throw 15. Most pros are at 15 now. There’s a lot of balls that have AI in them now, but I think starting back up, I wouldn’t spend that kind of money until you’re in the swing of it.

With regards to a spare ball, I know a lot of guys like to change to a plastic or urethane ball to shoot their 10 pins (7 if you’re left handed). I think if you use the Hustle, you should be able to control it enough to shoot 10 pins, and spares on the right side. I don’t think you need a spare ball right off. Especially bowling on a house shot, which is what all handicap leagues are. I do switch balls when I shoot my spares in league, but I don’t have a dedicated spare ball. I just use one of my weaker balls to shoot my right side spares. If I’m bowling on a sport shot, yes I do have a dedicated spare ball.

By the way, there’s nothing that says you can’t have balls from different manufacturers. I just stick with one because then I know where everything falls in their lineup. But you definitely don’t need to be brand loyal or something.

Hope that helps. Got other questions, let me know.

[Reckless Fable]

Brett, this is awesome. I have a longer response and a few questions on the way. I have to run for a bit, but I'll get back to this. I'm glad I asked!

[Brett]

Oh, and FYI, Roto Grip and 900 Global are also brands owned by Storm. So if I’m making suggestions, it will be balls from all of those companies.

If you’re wondering what I throw just so you have kind of an idea when you start learning this stuff, these are the seven main balls that I currently use in order of strength.

900 Global Reality Check
Roto Grip Optimum Idol
900 Global Zen Gold Label
Storm IQ Tour AI
Storm Road Warrior
900 Global Xponent
Urethane Purple Hammer (my one non-Storm product)

I only use the Hammer on sport shots or to shoot spares on sport spots. You should not be using a urethane ball on a house shot on anything but spares.

[Daisy Hill]

Reckless....it's cool that you are getting into this with your family. Bowling is fun on a recreational level and a competitive level.

[Sam Vs. Dave]

Plus it's air conditioned and they have a bar. Not many sports can boast that!

When my daughter joined the high school bowling team I had an epiphany - why did I spend all those years in the heat and rain at the soccer park!? Bowling is the best!

[Reckless Fable]

Oh, and FYI, Roto Grip and 900 Global are also brands owned by Storm. So if I’m making suggestions, it will be balls from all of those companies.

If you’re wondering what I throw just so you have kind of an idea when you start learning this stuff, these are the seven main balls that I currently use in order of strength.

900 Global Reality Check
Roto Grip Optimum Idol
900 Global Zen Gold Label
Storm IQ Tour AI
Storm Road Warrior
900 Global Xponent
Urethane Purple Hammer (my one non-Storm product)

I only use the Hammer on sport shots or to shoot spares on sport spots. You should not be using a urethane ball on a house shot on anything but spares.

Just curious, what's your main "axe" as far as primary balls goes? Or does it totally depend on lane conditions etc?

On my end, I found a dude who is getting older and posted a bunch of his 15 lb balls as he drops down to 14. His stuff is in good condition.

Based on what you said, how's this look? https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...1298018981182/

[Reckless Fable]

Reckless....it's cool that you are getting into this with your family. Bowling is fun on a recreational level and a competitive level.

Thanks Daisy! Funny, the summers in San Francisco sit in the 60s and 70s, while out in Dublin, just 45 min away, it's 100+. Great summer activities for us for sure!

[Reckless Fable]

Plus it's air conditioned and they have a bar. Not many sports can boast that!

When my daughter joined the high school bowling team I had an epiphany - why did I spend all those years in the heat and rain at the soccer park!? Bowling is the best!

Ha! You beat me to it! AC for the win!

[Brett]

Just curious, what's your main "axe" as far as primary balls goes? Or does it totally depend on lane conditions etc?

On my end, I found a dude who is getting older and posted a bunch of his 15 lb balls as he drops down to 14. His stuff is in good condition.

Based on what you said, how's this look? https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...1298018981182/

Well, it depends usually on the bowling alley. I bowl at two different centers during the week. And they both are wildly different. I’ve shot 300 now twice with the Gold Label in the last few weeks. But that’s at one of the houses. But I always use it there. The other house I struggle at a lot and have to switch around. I usually wind up with the Xponent over there and I’ve shot 300 with that one as well.

My go to ball when I need to just keep it in front of me and get to the pocket is the Xponent. It is not a big hooking ball. The biggest issue with it is when the back ends aren’t snapping, I leave a lot of flat 10’s.

Unfortunately, both of those balls have now been discontinued. Lol.

But it does depend on the conditions and the lane transition. I’ll throw everything if I need to lol.

Not a big fan of the balls that you linked. They’re older and I don’t think you would get the reaction that would be you like. I’m not a big fan of the stuff Jason Belmonte uses.

There are so many variables now with balls and different coverstocks. Some balls are solids, some are pearls, some are hybrids. Some cores are asymmetrical, some are not. I tend to go with solids because they dig a lot for me, and as I’ve gotten older, I don’t have 8 million revs anymore. So I need that.

[seenbad]

My advice would have been to get the 16 lb house ball with chunks taken out of it (you know, the black one) and launch it as hard as you can about half way down the lane.

You should probably listen to Brett.

[Reckless Fable]

Well, it depends usually on the bowling alley. I bowl at two different centers during the week. And they both are wildly different. I’ve shot 300 now twice with the Gold Label in the last few weeks. But that’s at one of the houses. But I always use it there. The other house I struggle at a lot and have to switch around. I usually wind up with the Xponent over there and I’ve shot 300 with that one as well.

My go to ball when I need to just keep it in front of me and get to the pocket is the Xponent. It is not a big hooking ball. The biggest issue with it is when the back ends aren’t snapping, I leave a lot of flat 10’s.

Unfortunately, both of those balls have now been discontinued. Lol.

But it does depend on the conditions and the lane transition. I’ll throw everything if I need to lol.

Not a big fan of the balls that you linked. They’re older and I don’t think you would get the reaction that would be you like. I’m not a big fan of the stuff Jason Belmonte uses.

There are so many variables now with balls and different coverstocks. Some balls are solids, some are pearls, some are hybrids. Some cores are asymmetrical, some are not. I tend to go with solids because they dig a lot for me, and as I’ve gotten older, I don’t have 8 million revs anymore. So I need that.

Holy *@#$

How many 300 games do you have? When did you roll your first one?

[Reckless Fable]

My advice would have been to get the 16 lb house ball with chunks taken out of it (you know, the black one) and launch it as hard as you can about half way down the lane.

You should probably listen to Brett.

Seen, I can't get a bowling ball that matches too closely with my head.

[Brett]

Holy *@#$

How many 300 games do you have? When did you roll your first one?

I’ve posted the videos on the site somewhere. I shot two in the last couple weeks. I shot another one about four months ago.

I think I have nine sanctioned 300s. You have to remember I also quit bowling for 15 years and just got back into it a couple years ago.

I think I shot my first one when I was 19.

[Number 47]

My advice would have been to get the 16 lb house ball with chunks taken out of it (you know, the black one) and launch it as hard as you can about half way down the lane.

You should probably listen to Brett.