Beginner bowler questions???

[wizardofpeace]

I'm just starting to bowl and i have so many questions that i need answered.

1. Whats a good hook bowl to start out with?

2. How can i tell how much oil a lane has (was told that our lane always has medium sometimes low oil)?

3. Best coverstock for a hook ball?

Thanks for all the answers and info!

[Jaescrub]

One don't think about your First ball in how well it hooks. For starters my wife can make any ball Hook, I on the other hand can't ;/ . It will take time to learn to read the lanes only by throwing some balls will you truly be able to tell. Best bet is to ask what pattern they laid down before you bowl. On picking a ball if your lanes are med to dry pick a ball that works best on that lane condition. If you try and throw a heavy oil ball on a dry set of lanes you "might" over hook but you will 100% have a crap ball reaction. Your ball will lose energy before it hits the pins. So find out your conditions. talk to a trust trusted pro shop operator about a ball that will fit what you need. Have him watch you bowl to get your pap and he can point you into the ball and drilling that will be fit your game.

[Stormed1]

What jars rub said above. Plus to start out you don't need the biggest hook monster out there. An entry to mid-priced ball will be more than sufficient. There are several factors which will come into play when choosing your ball. Oil pattern, lane surface, your ball speed and rev rate are just a few. As was mentioned above talk with the pro shop operator at the center you plan on bowling at. Get him to watch you bowl and they should be able to point you in the right direction. Some general options to consider art the Ascent line and the Venom Toxin from Motiv. The Strike King and Ringer series from Brunswick. The Freeze and Blur from Columbia. The Cyclone from Ebonite. The Spike and Nail from Hammer.the Scream/Shout , Wrecker/Uproar/Rumble/Outcry from Roto-Gip. The Ttropical Breeze series plus the Wipe Out / Punch Out from Storm

[Aslan]

I'm just starting to bowl and i have so many questions that i need answered.

1. Whats a good hook bowl to start out with?
See Stormed1 post. Entry-mid level reactive resin.



2. How can i tell how much oil a lane has (was told that our lane always has medium sometimes low oil)?
As you get more experienced going from lane to lane…center to center…you'll begin to tell which is which. It's more of a feel thing than a "number thing".


3. Best coverstock for a hook ball?
Coverstocks determine "when" a ball hooks, not "how much". Just like RG. The best measure for overall hook would be bowling ball.com's PerfectScale or the bowling balls differential (diff.).

[rv driver]

If you've never bowled before, I might suggest starting out with a plastic ball and learning the fundamentals of footwork, approach, arm swing, release, etc. Once you've gotten the basics, then your house pro can watch you throw some and make suggestions for a reactive ball. The plastic ball won't be a wasted purchase because, if you're throwing reactive with a hook, you'll need the plastic for a spare ball, anyway.

I've not noticed a whole lot of actual difference between the various entry-level reactive balls; they're only going to perform as well as you can make them perform, anyway. Most of them are rated for medium to dry lanes; most have very similar rg and differential specs, most have similar finishes on the coverstocks. My pro said that, at the beginner level, the choice is really more about color than anything else, although I would still choose something that I could use down the road to ball down to when the lanes dry out and you're using an aggressive ball.

You might look at the Storm Tropical Breeze, the Brunswick Strike King, the DV8 Misfit, the Columbia Scout, the Motiv Ascent. solid, pearl, or hybrid really depends on your throwing style (ball speed, rev rate, etc.). I think at this point in your game, I'd avoid a matte finish -- it's just going to be too strong for you to control -- and stay with a polish finish.

As Aslan said, pay attention to the Bowlingball.com Perfect Scale as a guide, and you can always open a "compare" page where you can see several balls side-by-side along with their specs.
Having worried my way through a lengthy process of buying my first reactive ball (even though I've been bowling for many years), I can tell you that, customer service-wise, I was most impressed with Motiv and DV8, which was why I ultimately went with DV8. I really wanted a Motiv, but my shop didn't have any available immediately. Pyramid was also very helpful, but I've not heard too much glowing about them; I'd be careful, I think. Columbia, I'm sorry to say, was super-super CRAPPY with their customer service. If they'd treated me like a person and returned my calls/e-mails, they might have sold me on a Freeze hybrid.

Good luck!

[Amyers]

If you've never bowled before, I might suggest starting out with a plastic ball and learning the fundamentals of footwork, approach, arm swing, release, etc. Once you've gotten the basics, then your house pro can watch you throw some and make suggestions for a reactive ball. The plastic ball won't be a wasted purchase because, if you're throwing reactive with a hook, you'll need the plastic for a spare ball, anyway.

I've not noticed a whole lot of actual difference between the various entry-level reactive balls; they're only going to perform as well as you can make them perform, anyway. Most of them are rated for medium to dry lanes; most have very similar rg and differential specs, most have similar finishes on the coverstocks. My pro said that, at the beginner level, the choice is really more about color than anything else, although I would still choose something that I could use down the road to ball down to when the lanes dry out and you're using an aggressive ball.

You might look at the Storm Tropical Breeze, the Brunswick Strike King, the DV8 Misfit, the Columbia Scout, the Motiv Ascent. solid, pearl, or hybrid really depends on your throwing style (ball speed, rev rate, etc.). I think at this point in your game, I'd avoid a matte finish -- it's just going to be too strong for you to control -- and stay with a polish finish.

As Aslan said, pay attention to the Bowlingball.com Perfect Scale as a guide, and you can always open a "compare" page where you can see several balls side-by-side along with their specs.
Having worried my way through a lengthy process of buying my first reactive ball (even though I've been bowling for many years), I can tell you that, customer service-wise, I was most impressed with Motiv and DV8, which was why I ultimately went with DV8. I really wanted a Motiv, but my shop didn't have any available immediately. Pyramid was also very helpful, but I've not heard too much glowing about them; I'd be careful, I think. Columbia, I'm sorry to say, was super-super CRAPPY with their customer service. If they'd treated me like a person and returned my calls/e-mails, they might have sold me on a Freeze hybrid.

Good luck!

Good post RV

The only thing I'll add is don't overthink the ball thing too much get something and start bowling with it. If your like most of us here your eventually going to end up with multiple balls anyway. It can become an addiction (see iceman or Aslan) of course Aslan doesn't actually bowl with his he just keeps them in his closet and strokes them occasionally. 😒

[rv driver]

Good post RV

The only thing I'll add is don't overthink the ball thing too much get something and start bowling with it. If your like most of us here your eventually going to end up with multiple balls anyway. It can become an addiction (see iceman or Aslan) of course Aslan doesn't actually bowl with his he just keeps them in his closet and strokes them occasionally. 😒
I have this nightmarish/cartoonish picture in my head of Aslan sitting in his closet, in the middle of a nest of undrilled bowling balls, with a wild, glassy gleam in his eyes, petting the balls and repeating, "My Preciousss!"

[Amyers]

I have this nightmarish/cartoonish picture in my head of Aslan sitting in his closet, in the middle of a nest of undrilled bowling balls, with a wild, glassy gleam in his eyes, petting the balls and repeating, "My Preciousss!"

He posted a picture of them on his bed one time at least it looked like his bed I thought that was just sick and wrong

[rv driver]

He posted a picture of them on his bed one time at least it looked like his bed I thought that was just sick and wrong
I...


I got nothin'...



That's Just. Not. Normal.

I'll bet he's got a little knit toque with the PBA logo for each ball, so they won't get cold when he sleeps with them.
And they're all named "Wilson."

[fortheloveofbowling]

He posted a picture of them on his bed one time at least it looked like his bed I thought that was just sick and wrong

Careful there guys, sometimes you can get an image in your mind you will never get rid of.

[rv driver]

Careful there guys, sometimes you can get an image in your mind you will never get rid of.
It's too late for me! Save yourselves!!!

[Aslan]

It can become an addiction (see iceman or Aslan) of course Aslan doesn't actually bowl with his he just keeps them in his closet and strokes them occasionally. ��

Soon enough children. This Wednesday, I'll be debuting 2 new balls in my arsenal. Taking the day off to go visit Mr. White. Then I'll be back down from 12 in the closet to 10. After that, maybe I'll take a new picture. Here's the old picture:

http://www.bowlingboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1148&d=1399246167

Actually, figured I'd take this while I'm thinking about it. Here's the collection of the 10 remaining bowling balls (once I get the 2 drilled Wednesday):
http://www.bowlingboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1172&d=1405905358

[Amyers]

Soon enough children. This Wednesday, I'll be debuting 2 new balls in my arsenal. Taking the day off to go visit Mr. White. Then I'll be back down from 12 in the closet to 10. After that, maybe I'll take a new picture. Here's the old picture:

http://www.bowlingboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1148&d=1399246167

So which 2 are you drilling

[rv driver]

World's first bowling ball hoarder. You should go on TV.

[Aslan]

World's first bowling ball hoarder. You should go on TV.

Well, the 2nd to last ball I bought; I realized I'll probably never use it in the next 3 years. I mean, I have 3 balls (8,9, and 10 pins in that picture) that would all fill the same spot in an arsenal. So THAT is when I decided enough was enough and stopped.

HOWEVER….I then saw a deal on a ball that was quickly disappearing from the marketplace and it actually would be a good replacement for the Asylum…and fits a unique position in the arsenal I'm going to create. So, I picked it up. But at THIS point…I don't think I'll be in the market for any more (unless I win them) UNLESS I come across 1-2 that fill very specific gaps…primarily symmetric core solid cover stocks…maybe hybrid cover stocks.

[wizardofpeace]

I have but im a straight bowler wanting to learn how to hook.

[Aslan]

I have but im a straight bowler wanting to learn how to hook.

Hooking a ball is somewhat about the ball and lane conditions…but mostly about the release.

The old way of getting a ball to hook is to bring your hand from behind the ball up the side of the ball. The more modern way is to bring your hand from the inside to the outside. There's tons of videos online that can give you instruction on it.

[Amyers]

I have but im a straight bowler wanting to learn how to hook.

Wizard are you throwing a conventional grip or fingertip?

[bowl1820]

I'm just starting to bowl and i have so many questions that i need answered.

1. Whats a good hook bowl to start out with?
Like most have said a entry level ball, you should also get your own shoes if you don't have them already.



2. How can i tell how much oil a lane has (was told that our lane always has medium sometimes low oil)?
Simplest way is to ask, either at the desk or the laneman should be able to tell you (though a lot won't they think it's a state secret and some just don't know, it pre-programmed and they just push button)

The guy in the pro shop should know also.


3. Best coverstock for a hook ball?

The pro shop can advise you best on a ball for your lanes.




Thanks for all the answers and info!

[Aslan]

So which 2 are you drilling

In the old picture, the two blue balls in pin positions 2 and 3 are getting drilled on Wednesday. Columbia300 "Encounters". My first assymetric cores...same balls, same weights...Mike W. is going to "try" and drill them up in a way that:

A) Makes them react differently.
B) Makes them work for my game.
C) Keeps them USBC approved/legal.

What I'm looking for in terms of reaction/arsenal building is:
1) A ball for heavier oil conditions with a very angular back end motion. Something that will allow me to play inside, despite my lower rev rate...and it will still make the turn back into the pocket.
and
2) Another ball that will be drilled weaker and will serve as a slight variation on my Frantic and Rhythm. If the Rhythm isn't giving me the best angle into the pocket from the outside...I could throw this ball along that same line and get a different angle. If I'm playing the "middle" with the Frantic...same thing...play the same line but get a little different angle into the pocket.

If everything goes as planned, I'll be filming the whole thing and hopefully it will create a rather interesting video where two of the same balls are drilled/surfaced in a way that gives you very different balls when it's all said and done. There are a lot of videos on ball drilling, on ball drilling terms and angles, but relatively few that show you the same ball thrown by the same bowler, but drilled and surfaced in a way that results in different reactions. USBC showed the result of surface changes thrown by their robot. And Storm has a video out there of 2 identical balls drilled differently...but it's a little too technical and then the balls get thrown by a PBA pro. This will be more down to Earth.

But we'll see. I might not be able to video tape it due to equipment/memory or because Mike is too busy. And there's a good chance this experiment simply won't work and the difference between the balls will be too slight to be noticed with my style (low rev rate). But I think it will be a fun experiment. I normally wouldn't buy two identical balls and have them drilled differently...but in this case I ended up with 2 of the same sort of accidentally...so I figured it'd be a fun experiement. Maybe educational, maybe not. Maybe entertaining, maybe not.