looking for a new ball

[reino17]

hey everyone. As the title reads I am looking for a new bowling ball. but I am not very educated on what means what in bowling terms so I will just give you a few specs that maybe you all can help me find the right one

I want a ball with:
-medium to high hook
-(this will be my only ball for the time being) so an all purpose lane condition would be awesome
-15lbs

questions:
-does the finish of a ball matter? for example would a polished finish effect my game or is that just for
show?

[Trex]

(Tropical Storm) Below is a link to one still in stock, BUT...It is only 13lbs.
(I can still strike and carry with 13 lbs, but that's me :) )

http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-balls/Storm/5734/Tropical-Storm-Orange-Navy.html


(Tropical Storm) Here is one still in stock, BUT...It is 16lbs
I use 16lbs but I do drop down to 13 when having tendonitis issues.

http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-balls/Storm/4127/Tropical-Storm-Red-Black-Pearl.html

If you can find a Pro Shop that has a 15lbs (Tropical Storm) then buy it!!

The Reason that I would choose this ball over "ANY OTHER REACTIVE BALL" ...Is because this is the only reactive bowling ball that I have found that I can "STRIKE WITH, AND PICK UP THE 10 PIN" ...And if you are only going to have "one ball" then this is the "ONLY BALL THAT I WOULD PERSONALLY BUY" because it works great on medium lane conditions and still can be used to pick up corner pins such as the 10 pin for right handed bowler, or 7 pin for a left handed bowler. And because you can adjust the finish to your needs...be it shiny or dull, and this ball reacts well to surface adjustments.

The Mayor might have another choice for you, but I have heard that the Tropical heat is stronger than the Tropical Storm... and that could hinder you when trying to pick up any corner pins.

The Finish of the ball does matter!!
A Polished ball will not only look good, but it will get though the front part of the lane much cleaner than a dull finish which may hook too early.

A Polished finish will help the ball retain energy on dryer conditions, where a dull ball may hook too much, and or too soon causing the ball to roll out and not hook at all.

A dull finish can smooth out a ball that is breaking too sharp, and help the ball hook more on heavier oil....and make the ball have a more even controlled arc reaction on conditions that may cause over/under reactions, where the ball jumps too hard one time, and then the next time goes too long.

If you are going to use only one ball to strike and spare, be prepared to have good nights & bad. ..The reason is that some bowling centers do change the oil pattern from time to time, to give other bowlers a chance to win if the same bowlers are winning every week!!

Also lane conditions can change from the breaking down of the oil pattern by other bowlers especially if they are using dull bowling balls and are burning a track into the oil pattern.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE ONLY ONE BALL!!

Then you may also consider this ball.....

http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-balls/RotoGrip/8472/Grenade.html

Or this ball.......

http://www.buddiesproshop.com/p-3064-hammer-blue-hammer-bowling-ball.aspx

Personally.... I would chose the Hammer Blue, It is a remake of the old Hammer Blue Urethane, but with the core from the Vibe series.

These Urethane balls are great to strike and spare with!!! Only using my Hammer Blue urethane ball.... I can strike, and pick up corner pins, and any other spares!!

My High Game with The Hammer Blue Urethane =278
My high Game series with The Hammer Blue Urethane =731

It is a great ball for Medium conditions especially if you are only going to use one ball!!

(NOTE)
The above is what I would do... based on my experience, and my experience only!!
Every bowler is different, what works for me may not work for every one!!

I see bowlers all the time who only use "ONE BALL" and they struggle trying to pick up the 10 pin for right handers, and 7 pin for left handers!!!!

Even the "Storm Fast" bowling ball thrown by an adult man where I bowl...HE ALWAYS TRIES TO PICK UP THE 10 PIN WITH THAT REACTIVE BALL AND MISSES EVERY TIME!

The "Storm Natural urethane ball is another good choice!!

If I were only going to use one bowling ball to strike and spare with, it would be a urethane bowling ball.....Reactive bowling balls can be too over under a lot of times! where as old school urethane has a more control even arcing type hook, and releases energy more even and consistant than any other cover stock exept old school Rubber which is sadly not even made anymore.

Hope this info helps, if not just ask the Mayor...He is more qualified than myself. :)

I just thought I would share my experience in hope that something here will give you some idea's or things to think about before you make that final choice.

[Simply]

Here are a few thoughts for you. I have a number of balls but so many are better to be thrown early in the night or later. If you want one ball you'll want a ball that transitions well, is readable, consistant and versital... Here is my shortlist from the balls I either have or am looking to buy that you won't go wrong with. Not that the Storm balls might run you a little bit more:
Hammer Epidemic
Ebonite Signals
Storm Virtual Energy
I'm assuming this ball will also be used for shooting spares so I purposely left off the Storm Anarchy as I think it would break too much for shooting 10 pins. And if that is the case not so sure I wouldn't steer you towards the Ebonite Signals or the Hammer Epidemic which both are for medium conditions and utilize a veneer pearl cover stock. Good luck with whatever you end up with. Simply

[The Mayor]

If you're going to have only one ball at first, there's only one ball you should get. The Storm Hy-Road. It's the most versatile ball around. It's a medium oil monster. It has a hybrid coverstock (50% pearl, 50% solid) which will give you the best of both worlds. There's a reason this ball has been a favorite on the PBA tour since its release in 2008.

[DanielMareina]

I would suggest that you get the Reign Supreme. The ball is strong, but not too strong, and has a hybrid coverstock helps make it more universal.
Coverstocks make a huge difference. Pearlized (polished) coverstocks are meant to be clean through the head oil and react more suddenly at the back of the oil.
Matte finish coverstocks are meant to read the lane sooner, and have more arc instead of snap.
The Reign Supreme is a Hybrid coverstock. That means that you get the two mixed together, and can get the best of both worlds. Good luck!