The Spare ball debate thread

[Aslan]

To get over the 200 mark, just keep the game clean..meaning use a spare ball if you must to get all your spares. Then if you keep the game clean by picking up all your spares, then it won't take but a few strikes in a row to get you that over 200 mark. If you are missing spares due to trying to use a hook ball on all spares and that is causing you to miss a few spares, then please just use a spare ball.

Many people refuse to use a spare ball for picking up spares, but I saw Norm Duke lose a match due to trying to only use one ball for strikes and spares!!

I don't care how good you are, or how well you can flatten out your wrist...etc...Some conditions don't always allow you to effectively pick up all spares with a hook ball!!!

Get a few strikes, and keep the game clean by using spare ball to pick up those tough spares, and you got it made!!!

Norm Duke = Flawed

Having spare ball = good

Well, thats bad news for Norm Duke and great news for anyone that has $70 or access to a house ball.

Sorry Trex...it ain't that simple. I know lots of 200+ players that don't use spare balls. And relatively few that use spare balls for every type of leave. It also assumes that your strike ball behaves a certain way. A very low level reactive resin or hybrid or urethane ball will be have the same as a plastic ball...on nearly all house conditions...except exceptionally dry. A ball going straight is also highly dependent on the speed it's thrown. AND...you still have to be able to throw it straight!

People that benefit from "spare balls" either have strike balls with monster hooks or a release that creates massive revs (thumbless, 2-handed, cranker, etc...) If your strike ball is relatively striaght, the benefit of a spare ball becomes marginal.

And, lastly, since the OP is a NEW player....I would argue that he should save expansive arsenals and spare balls until further down the road, AFTER he's throwing a very consistent strike ball and has mastered lateral movement philosophies.

There's no shortcuts to spare shooting. It IS the key factor for most player's games (outside of the pro level where high scoring is more dependent on ability to strike), but there is no "trick" (such as just acquiring a plastic ball). It takes practice and consistency. Now, if he's consistently missing the 10-pin because he's rev dominant...well, then I agree...I think it a better strategy to buy a plastic/urethane/low level reactive to shoot at that 10-pin (or other far right side leaves) than to try and mess with your release by lofting, adding speed, and/or flattening the hand/wrist. But if he's got his left foot on board 24...he's got a LOT of room to move left and pick up a 10-pin even with the ball he's throwing.

[Aslan]

So Asian, since you know everything, and tried to tell me that a spare ball is not important, look at the score above.

Looks to me like if the guy had a good spare ball, and would got those couple spares, then the 200 game would have been achieved!!

You MUST be a pro if you can see 2 multi-pin spares and a split and know without a doubt that a plastic spare ball would have helped him pick them up!!! My most common three pin leave is the 1-2-4. I would NEVER use a plastic spare ball (or any spare ball) on a left side leave as a right hander. Most right handed pros wouldn't either. Now, my most common two pin leave is the 6-10 and I DO tend to use a "back-up/alternate" low level reactive ball to pick that leave up. But the point is, you don't know what 3 pins he left so if you just use a plastic spare ball for ALL spare leaves irregardless of their position…that is rather rare….and in my opinion detrimental to a bowler's game at any level.

And I am not talking about a stupid house ball.

Why? Plastic is plastic. It's the material (primarily) that makes it go straighter…which is the reason you claim it's advantageous as a "spare ball". Plastic is plastic.

And Asian, by the way, if you think you can make a living with one bowling ball on the PBA, then come on and join me as I bring my entire arsenal that is set up for any condition I may come across!! yeah come on and join me please

1) I'm not asian; it's an "L".
2) Not many people make a living bowling in the PBA.
3) I didn't realize YOU made a living bowling in the PBA…please let us know the royalty to which we are speaking. So far, we know it's not Norm Duke…but it could be just about anyone else.
4) I'm less impressed by a PBA pro that needs an "arsenal" to win. I'm even less impressed watching beginners like the OP that get convinced they NEED an arsenal to improve their game on a THS in one center.
5) If you are a PBA bowler, I'd gladly accept your invite to bowl against you. Does you inviting me mean I can enter the next invitational? Can I get special exemption status or something? But remember sir…I have nothing to lose. I don't think most PBA bowlers want guys like me showing up. In the most rare of chances that I actually "win"…there's gonna be a lot of pros and sponsors wearing a booty buttface.

[Mike White]

You MUST be a pro if you can see 2 multi-pin spares and a split and know without a doubt that a plastic spare ball would have helped him pick them up!!!"

Oh Aslan, think logical. You are reading more into what he said, than was actually said.

Looks to me like if the guy had a good spare ball, and would got those couple spares, then the 200 game would have been achieved!!

This is a logically correct statement.

However it is also logically correct to say this:

"Looks to me like if the guy didn't have a good spare ball, and would got those couple spares, then the 200 game would have been achieved!!"

So logically what he said was:

"Looks to me like if the guy had got those couple spares, then the 200 game would have been achieved!!"

And your response should be…. well yeah, duh.

[Aslan]

Oh Aslan, think logical. You are reading more into what he said, than was actually said.

I agree Mike. I'm just making the point that the LEAVE determines in most cases how you would adjust to pick it up. I DO use an "alternative ball" to pick up single 10s or 6-10s on heavy oil or synthetic lane conditions. I'm not a big beleiver in a "spare ball" but as a typical RH player, it can add a degree of difficulty to try and get a ball to hook into those leaves. It's not impossible. It's actually quite easy for a high level bowler. But why make it harder than it already is? So I "understand" the concept.

But how many people would use a plastic spare ball to pick up a 1-2-4?? Or a 2-4-5? Or even a 4-7?? As a RIGHT hander? Why not just move right 4-6 boards...hit the same damn target...???

Okay...a split...maybe you need to come in at a different angle...sure. Or even a weird single 8-pin or single 9-pin...where you're worried about increasing your speed or loft and wanna just go with a back-up/alternate ball. I get that. But the real NEED for a plastic/spare/back-up ball is for a far right leave (for righties) and a far left leave (for lefties). And while MOST people on this site know this...I've seen MORE than a few beginning level bowlers that get advice like what Trex was saying...and they get it in their head that you ALWAYS throw a spare ball at spares. ALWAYS. And when I see a newb (righty) leave a 1-2...and they pull out a plastic ball....it takes all my strength and fortitude not to just run up and say "WHHHHHYYY!!??? For the love of God and all things holy...WHHHHYY are switching balls to hit a 1-2!!!!?" And they're likely response? "Cuz it's a spare. And this guy on the internet said you always use a spare ball...it makes you a better bowler."

[martinezsam2495]

@Asian Spare balls are important and crucial during games. When playing sport patterns or Dry shots, my Strike & spare ball, (I have a spare ball haven't gotten it drilled) missed target by 1 board. Due to the ball reacting with a very small hook. A house ball and spare ball are not the same thing. I don't care how experienced you are, if you are not bowling 300's on average, then you shouldn't be saying that using your strike ball as your spare ball is the best way. Maybe you don't have as much experience as you say, and I smell another Bill coming.

[tccstudent]

@Asian Spare balls are important and crucial during games. When playing sport patterns or Dry shots, my Strike & spare ball, (I have a spare ball haven't gotten it drilled) missed target by 1 board. Due to the ball reacting with a very small hook. A house ball and spare ball are not the same thing. I don't care how experienced you are, if you are not bowling 300's on average, then you shouldn't be saying that using your strike ball as your spare ball is the best way. Maybe you don't have as much experience as you say, and I smell another Bill coming.

Whats the difference in ASIAN spare balls and regular spare balls do I need to get an asian spare ball

[Aslan]

@Asian Spare balls are important and crucial during games. When playing sport patterns or Dry shots, my Strike & spare ball, (I have a spare ball haven't gotten it drilled) missed target by 1 board. Due to the ball reacting with a very small hook.

What? So your your strike AND spare ball both miss by one board?? But the spare ball isn't drilled yet?? That makes no sense.

A house ball and spare ball are not the same thing.

Other than one being owned by the house...they are both made of plastic. Neither have cores that will make them hook. Neither hook much even when revs are applied (although they CAN). So how are they different??

I don't care how experienced you are,

I'd point out that I'm more than twice your age (experienced) but that will just encourage Hammer and Iceman to point out that their opinions should count even more since they are twice MY age.

if you are not bowling 300's on average, then you shouldn't be saying that using your strike ball as your spare ball is the best way. Maybe you don't have as much experience as you say, and I smell another Bill coming.

Wow. Thats a lot of nothin.

Actually, you and I have very similar averages....assuming your's is sanctioned...so either we're BOTH entitled to our opinions...or NEITHER of us is...based on averages anyways.

But the good news is...unlike Bill...I'm very, very real. And...added bonus...we live like right next store to each other in Southern California. So you and that magic spare ball might have a chance to challenge me and my non-spare ball using foolishness...a sort of "money where your mouth is" kinda event. I'm booked this Saturday though...gotta put the smack down on a couple fellas from Riverside and San Diego...but maybe in April??

[bowl1820]

A house ball and spare ball are not the same thing.

Other than one being owned by the house...they are both made of plastic. Neither have cores that will make them hook. Neither hook much even when revs are applied (although they CAN). So how are they different??

While "House" balls and "Spare" balls are basically the same at the base level, there are some differences.

The majority of house balls are conventional grips and drilled with generic spans and finger sizes. While a personal spare ball will most likely be a fingertip and will be fitted using the bowlers grip spec's, which helps maintain consistency in shot making.

Switching back and forth between conventional & fingertip grips can become problematic. One reason is you can start thinking about the different way the ball comes off the hand, with a personal spare ball with the same grip, with the same feeling, you'll will have a more natural release without thinking about it.

House balls also experience lots of wear (nicks, gouges, flat spots etc.), all of which could affect roll. While a personal spare ball has wear also, it will at least see some maintenance. Which helps maintain consistency also.

Also you are not guaranteed you'll be able to use same house ball week to week and if you go to another house you'll have to be finding another one. With a personal spare ball you'll have a ball that fits good and is there for you to use.

There are also some minor differences in brand of plastic balls mainly in cover hardness, some bowlers look for plastics with the highest hardness ratings to reduce the possibility of hooking to the minimum. There are some that also have different cores, not just the standard pancake weight block.

and by the way there are urethane house balls.

Consistency is what bowling is all about so you want your equipment to be consistent as well.

While using a house ball in a pinch is okay, having your own "Spare" ball is best.

[Aslan]

I realize all that Bowl1820. I was just pointing out to our young friend that they are essentially the same ball. I've heard the same comparison of plastic vs. urethane. Both are notorious for going straight.

I agree about the grip. I used to use a conventional grip ball drilled for another person's span as a "splits ball". It was urethane and at the end of the day, as straight as any plastic ball a person could buy. But yes, switching grips was very akward. I don't seem very affected by changing weights, but going from fingertip to conventional grip was very weird.

[mc_runner]

On a side note, as a rightie good luck getting a 4 or 7 pin on a sport or tournament pattern, by hooking your strike ball. It's great for house shots (heck, I do it in my THS leagues cause it's more consistent for me right now) but it's kind of fun seeing what happens when people try to hook it over.