Another quick question on shoes

[LOUVIT]

universal or dedicated shoes?

I love these shoes, I am a reader of reviews and these are the only ones in this price range that say they slide good. they are universal and I am afraid of falling. I am a short large man with a bad back and have taken 2 nose dives months ago when I just started bowling again. i am right handed, will I have an issue with a universal shoe? the shoes I have now are universal dexter's but are old and don't slide at all I use a slider on the left foot. If I find my right foot sliding with these is there a way to rough up the right shoe so it doesn't slide?

http://www.bowlingball.com/products/...-new-item.html

[Amyers]

If you bowl in multiple houses or have issues sliding under normal conditions dedicated is the way to go. In one of my houses the approaches are so slick that walking during the approach with my slide shoe is problematic if I really don't think about putting the heal down first. If these don't apply to you I wouldn't worry about it and just go universal. I honestly know a lot of guys who use a bowling shoe on their slide foot and a tennis shoe on the other and these guys are top level bowlers. Whatever's comfortable for you should work.

[LOUVIT]

If you bowl in multiple houses or have issues sliding under normal conditions dedicated is the way to go. In one of my houses the approaches are so slick that walking during the approach with my slide shoe is problematic if I really don't think about putting the heal down first. If these don't apply to you I wouldn't worry about it and just go universal. I honestly know a lot of guys who use a bowling shoe on their slide foot and a tennis shoe on the other and these guys are top level bowlers. Whatever's comfortable for you should work.

It's hard to say, I've only bowled in one house since my 25 year layoff. the shoes I have are like tennis shoes if it wasn't for the slider I use on my left foot. If I get the universal and both slide how do I stop the right foot from sliding? Can I scratch it up or something?

[RobLV1]

The most important piece of equipment that every bowler owns is his bowling shoes. A price-based decision on what shoes to purchase will come back to haunt you time and time again. Spend the money for a pair of shoes with interchangeable soles and heels. It is a decision that you will never regret!

[LOUVIT]

The most important piece of equipment that every bowler owns is his bowling shoes. A price-based decision on what shoes to purchase will come back to haunt you time and time again. Spend the money for a pair of shoes with interchangeable soles and heels. It is a decision that you will never regret!

for a good bowler in shape I agree. I am an older man pretty large but not tall at all and have back issues. I start my approach at the end of the ball return and take 5 short steps. no speed involved at all but I do have a short slide. i know it's hard to understand. Sorry for making this so difficult. Is there something I can do to the right slider on universal shoes to stop it from sliding if I feel it's too much? if I fall as I did in the past I will hurt myself.

[collinwho]

I agree with Rob that shoes are an incredibly important piece of equipment. I would highly recommend using shoes that are designed for your handedness, instead of universal shoes. If you are on a budget, there are options.

I disagree with opting for interchangeable soles and heels. I've seen interchangeable shoes fail before and the velcro just letting go when going into my slide isn't something I ever want to experience. I wear a slider on my slide foot and that is what has worked the best for me. I have a couple backup sliders in my bag so when I inevitably step into some unseen spilled water (seems to happen about once a season) I can easily swap my slider out without any issues.

That being said, I'm not sure of anything you can do to make a sliding sole less slick. You could wear non-matching shoes. I've seen bowlers that literally wear a bowling shoe on their slide foot and a standard tennis shoe on the right.

[NewToBowling]

The most important piece of equipment that every bowler owns is his bowling shoes. A price-based decision on what shoes to purchase will come back to haunt you time and time again. Spend the money for a pair of shoes with interchangeable soles and heels. It is a decision that you will never regret!

No, the most important piece of equipment are bowling balls. Everything else is secondary

[AlexNC]

Even though they are more expensive, gotta have nice shoes. You will notice the difference. For the same price as a pair of mediocre universal shoes, you can find a pair of used SST 5s or 6s on Ebay. I got the SST 5's I am currently wearing for $40 on Ebay. Replaced the heal and slide sole for my liking and used a magic eraser to clean them up and they work great.

[RobLV1]

No, the most important piece of equipment are bowling balls. Everything else is secondary

Every single certified coach will tell you that the FIRST piece of equipment that a beginning bowler should purchase is their own bowling shoes. Before a ball? Yes. Shoes are first. If you can't control your slide, it really doesn't matter what ball you have in your hand.

LOUVIT: I have degenerative bone disease from my neck down to my tailbone. What you can do to control to control your right foot is to get away from universal shoes. The fact that you are out of shape and have a bad back makes good shoes more important, not less.

[bowl1820]

No, the most important piece of equipment are bowling balls. Everything else is secondary

As important as a ball is, shoes are what get you to the line. If your not getting to the line good, it won't matter what ball your rolling.

Interchangeable sole shoes offer the most adjustment options and are the Cadillac of shoes. Do you need them?

That depends, if your bowling in multiple houses then yes they can make the difference. If your just bowling in one house then you don't necessarily need them but they can be useful at times.

You should have shoes though that have a slide sole and a grip sole. They make them and they are not that much different in price than universal sole shoes.

Universal sole shoes are okay if your just a occasional bowler or beginner, but if your wanting to be more than that then you invest in shoes.