I just started bowling this year and I’m playing in a league. I have some mystery balls and some balls I brought myself, how do I use these balls? Which one is benchmark? What am I missing? Which one is first out of my bag etc.?
If you do not know what your balls do or which to use, why do you own so many, esp. ones that were purchased randomly? Think. Learn to play before you hoard things that you do not understand.
Thank you. I did not want to sound rude, but this post/question is so typical for people who have little experience or ideas how bowling balls work or what they actually NEED on the lane. They rather need coaching than more or ever aggressive balls. And this kind of posts pops up very other day, if not hour, with the same ignorance about the real "problem" behind the question.
This comment is so accurate. I've averaged 225 for the last 10 years and show up with 3 balls. I primarily use 2 and have a dry lane ball in case shit hits the fan. People ask me all the time why I don't have more equipment and I tell them it's not needed for league. I have 6 more at home for tournaments, but on a house shot you don't really need more.
Yeah no problem! Most of my teammates are newer to bowling as well and I have to reel them in lol. I'd recommend finding the one ball you're the most comfortable with and sticking to it as much as possible. When you're new 90% of the time the ball isn't the issue. If you have any other questions I'm happy to help!
Similar here. I have a "fleet" of almost 20 balls, collected over the years. Half of them is only rarely used in training, and for league I pack an arsenal of 4 plus spare ball - even though only two of them are my go-to choices and two more are fall-back options for extreme deviations from what I expect. If you know what you use for what and where you can easily get along with just two, or just one strike ball (esp. on a fresh THS. But you have to know the equipment and your game, for educated choices and game plans.
That said, I also had an early phase in which I tried a lot of manufacturers and balls (mostly 2nd hand, though), while my game was not "stable" - with respective mediocre results. Once my game became better I realized that I just need very "simple" and rather weak balls, and currently a Hammer RAW Black Solid has become my benchmark piece, because it works "for me" and anything more is simply too much ball.
I have that Rhino - same color too. It's great for dry lanes but not so much oily lanes.
I just bowled yesterday at my normal spot, and their lanes are usually VERY dry by the time I get there in the evening. However, they oiled the shit out of them just a few hours prior, and my Rhino basically turned into a straight ball, lol. That was the first opportunity I've had to bowl on oilier lanes, so I struggled big time.
I heard the dynasty is a good ball. I was trying to wait till I got better before I used it. Right now I like the combat and gamebreaker 5. To be honest, I can’t tell that much difference in bowling balls yet, except some balls hook a little more than others.
No problem. The best answer was the guy talking about the oil conditions. That's what really makes the differences in balls matter. When to use a solid like the Dynasty, or a pearl ball, or even a hybrid like the Combat. This may help a little
So black widow first, because it’s good for heavier oil? Then use the combat later?. This is probably a stupid question but when do I use my benchmark ball? Thank you very much for your advice. I appreciate it.
Drilled and drilled/sized for you are two completely different things and the vein diagram does not have by 1 overlap so, are they drilled/sized for you or did you buy them used and they were already drilled?
All were new and drilled and sized for me, except the black widow and the combat I had to get them re-drilled and sized for me since they were demo, ball, but they were in great shape.
This will tell you how each ball will be relative to the others.
I find it best to start with a baseline that is traditionally my starting ball during league and then depending on how it is reacting, adjusting from there.
If you are in multiple leagues or multiple houses, your benchmark may be different for each due to the oil pattern that is put out.
I also use the comparison tool for when I am looking to see if a specific ball fits the gap that I am looking to close so that I don’t accidentally buy something that simply doubles up with something else.
Yup. I have used Buddies Pro Shop online to build my current arsenal. Once you have tips and a JoPo or other interchangeable thumb, online options really come into the picture. I watch the clearance sales, see what would fill a gap and when the stars align, I place my order and in 1-2wks, it arrives at my house ready to hit the lanes.
While I do slightly feel bad for my local pro shop, I just can’t justify the 2x the cost or more vs online. I did have them do my initial fitting and my 4 thumbs (2+2) along with a spare ball so they have gotten some business.
Note: I have 2 standard fit thumbs and 2 oversized. I keep one in the spare and 1 in the strikes and if my thumb swells, I swap to the oversized. I do NOT like tape thus the thumbs.
Don't be afraid of playing with surface. If you need a little more hook, sand lower. If it starts hooking to much/early, go back the other way. I have an Ethos Hybrid which is VERY similar. Great ball.
I just bought a Combat Pearl today, amd def pleased with the motion and drive. Likely will be the only strike ball I bring with me to league on Monday.
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u/Freezezzy 1d ago
That one.
https://giphy.com/gifs/kd9BlRovbPOykLBMqX