Since getting back into bowling last Dec. after about a 18 year layoff, I've purchased three used balls; a Thunderstruck Pearl, a HyRoad Pearl & a Special Agent.  The Thunderstruck is basically like it was when I purchased it except that I've had it resurfaced & got new fingertip inserts.  The grip/span fit nearly perfect so I haven't had it redrilled.  The other two balls were from the same guy and the span on each was just a little too long, so I've only had the thumb hole of both balls plugged and redrilled to fit.  So in total I've got about $220 invested in balls, including plugging, redrilling, etc...
 
So now that I'm back into bowling and have got the basics back down and am carrying (to me) a fairly decent average (176 & 186  between two leagues), I want my next ball to be brand new and drilled just for me.   At this point I don't have a clue what my ball speed , rev rate or anything else is.  And I can only guess at what my track is.  According to Storm's matchmaker, my track is somewhere between medium & high.  (First oil ring is a little more than two inches from the finger holes.)  About the only thing I know for sure is that I'm right handed!! LOL   

So what does/should the pro shop operator do and look for to figure out a layout specific for me?  What questions should I ask?  And once I get a layout specific to me, will it be a night & day difference compared to the balls I'm currently using?  And if so, should I get those balls plugged and redrilled?  Keep using them as is since they fit and I know how they react?  Or sell them and start over???       

I could probably think of a bunch more questions but I'll leave it at this for now.


Thanks!!         

Thanks for the reply.  Good info!!  Reading about the different layouts and what they are designed to do and what to use on different lane conditions has been a bit of information overload!!  Of the three balls I have, the HyRoad Pearl & Special Agent are laid out very similar (makes sense since they came from the same guy) and react in similar ways.  Both are pin up just above the ring finger but the CG on the SA is more towards the center of the grip where the CG on the HR is, what the driller called "stacked".  The pin on the TS is to the right and almost even/parallel with the finger holes and the CG is again towards the center of the grip.  I can definitely see a difference in how that ball reacts compared to the other two.  But knowing what to use on a specific lane condition has just been a trial & error process.  So getting with the pro shop operator for an hour or so would definitely be a huge help.         

Thanks again!!

Just watched this video  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK5HO__gBJE#action=share)  that was attached in another post and I can relate 100%!!!   Especially the part where he talks about the consistancy (or inconsistancy!!) of 170-180 bowlers and how often they hit/miss their mark.  That's definitely my biggest problem; being consistant!!