Post by: jasonp82 on September 29, 2007, 05:48:17 PM
I’m going through a bit of a dilemma about bowling balls. I’ve been bowling about 3 years, primarily at the same house and have always coached myself (I am an unorthadox bowler). I managed to finish with a 194 average last season and I’ve shot a 299 in league, in 2006. I took the summer off, for the first time since I began bowling in 2003, and while I don’t think my skills have went down, I am not shooting that well so far this fall. The house I mainly shoot at changed their oil pattern over the summer and I’m paying the price this fall. I’m okay at adjusting most of the time, but this adjustment forces me to bowl how I don’t feel comfortable (over 3rd arrow generally instead of 2nd, like I generally shoot).
With the bowling ball selection I have, I can’t go 2nd arrow and consistently hit the pocket (it hits too high or goes left). Instead of trying to bowl how I feel uncomfortable, I’ve decided it’s time to get a bowl appropriate for this bowling alley. I need a ball that hooks LESS – for the first time ever. I’m not used to going downhill, and the only ‘scale’ that I can find for a bowling ball’s hook power is bowlingball.com – they have a “perfect scale†for every ball that helps determine which balls hook more, etc.
Out of the balls I’ve liked the most, a “perfect scale†of 185 seems to work about right, or at least it used to. I had an AMF Velocity and Columbia Backyard Bully. I tend to like AMF balls the most. I am eyeing the AMF “Radar Lockâ€, which has a perfect scale of 156 I believe. I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts, or any other way to compare balls other than the “perfect scaleâ€? I just need something that hooks less. I am so comfortable with going “down and inâ€, over the 2nd arrow – even for spares (I just move where I stand) and it’s worked so well for me in the past. Now, I feel like I’m starting bowling all over again. ;-/.
Post by: revTrex on September 30, 2007, 04:19:39 AM
Bowlingball.com's perfect scale is ridiculously deceiving. I have no idea how they get the numbers they get.
That being said, consider something that is not AMF, but is quite related. A 900 Global Creature (900G makes AMF balls now, if you didn't know) might work, especially if drilled a little weaker (say, 5x4). If you really think you need less than that (the Creature is a lower differential solid reactive, that still gets pretty good length with decent backend), I would venture to say that you are then looking for a ball for dry lanes...which I don't think is what you described. Still, you might find success with either an AMF Orbit Extreme (either solid or pearl version) or a ball with a three-piece core design (if it comes to that).
Hope this helps.
Post by: qstick777 on September 30, 2007, 09:54:48 AM
You could get another ball, or you could also try polishing one of your balls to see if that will get you the extra length.
You really would be best served to learn how to play the lanes. You should try to avoid getting into the mentality that you need a ball for every possible condition - trust me, I know!
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Post by: tenpin on September 30, 2007, 11:34:31 AM
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Derek Trowbridge
900 Global: The world is ours
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Post by: jasonp82 on September 30, 2007, 01:00:54 PM
Well, I have tried many adjustments - and to be honest, I need a new ball anyway. It's been over a year since I've bought a new one. I generally don't immediately think I need a new ball - but the house has shortened the oil pattern a lot. I do have one more idea (a couple actually) that I am going to try to play this week in league, and I'm going to research "The Creature" ball, as I've never actually heard of it before. I know a lot of the balls on the market, but when it comes to the technical aspects of them, I'm still learning a lot. I generally just go by the hook rating, and then go from there - which is probably a novice way to go about it.
Post by: revTrex on September 30, 2007, 01:56:34 PM
Blast Zone and Sure Fire? We need something with length + some control, not a ball for medium-heavy.
Post by: revTrex on September 30, 2007, 02:42:31 PM
Post by: TWOHAND834 on September 30, 2007, 02:51:12 PM
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Steven Vance
Former Pro Shop Operator
If anyone out there is worried about the scores being too high, try duckpin!!
Post by: qstick777 on September 30, 2007, 10:21:12 PM
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Post by: jasonp82 on October 01, 2007, 08:13:00 PM
Post by: strikezone_sanantonio on October 02, 2007, 12:03:47 PM
quote:
The two best balls for what your describing are: Brunswick Blast zone and Storm Sure Fire.
Personally I wouldn't throw Brunswick because their customer service sucks and they don't care to take care of customer complaints, they refer you to the Pro Shop so go with the Storm Sure Fire.
If Jason describes what he is in need of, these two (2) are out of the question. Also, the Radar Lock is more aggressive than the Velocity and the Backyard Bully so that is a no. The Creature would be a good ball for the specifics on what your looking for and even the Orbit Extreme. PM me for any questions.
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Bo Littlefield
AMF300 and 900 Global Staff
The Strike Zone Pro Shop of San Antonio
-only pro shop in Texas with the largest selection and inventory
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Post by: jasonp82 on October 02, 2007, 07:50:55 PM
Most of the balls I throw the most and have thrown successfully are on the aggressive side - AMF Velocity, AMF Maximum Velocity, Columbia Backyard Bully, Storm La Nina, etc. All of those are a bit too aggressive and hook too much for my house's current lane conditions even when I adjust quite a bit it seems. I have managed to find an old Columbia Cuda? ball, which is a ball I bought used a while back and I think it's probably the 'weakest' ball I have. I will have to try it out
Post by: revTrex on October 02, 2007, 08:04:37 PM
By no means are the Creature or Orbit Extreme not going to perform with the best balls on the market for the conditions you want them for. The Creature is a perfect choice for when you need length + control, and the Orbit Extreme would just be a slight step down in terms of aggressiveness.
"Do I really need a beginner ball after three years of bowling?" -- let me assure you, again, that what you need is what you need. Why not enjoy the fact that you won't be throwing away your hard-earned cash for a ball that will simply be too aggressive? If what you are saying was true, there would be no reason that folks like Bo and I would be throwing the Creature, the Orbit Extreme, the new Black Angle urethane, etc...it simply wouldn't make sense for us "experienced" bowlers to do so. But we do throw those balls (and I can also assure you, we have more than three years experience doing so), because they give us the look on the lanes we need. Plain and simple, there is no reason to bash a ball, or not have one, because "it seems to cost a little less than the other balls."
If you want to play the second arrow, and get the length necessary to do so on the condition you described, you need a less aggressive ball. That ball is either a Creature or Orbit Extreme.
Post by: jasonp82 on October 02, 2007, 09:45:39 PM
Post by: revTrex on October 02, 2007, 09:50:47 PM
Hope this helps, and if you have any other questions, just ask.
Post by: jasonp82 on October 02, 2007, 10:30:01 PM
... which is Red I believe.I will also look into the Creature as well. I'm just not as familar with that, but I'll give it a look!
Post by: jasonp82 on October 02, 2007, 11:56:21 PM
I will look into the Orbit. I guess I'm just looking for the heavily advertised bowling balls. Is there a reliable "hook scale" rating on the web anywhere? I notice even this site has one...
Post by: frontiers2 on October 05, 2007, 02:50:36 AM
lata..af
Post by: jasonp82 on October 06, 2007, 03:14:11 PM