Hmm, a high performance ball is expensive in the first place, but with proper technique these things (from every manufacturer) kick butt. They can rise your average - but this can also be done with a cheaper ball which fits your game well. If you want to invest money in a good ball, it should fit your style and the lane conditions you usually play and practice on. Do not get fixed on a ball too soon.
Best thing to do is consult a local proshop of your trust to have your playing style observed, somebody who is familiar with local lanes. Tell what you want to do with the ball, and normally you should get serious advice or ball recommendations. This might turn up some ball(s) which you never thought of before, but it is better than buying blindly a ball just for the looks and not using its potential properly.
Another clue can be the assortment of other local advanced players. Have a look or ask around which ball they prefer, especially if their playing style matches yours.
Another option (which I did) is to try used balls, have them plugged and re-drilled to your needs. This needs a good pro shop (and sources like this forum), too, but it is a good way to try out and compare different manufacturers, core designs, drillings etc.
In the pat 8 months I tried 7 balls this way, all for different occasions and from various sources. Was not too expensive, and it left me with a very good impression what different balls and drillings can do, and what my next ball (the first new one, an Impulse Zone by Brunswick) should be.
Best bet should be to seek out professional help for ball choice. Might save money in the end, and prevent frustration.
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany
"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe
