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Author Topic: I need a favorite spare ball  (Read 4601 times)

Platypus22

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I need a favorite spare ball
« on: February 11, 2008, 04:23:11 AM »
Just got a BWS and would love to get the Widow spare ball...if it wasn't just so butt-ugly. White Dot? Plastic Zone?

Whats your favorite spare ball?
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FastTracker33

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Re: I need a favorite spare ball
« Reply #16 on: February 12, 2008, 05:50:32 PM »
I vote Lane #1 XXXL (just make sure it's drilled weak since it has a real core), or the Ice Storm. Like others said, it's the hardest ball on the market, and it's a VERY nice looking ball. It's such a shiney blue!
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charlest

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Re: I need a favorite spare ball
« Reply #17 on: February 12, 2008, 05:57:57 PM »
Unless you need "pretty", any plastic ball will do.

If you throw real slow AND you throw your spare ball with the same revs as your strike ball, then look for one of the harder, less hooking ones like the Blue Dot or the Ice Storm, but, be aware that they are more money, sometimes a lot more.

If you're worried about a "plain" plastic ball hooking too much, any driller can drill it to hook "less".
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

dicnic

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Re: I need a favorite spare ball
« Reply #18 on: February 12, 2008, 08:24:54 PM »
Just as a reminder, Columbia changed the Blue Dot some years ago, so its cover is now the same hardness as all their White Dots. The OLD Blue Dot, like mine, has a hardness the same as the new Ice Storm.

My Blue Dot is 28 years old, used to belong to my son when he bowled in junior leagues.

If you buy a Blue Dot from the past 5 years or so, it is the same as any of the White Dots.

The best method is to learn to throw any ball straight and you can save the extra space in your multi-ball bag for another condition specific ball.
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Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
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charlest

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Re: I need a favorite spare ball
« Reply #19 on: February 12, 2008, 09:01:57 PM »
quote:
Just as a reminder, Columbia changed the Blue Dot some years ago, so its cover is now the same hardness as all their White Dots. The OLD Blue Dot, like mine, has a hardness the same as the new Ice Storm.
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Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.


BUT the Blue Dot is still different from the White Dots. AT least that is what I have been led to believe; otherwise there's no reason to differentiate it from WDs and to charge more. I have not tested them to prove it.

Like the way pearlized balls are less elastic than solid resin balls, BDs are supposed to be less elastic although the same hardness than WHite Dots.

I also have an original Blue Dot. Until they get tracked up they are are great balls. Once tracked up, I have not been able to restore it to its original condition that hooked very little. I have re-surfaced and re-polished but it still hooks more now than it used to hook. It's 15 lb and I no longer use it.

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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
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Edited on 2/12/2008 10:03 PM
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Leonidas

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Re: I need a favorite spare ball
« Reply #20 on: February 13, 2008, 05:17:45 AM »
*****Ice Storm******
unless your Name ist T. Jones it will not hook
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it's almost always the indian and not the arrow
yes and i like this one also
don't go for a strike, go for a sure spare, we need 5 pins to win


Edited on 2/13/2008 6:18 AM

dicnic

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Re: I need a favorite spare ball
« Reply #21 on: February 13, 2008, 08:05:56 AM »
quote:
quote:
Just as a reminder, Columbia changed the Blue Dot some years ago, so its cover is now the same hardness as all their White Dots. The OLD Blue Dot, like mine, has a hardness the same as the new Ice Storm.
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Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.


BUT the Blue Dot is still different from the White Dots. AT least that is what I have been led to believe; otherwise there's no reason to differentiate it from WDs and to charge more. I have not tested them to prove it.

Like the way pearlized balls are less elastic than solid resin balls, BDs are supposed to be less elastic although the same hardness than WHite Dots.

I also have an original Blue Dot. Until they get tracked up they are are great balls. Once tracked up, I have not been able to restore it to its original condition that hooked very little. I have re-surfaced and re-polished but it still hooks more now than it used to hook. It's 15 lb and I no longer use it.

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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Unofficial Ballreviews.com FAQ

Edited on 2/12/2008 10:03 PM


I wish I could remember exactly who and when I obtained the information regarding the change to the Blue Dot. I do remember that it came directly from Columbia after I posed the question, as a result of a discussion at my local pro shop. If I do remember correctly, the Columbia question and answer was ONLY about the coverstock and hardness thereof. There could be a difference inside (the filler or the core) but I do not think so.

The price difference is simply marketing. Since Columbia never made a public announcement about the Blue Dot cover change, allowing bowlers to think they were getting a harder spare ball, they could charge more and get away with it.

Of course, I could be all wet about this total subject!! (It is raining today!)
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Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
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shelley

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Re: I need a favorite spare ball
« Reply #22 on: February 13, 2008, 08:26:37 AM »
Why are BDs more expensive than WDs?  Because there are still people who believe that the BD is harder and straighter than the WD.  For the same reason Lane 1 is more expensive, in spite of the fact that in 15 years they've produced all of about 6 different cores with standard Brunswick coverstocks:  Because people will pay a little more for them.  Whether the improved performance is really there or not is totally irrelevant.

I've got an old Brunswick Cyclone on its third or fourth drill and it still doesn't fit quite right.  It also hooks too much.  I threw a good shot at a 10-pin last night and it missed by about three boards because it hooked in the last 15' of the lane.

SH

kensumo

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Re: I need a favorite spare ball
« Reply #23 on: February 13, 2008, 08:55:53 PM »
I checked on the blue dot before,  here is the response I got.


Ken,
 
Thanks for your interest in Columbia 300.  To answer your question, the only difference is in the pigment.  The blue dot has more white in it than the white dots.
 
Have a great day!
Columbia 300