BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: sdbowler on July 13, 2012, 01:09:36 PM
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My son is using a Target Zone right now. He will be 8 in September. I want to get a new ball for him this season. Part of me wants to get him another Target Zone and keep working on fundamentals. While part of me wants to get him into a urethane ball to get a little more ball movement and still keep working on fundamentals. I am truly tossed on this. I have had people tell to what I think is best for him, right now I don't know. The basics always need to be taught I know that. However I think the urethane would help out in many other aspects as well. Just looking for some input. Thanks all for your input. Only thing I am asking is to remain polite on this.
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This is a great question, and I think getting him something that moved downlane wouldn't be a bad idea. If you do I would get him a Polar Ice. They are the only urethane ball that come under 10lbs (not sure if he's throwing that much yet).
They are barely more than a plastic ball at retail, and will give him a little feedback if he gets his hand around the ball a bit.
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I would be bumping him up to 10 lb. Sorry forgot to mention that. Thanks for the input Russell.
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Definitely 2nd on the Polar Ice from Storm!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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The Polar Ice wouldn't be a bad ball to try or a Slingshot. Either ball I would probably consider using a 1000 grit to knock the shine down and have a smooth reaction.
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If I recall the slingshot has PK17 on it. So that would be out. I was thinking the Karma Urethane. I do not know anything about the Polar Ice, I will have to look that up.
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It does have PK17 and in 10lbs will be a pancake weight block similar to the Polar Ice. Urethane and PK17 aren't going to be vastly different when they have similar cores and finishes. Both come highly polished from the factory, and either I would suggest knocking the shine off of to smooth out.
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PK17 and the urethane covers are going to be fairly similar. The big difference is that the PK17 cover would give a little more length and be more angular obviously. That's simple to fix though by hitting it with 1000 AB to knock the shine off.
Overall, I think you're on the right track with your thought process here.
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You guys are sending me in a different direction compared to where I was thinking. What are your thoughts on going either direction?
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The two i mentioned would be splitting hairs. Those two compared to plastic would be the next very gradual step up from platic.
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How fast does he throw the ball (if no speed available just fast, med, slow)? If he throws it pretty quick then a Slingshot may be a better idea. I would assume at 10lbs they will all have pancake weight blocks. However I wouldn't let that influence your decision.
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The Slingshot would be a great choice. The Karma Urethane would work as well but as far as value goes the Slingshot is the best value and bang for your buck at that price point. It is a great starter ball and exactly what I would recommend to any customer in your situation.
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With age being my main concern, I would assume that there is not a lot of speed in the delivery. Being in the pro shop business for over 30 years I really think that a control type of ball is in the best interest here! Polar Ice (3 piece core)with a little weight shift drilling is the way to go. Want (need) a little more movement, light scuff will do the trick. A little older and more understanding of the basics of the sport, it's time to move up!
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With age being my main concern, I would assume that there is not a lot of speed in the delivery. Being in the pro shop business for over 30 years I really think that a control type of ball is in the best interest here! Polar Ice (3 piece core)with a little weight shift drilling is the way to go. Want (need) a little more movement, light scuff will do the trick. A little older and more understanding of the basics of the sport, it's time to move up!
+1 on where my thoughts were...the only exception would be if he is zinging it pretty fast for an 8 year old.
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Speed is definitely a concern when dealing with bowler matchups especially children. Urethane could be a better option but past 12 pounds I don't believe any manufacturer uses the same core as advertised. The Brunswick core used in the slingshot is a 2.80 low rg with a .002 differential. As far as length goes it should go plenty far down the lane for a resin ball. As far as resin vs. urethane goes I have always preferred the length of a mildly aggressive resin ball to the controllability of urethane given that situation. We have drilled slingshot for inexperience small children here in the past with no problems and plenty of success. Whatever you may choose good luck with your search. We need bowlers like your son to help our sport continue to survive into the future.
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Guys thanks for your help. I don't know how fast he throws it. I just never trust the speed that shows up on the scoring units. I have never really timed it or anything at all. I have a lot of thinking to do.
Chris if all kids were like him and thought about bowling 24/7 there would be no problem. Anytime anything dealing with bowling is on tv he wants to watch it. I am not pushing him into this at all either. This is all him. This is why I am so stuck on what to do. I don't want to make him feel like he is not going anywhere, yet at the same time I don't want to push him to hard on something. Watching him bowl he just wants to learn more and more and more. It is great!
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I think the slingshot is perfect. PK17 giving too much length and pop is absurd, the boy is 8 so I doubt he has very much in terms of speed and rev rate. I would be more concerned with urethane hooking too early. Reactive over plastic, its better that kids learn to throw hard in my opinion
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Guys thanks for your help. I don't know how fast he throws it. I just never trust the speed that shows up on the scoring units. I have never really timed it or anything at all. I have a lot of thinking to do.
Chris if all kids were like him and thought about bowling 24/7 there would be no problem. Anytime anything dealing with bowling is on tv he wants to watch it. I am not pushing him into this at all either. This is all him. This is why I am so stuck on what to do. I don't want to make him feel like he is not going anywhere, yet at the same time I don't want to push him to hard on something. Watching him bowl he just wants to learn more and more and more. It is great!
Just curious.....how big/tall is your son? Reason I ask is because I have a 7 1/2 year old in my care (my fiances son) and he is only about 50 pounds. He is really skinny (you can basically see his rib cage with no shirt on). When we take him bowling, I would be willing to bet he is not hitting 10 mph. When your son bowls, does it only take a few seconds for the ball to reach the pins or does it seem like it takes awhile to get there? Also, what kind of scores does he normally shoot? Is he a child that is typically shooting 60s or is he able to get over 100 on a regular basis?
The main thing for you to think about, is anything you put him in is going to give him more than what he has. If a Polar Ice retails for $100 and a Slingshot retails for $120-130, is it worth it to you to spend that extra $20-30 if he is still in a learning stage? I agree with Russell and a couple others that recommend the Polar Ice. Remember the fact that he is 8 years old so anything on the lower end you choose wont be a disservice to him. He is just going to be excited at the fact he has a new toy to use.
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My son is a big boy. He is at 100 pounds, would say he is close to 4 1/2 feet tall. If I had to guess speed it would be around 12mph. Just guessing on that. When we lived in Aberdeen before moving back to Sioux Falls he was averaging 102. Since moving back here I have taken advantage of kidsbowlfree.com offer and he is usually around 110-130. That is also with me working with him on a few things as well.
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Lets see here. Going to be 8 years old in Sept. "Teach him to throw it hard"????
NNOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Learn the SPORT!
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My son is a big boy. He is at 100 pounds, would say he is close to 4 1/2 feet tall. If I had to guess speed it would be around 12mph. Just guessing on that. When we lived in Aberdeen before moving back to Sioux Falls he was averaging 102. Since moving back here I have taken advantage of kidsbowlfree.com offer and he is usually around 110-130. That is also with me working with him on a few things as well.
That is pretty vital information. Based on that you COULD do something like a Slingshot or Scout. The Scout would be another option as it is a resin cover that is cheaper than the $120-130 price point of the Slingshot. Its completely up to you as based on the info you gave, he could use either a urethane or entry level resin and not go wrong. That should make your decision a little easier.
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Lets see here. Going to be 8 years old in Sept. "Teach him to throw it hard"????
NNOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Learn the SPORT!
Trust me I am not teaching him to throw it hard. For his age he has a nice smooth game. Throws the ball good. I am still working with him on fundamentals. I teach him something let him bowl a week while working on it. That way he can get use to it. I am not trying to shove information down his throat at all. He has picked up a lot just by watching others bowl. As I said before he loves watching the PBA when it is on tv. He would be happy staying at a bowling center and watching people bowl all day. He would be even happier to be bowling however. When I was his age I was not this way at all. I am just looking at trying to find a ball that will give him some reaction is all. The T Zone just spins and slides on him. Don't get me wrong it does move a little. I just want something more for him.
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sdbowler
My response was not directed at you! The last sentence from Brandon Riley is not my suggestion for a young bowler! :)
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Sorry I skipped right over that. No way do I want him to learn how to throw it hard. I am 37 and have wrist issues from the way I bowled. I know plenty of people that have wrist, elbow, and shoulder issues from throwing hard. So no I don't want him to throw it hard. Learn the ins and outs of the games. That's why this is so hard for me to decide what to get him.
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:) :) :)
seams to be todays mentality. Throw it hard, touch the headpin, get a strike!
The recreation "look at my score" compared to the sport "You need to make the shots to reap the benefits" of bowling.
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I agree. That's why I am trying to teach him a little at a time and pass what information I know to him. I don't want to see him be one of those that only know how to stand left and throw right. Good thing he is young and catches on to a lot just by watching people.
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When I was your son's age, I was the same way. Couldn't get enough bowling. I watched on TV (back when it was on ABC's Wide World of Sports) every week and taped the shows so I could watch throughout the week.
If he is that dedicated, step him up to a weak reactive like a Storm Tropical Breeze...or any other company's entry level reactive. There's absolutely nothing wrong with learning fundamentals while using a reactive ball...plus the added striking power will add to his enjoyment.
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Millertime that is a great point. I had never thought about going to that level. I was only thinking about urethane so now I am having to think about 3 balls. Well probably only 2. I have a feeling I know how I am going to go. I really wish I would take a video of him bowling and post so you all could see him bowl. I think that would be even better for you all to help out with. Thanks all for your help.
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The Ebonite Cyclone is a great entry level reactive resin ball at an affordable price, but in less than 14 lbs you probably get either a generic or pancake core. -- JohnP