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Author Topic: When Choosing a New Ball  (Read 4269 times)

TWOHAND834

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When Choosing a New Ball
« on: June 20, 2022, 12:08:02 PM »
What up BR Fam?!?!

When you guys go out to purchase a ball to compliment one in your bag; what makes you determine which one to go with?  Years ago; it was basically solids and pearls.  Now with hybrids; what makes your final decision on which to go with?  As an example; as you know I use the Scorpion almost exclusively but looking for more pop on the backend to compliment it.  It was going to be the Spectre until its debacle.  Then I was looking at Eruption or Web Pearl but wasnt sure they were going to be strong enough for the oil I was on.  Then two balls really have my eye.  The first if the Power Torq Pearl and the other is Zen Soul Hybrid.  So while the Scorpion is a hybrid; it comes at 2000 dull.  The Zen Soul is hybrid but comes at 4000 and the PTP comes at 1500 with compound polish.  So currently I am looking at one pearl and one hybrid as opposed to two pearls. 

So not asking for help making a determination but more of what process do you all go through when trying to decide your next purchase to fill a gap in the bag.  Curious as to what your mindsets are.  Oh....and Happy Belated Father's Day to all you guys out there with little ones.  Hope it was a fun weekend!
Steven Vance
Former Pro Shop Operator
Former Classic Products Assistant Manager

 

Juggernaut

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Re: When Choosing a New Ball
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2022, 03:58:56 PM »
Hype and PR being what they are, I always just go with something that fits the gap I'm trying to fill.

 I don't worry so much about solid, pearl, or hybrid as I do the general characteristics of the ball itself.

 If I need a quick response, I go with a quick cover. If I need a slower response, I go with something known to have that characteristic.

 Surface is your friend, and your mileage may vary, but going with ball characteristics instead of just broad brushing certain types of coverstocks has always worked pretty well for me.
Learn to laugh, and love, and smile, cause we’re only here for a little while.

SVstar34

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Re: When Choosing a New Ball
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2022, 04:02:14 PM »
Hype and PR being what they are, I always just go with something that fits the gap I'm trying to fill.

 I don't worry so much about solid, pearl, or hybrid as I do the general characteristics of the ball itself.

 If I need a quick response, I go with a quick cover. If I need a slower response, I go with something known to have that characteristic.

 Surface is your friend, and your mileage may vary, but going with ball characteristics instead of just broad brushing certain types of coverstocks has always worked pretty well for me.

100% agreed

itsallaboutme

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Re: When Choosing a New Ball
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2022, 05:14:56 PM »
Drill 25 or 30 a year and keep the ones that roll good.

justlane

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Re: When Choosing a New Ball
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2022, 06:34:53 PM »

To fill a gap.  I like having:

1- Solid Asymmetric
2- Solid Symmetric
3- Pearl Asymmetric
4- Pearl Symmetric

If any of the above needs replacing I go shopping.


Lane Carter

leftybowler70

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Re: When Choosing a New Ball
« Reply #5 on: June 20, 2022, 07:27:40 PM »
Drill 25 or 30 a year and keep the ones that roll good.

😂😂😂

Adrenaline

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Re: When Choosing a New Ball
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2022, 12:38:56 AM »
The main 2 things I look for in a new ball...
Does it have colors I like?
Does it have a scent I like?
If the answer is yes to both, I'm probably going to buy it.
There's only so many shapes a ball can make.  Cover strength is important, but layout, and surface can really do a lot.  Obviously don't force a square peg in a round hole, but for the vast majority of us House Hacks, you can make any ball you want work.

billdozer

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Re: When Choosing a New Ball
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2022, 06:09:10 AM »
PTP would be more pop down lane

Soul should be a stronger scorpion


When buying I try to hit up deals. Can't go wrong with a known product on sale...
In the bag [Infinite Physix, Volatility Torque, Night Road, Phaze III, Burner Solid, Hustle AU]
*Now Testing* IQ Ruby, Renevant, another IQ Tour solid
Coming soon...???

Strider

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Re: When Choosing a New Ball
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2022, 07:15:42 AM »
I do a combination of asking and watching.  I'll ask here and good bowlers in my area that drill a lot of stuff and describe what I'm looking for.  Second, I'll watch the good local bowlers and You tube videos looking for similar styles and hopefully intended lane conditions.  It's far from perfect, but at least I can weed out some choices and narrow it down to a few good candidates.

TWOHAND834

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Re: When Choosing a New Ball
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2022, 10:07:20 AM »
I do a combination of asking and watching.  I'll ask here and good bowlers in my area that drill a lot of stuff and describe what I'm looking for.  Second, I'll watch the good local bowlers and You tube videos looking for similar styles and hopefully intended lane conditions.  It's far from perfect, but at least I can weed out some choices and narrow it down to a few good candidates.

I am the same way.  Regarding the Power Torq Pearl; I asked Osku if he received his yet  because it was only a week before the release date and he usually does reaction videos and he said he had not gotten his yet which surprised me.  I feel like between the Zen Soul and PTP that I really cant go wrong with either one though.  Both will be stronger than the Scorpion with more pop on the backend.  But now I also see the Wolverine Dark Moss getting ready to release.  So we will shall see.
Steven Vance
Former Pro Shop Operator
Former Classic Products Assistant Manager

Spider Ball Bowler

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Re: When Choosing a New Ball
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2022, 01:52:53 PM »
I stopped with an arsenal a long time ago. I just drill whatever catches my eye. So far this off season alone I have found 5 balls that I just have to own.

The next 2 I actually drill are the 2 new Messengers coming out in late July....until something else catches my eye :)

Dakota1

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Re: When Choosing a New Ball
« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2022, 12:55:22 PM »
Hi Fellow Bowlers - This is a great subject!  Good ideas and easy reading.  I bowl at four centers, all synthetic, with differing oil patterns and lane Topographies.   Makes for an interesting game plan preparation.  I enjoy the analysis! Background - I am 81 years young and love my bowling.  Average in the low 190's.   In my pursuit to become a Gold Level Coach, I volunteered to work at a high end pro shop.  I worked with and mixed with many PBA players.  I learned to drill my own equipment, 70 plus balls.  I became a specialist in the Dual Angle Drilling Concept.  I really like the DA concept. Now I purchase a ball take it home, in the box, layout the DA and take the ball back to my Pro Shop guy and have him drill the ball to my specified DA layout.  A great arrangement for me.   Back to your question - I watch my teammates and competitors at all 4 centers and tournaments.  If I see the high end players using a ball, I place it in my study brain.  I read all of the Ball Reviews articles and Bowling This Month. I review the Cover Stock, Core, RG, Differential, and Intermediate Differential data.  I am particularly interested in the RG value. Low, medium, high RG tells me a story on arsenal fit.  I was fortunate to attend a World International Coaching Conference in Arlington, Texas.  Chris Barnes made a presentation on RG!  WOW!  BTM provides a meaningful review.  BR is a big contributor, I enjoy other bowlers discussions.  It is surprising, out side of you guys, how many bowlers do not have a clue!  But you need your own plan!  Strikes and Spares - Gold Coach ABE Denny O'Neill

keegan.mier

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Re: When Choosing a New Ball
« Reply #12 on: June 25, 2022, 07:35:59 PM »
It’s a combination of product experience and wants if I’m being honest. Maybe I’m familiar with a certain cover and like what I’ve seen from it and maybe the new core it’s wrapped around will give me a shape I think I’ll like. Or maybe I love what a core does, and I’m interested in trying out the new cover on it. Or when it comes to purely new things I look at cores that have had similar numbers, and covers that potentially may be similar to get an idea of what a ball will do. But also as I am not on staff, and bowling isn’t done on paper, hearing staff descriptions, especially from staff you trust to be honest, helps a lot.