Selecting Your First Bowling Ball

My first 300 last year (February 25, 2009) was shot with an Ebonite Total NV. My second 300 game (March 10, 2010) was thrown with a Storm Dark Thunder. I won the NV in a raffle drawing and the Thunder was given to me by one of my friends. (Incidentally, the first was on lane 1 & 2 and the second, on lane 15 &16 in a 16-lane bowling center - end lanes are supposed to be the "worst" pairs in most bowling centers.)

The last bowling ball I bought is a VBP Ogre and that was about three years ago; it was on sale because the pro shop I frequented at the time was just picking the product line up and had steep discounts on VBP's. I guess I'm lucky that I don't have to spend a lot of money trying to keep up with the latest in technology (or not, depending on who you talk to).

To tell the truth, I just can't afford to purchase a new bowling ball at this time in my life. Would the newest darling of the bowling ball world help my average out? Perhaps "yes;" then again, perhaps, "no." I plan to eventually buy a new ball but, not before I get my fundamentals straightened out and have saved enough to afford one.

If you've been following my storyline over the past several months, you know that I have been doing a lot of studying and experimenting with different styles and strategies for attacking the lanes. Additionally, with all the little things that I was doing wrong, it's really a coin toss as to whether a new ball would have helped me. I feel that my improvements in scoring and average have been through the refinement of my fundamentals, techniques, and mindset, rather than because of my bowling ball.

I see too many people rushing out to get the newest high tech ball because they think it will improve their scores. I also see far too many beginners buying a ball that is way beyond their style of bowling. Cases in point: (1) a guy is averaging 190 and sees Walter Ray Williams, Jr. win a tournament so he goes out and buys the same model because he believes he'll be able to get into the 200's with it; and, (2) a beginner, three-step approach, coming back to the game after 40 years, rolling a back-up ball, buys a reactive resin ball and then wonders why she isn't averaging higher, already.

If you are a beginner bowler looking at your first bowling ball purchase, I would like to offer my "Choc-List" for selecting that ball:

1) Cost. This will not be the last one that you will buy. Used balls are plentiful and at this point in your development, it does you no good to shell out $150 or more for a ball that you'll be changing out depending on how your game grows. You will be able to find many low-end reactive balls for under $75. There may also be many friends who will merely give you a ball because they have moved beyond them and they're just sitting in storage.

2) Comfort. Consult with your ball driller and remember, you can't overcome a bad fit or drill. Barring any already existing injuries, you should not have any pain as a result of gripping and throwing your bowling ball.

(3) Controllability - Hook Potential. Do not go for a ball that will hook the most. Go for a low-end or medium grade reactive bowling ball. Once you develop your solid fundamentals, then move on to the more reactive bowling balls. By then, your overall knowledge will also help you to work with the hooking ball. Besides, if you can't control the hook, you will immediately have to buy a plastic ball. (While I do advocate the need for a plastic ball for spares, I don't necessarily have my students go out and buy one right away.)

(4) Controllability - Weight. The heaviest a bowling ball can be is 16 pounds. There is no minimum specified, however, the lightest ball manufactured is 6 pounds. Stand with both your arms at your sides. Bring your throwing arm up in front of you with your palm up until it is parallel to the floor. Place the ball in your palm and if you can sustain the weight without straining, that is the proper weight for you. Heaviest does you no good if you cannot throw it with ease down the lane.

Build solid fundamentals first, then start investing in equipment that will make you a better and better bowler. If you continue in the sport, you will have many more years to enjoy it.

A Hui Hou! (See You Again!)