Ebonite

Hello. I have been a summer bowler for the past 25 years with a 180 average and I think it's time for a new ball but I want some veteran opinions first. I have been using a Purple Hammer for the past 20 or so years and she just doesnt work for me anymore. I find I have to REALLY crank up the rotation to get the ball to react, so much that it hurts my wrist for days afterwards. I've had it to my local pro shop a few times for resurfacing, cleaning, etc. They keep telling me I need a new ball (can't be sure if they're JUST trying to sell me a new one). The Hammer is 16 lbs and I'm guestimating 200 rpm at right around 11-12 mph. I start at the 2nd dot/arrow right from center and swing the ball out to the 5-6th boards normally. I'm looking for something that will hook with less effort in medium to heavy oil conditions. My pro shop has a used 15lb Mission 250K that they've been pushing for me to buy, and I've also been told a Taboo is a good ball for me. Can anyone help me out with a good recomendation? I wish I could tell you how my Hammer is drilled, but that was bought a long time ago and the paperwork is long gone. I'll answer any questions as best I can. thanks!

Out of curiosity have you sanded the ball down to 1000(Not sure what original finish was) and see if that makes the ball hook easier?

The 250K is a good ball and if it's at a good price $80 may not be bad investment. You might look into the Pursuit(S) or Taboo. I have a Roto Grip Defiant that is pretty good for Medium-Heavy oil. 900 Global train is another good ball and I know several people in my 6p Tuesday leagues who love their DV8 Hell Raisers. Track just came out with a 912T and Storm has the Vivid and IQ so their are a lot of balls to look at. Brunswick neXus solid is a good ball I use that strickly for heavy oil. All I can say is talk to some of the league bowlers and see how they like their equipment. Also see if your pro shop has ball you can demo.

You can always go to the various ball manufactuers websites and see their videos of the balls your looking for if they have a video. You can also go to youtube for vidoes as well.

Good luck in whatever ball you choose!

Zothen

Thanks for the reply Zothen. I know the ball was sanded 2 years ago, but I honestly dont remember the details. I changed to a new bowling bag this spring and tossed all the old paperwork that was in the old bag. I've always been a casual bowler, bowled in a few leagues with friends, and to be honest I never paid much attention to the different surfaces, and drilling options, etc. that there are. From now on I will though.

I'd have $100 in the 250K if I went that way. The center my family bowls at always has heavily oiled lanes, and I've heard it is even heavier for leagues and I think thats the biggest problem for my current ball. It seems ok for drier lane conditions, but is difficult to work with in heavier oil. I'll check the websites out for the ball options you gave me and see what is out there. Again, thanks for the info.

Np Nova75mike! I also forgot to tell you to stick with a 15lbs ball. They hit just as hard if not harder then a 16lbs and is less damaging on the wrist. Let me know what you chose and how you like it.

Zothen

Well, I picked the new (to me) ball up last night. Got the 250K for $95 drilling and inserts included. Bowled 2 games last night trying to get a feel for the ball, it wasnt my normal center but it was close to the pro shop in case I had a serious issue. Bowled a 152 and then 171 getting used to the ball. 1 big thing I noticed is that the ball seems MUCH lighter than 15 lbs (gotta actually weigh it when I get home tonight). It is MUCH easier to throw, and that will take some getting used to. My ball speed last night was in the 15-16 mph range. I think I'll have to slow that down just a hair. I have to say that the ball is very versatile, I was worried about picking up spares but dont think that will be an issue. I think I'm gonna like this thing. The pro shop couldnt give me any axis specifics on how they drilled the ball. There was just 1 guy there and he was busy. I know it is the "out of box" surface, which I think he said is 3000. I'm going to my normal center tonight for a few games, I'll keep you posted.

Does the center you normally bowl in have a pro shop? If they do,maybe they can figure out your axis.

I have several 15lbs balls that feel light or heavy. I was told it was how it was drilled.

I wish you good scoring with your new ball!

Zothen

They do have a pro shop, but the gentleman who runs it is only there about 16 hours per week, usually when I am at work as well. I am now struggling with consistency. I had a normal 174 last night, but then a very weak 132. This ball has such a wicked backend to it that I am now struggling a bit. I can go from 8 boards in from the left, hang the ball out there 1-2 boards from the right, and have it swing right back into the pocket....but never perfectly in the pocket. I'm always just a touch high, or just a touch low, which leads to the problem I had in the 2nd game last night. HORRIBLE SPLITS. Guess I have to relearn how to bowl with this thing. LOL. Thanks for all the insight Zothen.

I have same problem with consistancy. If I use a big back swing and bowl without thinking i'm fine,but,if I go up and think I tend to short arm the ball and I come over top or shank the ball or flatten the ball out so it doesn't hook, very maddening!

I would suggest putting a polish on the ball and see if that helps with the backend problem. You could try moving couple boards to the left(right bowler) and throw over 5/6 instead of 1/2 board and see if that angle helps. Splits are usually caused by the ball losing enrgy when it hits the pocket,try to get the ball speed up and see if that helps. Or the ball is hitting to high on head pin.

My usual spot is stand on 22 and try to hit the 8/10 board. BTW do you live in California(Los Angeles area)?

Let me know if any of those suggestions work!

Zothen

I live just outside of York, PA. Quite a distance form LA. lol. When I was fitted for this new ball, I found out that the drilling on my old ball was all wrong. The finger/thumb spread was too far, forcing me to cradle the ball to keep it under control. That effectively made my 16 lb ball feel more like 18lbs. I practically have to re-learn how to bowl. I go up there with the new ball and try to hit the same mark as with my old ball. Bad idea. I've had more gutterballs the past 4 games than I did the past 4 years with the old ball. I'll give it another go here on sunday and report back.

Update. Only bowled 2 games on sunday. Both solid 182. Still had 2 open frames in each though. If I can clean those up I think I should be able to hit 200 consistantly. The 250K has a wicked backend, but it is much more predictable than the old Hammer. I really like the fact that it takes less effort to get the hook now, which makes my wrist feel much better after a few games. I think the 250K was a good purchase as it fits my style very nicely.

Glad to hear your bowling better with less effort and pain. You can polish the ball and see if it cuts the wickedness out of the backend or take the finish to 4000 abralon. Did you find out if the ball was actually 15lbs?

Good luck & good scoring!

Zothen

Y'know. I completely forgot to weigh the darn thing. I'll have to do that tonight and post back. If anything, I could use a hair bit more hook. that would make it even easier for me, but I can easily live with the way it is now. Just gotta figure out a good way to pick up those pesky 10 pins.

nova75mike wrote:

Y'know. I completely forgot to weigh the darn thing. I'll have to do that tonight and post back. If anything, I could use a hair bit more hook. that would make it even easier for me, but I can easily live with the way it is now. Just gotta figure out a good way to pick up those pesky 10 pins.

This part is easy and doesn't require much more into the ball. It's at this point where you change the bowler, and not the ball.

When I was bowling in juniors, my coach taught something simple; to remember the pop/soda/soft drink:

7-up, 10-back for right-handers, 10-up/7-back for lefties.

If you leave the 10 pin, move back on your approach half an inch. Move up for the 7 pins. All this should do is change the entry angle for your ball, with everything else being equal (same line, same ball speed, etc.). when you start to trip 4 or 6 pins is when you should consider moving left or right.

Another thing you could do is move half boards left or right to cover the corner pins, but that could lead to light/swish shots or starting to trip 4 or 6 pins. but up/back works best from what I have learned.

BL.

Hello bradl. I will definitely give that a try wednesday when I bowl again. I think consistancy in my release is my biggest culprit right now. My nephew took some video on his phone from sunday. Watching where I place the ball...it varies 1 to 2 boards. The worst was 4 boards and the ball went brooklyn on me, ended up leaving a 7 pin but those are pretty easy for me being a right hander. I think that since I dont have to really crank the rotation up anymore I have to find a new "routine" and concentrate more on my placement. Of the 4 open frames I left on sunday, 2 of them were 10 pins. I got close enough on the spare shot to make them wobble but I'd rather not leave them at all. I have to stand as far left as I can and throw the ball cross lane at the 10. My misses are all due to placement as well. I'll get it all figured out and hopefully become more consistant. I'd love to be able to rattle off 200 games at will, and I think I'll get there with this ball.

BTW, according to my 20 year old bathroom scale this ball is about 15 and 1/4 pounds.

Heres a tip I got from watching the PBA on tv. It was either Parker Bohn or Pete Weber who gave a tip on how to pick up 10 pins. I have tried it out and it does work.

First stand at least five boards passed last dot on left(Opposite for lefties) slightly angle your feet toward the 10 pin. When you release the ball,make sure your hand is pointing right at 10 pin and you should hit the pin with the ball. Make sure you flatten out the ball or it will hook if it is dry.

nova75mike-During practice put a piece of painters tape on the lane where your mark is(Example-If your mark is the 8 board that is where the tape goes) and try to hit that mark everytime. During leagues I try to picture tape on my mark and it has helped me be more consistant in hitting my mark for more pocket hits and now i'm working on the mental game.

Good luck & good scoring!

Zothen