Determinant factors for bowling ball purchase ...

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kajmk
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Determinant factors for bowling ball purchase ...

Post by kajmk »

Impetus for this topic
Was an inquiry regarding choosing a bowling ball. The intent was to centralize responses and information to preclude the need to search the forum not to offend anyone ...
Removed name and link.


Purpose, a focal point.
As many know, there are a myriad of factors that should be considered when making a choice of what ball to buy.

Your input and ensuing questions and answers can help others and thus help grow the sport.
Many choose to cruise and read rather than participate, this is for them too!
No response is too short or too long, but consider reading what has already been written in this thread or referenced so as to reduce redundancy.

This topic would be a good one for our wiki.
I know we have some elite expertise here ...

So this person walks into a pro shop and says I want to buy a ball ...
Last edited by kajmk on October 21st, 2018, 1:40 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Determinant factors for bowling ball purchase ...

Post by RobMautner »

The first thing that comes to mind, inspired by this thread, is that one thing that one should not try to do when buying a bowling ball, is to match the reaction of a ball that was used twenty years ago. So many things have changed over that twenty year period, both with the sport and with the body of the bowler, that a forgone conclusion should be that you will never match that reaction. Keeping this in mind, providing you have a PSO who you trust, look for what you want a ball to do now... not 20 years ago.
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Re: Determinant factors for bowling ball purchase ...

Post by deanchamp »

When bowlers ask about what to add to their arsenal, I am always looking for the ball that will do something different to what they have already got. There is no point in having multiple balls that all react the same way on the lane. I consider the core, coverstock, OOB surface and layout, and also the cost. Plus how the OOB could be altered for versatility.

Many bowlers want the latest high end ball when they would actually be better served with a medium to low end ball. I personally am also quite happy using 2nd hand and discounted balls. The latest and greatest ball of today is the bargain basement ball of tomorrow.
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Re: Determinant factors for bowling ball purchase ...

Post by JohnP »

The primary cause of ball sales is a disease that I call "newballitis". It strikes (pun intended) seemingly randomly and can only be cured by the purchase of a new ball. And not just any new ball, it always must be the latest oil monster, even if the customer throws the ball at 10 mph with no hand. And inevitably the customer wants the ball to "go long and hook strong". -- JohnP
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Re: Determinant factors for bowling ball purchase ...

Post by Bluelobstor »

I agree with what every one has said so far and would like to add that it is important to know exactly what you want a new ball to do when picking one out and one should not try to get a ball to do something that it was not designed to do. I can't afford a new arsenal every year and as long as a ball is working for me I won't replace it. It's also important to have your specs rechecked every so often as they can change for different reasons and the layout you think you are getting may actually be different than what your actually getting.

Finding a PSO may be the most important decision you can make as they should be willing to watch you throw the ball and check all your specs. Taking into consideration on how you throw it and what you want a ball to do they should be able to make a recommendation on a ball that will work and not a ball that will make them the most money.

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Re: Determinant factors for bowling ball purchase ...

Post by markkuhn »

Let's just drop it, and agree to disagree, shall we?
Last edited by markkuhn on October 21st, 2018, 1:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Determinant factors for bowling ball purchase ...

Post by 44boyd »

You’re just the latest to ask that question; I’m sure you could be removed as the example.
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Re: Determinant factors for bowling ball purchase ...

Post by fufu »

For me, I’ve generally got every reaction covered I need for sport/tournament and house patterns. So when I drill something new I’m generally replacing something in my arsenal. I look at coverstock type(pearl/hybrid/solid) then core numbers to determine what ball would fill the need. I usually stay within the same family as the current ball so I have an idea of what to expect. I generally use the same or very similar layout.


For customers, I approach it as a replacement or compliment scenario. If we are replacing a ball, I look for a similar ball. If we are complimenting a ball then I see what they need, ask what the struggle with and work within their budget to get them into something we are bothe happy with.
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Re: Determinant factors for bowling ball purchase ...

Post by kajmk »

name deleted wrote:
So all this started because I asked a simple question?
And what if I don't want to be part of or included in a wiki topic?

I removed the link, you can remove the link in your post by editing your post citing the reference. Sorry if this upset or concerned you.
Last edited by kajmk on October 21st, 2018, 1:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Determinant factors for bowling ball purchase ...

Post by kajmk »

44boyd wrote:You’re just the latest to ask that question; I’m sure you could be removed as the example.

Done! Now Mark can edit his post and delete the link etc.
May all beings everywhere be happy and free,
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