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Main
Date: 18 May 2008 16:09:11
From:
Subject: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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I'm coming back to the game after a long hiatus and I'm a little disheartened by the extreme emphasis on equipment that seems to have crept into the sport at the league and even recreational levels. (I don't know if it was ever any different at the pro level, I never moved in those circles). So here's a simple and very possibly naive question: does anyone bowl with just one ball anymore?
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Date: 26 May 2008 11:57:39
From:
Subject: Re: Sr. Leagues
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On May 23, 8:20 am, Dave Allen <daveal...@wildblue.net > wrote: > I'm bowling in a Sr. league for the 8 week spring season. There are > times (like every week ) that I think some of the regular league high > rollres should see these people./ > > They have health problems ,aside from general old age I feel like a > kid and I am 73. I took up bowing somewhere around 30 years ago as I > felt it was something I could do > forever and it certainly looks like I was right. Moreover these older > people bowl at least as well as I do and they seem to have more fun > than winter money leagues. > ** Posted fromhttp://www.teranews.com** That's one of the things that appeals to me about bowling: anyone (male, female, young, old, healthy or otherwise) who can contrive to roll the ball down the lane can be competitive if they put in the effort. If you take care of yourself and make the necessary adjustments as you age, you can bowl for your whole life.
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Date: 22 May 2008 18:54:12
From:
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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On May 22, 9:39=A0pm, electronic_d...@hotmail.com wrote: > On May 22, 3:51 pm, 2bowl...@gmail.com wrote: > > > Fun thread, makes me want to throw one ball all summer :) > > Do it! Let's stop the madness! I agree - single ball leagues are a lot of fun and it would be a blast to do one with plastic on short oil. Never get anyone to do such a league but it'd be a real hoot to flip the clock back for a summer league. Mark
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Date: 23 May 2008 09:20:43
From: Dave Allen
Subject: Sr. Leagues
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I'm bowling in a Sr. league for the 8 week spring season. There are times (like every week ) that I think some of the regular league high rollres should see these people./ They have health problems ,aside from general old age I feel like a kid and I am 73. I took up bowing somewhere around 30 years ago as I felt it was something I could do forever and it certainly looks like I was right. Moreover these older people bowl at least as well as I do and they seem to have more fun than winter money leagues. ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
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Date: 22 May 2008 18:39:45
From:
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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On May 22, 3:51 pm, 2bowl...@gmail.com wrote: > Fun thread, makes me want to throw one ball all summer :) Do it! Let's stop the madness! Seriously: not long after deciding to take up this game again, I saw a kid, about ten years old, show up to practice with a multi-ball roller. He threw hard with a big hook (dumped in the channel a couple of times) while his dad looked on approvingly. I didn't seen him throw a single straight shot, even at single-pin spares. That's when I knew that the "modern" game of bowling was not for me. Sure, back in my kid- bowler days we all loved Mark Roth and his power game, but he was throwing plastic just like all of us punks on Saturday morning league. The magic was in the HANDS, baby! :) (And besides, his "big hook" of the 1970s looks almost like a straight ball nowadays). Modern balls may give me higher scores on modern conditions. But I already have a day job, and it pays well, so I don't need to get anything out of bowling outside of fun and personal satisfaction. I loved bowling in the '70s, and that's still the game I want to play now. I'm also the guy who ignores the video games and heads straight for the pinball machines when I'm in an arcade, so there ya go. If there were any of those so-called "White Dot leagues" around me, I'd be all over it.
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Date: 22 May 2008 13:51:55
From:
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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On May 22, 1:37=A0pm, PromptJock <102151.3...@compuserve.com > wrote: > > I noticed lane #1 still has a urathane ball on there website > > Check out these current "straight" urethane offerings:http://www.stormbowl= ing.com/products/balls/ball.asp?ballid=3D274http://www.bowling.com/products/= amf-angle-urethane-black.htmhttp://www.bowling.com/products/brunswick-groove= -urethane-dark-blue- Pretty sure the Tour Block was an Asia only release. Still, there are choices out there in plain urethane for folks that don't want to deal with resin equipment. Just look for something with a decent part. For example and older hammer with the grenade or the Lane#1 with the diamond part. Fun thread, makes me want to throw one ball all summer :) Mark
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Date: 22 May 2008 10:37:44
From: PromptJock
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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> I noticed lane #1 still has a urathane ball on there website Check out these current "straight" urethane offerings: http://www.stormbowling.com/products/balls/ball.asp?ballid=274 http://www.bowling.com/products/amf-angle-urethane-black.htm http://www.bowling.com/products/brunswick-groove-urethane-dark-blue-light-blue.htm This is the Lane #1 offering: http://lane1bowling.com/balls/liberator.html Anyhoo, these are the ones I currently found that you can get new. Just remember that, while these balls won't soak-up oil like reactives, you still need to KEEP THEM CLEAN by periodically removing oil/dirt buildup with a good cleaner (i.e., windex). Happy ball hunting, etc. :)
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Date: 22 May 2008 00:08:08
From: GalaxyMan
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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On May 21, 8:22=A0pm, 2bowl...@gmail.com wrote: > On May 18, 7:09=A0pm, electronic_d...@hotmail.com wrote: > > > =A0So here's a simple and very possibly naive > > question: does anyone bowl with just one ball anymore? > > Yes. However they are not what one would call "competitive" players. > > That said, a reasonably talented house bowler could still do fine with > one ball. In essence, I use one ball at a time in league for about 4-6 > weeks at a time. Usually I switch because I'm testing a new piece or > just varying the balls to play with different reactions. > > If I were to go the one ball route and didn't want to worry about > equipment wearing out then I would look for a non-reactive urethane > ball with a decent core. For example a blue hammer, black Turbo, black > Phantom, etc. You will give up some hook potential but a decent player > can make plain jane urethane play reasonably well for strikes and it's > easy to throw straight for spares. > > So, where do you find one of these old balls? =A0Used. Lots of folks > have them gathering dust. Plug, resurface and redrill and they are > fine. > > Mark I noticed lane #1 still has a urathane ball on there website
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Date: 21 May 2008 18:22:48
From:
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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On May 18, 7:09=A0pm, electronic_d...@hotmail.com wrote: > So here's a simple and very possibly naive > question: does anyone bowl with just one ball anymore? Yes. However they are not what one would call "competitive" players. That said, a reasonably talented house bowler could still do fine with one ball. In essence, I use one ball at a time in league for about 4-6 weeks at a time. Usually I switch because I'm testing a new piece or just varying the balls to play with different reactions. If I were to go the one ball route and didn't want to worry about equipment wearing out then I would look for a non-reactive urethane ball with a decent core. For example a blue hammer, black Turbo, black Phantom, etc. You will give up some hook potential but a decent player can make plain jane urethane play reasonably well for strikes and it's easy to throw straight for spares. So, where do you find one of these old balls? Used. Lots of folks have them gathering dust. Plug, resurface and redrill and they are fine. Mark
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Date: 21 May 2008 08:24:40
From: PromptJock
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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> Ah! I'm glad you brought this up. My ball is drilled conventional, and > I was just wondering about this yesterday... With conventional grip, > is it normal to have to squeeze the ball a little to keep from > dropping it? Most of what I read says that the ball should stay on > your hand with no gripping, but it seems most of the literature is > aimed toward more "advanced" bowlers (who generally use fingertip). My > ball was fitted and drilled by a qualified pro; I don't have to > squeeze it hard, but if I let my hand *totally* relax, it feels like > the ball could fall off. I tried one piece of tape in the thumbhole, > but then it's too snug (hangs up on release). If you have to "squeeze" the ball (i.e., contract the hand muscles), then your ball isn't: 1) Drilled "correctly" - it's not properly fitted to the hand (span too short, etc.) 2) The thumb hole has TOO MUCH "reverse pitch" 3) The thumb hole is Plain Too Big! As you remarked, if you put your hand in the ball (make sure it's comfortable, etc.) and then just "let the ball hang", it should Just Stay There with the FINGERS being the main "support" of the ball and not Just Fall Off. If you TOTALLY RELAX your hand, however, the ball should then "ooze" off the hand - falling off the THUMB first, then "roll" off the fingers. This is valid regardless of whether it's drilled conventionally or fingertip. I suggest visiting www.bowl4fun.com and read/download Ron Clifton's "Bowling Tips" articles, especially the ones on "Ball Fit". You'll learn a lot from those articles... FWIW, I'm a firm believer of having the thumb hole drilled when your thumb is "the largest it's gonna get" (IOW, in its' "swelled" state). This way, you use the tape to "snug it up" when the thum isn't "swelled-up". I advocate putting a SINGLE WHITE (textured) piece up front so it sits under the thumb pad (for "grip). If that's too "grippy", use a piece of black "Donkee" brand tape instead (it's THICKER than standard black tape and it has some "texture" to it). Then, you use the regular black tape to fill-in the BACK OF THE HOLE so your thumb stays straight. If you search the forum a year or so back, you'll find a posting on how I "layer" the tape in the back. A good test of "release freedom" is to place your ball in the ball return then stand to the side as though you're going to "deliver" the ball. Place your hand in the ball then "rotate" the hand into the "release" position (i.e., fingers under the ball, thumb in the ball, etc.) with the ball STILL SITTING ON THE RETURN. Your arm should be, more or less, straight down - if necessary, stand up a little so your arm stretches out. Now, "lift" your hand STRAIGHT UP like you're pulling the starting cord of a lawn mower engine. Your thumb should "pop" out of the ball, the fingers then "liftting" the ball causing it to rotate, then the fingers should pop out of the holes and the ball shoud "travel" down the ball return, spinning/rolling as it goes. It won't go very far or fast, but at least you'll get the "look and feel" of what the release should do for the ball. I'm sorry I don't have any video of this "exercise" (maybe I should make one? :) ). One thing about this "drill" is you can then CHANGE HAND POSITIONS (i.e., finger direction, etc.) and immediately see how the ball reacts with the hand "on the side" vs "up the back". If you put a piece of WHITE tape between the thumb and fingers you can actually see what "side roll" is. Again, a good coach can show you these things. :) > I have a lot to learn about that. At this early point in my > development, I can only throw a straight ball with any sort of > success. If I deviate from that hand position (palm up, hand parallel > to the floor, fingers pointing at pins) then the results tend to be > tragi-comic. Don't sweat it! once you get the hang of the "feel" from the "drill" above, you'll start to get the idea. Just remember to always keep the ball and arm moving FORWARD when the ball releases! Good luck and, again, I hope what I posted helps a little. :)
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Date: 21 May 2008 05:33:38
From:
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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On May 21, 2:40=A0am, PromptJock <102151.3...@compuserve.com > wrote: > Question: is your current ball drilled CONVENTIONALLY or FINGERTIP? > you might also want to change to fingertip if you've never done so as > that'll definitely help you hook the ball (once you get used to the > feel - it's WAY DIFFERENT than conventional! :) ), especially if it > has a "grabby" cover (a.k.a. reactives). =A0This is where a good coach > can help as well. :) Ah! I'm glad you brought this up. My ball is drilled conventional, and I was just wondering about this yesterday... With conventional grip, is it normal to have to squeeze the ball a little to keep from dropping it? Most of what I read says that the ball should stay on your hand with no gripping, but it seems most of the literature is aimed toward more "advanced" bowlers (who generally use fingertip). My ball was fitted and drilled by a qualified pro; I don't have to squeeze it hard, but if I let my hand *totally* relax, it feels like the ball could fall off. I tried one piece of tape in the thumbhole, but then it's too snug (hangs up on release). > Hope this helps, good luck, and please keep us apprised of your > "progress, etc." :) Thanks! > P.S. as Polarhound remarked, HAND/FINGER POSITION @ release will > contribute to a balls hook, regardless of the cover... I have a lot to learn about that. At this early point in my development, I can only throw a straight ball with any sort of success. If I deviate from that hand position (palm up, hand parallel to the floor, fingers pointing at pins) then the results tend to be tragi-comic.
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Date: 20 May 2008 23:40:15
From: PromptJock
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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> I don't want to buy new Brunswick products since I'm annoyed at them > for exporting jobs. What do you think of the Columbia Scout? The Scout/R is a good, inexpensive, "entry-level" reactive that should give you more "bend" than a plastic, but not get too "out of hand". According to Columbia, it's designed for "dry" conditions (i.e., light oil or playing outside the 10 board). Another one to maybe consider is the "Jazz" - it looks like it's designed for Typical House Shots (medium to dry oiling). It appears to have more "bend" than the Scout/R, and it's only $20 (or so) more in price. Either ball will give you reactive "action", especially if all you've ever used are rubber or plastic balls, and won't seriously "drain" the wallet. Again, I strongly suggest having your preferred driller watch your "style" and let him/her suggest which ball ("Scout/R" or "Jazz") will suit you best. Question: is your current ball drilled CONVENTIONALLY or FINGERTIP? you might also want to change to fingertip if you've never done so as that'll definitely help you hook the ball (once you get used to the feel - it's WAY DIFFERENT than conventional! :) ), especially if it has a "grabby" cover (a.k.a. reactives). This is where a good coach can help as well. :) Hope this helps, good luck, and please keep us apprised of your "progress, etc." :) P.S. as Polarhound remarked, HAND/FINGER POSITION @ release will contribute to a balls hook, regardless of the cover...
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Date: 20 May 2008 17:02:13
From:
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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On May 20, 2:51 pm, PromptJock <102151.3...@compuserve.com > wrote: > FWIW, you can "go reactive" without spending a lot. The Brunswick > "Power Groove" is an excellent "entry-level" reactive and, when > delivered well, can actually OUT-PERFORM a "high-priced" reactive/ > particle on a Typical House Shot. Your ball driller can watch you > deliver a few shots and (if he/she is "worth his/her salt") drill one > up that'll Get The Most out of your delivery, etc. > > Whatever you decide - NEVER, EVER ditch the Venerable Plastic as it's > best used for killing single-pin spares. :) I don't want to buy new Brunswick products since I'm annoyed at them for exporting jobs. What do you think of the Columbia Scout?
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Date: 20 May 2008 12:51:04
From: PromptJock
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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> But what about the "conventional wisdom", i.e., plastic does pretty > much the same thing on wet, dry or indifferent lane conditions? Yes and no. There are times when a plastic WILL "bend" like a reactive (i.e., when you need to nail that 10 pin for a trophy and it curves to the inside! ;) ). However, "for the most part", a plastic will tend to go straight. FWIW, you can "go reactive" without spending a lot. The Brunswick "Power Groove" is an excellent "entry-level" reactive and, when delivered well, can actually OUT-PERFORM a "high-priced" reactive/ particle on a Typical House Shot. Your ball driller can watch you deliver a few shots and (if he/she is "worth his/her salt") drill one up that'll Get The Most out of your delivery, etc. Whatever you decide - NEVER, EVER ditch the Venerable Plastic as it's best used for killing single-pin spares. :)
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Date: 20 May 2008 20:19:39
From: Polarhound
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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PromptJock wrote: >> But what about the "conventional wisdom", i.e., plastic does pretty >> much the same thing on wet, dry or indifferent lane conditions? > > Yes and no. There are times when a plastic WILL "bend" like a > reactive (i.e., when you need to nail that 10 pin for a trophy and it > curves to the inside! ;) ). However, "for the most part", a plastic > will tend to go straight. > > FWIW, you can "go reactive" without spending a lot. The Brunswick > "Power Groove" is an excellent "entry-level" reactive and, when > delivered well, can actually OUT-PERFORM a "high-priced" reactive/ > particle on a Typical House Shot. Your ball driller can watch you > deliver a few shots and (if he/she is "worth his/her salt") drill one > up that'll Get The Most out of your delivery, etc. > > Whatever you decide - NEVER, EVER ditch the Venerable Plastic as it's > best used for killing single-pin spares. :) I use my OOB Gamebreaker for corner pins. Proper finger positioning can make a ball act like almost any other coverstock.
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Date: 20 May 2008 08:05:59
From:
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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On May 20, 9:27=A0am, "John O" <johnospama...@lottaspamheathkit.com > wrote: > Well, the lanes, they are oiled for reactive balls and there's no going > back. Throw plastic all you like, and you'll get *really* accurate in the > process, but you're unlikely to win any money. :-) > > -John O But what about the "conventional wisdom", i.e., plastic does pretty much the same thing on wet, dry or indifferent lane conditions?
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Date: 20 May 2008 13:35:23
From: John O
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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<electronic_dave@hotmail.com > wrote in message news:b1b66c2e-48d0-4192-bd15-693709bb908c@y21g2000hsf.googlegroups.com... On May 20, 9:27 am, "John O" <johnospama...@lottaspamheathkit.com > wrote: > Well, the lanes, they are oiled for reactive balls and there's no going > back. Throw plastic all you like, and you'll get *really* accurate in the > process, but you're unlikely to win any money. :-) > > -John O But what about the "conventional wisdom", i.e., plastic does pretty much the same thing on wet, dry or indifferent lane conditions? _________________________ There aren't enough situations where plastic is better than reactive as a primary ball choice. -John O
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Date: 20 May 2008 05:05:40
From:
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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On May 19, 11:55=A0pm, Polarhound <fu3ot43...@n0tachance1nhell.com > wrote: > Welcome to the Buy-A-Shot Age. > > Have a Fruit Roll-Up! Nah... The more people tell me I need to "get with the times" and buy a reactive ball, the more determined I become to learn how to bowl well using only a plastic ball. I guess you could say I'm a born contrarian.
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Date: 20 May 2008 09:27:28
From: John O
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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<electronic_dave@hotmail.com > wrote in message news:3875663a-1924-489c-b1d7-f3de09691e98@f36g2000hsa.googlegroups.com... On May 19, 11:55 pm, Polarhound <fu3ot43...@n0tachance1nhell.com > wrote: > Welcome to the Buy-A-Shot Age. > > Have a Fruit Roll-Up! Nah... The more people tell me I need to "get with the times" and buy a reactive ball, the more determined I become to learn how to bowl well using only a plastic ball. I guess you could say I'm a born contrarian. __________________________ Well, the lanes, they are oiled for reactive balls and there's no going back. Throw plastic all you like, and you'll get *really* accurate in the process, but you're unlikely to win any money. :-) -John O
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Date: 19 May 2008 23:55:38
From: Polarhound
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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electronic_dave@hotmail.com wrote: > I'm coming back to the game after a long hiatus and I'm a little > disheartened by the extreme emphasis on equipment that seems to have > crept into the sport at the league and even recreational levels. (I > don't know if it was ever any different at the pro level, I never > moved in those circles). So here's a simple and very possibly naive > question: does anyone bowl with just one ball anymore? Welcome to the Buy-A-Shot Age. Have a Fruit Roll-Up!
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Date: 19 May 2008 08:32:50
From: GalaxyMan
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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On May 18, 6:09=A0pm, electronic_d...@hotmail.com wrote: > I'm coming back to the game after a long hiatus and I'm a little > disheartened by the extreme emphasis on equipment that seems to have > crept into the sport at the league and even recreational levels. (I > don't know if it was ever any different at the pro level, I never > moved in those circles). So here's a simple and very possibly naive > question: does anyone bowl with just one ball anymore? See the new bowling balls soak up oil. to keep up with the scoring pace you need new ones. plus they crack. also it is more of a science now days. also the ball companies would go out of business if we still use rubber ball bought in 1960 it is all in what you are out after. me I am a competitive bowler. If you don't want to be a competitive bowler and only want to bowl once a week and drink beer than you except the fact that you are going to suffer in scoring because others by new bowling balls. and some center you only need 1 ball I bowl in a few different centers. one of which I used the same ball for about 1 1/2 years a synthetic center with a very good surface. now other wood centers or other centers that change the shot. you will dye if you have the wrong ball. here is a articles on How to Start a Basic Arsenal of Bowling Balls ----- http://bowlingballgalaxy.com/bowling-ball-arsenal.html I'm Sorry I know a lot get upset about all the bowling balls cause they don't want to pay for scoring but its the way it is now.
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Date: 19 May 2008 19:53:39
From: John O
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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> you will dye if you have the wrong ball. Green with envy. ;-) -John O
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Date: 19 May 2008 08:25:43
From: John O
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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<electronic_dave@hotmail.com > wrote in message news:b74fb202-a04e-4b9b-bb3c-b33ea92d5794@m36g2000hse.googlegroups.com... > I'm coming back to the game after a long hiatus and I'm a little > disheartened by the extreme emphasis on equipment that seems to have > crept into the sport at the league and even recreational levels. (I > don't know if it was ever any different at the pro level, I never > moved in those circles). So here's a simple and very possibly naive > question: does anyone bowl with just one ball anymore? I bowled in one league this year, carried three balls, but always ended up back with the same one. When the house changed the pattern in January (went from 10-10 to 7-7 and a few feet longer) I messed with a moderately-aggressive particle ball, but wound up going back to the same medium reactive. Threw a 300 with the ball early in the year on the first pattern, and 299 later on the wider pattern with the same ball. So yeah, if you pick a medium ball you can probably cover a lot of typical conditions. Don't expect to play the same line with the same ball at different houses though. Your ability to use one ball in many places is directly dependent on your ability to adjust where you throw it on the lane and how you release it. -John O
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Date: 18 May 2008 18:45:43
From: PromptJock
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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> I'm coming back to the game after a long hiatus and I'm a little > disheartened by the extreme emphasis on equipment that seems to have > crept into the sport at the league and even recreational levels. (I > don't know if it was ever any different at the pro level, I never > moved in those circles). So here's a simple and very possibly naive > question: does anyone bowl with just one ball anymore? Yes, some people use one ball - usually a "low-hook" plastic or urethane. These people also generally bowl in ONE CENTER. If you happen to bowl in bowl in MULTIPLE centers, then it's advantageous to have 2 or 3 balls (one of them being a plastic) to handle the different oil patterns, etc. In the "final examination", it's up to ** YOU ** to determine if you want to use more than one ball. :)
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Date: 18 May 2008 21:44:33
From: litefrozen
Subject: Re: One ball, one bag, two shoes
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In article <b74fb202-a04e-4b9b-bb3c-b33ea92d5794@m36g2000hse.googlegroups.com >, <electronic_dave@hotmail.com> wrote: > I'm coming back to the game after a long hiatus and I'm a little > disheartened by the extreme emphasis on equipment that seems to have > crept into the sport at the league and even recreational levels. (I > don't know if it was ever any different at the pro level, I never > moved in those circles). So here's a simple and very possibly naive > question: does anyone bowl with just one ball anymore? Sure there are. If your only bowling in one house, you could just have one ball and be competitive at a basic level.. I think if someone wanted a small arsenal and was only going to bowl at one house with maybe a city tournament once in a while. A small two ball arsenal would be better, it would give you a little flexability. You'd have one ball that would cover the dry to medium condition's (which would also double as a spare ball) and one that would cover the medium to oily condition's.
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