Expert: - 2/14/2008

Question
Hello,

I am a palm bowler

with an average of 140

using house balls

I would like to purchase a ball soon

a long ball with a high back end.

DO you have any recommendations?

Answer
Hello Kevin,

I'm not familiar with the terms you used. Is a "long ball" an ball that will skid far down the lane? Your house ball is a basic construction (most likely) with either a plastic or hard urethane cover, usual characteristics for a house ball is smooth, shiny, hard surface. Something like that should suit you with slower ball speed or drier lanes.

Would a "high backend" be stronger than the house ball in terms of the potential for hook or finish down lane? Maybe "big" backend was what you were thinking?

How you throw the ball, speed, how it spins and gains friction will help knowing what you need. Is "palming" the ball throwing with no fingers in the ball?

Palming the ball would typically not allow much speed. What weight do you throw? How do others find the lanes you bowl on? Hooking? Tight or oily?

The first step performance level balls can still provide the length you seek. But, how much hook you get depends a lot on how it's drilled, how oily the lanes are, how hard you throw and if you turn the ball sufficiently to get a reaction down lane.

My experience with first step balls leads me to suggest Tornados or the Jazz balls from Ebonite and Columbia300 respectively, or the Power Groove from Brunswick. Weaker balls, constructed just like the typical house ball but with a urethane or reactive resin urethane cover would be the old Tornado Warning line, the Groove from Brunswick or the current Scout line from Columbia300.

A stronger product from Storm with a shiny surface but a little stronger core is the Tropical Storm line. Slower speed makes the Storm hook a fair amount if you turn the ball decent. I usually suggest the Tropical for firmer ball speed players. Hope this helps. Not sure if I've got enough info about how you bowl but this should give you a starting point. Thanks for the question, best of luck. Warren