Expert: - 2/3/2008

Question
please help on a ball selection, looking for a ball that goes long on medium lanes and has high flare or hook potential and can still be used on oily lanes with slower ball speed. I'm 40 and live in Huntsville al.

Answer
Aaron,
So many things go into a ball recommendation. Your ball speed, rev rate, axis tilt, lane conditions, axis rotation all will effect what a ball can or can't do.

We haven't touched on the possibility that you average 220 and can split boards at the arrows and at the down lane markers with each shot, or that you average 180 spray the ball all over the lane but easy house conditions create almost an invisible bumper that kicks the bowling balls back into play OR you average 120 haven't hit the same mark twice anywhere on the lane and were hoping a magic bowling ball will turn you into Robert Smith, Parker Bohn or Pete Weber.

I don't mean to be flip, but the technology in bowling offers, I'd guess, 100 plus possibilities for bowling balls, when you consider balls recently discontinued (the last year or two) balls in current manufacturer catalogues, and the handful just introduced from last week to next week.

A go long on medium ball and
A high flare or hook ball, could be two different balls. Or the same one!

Everything is a go long on medium if you throw 20 mph ball speed. And medium for the 20 mph guy is scorched for me at about 16 mph.

Check out one of Jeff McCorvey's Pro Shops there in Huntsville. As a former Pro Shop of the Year Award Winner from the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructor's Association (IBPSIA), Jeff is one of the top operators in the Country. Jeff or a staff member can watch you bowl, determine from other equipment or by evaluating your game what products might suit your needs.

I understand that the sheer number of bowling balls is daunting. But a pro shop, especially an IBPSIA pro shop or Instructor has committed to spend money to belong to an organization to improve their understanding of the sport, network with like businesses, and be better at what they do. Their investment benefits you. Their investment is in making bowlers better.

I hope you understand how much a good pro shop person or instructor can point you in the right direction. Thanks for the question, sorry about having to hand it off to one of your local guys. Best of luck.