Expert: - 7/24/2008

Question
I have been out of bowling for about 8 years and use to bowl quite regularly in some leagues.  When I did bowl regularly I did have about a 179 Average with a high game of 279.

I am about to re-join a league and would like to buy a new ball to start off.  I am right handed, use a 16 pound ball and I have always had a full finger tip drilled ball.  I throw a very strong, fast and intense hook.

Could you possibly recommend a brand of ball to go with and surface type?

I believe my old ball (which is urethane) was a Rhino.  I am afraid to even throw that one down the lane because it has been in my garage for years exposed to the cold and someone told me there is a chance it could actually break from being in all of the temperature variations over the last 8 years.

Answer
Ron,
Throw the ball. The temperature variations can effect a ball but often not severely enough to create a problem (in a urethane ball). If you don't use it, it's done. If you do use it and there is a problem, it's done anyway.

It may not fit very well, as your body/fingers/thumb may have changed over the years. So take it slow.

Best case scenario the heat has helped evacuate oil that had been trapped in the coverstock, at the surface.

Your descriptors don't tell me enough. Strong, fast and intense hook all means about the same. Can you quantify the reaction? Your ball speed? Rev rate? Number of boards on the lane covered (out and back) by the roll and hook portions of the ball path. Do you throw a big hook, standing way on one side and covering a lot of the lane? Does the ball go real long and hook strongly right at the end of the lane?

Where did you stand on the approach? Did you drift? Where did you slide/throw the ball from? Did it go straight down the lane? How much hook are you looking for? Does the center where you will bowl have wooden or synthetic lanes? If so, what kind of synthetic? Are the lanes oily?

Using your previous ball will give me an idea of how much ball reaction you need. If it rolls OK, you need a similar ball. If you want more or less when can gather more info and attempt to help.

Thanks for the question.