Expert: Susie Minshew - 11/12/2009

Question
Hi, I've been bowling in leagues for over 15 years. I just got back into it after a 20 yr absence. Iwas about a 180 avg with crappy equipment (yellow dot & LT48).I could pick up 10 pins with those balls back in the day but now I throw a Gravity Shift & The Heist. I have a very hard time picking up 10 pins with either one and need a spare ball. What do you recommend and should I drill it finger tip like my strike balls and should I keep it the same weight (#15) or go lighter? Thank You!

Answer
Hi, Dennis!

Welcome back to bowling! As you've noticed, it's a very different game than it used to be.

It's really rare to be able to make spares with reactive or particle balls. In fact, if that worked, that's what the pros would be doing. They're not. Neither should you.

Buy the cheapest plastic spare ball you can find in the color you like. With the exception of the Columbia Blue Dot, nearly all plastic balls are the same. You can get a plastic ball with stuff in the middle like skulls or beer bottles, for example, but you're just paying more for the hype. Plastic is plastic.

Notice I didn't say to get a plastic 10 pin ball. It's a spare ball. Shoot all your spares with it. Yes, even double wood. It makes you be more accurate. That's not a bad thing. It works or the people who only get to eat if they spare enough wouldn't be using it.

Don't change weights. All your equipment should weigh the same and fit you the same. You should have your fit checked at least yearly. The hand at the end of your arm is not the same hand that threw the LT-48.

Have a good time!