Expert: Russ King - 10/28/2006

Question
Hello Russ,
Thanks for taking the time to advise me. I do appreciate it. I wanted to ask you something. You have advised me to get a Brunswich Edge or possibly a Groove Urethane ball. Well my sister has an almost new ball.. it is a Red Pearl Hammer in her locker that she said she can not use. She is a much stronger bowling than I am. She said if I wanted to try a urethan ball, that I could have that one redrilled and it might work fine for me. What is your opinion on this ball as compared to the Brunswick Edge or Groove. Thanks in advance.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hello, I am a lady who bowls once a week in a league. I live in SW Louisiana. I am not a beginner, having bowled for many years, but far from a pro! When I was younger I was a more avid bowler, but I got out of bowling for many years and have been back bowling for around 3 years. In the old days I bowled with a conventional grip, but my new balls are drilled fingertip. The ball I got back in with was the Columbia Messenger Titanium which was recommended to me and not having a great hook. It is a good ball but one that I struggle with to keep from hooking too much as it hooks a lot for me. I use a 13 lb. ball and I don't throw it very strongly or hard and fast. Kind of a medium speed, but not slow. The lanes where I bowl, tend to be on the dry side, more than oily. So, this does not help in controlling my hooking ball. When the lanes are well oiled, I do much better, but they break down fast.

I wanted a new ball so when I bowled in the Women's National Bowling Tournament this summer in Reno, I went to the Pro shop there and bought a new ball at the recommendation of the Pro on duty. I specifically told him over and over that I did not want a hard hooking ball, that was what I was trying to get away from. He sold me the Brunswick Zone Classic, 13 lb. fingertip drill. He assured me this would be a good ball for me with not much hook. He fitted me, I bought it and I never got to use it until I got home. So, I bought it virtually unknown, having believed that he would sell me a ball good for my style and what I told him I wanted. I have been using it in league play for the last month and this ball hooks more than my Messenger imho. When I looked up the ball recently on the internet it said this ball has a hard arcing backend which is exactly what it does to me. It aims squarely for the pocket and right before it hits, it does a hard turn to the left, always going Brooklyn. I have never picked up a 10 pin with it and spares are hard for me as it always hooks off to the left. I have tried moving far left of my normal stance and doing various things to get this ball in the pocket with no luck. I traditionally stand to the right of the middle dot and throw 2nd arrow to between 2nd and 1st arrow. I have moved way over to the left, but I am just not comfortable throwing this way and I still rearely hit the pocket. My comfort zone is the middle of the alley, 2nd arrow.

I have since done some research and really want a ball that I can control and manage, so I am willing to buy another new ball. I am really discouraged with the ball I bought from the Pro in Reno. I trusted him, but don't feel that he sold me a ball that is good for me. Can you recommend something for me that will give me decent pin action but not a wide hooking ball. Something with a little curve or hook to it, but not drastic. What do you think of the Brunswick Punisher? Or what do you think might be a ball that meets my requirements. Thanks for any help you can give me.
-----Answer-----
The balls you have are what most call cheaters (reactive resin).The ball will hook on a frozen lake kicked down.These balls are even way too much for me.
I use4 balls made around 1990. They hook much less.These were the first reactive balls . I also on very dry use plastis(polyester) & regular urethane.When you shine up the dull hooking reactive, you only delay the hook. They hook out of the building when shined. They just hook 10 feet further down the lane.The 2 you have will react this way. You need a ball to go reasonably straight & one to make spares .If you want another ball, skip the fancy named cheaters.You allready have 2.For reasobly dry lanes you need a regular urethane or a straighter plastic to make spares easy.You can find both on EBAY withOUT the salesman.
I use the Brunswick Groove line of balls a lot.They have hard urethane up to the medium cheaters.I get them at $10.00
Bowling ball.com puts them up for bid.The checkout is easy
with a credit card.I just bought 8 ball last week averaging $28.17 a ball to my doorstep.They have several Brunswick Edge balls red & grape for $1.99.They are hard cheaters with a simple weight block.Also the Groove blue sanded is $9.99 & I shine them up to go very straight. The magic with urethane is they can be sanded for more hook & shined for allmost straight.I would suggest the Groove blue sanded & shine it up to mirror shine to start.Drill it straight up with no weights.If it goes too straight,have the pro shop dull it a little with 2500 grit it will still hook way less than your 2 balls.It also will not cost you an arm & a leg.
The pro shop should only charge you around 20-35 bucks.
The Punisher is very close to your other 2 balls. You wont see much difference.Get one that you can move right to hook it up & also for those important spares.My spare ball is my most important ball in my bag.It is plastic & cost .01 + shipping.A good spare / dry strike ball will up your average 10%-35%.Say make a 145 game into a 179 game.
Also you can compare equipment on BOWLINGBALLREVIEWS.COM
THE 3 PIECE BALLS GO LONGER & STRAIGHTER THAN THE 2 PIECE EXPENSIVE ONES. AND YOU NEED A GOOD STRAIGHT DRY LANE SPARE BALL.

Answer
The red pearl hammer ( 2 PIECE)WILL hook several boards more  compared to the straighter (3 PIECE)urethane edge or groove. But should hook way less than your others.10 being your other balls & 1 being the urethane the hammer will be around 3 in oil & 4-5 in dry.The red pearl hammer is a 2 piece ball & will hook a little more than a pearl 3 piece.Place the Pin either over your ring finger or under your ring finger depending on how far out the pin is.The pin in this spot will keep the ball from over reacting.Also,have a good shine put on it. This will also help keeping the ball in check.Drill it straight up no weights (thumb,finger,side).It sounds like a good deal & will give you a shot when your other balls are hooking too much .It will also be a plus in making your spares a lot easier & straighter.
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         LET ME KNOW HOW THIS WORKS FOR YOU.