Expert: Chip Aki - 1/1/2006

Question
Hi Chip.

First off, I recently found this site and have found it to be a wealth of information. Many thanks to you and the rest of the experts.

I'll try to keep this as brief as possible, and at the same time, give you enough info to answer my question.

I started bowling 3 months ago (even though I'm 45). My first night I couldn't find a house ball with a wide enough span, or big enough finger holes so I bought a new 16 lb Rhino Pro and had it fitted. I ended up tearing some tendons just below my right elbow so I took a couple of weeks off, and dcided on a new ball. I talked to the pro at a local shop, told him my issues and he recommended a 14lb Ebonite Black Ice, so I bought it and he drilled it.

Well, this ball hooks easily and has opened up a whole new world, and has even increased the pleasure to an already great sport.

I bowl at three places. One with real wood lanes and "sketchy" oil, and the other two with synthetic lanes and oil to spec. On the wood lanes, I love the reaction of the ball, but on the newer ones, there's very little reaction unless I slow down to a snail's pace. I have had some success with scuffing the ball for the new lanes, and polishing for the wood lanes, but this is a PITA.

I was talking to people, and after some recommendations, was considering either the Blue Ice (apparantly more back end than the Black) or the Ebonite One. Any suggestions?

I have bowled a 207 and a 229 on different nights, and both games (and the highest average overall) were on wood lanes.

On wood lanes, I stand to the left (toe on the second dot from the left) and on synthetic, I have to stand with my right toe about 2-3 boards right of center to get enough action for the ball to hit the pocket. That takes the ball dangerously close to the gutter

Thanks again.

Jim

Answer
If you are wanting more hook potential, I would look at the Ebonite Big Time, or the Storm Hot Rod SS solid.  Even thought the other 2 balls you listed have more backend potential, they need a drier part of the lane to create that.  For oil, you would need a stronger coverstock.

Good luck,
Chip