Expert: Russ King - 8/26/2007

Question
Hi I am 27 year old bowler from NJ who bowled when he was 7 but now I am getting back into it.  I just took a lesson and when I asked the instructor what type of ball I should get he recommended a Brunswick Power Groove because it is good beginner ball based on my skills and it was pretty cost effective.  I do bowl straight with no hook and I have been bowling with 16 pound house balls and these feel the most comfortable.  When I went to the Pro shop, the guy said that he did not have any 16 Pound Power Grooves due to his supplier's problems and that he did not see any 16 pounders coming anytime soon.  He recommended an Ebonite Tornado at 16 pounds saying that they are practically the same just a different manufacturer and he would give it to me the same price.  He is offering a deal where I could purchase shoes, and ball and bag for $137.00.
Is this a good deal?  and should I go with the Ebonite Tornado over the Brunswick Power Groove?  What do you think?


Answer
FIRST, are you going to use a fingertip grip? Or a conventional (house ball) grip?
If you are going with a conventional grip, you CAN get the Groove ( I have 25 of them I use fingertip).The Groove is a reactive resin(most of them)some are urethane & some Particle.ALL ARE BEST DRILLED FINGERTIP TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE BALL. A conventional grip might get a bit of a skid/jump when the ball hits a dry(less oily) spot on the lanes.If you are going to stick with a conventional grip,you can & would probably be best with a plastic ball.
It will be more durable & will go very straight.
The tornado depending on what one(there are several)you are looking at are somewhat different than the grooves.I would have to say(from a fingertip point of view) the grooves are a better ball.
 As for the $137.00 for all,compare the items on EBAY.Shoes run around $20-$30,the grooves around $10.00,plastics around $.99 cents, & bags around $15.ALL PLUS SHIPPING.TORNADOS ARE THERE ALSO FOR $10.BOWLINGBALL.COM RUNS AUCTIONS EVERY 2-3 DAYS.

>> I WOULD SAY THE $137.00 DEAL IS A GOOD SIMPLE DEAL! <<

EBAY WOULD RUN AROUND $80.00 WITH SHIPPING & YOU WOULD STILL NEED TO BE CHARGED A DRILLING CHARGE.WITH THE HASSLE OF WAITING TO ARRIVE & NO DIRECT CONTACT WITH ITEMS BEFORE ARRIVAL.SHOES ARE FUNNY IN SIZES.DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS VARY IN SIZES & SHAPES.IT HELPS IF YOU CAN TRY THEM ON BEFORE PURCHASING.

SEE WHAT DEAL THEY COULD GIVE YOU WITH A PLASTIC BALL.