CAG Bowlers, help me choose a new bowling ball.

GuilewasNK

GuilewasNK

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I've been getting serious about bowling again so it is time for me to get a good ball and chuck the $2 ball I got from the Salvation Army, and I'm going to go to the pro shop next week (Monday most likely). I am deciding on a couple of different balls...

Black Widow Pearl

http://www.hammerbowling.com/products/balls/detail.php?PRKey=58

Anger Raw Hammer

http://www.hammerbowling.com/products/balls/detail.php?PRKey=59

And the the Elite PBA Viper

http://www.bowlersparadise.com/shop/balls/elite/elite_pba_viper.shtml

They have the Black Widow for $199 at the shop and the other two are $149. Any other recommendations?
 
The Black Widow is a fine ball, but $199 is a bit high for it. I personally bowl with the Brunswick Inferno line (Classic Inferno, Absolute, and Scorchin).

What is your experience level?
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']The Black Widow is a fine ball, but $199 is a bit high for it. I personally bowl with the Brunswick Inferno line (Classic Inferno, Absolute, and Scorchin).

What is your experience level?[/quote]

I was in YABA for a long time, but I am just starting to get the urge to bowl competitively again. My high game is 239 and I have been rolling primarily in the 170-200 range on house patterns with my current ball for the last few months.

I know there was another bowler on CAG too, but I can't remember who it was. I'll check out those Brunswick balls online. I know they don't have them in the shop right now, but they can order them.

*edit*

Actually, looking at Brunswick site, I think the shop did have a Fury ball.
 
[quote name='GuilewasNK']I was in YABA for a long time, but I am just starting to get the urge to bowl competitively again. My high game is 239 and I have been rolling primarily in the 170-200 range on house patterns with my current ball for the last few months.

I know there was another bowler on CAG too, but I can't remember who it was. I'll check out those Brunswick balls online. I know they don't have them in the shop right now, but they can order them.

*edit*

Actually, looking at Brunswick site, I think the shop did have a Fury ball.[/quote]

I'd base your decision primarily on your skill level and what lane conditions you will be bowling on. Once you get up to a certain level of ball, they all pretty much work the same way.

A word of advice. If you are having this ball drilled for you and they pull out one of those balls that has holes in it (for drilling measurements) do not have them drill your ball. A good pro shop should never use one of those units to measure someone's span or thumb size.
 
Personally, I would just use whatever ball he's using.

turturro.jpg
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']I'd base your decision primarily on your skill level and what lane conditions you will be bowling on. Once you get up to a certain level of ball, they all pretty much work the same way.

A word of advice. If you are having this ball drilled for you and they pull out one of those balls that has holes in it (for drilling measurements) do not have them drill your ball. A good pro shop should never use one of those units to measure someone's span or thumb size.[/quote]

Most of the time the lanes are medium to heavy oil here.
 
I have a Black Widow (Non pearl) and I like it, a little pricey, but it works pretty good for me. Edit: I was in YABA for the past few years, but I just stopped. I'm not *too* good, I usually bowl around the 160 area.
 
[quote name='GuilewasNK']Most of the time the lanes are medium to heavy oil here.[/quote]

You definitely want something with a matte finish then. The BW is a good ball. I would look at a few of the hammers (toxic?) as well.

I've yet to find a house with truely "heavy" oil. Most just have medium to light oil, with a nice coating of dirt.
 
I've bowled for quite a long time and was looking at getting new gear to get back in the game. I've rolled a Red Hammer and a Zone Pro for a while now. I too have been looking at the Black Widow but I am a bit pensive about the purchase...let us know what you decide to go with and how it works out for you.
 
[quote name='Leavinhope']How many leagues is everyone bowling this year? 2 for myself this year.[/quote]

I took a break, I have been bowling non-stop in this little throwaway league up the block. I want to get back into sanctioned leagues soon.
 
[quote name='Leavinhope']How many leagues is everyone bowling this year? 2 for myself this year.[/quote]

I'm taking a short break to recover from some timing issues I was having. Once I have those corrected, things should be good.
 
I was just reading about positive-axis point mtxbass1. Now I know why you were saying what you were about the drilling. Before I even go there tomorrow, I'll call and ask them if they help me find my PAP. If not, then I'll go elsewhere.
 
[quote name='GuilewasNK']I was just reading about positive-axis point mtxbass1. Now I know why you were saying what you were about the drilling. Before I even go there tomorrow, I'll call and ask them if they help me find my PAP. If not, then I'll go elsewhere.[/quote]

There is a ton more to it than that. You really want someone who knows what they are doing, especially on a $200 ball. We have a house around here that has an ex PBA running it, so he and his staff are awesome when it comes to things like that. Like I said. If they tell you to stick your thumb in a ball that has about 30 holes in it, do not get it drilled there. Having your span be off, even slightly, can screw up your whole game.
 
I got that Anger Raw Hammer tonight.

anger.jpg


Holy crap that thing is sweet. I only had time to bowl a few games with a high of 191, but once I get used to the ball it's going to be incredible. I never had that kind of power and hook before. Although it is early I am VERY pleased.
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']Congrats in finally deciding.[/quote]

Thanks man. I really appreciate the advice you and everyone gave me too. Good show. :)
 
Awesome, thanks for the update. I love my old Red Hammer Reactive I have. I am glad to hear this one is indeed as awesome as it appears to be.

Congrats dude...I may just follow in your footsteps :D
 
[quote name='GuilewasNK']I rolled three straight games over 220 today. I'm not sure I ever did that before.. A 236, 220, and 230. I am most pleased.[/quote]

That's fantastic. Now do it consistently over time. ;)

If you need any help, you may want to look for this video, it's called, "The Perfect Strike Feeling". It's got a ton of things you can do to improve your game.

Oh, and if anyone else is looking for a ball, but doesn't want to drop $200 on one....

http://www.bowlersparadise.com/mailing/10-07/10-15-07.html

One in particular that stands out is the Storm Double Agent. That's a particularly dangerous ball in the right hands.
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']That's fantastic. Now do it consistently over time. ;)

[/quote]

Yep. That is what I am hoping to do with this ball. That was the best groove I got into that I can remember. The scary thing is I was getting a lot of brooklyns on the way to those scores. Once I hit that pocket more consistently it is going to be even sweeter.
 
[quote name='Leavinhope']What is everyone's high series and game? Mine is 300 (2) and 790.[/quote]

297, 714.

Lately it seems like I can't break 650 though...
 
High game 284, I don't think I have broken a 700 series yet :(

But that Hammer sounds more and more awesome. Congrats dude!
 
[quote name='Deefuzz']
But that Hammer sounds more and more awesome. Congrats dude![/quote]

It's makes feel as badass as a bowler can feel. :lol:

I can't remember my exact high series becuase I was last in a league at age 12 or 13, but I do remember my high league game was 223 at that age and my high series was over 540 IIRC. I don't know if I still have my score cards from 18 years ago or not though.
 
[quote name='Leavinhope']Finally hit 700 for the 1st time last night, 225-234-245-704. Feels like forever since I have.[/quote]

Awesome.

I was practicing last night and rolled a high of 234. Heck, I might go down agian in a bit because they have a 75 cent per game special before 5 pm for membership holders.
 
While CAG was down late last week, I went to the bowling alley on Friday and rolled a 289. I was so freakin close to a 300, but I left a 7 pin on my 11th roll. Still, I was surprised because it was my fourth game that day and I was having a hard time hitting the pocket the first three games.
 
[quote name='GuilewasNK']While CAG was down late last week, I went to the bowling alley on Friday and rolled a 289. I was so freakin close to a 300, but I left a 7 pin on my 11th roll. Still, I was surprised because it was my fourth game that day and I was having a hard time hitting the pocket the first three games.[/quote]

haha, nice.

I had a similar game a few weeks ago. Strikes in every frame, get to the 10th, strike, then 9 open.

Ah well.

I take it that the ball is still holding up well.
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']I take it that the ball is still holding up well.[/quote]

Oh yeah, it's been great. Best money I have spent in a long time.
 
How would the Anger ball be for someone who is just learning how to hook? Would the Storm Double Agent be a better choice?

I'm leaning towards this one but I want to get the most bang for my buck.
 
[quote name='GuilewasNK']I just got back from the bowling alley. I have a new high of 299. Man, I left a wobbly 7-pin on my last throw. :bomb:[/quote]

Damn...congrats though. Was this in a league? You can usually get a ring if it is, and that league is sanctioned.
 
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