Since balls are made of different materials, the performance of each varies depending on the floor surface. Bowling balls can be ordered in different weights. They range from 12 to 16 pounds and will work for any bowler, regardless of gender or age.
The Brunswick 'Scorchin Inferno' bowling ball is a good example. This high performance model is an upgrade from the 'Ultimate Inferno' and has proven to be one of the best sellers in the company's inventory. It's cover stock is the 'Activator Max' and performs best when used in a lane that requires heavy oil.
Another good ball is the 'Columbia Action Packed Bowling Ball'. This high performance ball does well and works best under medium lane conditions. Its cover stock is the 'M80^2' and is guaranteed to do well for the player who likes to make strikes.
The elite 'R43' bowling ball is one that can work in light or heavy oil conditions. Manufactures claim that the weight block, which is the energy transfer core of this ball, will increase the chances of putting more pins down than any other ball because it delays the transfer of energy until the point of impact.
Proper care must be taken to ensure the bowling ball is in tip top condition at all times. This means it should not be dropped which could cause damage to the ball and injure the people around.
The ball should be kept at room temperature and stored in a bag when it is not being used to prevent stress. The owner should polish it from time to time or take it to the pro shop to be refinished.
The customized bowling ball should only be used by the owner. This is because the holes were measured only to fit the fingers of the user and not anyone else. Letting someone else use it may injure the borrower. There are many bowling balls to choose from and the price of them range from $100 to $300. They come in many colors and designs which will stand out in the bowling alley. By looking at the conditions of the bowling alley, the bowler will find the right ball to get the job done.
The first time you stepped into the pro shop, dollars in hand, to purchase your very first ball you saw just how many bowling balls there were. There were so many balls...all different colors, weights, and polymers; gleaming under the spotlights, seeming to yell "Choose ME!" You probably picked one that appealed to you because you liked the color or pattern on the ball.
Of course, your pro shop drilled your finger holes to fit you like a glove. That's fine for a novice player but now that you know what you're doing, it's time to consider the next step: customizing the surface of your ball to match your unique playing style and condition of the lanes on which you usually bowl.
Why resurface my ball?
By resurfacing your ball, you can gain greater control over it, and your score. However, before you rush off and start sanding, there are a few points to take into consideration before changing your ball, as what's done can usually not be undone!
Consider the following:
- How skilled am I to begin with? If you're still relying more on luck than technique to knock the pins down, resurfacing your ball probably won't make a difference.
- What are the conditions of the lanes where I usually bowl? Make sure that if you think a lane is too fast, that it really is fast and that you're not just having a problem bowling on the lane's particular oil pattern. If everyone seems to be having the same problem, then consider resurfacing your ball. By dulling the surface, your ball will grip the lane better, giving you greater control.
- Does your ball seem to lose all its steam at the end of the lane? If so, a shinier surface on your ball will help it conserve its energy in the beginning of the throw, saving it's power to knock the pins down. Use the ball polisher at your bowling alley to smooth and shine its surface.
- What do I want to accomplish? That is the single most important question to answer before proceeding. Many bowlers have ruined perfectly good balls by dulling the surface improperly. You may want to resurface your different balls in different ways to cover all possible bowling conditions.
How do I dull the surface of my ball?
Bowling balls can be dulled using very fine-grained sandpaper. It is imperative that the ball is rotated consistently as it is sanded, or else you risk ruining your ball. A bowling ball is a perfect sphere. If you accidentally take off too much of the surface in one spot, it can't be put back on! Your ball will be unbalanced, and as a result, won't go where you want it.
There is an alternative to doing it yourself. Your local pro shop will have a machine that can resurface your ball. Because the machine spins the ball evenly as it sands, there is no risk of ruining the ball by sanding too hard in one spot. It's always best to go slowly. By changing the surface of the ball gradually, you can gauge the effectiveness of the changes.
You've come a long way in your sport, and you deserve every edge you can give yourself. Resurfacing your ball can give you greater control of your ball just where you need it. It can be just the thing to give you that extra advantage and raise your score.
Both The Bowling Coach & John Tenn are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.