Bowling Equipment
If you are looking to buying a bowling ball, you may be wondering what is the best way to determine the correct ball weight. A simple method to decide how heavy a ball you should use is to put your hand out in front of your body, waist high with the palm facing up. Put different weight house balls on your palm to see which one slightly pushes the hand down. That is the weight that you should consider when getting a custom bowling ball.
The most important factor in selecting a bowling ball is the weight of the ball. The ball needs to be heavy enough to allow you to swing it with ease but not too light that you can easily change the direction of the swing, both during your approach and delivery. Don't use a ball that is too heavy. A ball that is too heavy will take away your scores. Heavier is not necessarily better. A lighter ball thrown at a faster speed can knock more pins down than a heavy ball. I suggest that you go to your pro shop and talk to your trained specialist to give you a good grip and find out exactly what is right for you.
You also want a bowling ball that is properly fitted to the hand. Purchasing a ball at a pro shop will allow the best chance for a proper fit, which is extremely important. If the bowling ball is not fitted correctly, you will need to squeeze the ball during the delivery. You squeeze the ball because you feel that the ball is too loose and you need to hold on to it tighter. A perfectly fitted ball will not give you this feeling. The first thing to do before a new bowling league/game is to put your fingers in the ball and see how it feels. Buy some tape at the pro shop to make your thumb hole a little smaller if it's not tight enough or take a few pieces out if your fingers start to swell. Your fingers may swell according to the season, lifestyle, etc.
The other important equipment you need to keep as part of your bowling gear is your bowling shoes. There are many kinds of shoes to choose from and you may want to buy one that has a variable heel and sole. That way, you can vary the heel and sole based on the approach that you are sliding on. Some combination may be good on wood surfaces and some are better on synthetic surfaces.
Temperature also affect the approach in different ways in different parts of the country. Some lane conditions are tacky and others allows you to slide more. Allowing yourself to be able to change the heel and sole of your shoes will enable to you get a better foundation. A good foundation is important to throw a quality shot. When you first go to a bowling center, pay attention to the approaches to see if the approach area is sticky or slick. Bowling shoes with variable heels and soles can counter approach fluctuations and help establish a strong foundation. Remember to put your shoes on and check the approach. Based on your evaluation of the approach area, you can then change the bottom of your shoe to adjust accordingly.
Other Bowling Accessories
The following are a few other items that you may want to have as part of your bowling arsenal:
Bowling Bags |
Bowling Ball Cleaners and Polishes |
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Bowling Gloves and Wrist Supports |
Bowling Towels and See-Saws |
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Grip Aids/Grip Sacks |
Bowler's Tape |
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