How to Choose A Bowling Ball
Choosing a bowling ball can be difficult if you are a beginner and don't know where to start. You may have questions such as what is the correct weight for me? What coverstock should I get (urethane, reactive, particle, etc.)? Should I get a ball that will hook more, or should I get a ball that goes a little straighter? Professional bowlers may have up to 6 or 7 bowling balls in their arsenal. For beginners and intermediate players, it's a good idea to get two balls - one to get strikes (a strike ball) and one to make your spares (a spare ball).
A strike ball grips the lane and will hook into the pins. A spare ball is a polyester ball that will go straight, will not grip the lane and is usually made of a different material (plastic).
For example, if you are a right-hander shooting for the 10-pin, you don't want to throw a ball that will hook. You want to throw straighter, automatically, with your natural release. This is where your spare ball comes into action. The simplest way to make spares is to use a spare ball.
If you have decided to get a custom bowling ball, the best thing to do is to go to your local pro shop and get a professional opinion about the type of ball you should get. Not everyone can use the same kind of ball, and there's a great ball for each and every one of us. With so many bowling balls out there in the market, it is wise to get a professional opinion from your pro shop.
They will take everything such as your weight, strength, height, how you hold the ball, whether you prefer fingertip grip or conventional grip, into account and help you choose the ball that is right for you. As far as weight is concerned, a rule-of-thumb is to choose a ball that is one-tenth of your weight. For example, if you weigh 140 lbs, you'll want a bowling ball that is about 14 lbs. Remember, this is just a rule-of-thumb and may not apply to everyone.
Bowling Ball Grips: Conventional Grip vs. Fingertip Grip
There are two different grips you can get on a bowling ball:
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Bowling Conventional Grip:
Notice how the fingers go into the second knuckle. |
Bowling Fingertip Grip:
Notice how the fingers go into the first knuckle only. |
The first one is the Conventional Grip. Most house balls are drilled for conventional grip where your fingers go right into the second knuckle. A bowling ball that is drilled for conventional grip is not designed to curve much; it will go pretty straight. House balls are for beginners who are just starting to learn how to bowl.
The second grip is the Fingertip Grip. With this grip, your fingers go into the first knuckle. With the fingertip grip, your fingers can snap the ball a little bit at the point of release, therefore putting a little more rotation on the ball. This grip allows your hand to get around the ball so you can throw the ball with much more power and revolutions.
