THE RIGHT FIT YOUR BALL-BUYING GUIDE
The right equipment plays a huge role in a player’s prog- ress. No matter what your ability level, if you have equipment that’s custom- fitted for you by an experi- enced, certified pro shop professional, you will be more comfortable and able to concentrate on other aspects of your game. That’s why choosing the
right ball is everything. Buying a ball is an invest- ment in your playing suc- cess and enjoyment, so consider many things when you go to make your pur- chase:
Match your equipment to your abilities and the playing situation Most beginners use a plastic ball – some manufacturers call them polyester balls. They’re the best for straight-shooting. If you’re a medium or average player, then it might be time to graduate to having more than one ball in your bag. For your first strike ball, choose a medium reactive resin ball with low differential and low flare. It won’t be too sensitive to lane conditions, so you’ll be able to use it in a lot of situations. (Reactive resin balls are made to hook for a more powerful angle of entry in the pocket.) For spares, stick with a plastic ball. They’re great for getting corner pins, when a reactive ball would hook too much. Having a plastic spare ball lets you shoot straight, without having to struggle with hand position or ball speed to control a ball that’s made to hook.
By Kim Terrell-Kearney TEAM USA ASSISTANT COACH
CHOOSEY PLAYERS CHOOSE WISELY: Click on the play button (above, left) to watch special video coverage of star bowler and Team USA assistant coach Kim Terrell- Kearney describe how to choose the right ball for a given situation.
Decide which ball weight is right for you Most people who are buying their first ball can handle a heavier ball than what they’ve been comfortable with using off the rack at the bowling center because their ball will be drilled to fit them. It won't take long to get used to the extra weight. A good rule of thumb is
to use a ball that’s about 10 percent of your body weight. You could go a pound lighter or heavier based on your ath- leticism. Another easy test is to place a ball in the palm of your hand. If you’re struggling to hold it, then it’s too heavy for you.
For serious competition, build an equipment arsenal If you’re a player who loves tournament competition and has the abilities and resources, having more options in your ball bag will increase your chances of success on vary- ing lane conditions. Build your versatility with a five-ball arsenal; 1) your plastic spare ball, 2) a lesser-flaring reactive ball for light oil situations, 3) a pearlized medium reactive ball (it can give you more length than a solid coverstock) 4) your benchmark ball – your favorite solid coverstock ball that you always start with to get a true
reading on the lanes. It should be a very predictable, even- rolling ball with no elaborate drillings. 5) a higher-flaring ball with greater differential for heavy oil situations
Get professional help No matter what your experi- ence level, always get help from a trusted, certified pro shop professional when con- sidering a new ball choice or a new drilling pattern. A quali- fied professional will give you a good fit, but also consider your abilities and hand actions to determine the best drilling layout and equipment to match your style.
USBOWLER 15
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