Never purchased one before but my cousin seems to be getting into it and I'd like to get him one for his b-day. What are some brands, or features that I should be looking at when getting one?
Ask him. When buying someone an item that is part of a hobby they're really into, and you get them something they don't want in the first place, they won't use it. Kinda like knowing somebody likes video games, someone recommending Halo 2, and then realizing that your cousin has a Gamecube.
how good is your cousin? he is a league bowler? can he hook the ball? is he one of those guys that hooks the ball but throws with 2 fingers? if you are looking for a top notch new bowling ball it will probably cost over 250 after you get the ball drilled up. also, try to find a pro shop around you and they can help you out too.
lol sorry if that came off snobby. but most people that try to bowl with 2 fingers are open play bowlers that are throwing the pink 8 pound balls. I've only known 1 guy that was good who bowled with 2 fingers. I think there was one on tour who bowled with 2 fingers.
Bowling with 2 fingers is my style. I'm a weak guy too, like, weigh 100 pounds and skinny weak. Up to 12 pounds baby!
He is a recreational player. I doubt he needs anything expensive but it would be nice to have his own ball. He likes to spin it and I think he uses two fingers. He would never buy his own ball but he does have his own shoes. I thought it would be something nice to get him started in his new hobby.
what part of town are you in Biggie? I will recommend going by Alpha in ClearLAke/Webster and seeing Randy over at R&R...a real good guy that will help you pick out the best thing to get. for what you describe, go with one of the mid-priced balls(between 100 and 150) the real good ones are right at 200...the last two reactive resin balls I bought were right at 200 per.(drilling included) If you decide to go with the really good ones...Im a big fan of the Storm line.
a real man doesnt need any holes on the bowling ball. this dude would just palm the bowling ball as if it were an apple.
My college buddy who used to play football in highschool can do it with no holes, 16 pounds, spinning it right or left. It's awesome to see too, seeing as how he actually knocks the pins down.
As much as I hate to say it, I think you would be better off buying a ball off the net. Its about 80-90 bucks cheaper in most cases. Once you purchase a ball, you and your cousin can go to a pro shop for measurments and ball drilling. There are some excellent mid-priced balls out there. I would recommend Brunswick to start with. Just shop around.
Thanks for all the advice. This will definitely be a beginner's ball as he's not even as good as I am and I suck!! But it's his new hobby and he enjoys it.
i knew the Dude would know, that guy has a serious bowling thang going on.... and its very cool but slightly un-nerving
one more thing. how hard does he throw it? if he can really rip on the ball then it might be fun for him to have a reactive resin ball. just get a used one and get new inserts put in for his fingers. the house balls are plastic for the most part which will not hook as much, but the resin ones will really hook a lot and it may be too much for him. (if he is a righty) let him know to move his feet LEFT if the ball starts too hook too much on him.
He likes to put spin on the ball but he definitely doesn't rip it. I throw much faster than him with a straight ball then he does with a hook but that's understandable. I don't think I'll ever learn to hook it so I have to rely on my laser accuracy down the middle hehehe. My highest is 180 but my average is probably around 110 i suck at this sport.
the way you hook the ball is by releasing it as if you were shaking someone's hand. you have your hand under the ball and as you are releasing you turn your hand so it would be perpendicular to the floor as you release. if you go past that 90 degree point then you won't generate as much hook on the ball and it will kind of just twirl down the lane. it's a lot easier to do with a ball that is drilled for you because you are able to grip the ball much better with your finger tips. i guess another way of describing the motion with your hand would be if you got a football and started trying to throw a perfect spiral underhanded (like the bowling motion).
heh ok...so I almost entered in the National Tourney in Corpus this year...doesnt make it un-nerving does it? hey Smeg...check your email..I need you to recapp some of the 95 Finals stuff..Im getting crc errors transferring off the disks
