Bowling vs. Golf
I get asked quite a bit why I have/buy so many bowling balls. There are a few reasons for my buying tendencies. First and foremost, I love bowling and I’m always looking for a way to get better at it. I started bowling at a young age (8) and got hooked. I remember when I was younger, I used to get out of school on Friday and head right to the local center. From Friday at 3pm till Sunday evening I’d be on those lanes just throwing balls, trying different things, competing against my friends, and sometimes dripping blood into my thumbholes. If I were to guess, about 100 games a weekend was the regular for me and my passion. I could probably write a novel on all of my experiences in this game, but for now I’ll keep it short for this edition
The second reason for having all of these balls is simple; I need to have my bases covered. Bowling in that regard is just like Golf. Do you go to play golf with no putter, 7 iron, or wedge? Although I have done that, success is pretty far away when you limit your shot possibilities. Bowling balls are just like your club set, while you can have a basic 3 ball arsenal (one dull, one shiny, and maybe a spare ball) PBA players generally travel with 25-30 balls each week. Now granted these guys are making their living at this game, but I believe to truly enjoy this game you need to have the right tools to succeed in it. With all of the outside variables (especially living in the northeast) the lanes aren’t going to play the same each week. Just to name a few you have weather (it was 70 yesterday and 50 today), some lanes get more play than others (meaning they wear differently), and you have different bowlers you bowl against each week (people throwing the ball in different places will affect your “shot”). With that being said wouldn’t it serve you better to have a couple of different ways to attack those pins?
This is where I would start in building my arsenal:
1. Dull or Matte surface ball for nights your just not making it to the pocket
2. Shiny or Polished surface ball for when the lanes start to break down or when the lanes just seem to be hooking more than normal.
3. Spare Ball or Another Shiny ball drilled weaker than the previous one.
Just these 3 balls will give you a step system to your bowling. Some nights you may use all 3 of them and other nights maybe just one, but you’ll have your bases covered for maximum success.
