Finger guide

[Nitehood]

Hello all,

I used to bowl alot when I was in 7th-12th grade. This was in the seventies...yes I am almost 45.:rolleyes: I bought a AMF ball, which I still have today. Back then, I believe, they were all just polyurethane.

My wife and I have started to bowl again, but are in dire need of new bowling balls. My old ball has no curve at all. I was thinking of a Black Widow.

I am clueless on the finger holes. Back in the day, there wasnt much to it, but now it is very confusing. How can I tell what/where the finger holes should go? Are there any guides out on the web?

Any help is appreciated.:)

~Nitehood

[BradM]

Best bet would be to go to your local pro shop and talk to someone there that can watch you throw a couple of balls, measure your hand properly and then suggest a few balls for you to look at. Just getting back into the game I would suggest something from the "Raw Hammer" line. It will be cheaper than the black widow. But, if you want to go all out, by all means, get the black widow.:D Good luck and welcome to the forums!

[bluerrpilot]

leave the placement of the holes to the driller. You just need to decide weather you want fingertip or conventional. Fingertip or a relaxed fingertip would be the most recomended.

On another note. Allthough the Widow is an excellent ball, you may want to consider something a little easier on the pocket book and a little less of a maintenance pig.

[BradM]

and a little less of a maintenance pig.



By maintenance pig, he means giving it hot water baths, and wiping it down after each shot, cleaning it after you're done bowling for the day, resurfacing when needed. It's not all that bad though.

[bluerrpilot]

By maintenance pig, he means giving it hot water baths, and wiping it down after each shot, cleaning it after you're done bowling for the day, resurfacing when needed. It's not all that bad though.

This is correct. It will soak up oil a bit more than some others and this will effect consistancy and hook.

[Nitehood]

What model do you suggest? I didnt relieze the Widow was a lot of maintenance. Maybe the glowing reviews blinded me. I do like the hook that it is supposed to do:D , something I have never been able to do.

Do the pro shops have different balls that they would let me try? (for the different fingering" I notice a lot of folk here talk about getting a #1 or 2 or 3, etc. Thought there may have been a standard guide.

Sorry for the n00b questions, I used to bowl alot, but its different now, so its like starting over. (tho I still bowl a 170 average :D)

~Nitehood

[Nitehood]

Do you really completely submerge a Black Widow, and soak it to clean it?


~Nitehood

[BradM]

Ask any question you want. Most people are glad to help. There are no stupid questions everyone has to learn sometime.

The reference to the #1/2/3 layouts are just referencing general pin placements. The driller at the pro shop will set you up with exact measurments that fit your hand.

And yes, you can really submerge a ball in hot water to draw out oil with fantastic results.

[aigaios]

Yeah. You can do that with all the new resin balls... some need it more often than others do, though. The widow needs more frequent baths and cleanings with a good ball cleaner than most balls (I bathe mine every two weeks and clean it regularly), but it's not that hard to do or anything, just time consuming.

[Nitehood]

Is it because of the matte finish, that it picks up oil?


~Nitehood

[BlackWidow95]

Black Widow is arguably the best ball on the market and if you think thats what you want, go for it.. But, you said you average a 170 without hooking it?? JEEZ

[can-ham]

Get a ball that fits your bowling style and lane conditions. Get your proshop guy to watch you throw. Tell him you want a hammer and ask about the amount of oil used during your league.

There are a few balls that are fairly versatile Black widow, HawgWild and Toxic. But if your league shot is some what heavy the a Hawgzilla or No Mercy may be a better fit.

Best of luck

[Ray75]

If you are currently throwing a straight ball effectively, then I would say start with the Blue Vibe. Here's the reasons why I say this: The Vibe is a stronger ball than it's advertised, so it would give you a good reaction on the lanes. It's a polished reactive ball, so it would be fairly low maintenance for you. Finally, it is fairly inexpensive, so it would go easy on your wallet. I have the NM, BW, and Vibe. They are all great balls and I would recommend any of them. As I've said many times, it comes down to a personal preference with equipment....

[Nitehood]

The Blue Vibe, eh? I will check out some of the reviews for it. I do want to thank you all for the advice.

So far, I am sold on the Hammer line....heh... and I have never seen or used one. LOL Any other suggestions?

Also.. Is the fingertip holes better than the normal holes?


~Nitehood

btw.. my highest score ever was in 1989 in a college league. Best I have ever bowled is a 289... I hope to hammer that soon!:D

[Ray75]

The Blue Vibe, eh? I will check out some of the reviews for it. I do want to thank you all for the advice.

So far, I am sold on the Hammer line....heh... and I have never seen or used one. LOL Any other suggestions?

Also.. Is the fingertip holes better than the normal holes?


~Nitehood

btw.. my highest score ever was in 1989 in a college league. Best I have ever bowled is a 289... I hope to hammer that soon!:D

Most bowlers I know use fingertip. But, I can also say there is nothing wrong with conventional grip. That, also, comes down to what you would like to try. If you're interested in going with fingertip, I would say go for it. Just keep in mind, it will change the way the ball feels in your hand, as well as give you some rotation on the ball depending on your release. On this question, there really isn't any right or wrong. Looks like you bowl great with conventional grip. Fingertip might improve your game, and it might also hurt it. I would definitely talk to your local pro shop about your options.

[TenPinSniper]

Welcome, another KC guy!

Where do you bowling?
The new latest technology is oil absorption. So bathing the ball is now more important than ever. No Mercy and Black Widow, both have these coverstocks. No Mercy absorbs more than the Black Widow. The Ebonite ball is the Total NV. Heard the Fury is the Brunswick ball, dont hold me to that.

Here is a good link on bathing the ball.
http://forums.hammerbowling.com/showthread.php?t=1380

[dw800seeker]

I agree that Vibe would be good ball to get. You do not want to spend 200 on a ball and drilling when you do not know exactly how you want your fingers to fit. After you have the Vibe working for you, then invest in a second ball and the Vibe will be a great ball to go to when your other ball is hooking too much or leaving too many 10 pins, or whatever.

If you can get a good deal on anything on the "Raw" line -- Toxic, Doom, Pain you could do that instead of the Vibe. They are all great balls and less expensive than the No Mercy or Black Widow.

There's always a used Hammer. Tons of choices. Anything in the Blade series would be great ball. I am currently looking for a Sling Blade myself.

[TenPinSniper]

Nite, I knew where a Sling Blade was a couple weeks ago... I sent you a PM.

[Nitehood]

TenPin I bowl at Aarons fun Center in Belton. Most of the lanes that I used to bowl at, some 20+ years ago, are gone. Nice to see some locales here:D

I don't even own a Hammer and I feel almost like a Hammerhead.

I have been throwing a 16# slug down the lanes since 1975. It's the only ball I own(and I bought it in '76). My wife bought one at a thrift store some years back, and uses it. She throws a straight ball, so maybe a Hammer Tuff would be good for her, or I am open to suggestions.

We are going to spend a bit of Income Tax return to get much needed equipment, and start bowling regularly again. I, personally, want to try a new ball, one with a hook not a Flinstones rock. I am fascinated by the late hooks to the left and want to learn to do it. I have never been able to spin my ball or a house ball.

The Black Widow gets grandios reviews! I may try a 14# one. I am not sure how the Doom, Pain or Sling series compares.

~Nitehood

[dw800seeker]

If you do not have an injury I would recommend a 15 pound ball. You are only 45. If there is any physical issue, then go with the 14.

[jedi47]

If you do not have an injury I would recommend a 15 pound ball. You are only 45. If there is any physical issue, then go with the 14.


Damn,,,,, that almost sounds like a slam on us "OLDER" guys!!!!!!! LOL
I'm 47 (pushing 48) and I still throw a 16 with plenty of zip!

[Nitehood]

Heh, probably just me out of shape and my old ball. I have always had to use a wrist brace with it, im kinda skinny. Now adays the 16# really makes my wrist,arm and shoulder ache after 3 games, and my arm is very tired about the middle of the 3rd game.

I thought a lighter ball would be easier on me.


~Nitehood

[bowlerbabe]

for your wife you could go with the purple vibe or the doom... I throw a doom and its an amazing ball. I would say for you go with 15# blue vibe or toxic to start off. the better your game gets then you start getting the black widow, no mercy my next ball will be the black widow and I am looking forward to getting that on the lanes but for right now my doom works great and my average is slowly coming up.