1 ball

[Tunat]

I see all these posts where people use 3-5 different balls through out their 3 game sets.....what if you had to use one ball for your strike ball and the same ball to pickup all your spares. What ball would you use?
I'll start, its whatever I need for the lanes, light oil, I'll throw the Toxic, heavier it'll be the BW, either one will work on spares (including the 10 pin)...

what would you go with, if you had to use 1 ball for everything???

[Lightning1]

Widow

no doubt

It plays every condition well for me....I can even get 10pins with it every once in a while

10pins are my nemesis....I just can't seem to find a consistant line to get me up to 80% or higher conversion...

anything left of the 10pin is dead meat

[grayfin68]

I'd go with my Blue Vibe. It's meant for light oil, but I could just move right for heavier oil, plus it would be forgiving on the right side spares.

[can-ham]

Depends if I wanted to be clean or not.

If clean I think I'd just use my plastic spare ball.

If I wanted to try for a strike feast with opens then I've use the appropriate strike ball for that condition
light Blade - reactive pearl
medium - big block
heavy - hawgzilla

[jman69]

I would use my Toxic, hands down.:D

[JoshWithrow]

I'd just have to Tuff it up. My other balls just hook too much.

[jman69]

I'd just have to Tuff it up. My other balls just hook too much.

I agree bout the hook too much part but I just flatten out my wrist and amp up the speed and no problem.:cool:

[technik]

I'd just have to Tuff it up. My other balls just hook too much.

that's a good idea. :eek:

i better practice my Tuff as a strike ball in case this comes up...i can see it handy when the lanes are getting drier and lane transition is difficult to adjust.

oh yeah, my 1ball = Tuff

[Crusher279757]

This is easy. A Black Widow.

[slap]

I would choice my BW or gasp #1 Awesome Revs. I can throw my reactives straight with release and speed adjustments.

Or maybe if we're going straight Al Bundy old school, I would just my Blue Dot and roll a straight ball.

[bigsexyhammer]

Any of mine will do. I was taught by our house pro when I was a little kid to be able to throw one ball at any shot.

But probably if I had to choose, the old school Blue Urethane would be it. You can throw that ball on any lane condition, you just have to know how to adjust your shot...;)

[Nascar4292]

either my crossfire or toxic

[JoshWithrow]

I agree bout the hook too much part but I just flatten out my wrist and amp up the speed and no problem.:cool:

that's a good idea. :eek:

i better practice my Tuff as a strike ball in case this comes up...i can see it handy when the lanes are getting drier and lane transition is difficult to adjust.

oh yeah, my 1ball = Tuff

You know, alot of people have showed me how to flatten out, and even when I do I get a snap to the left... :confused: I dunno. The NM is obviously worse than the Syntactive, but they both do it. That and there's a comfort level thing.

As far as the Tuff... it doesn't hit any harder than any other polyester ball... you still get less pin action, less carry, etc, but I can still manage to shoot > 180 with it (leaves alot of spares). Some practices I spend a whole game doing this just for the hell of it.

[Gryndryno]

I for one, am glad I won't ever have to do this, I use 3-5 balls to make sure all conditions are covered, I eliminate excuses. When I bring a 3 ball roller plus a shoulder bag of 2 more balls, I have the range I need.....(Hawg Zilla, Ultra Mega X, Black Widow and Vibe along with my TUFF). If I don't do well, then it is all me. This elimates a great deal of frustration.

To play with just one ball is almost like playing with a 5 iron in a golf tournament, I did that one time and never felt so stupid....sure you can hit all shots with one club, but honestly, why would you????

[jman69]

I would love to have an arsenal like yours gryn but I just dont have the funds for the wide assortment you have.:o

[JoshWithrow]

To play with just one ball is almost like playing with a 5 iron in a golf tournament, I did that one time and never felt so stupid....sure you can hit all shots with one club, but honestly, why would you????

And that's why I've started setting myself up better. I was a one baller for YEARS, but I find myself taking the hobby much more seriously now. Hell, I'm even converting people like my father... hardcore golfer turning bowler. He argued with me one night about only NEEDING one ball and I used the SAME analogy that you did and he suddenly understood. He's now got my old Jack Hammer (redrilled) and his old polyester ball. His games have gone up a consistant 25 pins just from having a new ball.

Anyway, I'm rambling, but I totally agree. However, in a worst case scenario, I'd take my polyester BECAUSE I can't completely flatten out my ball. I'd lack striking power due to lack of drive/pin action from the ball, but it'd be a clean game.

[dw800seeker]

I would go with Black Widow or Toxic. I can break my wrist to straighten out shot.

[Thepainscoming]

I'd lack striking power due to lack of drive/pin action from the ball, but it'd be a clean game.

WOW, if i throw my plastic ball slower with a bit more revs, it carrys great for 13 lbs.

[slap]

Well I'm a multi ball guy. I generally bring 3+1 to league and I look like I'm going to vaction when I go to tournaments.

However I see both sides of this topic. If you have 1 ball or 10 you still need the same skill set. You need to have the ability to observe your ball all the way to the pins, understand what's happening and adjust accordingly.

As Josh said above, once you begin to take the game more serious, a well thought out arsenal can enhance your game.

That said, you have to crawl before you can walk before you can run. There is nothing more hilarious than a newbie who has a 4 balls and no clue when to use them. Well maybe good bowler who has 4 balls that all cover the same conditions. :)

If you ever have a chance to browse an issue of Bowling This Month, there is a writer who explains how to layout an arsenal. One month he will write about a basic 2 ball + spare and in another issue he will explain more advanced 6 or 8 ball systems. It's good reading

[JoshWithrow]

If you ever have a chance to browse an issue of Bowling This Month, there is a writer who explains how to layout an arsenal. One month he will write about a basic 2 ball + spare and in another issue he will explain more advanced 6 or 8 ball systems. It's good reading

I'm going to have to look into that.

Also...

Well maybe good bowler who has 4 balls that all cover the same conditions.

... made me laugh out loud behind my class lol! I know a bowler that has 3-4 balls, all drilled for skid flip, all newer balls/technology, and I've often thought that it was kinda silly. I have my NM and Syntactive drilled to "hook early" (#1 layout on the NM), and my TNV will be drilled for Skid/Flip for contrast.

Glad to know I'm thinking in the right direction ;)

[JoshWithrow]

WOW, if i throw my plastic ball slower with a bit more revs, it carrys great for 13 lbs.

For some reason if I throw it slower (I only throw this ball 12-13 mph anyway) it doesn't seem to make much difference. I'm not a hard thrower to begin with... normal shot 13-15 mph depending on conditions.

[slap]

I'm going to have to look into that.

BTM is a quality magazine. Great articles, tips and fairly honest ball reviews. The subscription is a little pricey but worth it IMHO. Most pro shop get the magazine so I used to read my pro's before I broke down and got my own.


Also...
... made me laugh out loud behind my class lol! I know a bowler that has 3-4 balls, all drilled for skid flip, all newer balls/technology, and I've often thought that it was kinda silly. I have my NM and Syntactive drilled to "hook early" (#1 layout on the NM), and my TNV will be drilled for Skid/Flip for contrast.

Glad to know I'm thinking in the right direction ;)

Yep you seem to be. I'm still learning this stuff myself but it's all about separtion, bigger differences at first then more subtle ones as you add more balls.

[jedi47]

If I HAD to pick one ball for everthing,,,, probably be the Black Widow, I CAN throw hard enough to over come the hook to shoot 6 & 10 pins..... But, I've also used the TUFF to combat the "Dreaded Exxon Valdez" oil dumping (where NOTHING hooks) by throwing straight out of the corner @ the pocket & shot 640

[Gryndryno]

I would love to have an arsenal like yours gryn but I just dont have the funds for the wide assortment you have.:o

I sincerely apologize, I didn't mean to come off like an ass about it, I promise you. I took this as a "what if" question. Let me make it up to you, I have a handful of 15 lb undrilled viz-a-balls, let me send you one seriously as an apology. You will have to get it drilled, but give me an address you are comfortable having me send it to and I will have UPS bring it to you.

[can-ham]

I sincerely apologize, I didn't mean to come off like an ass about it, I promise you. I took this as a "what if" question. Let me make it up to you, I have a handful of 15 lb undrilled viz-a-balls, let me send you one seriously as an apology. You will have to get it drilled, but give me an address you are comfortable having me send it to and I will have UPS bring it to you.

Dude you are a class act all the way! Not my business, but that is a very generous offer. Gryndryno if you don't mind me asking, how do you have a couple extra balls lying around? Did you knock off a Brunswick truck?

http://archerpelican.typepad.com/tap/truck-full.gif

[Street Racer]

non hammer ball, ebonites Black ice..

[Gryndryno]

Dude you are a class act all the way! Not my business, but that is a very generous offer. Gryndryno if you don't mind me asking, how do you have a couple extra balls lying around? Did you knock off a Brunswick truck?

http://archerpelican.typepad.com/tap/truck-full.gif

that is what happens when beer is combined with ebay, you get extra balls, I actually have two IDENTICAL viz-a-balls, both 15#, etc. I also am the proud owner of a 16# TWEETY BIRD spare ball, ugh.

[can-ham]

I also am the proud owner of a 16# TWEETY BIRD spare ball, ugh.

Cute but manly all at the same time! I figured you had a bit of the ebay thing going. Not from the size of your arsenal but from how exotic it is. What is your favorite overseas ball? I'd love to throw that Mega X!

[Gryndryno]

Cute but manly all at the same time! I figured you had a bit of the ebay thing going. Not from the size of your arsenal but from how exotic it is. What is your favorite overseas ball? I'd love to throw that Mega X!

threw 20 pins per game over my average in 5 games with the mega x at 'lunch' yesterday. It has the same core as the vicious and believe it or not, has the feel of a urethane ball almost as far as the coverstock. There is nothing else I have seen like it. but one thing is for sure, it is the best looking ball in person, the pictures don't do it justice.

I score a little better with the mega x but wouldn't trade either of them,

let me know next time you are in dallas, I can meet you at anyone of a variety of lanes I use and you are welcome to throw it, 5 1/4, 5 3/16 span

[can-ham]

let me know next time you are in dallas, I can meet you at anyone of a variety of lanes I use and you are welcome to throw it, 5 1/4, 5 3/16 span

Your on, and I will buy you a beer!

[BradM]

Did you say beer? I'm only 45 minutes north too.:D

[can-ham]

Did you say beer? I'm only 45 minutes north too.:D

If I get to that neck of the woods, you guys will both know about it...

[BradM]

What part of Canada are you in?

[slap]

Beer...who said beer?

Beer and Bowling are my too main hobbies.

[BradM]

Beer...who said beer?

Beer and Bowling are my too main hobbies.

Hooray beer! I think I have to broaden my hobbies to Booze and Bowling though.:D

Ok, so when I win the Lottery saturday night, I'm sending a plane ticket to Canada and Boston who else needs one? We'll all my Gryn in Dallas for a big party.:D

Whoops, sorry for the thread hi jack Tunat!:o
You're invited too though!

[can-ham]

What part of Canada are you in?

Edmonton Alberta (look north from Montana and that's Alberta).

Cold winters but no secadas (got to see those when I was in MD)

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/images/periodical_cicada.jpg

[Toolman-Tim]

Count me in. I'm on a Drinking Team with a Bowling problem.

[BradM]

Edmonton Alberta (look north from Montana and that's Alberta).

Cold winters but no secadas (got to see those when I was in MD)



Ok, start walking now, it's only a couple thousand miles, see you soon!

Count me in. I'm on a Drinking Team with a Bowling problem.

You got it!

[big blue]

The Hex by Track

[Thepainscoming]

Well, my ball that i would choose would be my passion that is polished. The reason y is that i can shoot spares with it, and i can use it in heavy oil and light oil.