Pick my X-mas present.

[Drath]

OK I’ve only been bowling for 13 weeks and I’m asking my wife for a Hammer for Christmas. What should I get?

I’ve got a 140 average almost halfway through my first session but I’m moving in the right direction. My last 5 weeks have been in the 160-170 range (476-520 series). Currently I’m using an old hand-me-down, 16lb. BuzzSaw that fits surprisingly well with a few pieces of tape. I don’t get a whole lot of movement on my ball and I would definitely not consider myself a cranker. On league oil I’m generally pretty close to straight down the 10 board. I might start my ball a little left of that on occasion and go out over the 2nd arrow but if I’m ever outside the 8 board I’m not gonna come back enough. On practice day (less oil) I can play around out there but it’s with the understanding that I’m not gonna be able to go that wide on league night.
I’m thinking about a Black Widow or Black Widow Pearl.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

[Mike_N_Nashville]

It sounds like you like to play the same general area of the lanes I do and like you I don't get the huge cranking ball reaction some people do (although with the work of my coach I am trying to slowly but surely work on that).

I bowl with a No Mercy Beat'n polished that I bought before my fall league started and it hits like a beast.

I also just picked up and drilled a Black Widow Solid that I bowled with for the first time last night in practice and rolled a 208. I'll bowl with it again over the weekend and then hopefully try it in league on Tuesday night.

I think either the NMB or the BWS would be a good ball to start with and a plastic spare ball you can throw straight and hard. That $40 investment has tremendously helped my game.

Mike

[Daorge]

I think the BWS or BWP would suit your game pretty well from the sounds of it. With more work on your release and rev rate you can start moving left a bit more with either ball, they are versatile enough to play different lines with ease.

[Crusher279757]

I'd go with a Black Widow Solid if I were you.

[BubbaRay]

The Black Widow Solid or the No Mercy Beat'n is your best best. The Beat'n is alittle stronger than the BWS but both are a good choice for the style and line you play.

Nice bowling for only 134 weeks in the sport.

[hbhammerhead]

i like the black widow solid a lot. there's a reason why it's one of the best balls ever made...it works. nothing hits like a hammer.

haha you'll probably have to move over to the middle with a black widow.

[Drath]

Wow, thanks for all the quick replies.
I’m afraid the strong back end on the NMB might be a little harder for a new bowler like me to make adjustments to. That’s why I’m leaning towards the Black Widow. Any thoughts on that? Please keep the advice coming.

Bubba, thanks for the complement. :D One of the guys on my team is a former bowling instructor and the other two guys are old golfing buddies so they have a pretty good idea of what I can handle as far as physical and mental adjustments go. So far I’m pretty pleased with my progress. It helps that I thoroughly enjoy every trip to the lanes.

[blistershurt]

Hey, good to see someone from around STL here besides me.

Where do you bowl?

[Drath]

Blister,

Tuesday night mens at Strike N’ Spare on Lindbergh.

Most Sunday mornings I practice at Dick Weber Lanes (your neck of the woods) at I-270 and Washington/Elizabeth. They have $0.99 games from 10:00-2:00.

-D

[blistershurt]

I'm familiar with Strike n Spare...tommorrow I'm throwing at a tournament out at Crestwood bowl.

We should throw a few together some time.

This week I'm not going to my high school travel league...I've decided against it, I might be up there practicing on Sunday, who knows.

[VmsTopGun]

BWS always gets my vote for a first time hammer ball since you and I play almost exactly the same. THe pearl is quite speed sensitive may cause you some anxiety. Mine did, I was ready to sell it after 3 weeks of it sliding into the 6-10 and gutter.:mad: I'm learning to adjust far faster now that I can hit the mark more consistantly. BUt I'm pretty much a novice as I've only had my BWS for about a year now so, for what it's worth.....

Welcome to the hammer social network.....

[SplitMaster]

10 board.....DOOM.....or a weakly drilled bwp...but Id say doom...thats just me though

[SledgeMe]

10 board.....DOOM.....or a weakly drilled bwp...but Id say doom...thats just me though

I need to get me one of these.