Plug and Re-drill. Bad?

[uberamd]

I was wondering what the downsides are, if any to having a ball plugged and re-drilled. I am looking at getting a good ball, for $35 shipped (I don't need it, but it is a nice quality, 30 game high performance ball and at that price its hard to say no), however it is drilled for a righty and I am a lefty. So, I will need to get it plugged, and drilled for my left hand obviously. There is no balance hole, just the finger holes.

Will the performance of the ball decline after getting it plugged? What problems come with getting a ball plugged and flipped for the other hand, if any?

Thanks!

[JaraTo]

I believe that depends on your/the owner's layout. I think it's more than likely that you'll basically have a new ball though because the track that you will be using probably won't have been touched by the current owner's

[uberamd]

I believe that depends on your/the owner's layout. I think it's more than likely that you'll basically have a new ball though because the track that you will be using probably won't have been touched by the current owner's

Thats what I am hoping for. In the end it will cost me: $35 + $25 (plug/drill) + $18 (slug/grips) = $78 which isn't bad for a ball that right now, on sale runs $100 + Drilling and Slugs/Grips.

[idlehourlegend]

Thats what I am hoping for. In the end it will cost me: $35 + $25 (plug/drill) + $18 (slug/grips) = $78 which isn't bad for a ball that right now, on sale runs $100 + Drilling and Slugs/Grips.

What ball is it?

[hbhammerhead]

shouldn't be that big of a deal. people do it all the time.

[uberamd]

It is a Brunswick Fury which on Bowling.com costs $99.99 new, and since the one I am getting has 30 games on it I assume it will be in great shape overall. The pics I saw were flawless.

[southpaw14]

I too am a lefty and have a ball that was orignally drilled for a righty. I haven't played much with it yet but I haven't noticed any problems with it. The only thing I would say be careful of is to make sure that the old plugged holes aren't going to end up in your track.

[JaraTo]

On that note, how exactly do they plug balls? Had it done before but never bothered to ask.

[ek11sx]

i know a lot of people that swear that a plugged and re drilled ball doesn't work as well. i've seen a redrilled ball not move much and ive seen one that was redrilled 3 times work very well

[grayfin68]

I think it all has to do with the condition of the ball and if your track will be affected. I'm personally not a fan of re-drilling but that's because I like to buy new stuff. I'm sure you can make it work with the right ball.

[Rowdy]

I've got some balls that are on their fourth redrill. They work fine. I've never had a problem with plugging and redrilling a ball. Just remember to have the pro shop use only a clear plug material. This keeps you on the legal side of Chapter 7,section 2b,2. No metal in the ball. A clear plug is the only way that you can prove the ball is still legal after the plug and redrill. Plus if you ever want to use the ball in any PBA competition,it must have a clear plug per PBA Rules.

[uberamd]

I think it all has to do with the condition of the ball and if your track will be affected. I'm personally not a fan of re-drilling but that's because I like to buy new stuff. I'm sure you can make it work with the right ball.
I am the same way, I love buying new stuff. However in the last 2 weeks I purchased a new Black Widow Solid and new Elite Black Label, I can't justify buying another new ball at full cost.

I've got some balls that are on their fourth redrill. They work fine. I've never had a problem with plugging and redrilling a ball. Just remember to have the pro shop use only a clear plug material. This keeps you on the legal side of Chapter 7,section 2b,2. No metal in the ball. A clear plug is the only way that you can prove the ball is still legal after the plug and redrill. Plus if you ever want to use the ball in any PBA competition,it must have a clear plug per PBA Rules.

That is a very good tip Rowdy, I probably will never use it in PBA competition, or ever participate in a PBA event. However I am doing tournaments but chances are if I wanted to use it as a tournament ball I would buy a new one.

[grayfin68]

I am the same way, I love buying new stuff. However in the last 2 weeks I purchased a new Black Widow Solid and new Elite Black Label, I can't justify buying another new ball at full cost.

I'm starting to think about just keeping my arsenal around 4-6 balls. I mean how many balls do you really need? I don't feel like lugging all kinds of gear in and out of the center or paying for multiple lockers and racks at home and stuff.

So, I just sold my Anger last night to a guy for $50 and that ball was in almost new condition. I got rid of it because I just got a new BWB and I have a Pain, Toxic, and BV. I still have an Epic Battle to get rid of and I will retire my Pink 3D Offset Axis Super Hook.

[uberamd]

Well right now, not counting the Fury I have 3. My Columbia 300 is a weak ball I use for spares, my Elite is my primary, and my BWS is hurting me so I can't use it. I carry 2 single ball bags (my double comes monday), and will never bring more than 3 balls, TOPS to league, etc.

[grayfin68]

Well right now, not counting the Fury I have 3. My Columbia 300 is a weak ball I use for spares, my Elite is my primary, and my BWS is hurting me so I can't use it. I carry 2 single ball bags (my double comes monday), and will never bring more than 3 balls, TOPS to league, etc.

Well, it's obviously a personal decision as to how many balls you have in your arsenal and I'm sure you can find some good used stuff if you want to go that route. I was starting to get like a ball hog but now I'm going to work on my technique. I basically have everything I need in my current line up.

The only thing I may consider is when I start bowling in tournaments. When that happens, I may get a set of gear just for that so it's nice and fresh for the oilier sport patterns. But for now, I'm a league bowler and don't need tons of gear.

[Rowdy]

I take 5 or 6 balls,including a plastic spare ball,depending on the house I'm rolling at. I've got a ball drilled just for synthetic lanes,so I'll add that to the bag if I need it.

[Rowdy]

Well right now, not counting the Fury I have 3. My Columbia 300 is a weak ball I use for spares, my Elite is my primary, and my BWS is hurting me so I can't use it. I carry 2 single ball bags (my double comes monday), and will never bring more than 3 balls, TOPS to league, etc.

Never???? Why limit your options?

[uberamd]

Never???? Why limit your options?

The people around me limit my options. My girlfriend (love her to death) and parents (love them too) are not a huge fan of me buying bowling balls, as they consider it unnecessary to have more than 1, heck 2 would me a absolute max. I have heard from them that am not good enough to warrant having more. So while I would like to have a huge arsenal, it would only cause me grief with people around me.

I feel my skills are also not at the point where I need a ton of equipment. I average 140 in league when I had only 1 ball. But last monday, when I used my new elite, I averaged 185. So, the new ball is definitely helping my game out. I have a tournament coming up on March 2nd, and I will see how my group of 4 holds up. Chances are I will leave either the fury or the Columbia 300 behind as I think I can throw my BWS at spares accurately.

[idlehourlegend]

The people around me limit my options. My girlfriend (love her to death) and parents (love them too) are not a huge fan of me buying bowling balls, as they consider it unnecessary to have more than 1, heck 2 would me a absolute max. I have heard from them that am not good enough to warrant having more. So while I would like to have a huge arsenal, it would only cause me grief with people around me.

I feel my skills are also not at the point where I need a ton of equipment. I average 140 in league when I had only 1 ball. But last monday, when I used my new elite, I averaged 185. So, the new ball is definitely helping my game out. I have a tournament coming up on March 2nd, and I will see how my group of 4 holds up. Chances are I will leave either the fury or the Columbia 300 behind as I think I can throw my BWS at spares accurately.

O.k. now what to do about the g/f / family issue is get a locker at the bowling alley you bowl at (hopefully its only one) then the new balls you get keep in there, the other ones that you have now bring back and forth, then they'll never know, unless they bowl with you.

[grayfin68]

O.k. now what to do about the g/f / family issue is get a locker at the bowling alley you bowl at (hopefully its only one) then the new balls you get keep in there, the other ones that you have now bring back and forth, then they'll never know, unless they bowl with you.

I'm going to recommend you bypass that bit of advice because it encourages dishonesty. Stuff like that can come back and bite you in the ass.

As an alternative, you can always take the approach that it is your money and you should be able to spend it however you want to. You can probably find a way to do that in a respectful manner without lying to your girlfriend or parents.

[idlehourlegend]

I'm going to recommend you bypass that bit of advice because it encourages dishonesty. Stuff like that can come back and bite you in the ass.

As an alternative, you can always take the approach that it is your money and you should be able to spend it however you want to. You can probably find a way to do that in a respectful manner without lying to your girlfriend or parents.

Just sounds to me that he already went that route, they say no once its set that way, you go with the its my money route and they'll say what happened to us? bigger trouble IMO.

[uberamd]

I go to college 2 hours from home. I bowl league at college, I go home every other weekend or so to bowl at home, so I have 2 places. I guess they are right, I don't need a bunch of bowling balls for where I am at, the 3 I have are good for now, I just enjoy trying to new things.

Same goes for golf, but I can try my friends golf clubs, its different for bowling, since I golf right handed and bowl left, none of my friends can let me 'try' their bowling balls since they are right drilled.

[grayfin68]

Just sounds to me that he already went that route, they say no once its set that way, you go with the its my money route and they'll say what happened to us? bigger trouble IMO.

Bigger trouble than lying to his loved ones and possibly getting caught? What kind of trouble can he get into for being honest?

Things like this make you put things into perspective and think about your priorities in life. Is bowling more important than your girlfriend and parents? It's pretty simple to me.

I'm old and make a good income. I could own a hundred balls if I really wanted to and it wouldn't affect my marriage because my wife understands it and we can afford it.

However, when I was young, I had one ball and an old beat up spare ball that had been redrilled because that's what I could afford (reasonably) while having enough money to date my girlfriend and pay for my car and insurance.

[uberamd]

I don't hide my bowling balls, etc. I may be in college, but I have no expenses to pay monthly, and earn $250 a week at my on campus job on top of what I have saved from the summer, so money isn't tight for me. I don't have a car, so no insurance payments. Semester is paid for. I can get gifts for my gf for valentines day, etc. So I can afford a new bowling ball, it really isn't an issue of money but more an issue of necessity.

[JaraTo]

I don't hide my bowling balls, etc. I may be in college, but I have no expenses to pay monthly, and earn $250 a week at my on campus job on top of what I have saved from the summer, so money isn't tight for me. I don't have a car, so no insurance payments. Semester is paid for. I can get gifts for my gf for valentines day, etc. So I can afford a new bowling ball, it really isn't an issue of money but more an issue of necessity.

*Ahem* yea i think that covers the monthly expenses

[mongoliantreesloth]

....however it is drilled for a righty and I am a lefty. So, I will need to get it plugged, and drilled....What problems come with getting a ball plugged and flipped for the other hand...
Thanks for asking this question. I've just got a lefty ball but I'm a righty - most of the answers are relevant to me as well :)

[agroves]

I've got some balls that are on their fourth redrill. They work fine. I've never had a problem with plugging and redrilling a ball. Just remember to have the pro shop use only a clear plug material. This keeps you on the legal side of Chapter 7,section 2b,2. No metal in the ball. A clear plug is the only way that you can prove the ball is still legal after the plug and redrill. Plus if you ever want to use the ball in any PBA competition,it must have a clear plug per PBA Rules.

K.

Color match any plug job. It won't look like shit and it does help the resale value, even if only alittle. Secondly, with a 140 avg, I wouldn't be concerning myself with worries about PBA competition....not a dig, just the truth.

Dude, you are in college with a job. Time to be a big boy. Its your money, as long as you are responsibe, do with it as you please. Once you start a family, you may not have money for the extras.

Finally, there is a reason that ball is on closeout for 99.99, b/c for the majority of people it was a POS.

Andrew

[TenPinSniper]

Just keep the girlfriend happy and I'm a new bowling ball here or there will not concern her to much. Like Andrew said, things will change it might be good to spulger will you have the chance.

Once you start getting 3-5 balls you might be able to start trading them at the proshop for credit or whn they sale you have credit. Takes the sting out of the purchases for all.

Like it was said, don't worry about the PBA yet. If you bowl one of their events you'll probably want newer stuff and at that point I'm sure they'll understand.

[uberamd]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think the reason I am trying so many balls as I want to find the one that works best for me. In the last 2 weeks I got the BWS, and the Elite Black Label, and then I may be stuck getting this fury now (I told the guy I don't want it anymore but since I already sent money via paypal, I may be out of luck (no, it wasn't an ebay auction)).

As for my average, that is one of the reason I am trying new balls. My average is low, I can't argue that. However, my very FIRST league day with my Elite, which was 2 days after I got it, I averaged 185, got my highest single game of the year in league which was a 216, as well as my highest series of the year, a 555. I was consistent for the most part, and it paid off. Was it the new ball? Partially. It moves more than my Columbia 300 does, I feel like I have better control over it, and it hits harder. I don't average 45 over my league average by dumb luck, with the new ball I was playing better. Which is why I enjoy trying new equipment, I am trying to find what fits me best.

[uberamd]

Alright, so thursday I am taking the big dive into the world of plugging.

The main thing is making sure the track line doesn't go over the holes (which it shouldn't unless I have a high track line im thinking).

My friend also was going to buy my BWS, get it plugged and drilled for a righty (currently its lefty with a balance hole). He seems to have a higher track line, what are the downfalls if the track were to go over the plug holes? How would we test this, by looking at his track line and comparing it to where the plugs would be?

I just don't want him to buy a ball from me and spend money on drilling, etc to find out that its rolling over the plugs and not reacting right, that would make me feel really bad.

[bluerrpilot]

There will be no effect on the ball if its tracking over the plug holes. Dont worry about it.

[uberamd]

There will be no effect on the ball if its tracking over the plug holes. Dont worry about it.

Exactly what I wanted to hear. Thank you Blue!