Archive for June, 2009

Plastic or Urethane? Buying Great Bowling Balls for Less

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Are you ready to kick your game up a notch by buying a bowling ball of your very own? Congratulations! Be warned, however: with all the different types of bowling balls out there, shopping for the perfect match can be pretty overwhelming for a first-time buyer. To help make the task a little easier, start by eliminating some of the options. To begin with, you probably don’t want to opt for a high-performance, expensive pro ball for your first purchase. Naturally, you’re going to want to invest in a quality ball, but fortunately there are plenty of cheap bowling balls out there that will suit your needs just as well as an expensive Hammer or Ebonite.

The cheapest bowling ball out there is made of polyester (yes, just like bad pant suits from the seventies!). The house balls that you’re used to bowling with at your local alley are probably made out of this material. This ball is a real “straight shooter”; it’s not great for any fancy hooking or curving moves, but it’s pretty darn useful for picking up that spare. If you’re a novice bowler, you may want to opt for one of these guys for your first purchase; they’re cheap, easy to use and don’t require a lot of maintenance. Even as you progress to a more advanced ball, you can still keep your trusty old plastic ball and bring it out when you need to score an easy spare.

The next level up is the urethane bowling ball. These are also cheap bowling balls, but are a little softer than the balls described above, and are perfect if you’re ready to start experimenting with a hook. These balls require a little more maintenance than the plastic ball, and will probably need to be polished fairly regularly.

There are many more types of bowling balls out there that you’ll surely discover if you keep progressing in the sport, but these cheap bowling balls are a great bet for beginners. Good luck in your search!

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Proper Care for BowlingBalls

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

If you’ve decided to take your game to the next level and purchase your very own BowlingBall, congratulations! No more being stuck with a ball that’s too heavy or too light when you hit the lanes, no more pinched fingers from having to use a ball with holes that are too small…but what you may not realize is that owning your own ball is also going to entail more than the initial dollar investment.

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Fashion Meets Fun with Designer Bowling Ball Bags

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Let’s face it: bowling just isn’t the most stylish of games. Those plain shoes and standard black balls don’t exactly scream glamour. Luckily, there has never been a better time to introduce some fashionable pizzazz into your game, whether you’re a bowling fashionista yourself, or you’re a guy trying to entice your lady friend to the lanes. A wealth of accessories can let girls and guys create their own personal style on bowling night, one of the most popular being bowling ball bags.

Bowling ball bags come in all styles, shapes and sizes, from modern wheeled bags for the pro bowler who needs to cart his 7-ball arsenal to the lanes, to a retro-style bag for that one lucky ball that you just can’t bowl without. Recently, fashion designers have begun to recognize the potential of the bowling ball bag as a cool, must-have accessory, and now you can snag a bag from super-hot designers like Juicy Couture, Dior, and, yes, even Prada. These bags come in gorgeous patterns and colors, and can be worn on or off the lanes. Attention grabbing? Most definitely…but be prepared to pay shell out major bucks for one of these beauties, which are reported to have 4-digit numbers on the price tag!

Not interested in paying a small fortune for your bag? You can still hit the lanes in style with cute, vintage-style bags from less prestigious labels that won’t break the bank. Lots of retailers are marketing these bags in solid colors and retro patterns. You may not be able to find these bags at your local sporting goods store or pro bowler shop, but surf the web and you’ll be amazed at the options out there! You can find everything from a classic, understated look to over-the-top Hello Kitty adorableness. With all of these choices, you no longer have any excuse not to be a trendsetter at your local alley.

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What’s the Perfect Weight for Bowlingballs?

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

For those of us without our own bowlingballs, one of the biggest dilemmas on bowling night is choosing the best house ball. Some choices are easy to make; you might always opt for the classic black ball, for example, while others prefer a brightly colored or boldly patterned ball. Once you’ve chosen a ball that looks right, however, things can get a little more complicated.

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Clear Bowling Balls: Here to Stay, or a Passing Trend?

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Ever wonder where Bill Murray’s character got his killer bowling ball in the 1999 comedy “Kingpin”? If you secretly envied Murray’s clear ball with its striking red rose in the center, then you’re not alone; clear bowling balls have come back in style with a vengeance, making the lanes shimmer with their luminous style at PBA tours and family bowling alleys alike. These striking balls may seem like the key to psyching out your competitors and capturing attention, but you may want to think twice before shelling out big bucks for one of these trendy items.

If you’re an avid bowler, you may already know that a good bowling ball is constructed with a special core in the center. Different types of balls can have cores of different weights, thicknesses and shapes, and each of these factors affects how the ball will spin and fast it’ll go down the lane. Clear bowling balls with big images in the center (skulls, slot machines and roses being favorites) usually don’t have a core at all, in order to accommodate the picture. These types of balls are thus of lesser quality, and are best used during a casual game with family or friends, or when you have a super easy spare to make. You can order clear bowling balls with cores, but this will affect the ball’s overall appearance, and what’s more, you’ll have to drop some extra coin for a better performing ball.

Finally, remember that this ball is sure to catch attention-which may not be a good thing if you don’t always score a perfect 300! If you’re in doubt, you may want to leave the flashy balls to the high-scoring hot shots, or to kids who care less about their score than looking cool. There’s nothing wrong with sticking to a more decorous, solid-colored ball, after all. If you think you’ve got the guts and really want to make a big splash at the lanes, on the other hand, then go for it! Just remember to reserve the clear ball for the easier shots.

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Hammer Bowling: Products for the Pros

Monday, June 15th, 2009

Want to bowl like a pro? Then you need professional-level equipment. Don’t worry, though; springing for a high-performance bowling ball doesn’t have to break the bank! For the perfect blend of pro precision, eye-catching flair and realistic prices, check out Hammer bowling balls. The evocative names of Hammer’s balls (like “Black Widow,” “Raw Hammer,” or “Razyr”) are practically enough to guarantee an extra jolt in your game by themselves.

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Bowling shoes can be cute? Since When?”

Friday, June 12th, 2009

Poorly fitting (and even worse-smelling) shoes can really ruin your bowling experience. Whether you only bowl a few times a year, hit the lanes every Friday night with your friends or compete in an amateur league, buying your own pair of bowling shoes can go a long way in making your game more enjoyable. Who knows; if you’re having more fun, your score just might improve too!

Intimidated by the prospect of buying your own pair of bowling shoes? Then check out Dexter bowling shoes. This is a good bet for first-time buyers; the brand is popular, readily available and also reasonably priced. Not only can you pick out exactly the right size for you (no more pinched toes!), but these shoes are also equipped with padding for comfort, just like a regular sports shoe. Bowlers also tend to like the Dexter brand for its long-lasting durability, meaning you’ll get at least a couple of years’ worth of wear out of a single pair.

Of course, some of us are looking for a little more than just plain old comfort and durability. Who hasn’t been embarrassed by being stuck with a funky-colored pair of rental bowling shoes? The great thing about Dexter bowling shoes is that there’s a surprising range of colors and styles for both men and women to choose from. Conservative dressers can opt for a demure solid black or plain white, or go for a lady-like white shoe with pink accents. The more fashion-forward, on the other hand, might be enticed by some of the bright colors and bold, unique patterns that the Dexter line offers. And for those who just can’t be bothered to tie and untie their shoes each time they bowl, some models are even available with Velcro tabs instead of shoelaces!

Check your local sporting goods store to see if Dexter bowling shoes are in stock, or just do a quick web search to see what the brand has to offer. Next thing you know, you’ll be wowing the alley with your style, if not with your game.

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New Ideas for old Bowling Balls

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

Just can’t bear to part with your beloved old Bowling Ball, even though you bought it twenty years ago, it’s got a crack in it and somehow it always ends up in the gutter, no matter how perfect your throw? Even the best bowling balls bite the dust eventually, but don’t worry; you aren’t obliged to toss your beloved ball into the dumpster.

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