PRO SHOP INFORMATION
Looking for a new bowling ball? Pro shop service is part of the entire package at Beverly Lanes because equipment is important to a bowler. New bowling balls from all major manufacturers can be ordered and drilled for your hand in usually less than a week. Bowling shoes, bags, and special wrist supports (besides those immediately available behind the desk) may also be ordered.
Our staff can take care of replacing worn finger grips, installing thumb grips, plugging and redrilling holes as well as a myriad of other grip. Frequently you may find great buys on high caliber bowling balls, particularly in the 15-16 lbs. range.
Bowling ball fitting and drilling at Beverly is done primarily by Lyle Zikes. Les Zikes has also measured thousands of hands over the years. Beyond that, junior coaches Roxanne Brod and Chuck Halfpap, and Tony Dussel are also well versed on pro shop information.
With that in mind, here are many of the frequently asked pro shop related questions that are posed to us at the center:
What type of bowling ball works best on your lanes?
There is not a specific type of ball suited primarily for Beverly Lanes, or for any other center, for that matter. The technology of bowling equipment has made leaps and bounds so that today's options include a wide range of cover stocks (affecting surface friction) and interior weight blocks (influencing roll or skid). What works well for one individual could be detrimental to another.
So how do I figure out what will work best for me?
We attempt to help you do that by seeing you bowl and/or asking question about your game. The key is to determine your skills, your aspirations and, perhaps with some pocket book considerations, create a good equipment match.
How much does a new ball cost?
The range is from about $55 to $240. But the highest priced ball is not automatically the best match, particularly for a fairly new bowler. In general, lower priced balls hook very little, if at all. In that regard they are good for spares. Balls priced on the high end have more elaborate core designs and cover stocks that are enhanced by resins and/or particles. They are designed to provide more hook, more hitting power an increased strike percentage. But no matter how high the price tag, no ball will go into the strike pocket on its own. The player still needs to exhibit shot making and lane play skills to take advantage of the technology.
Please provide specifics. What brands and labels do you like?
Fair enough. We'll list some specific bowling balls, their prices (including drilling) and the type of bowler each suits the best.
Spring 2009
Bowling Ball Recommendations
Premium category ($200 and above)
Bowling balls intended by manufactures to be their top of the line product. These balls usually have an aggressive cover stock to go with a complicated interior weight block.
ROTO GRIP CELL: The most popular premium ball of 2008-09. Aggressive. Usually suited best for slick lane conditions but for many bowlers it is their number one go to ball on most conditions.
STORM GRAVITY SHIFT: While the “Shift” line has been out awhile, this one appears to be the best based on their presence in tournament play. It’s aggressive but not a ball that’s prone to “hook at your feet.”
EBONITE MAGIC: Just an overall strong ball. Tends to pick up a roll midlane (20-40 feet) but still offers plenty of continuous back-end energy for most bowlers, especially on relatively high volumes of oil.
Midrange category ($125-$175)
These balls offer a rather wide range of reactions. Bowlers who only carry one ball are often best served by some of the versatile balls in this category
COLUMBIA NOIZE: Quite aggressive for the price with an overall hook potential about as high as any ball on the market.
STORM STREET ROD: Usually produces an angular shape reaction since it goes longer than other balls before it hooks.
HAMMER VIBE: A good option for many bowlers looking to play the drier parts of the lane on house conditions. Medium to mild cover stock with a decent weight block.
Entry level reactive ($85- $110)
Offer mildly reactive cover stocks and fairly simple weight blocks. New bowlers are advised to start with equipment in this category. The EBONITE TORNADO, TROPICAL STORM and BRUNSWICK POWER GROOVE fit into this category.
Plastics ($55-$60)
They are the least expensive but still useful. Better bowlers use plastic ball to shoot spares since they barely respond to rotation and tend to go very straight. For strike shot they represent outdated technology but if personally fitted for a bowler it is far preferable than a house ball.