Ok, to follow-up on these posts. I am now using my 15lb "Prime Time" Pearl with a more aggressive drilling pattern. I seem to get more pin action and have less of a tendency to overthrow the ball as I was doing with my 14lb Tornado. The particle resin handles the oil alot better. My average has went up from about 155 to 170, including my high series ever of 569. I'm getting more strikes now than ever before. Yet, my spare play has taken a decline. I am again having more difficulty picking up the 9 and 10-pin spares. I had worked this out using the Tornado and could pick them up with pretty good consistency.

Now, the Prime Time hooks more and reacts with the lane more and makes the right side (RH bowling) even more difficult. Also, in order to carry more strikes my release has become more consistent and "natural" feeling. I have a greater difficulty in trying to break the wrist and follow straight through with the release.

Also, the Tornado has a different feel when holding the ball and makes it feel strange when trying to throw it (drilled slightly different-shorter span and slightly larger thumb, the Prime Time is more of stretched span by the time I fully insert the thumb). Therefore, its difficult to throw the Tornado just to pick up the right side spares.

Now, all this being said, I have decided to purchase a plastic spare ball! Changing the release was a very temporary fix, and now with the higher average every spare/open becomes even more important.

I have also decided that it would be best to drill the ball exactly the same as my other ball. In order to achieve the same "feel" when holding/releasing the ball. As, someone previously suggested in this thread.

I'm curious to know what weight you guys suggest for a spare ball, and also if there's a specific Brand/Model you suggest. I'm leaning towards a Maxim, Target Zone, or White Dot, but I'm very uncertain. Any help is appreciated.

Also, Thanks for the advice on picking up right side spare combos...i.e. most are the same as picking up the 6-pin. This has really helped avoid confusion when I get up to throw these kinds of spares.

I'm going to post this discussion on spare ball brand and weight in the Pro Shop forum. I think it belongs there instead of here.

All spare balls are the same. Instead why not make a choice based on price or color?

Take note that the Columbia bluedot hooks less than other polyester balls on the market.

All spare balls are not the same.... They vary in hardness which makes a difference in how they roll or slide.

Sorry didn't realise that.

But is there a significant difference in different spare balls?

The bluedot is obvious to me but I've never noticed much of a difference in other polyester spare balls. Does this also have anything to do with the type/shape of weight blocks from the various companies besides the hardness of the coverstocks?

btw: are there any online articles, you can recommend on this subject? I'm just really curious

Thanks!

It's mostly just the hardness of the ball, the harder the surface the more it slides on the lane.

Much like the tires on a car, harder rubber has less traction than softer rubber.

so that means I basically have to compare the hardness rating of the different brands of spareballs correct?

Personally I chose the hardest ball. Knowing that the lane conditions would effect it the least. If you still want a little hook out of the ball, any of the common polyester balls will give you that. If you want the ball to just slide all the way to the pins without the influence of your release, then the harder Bluedot is the one to get.

My Hammer Big Blue Spare ball works nice too. I throw it with my usual hook release so I can work on my consistency and it goes straight. Not always straight at the pin that still stands, but that's my fault.