My daughter joined her first league at the begining of the winter season. Currently she is throwing a 9 lb. conventional grip White Dot. She is averaging around 125 but lately has been throwing scores in the 160-180 range. I feel she's ready to move to a fingertip ball with a little more performance. What balls, in your opnion, should I consider? I'm looking to move her up to an 11-12 lb. ball. Thanks for your help!!!

Rusty, you don't say how old your daughter is. Or how fast she throws the 9lb ball. Your best bet is to discuss this matter with a youth coach and Pro Shop person, so they can see her bowl and determine if she's able to handle a fingertip ball of more weight.

Rusty, if you yourself bowl, then you know how sporadic scoring can be. You can go on an abosolute tear for weeks, then come back to earth with more average scores. It sounds like your daughter is doing great and enjoying the game, but I'd get someone to actually watch her before determining a ball upgrade.

Erin

I second Erin's suggestion. You want to make sure she can handle a fingertip span, and you want to make sure she's ready for a heavier ball. They're both big moves. Ball speed and how the ball rolls is also important to know. And on top of that, she'll have to get used to how a more agressive ball reacts. There's alot of changes there.

You're going to be a lot better off with someone watching her and looking at what she's doing and making a recomendation.

I agree too. Anytime you make changes to your game you can expect to take a couple steps back before you get better. This can be very frustrating! Listen to the person who watches your daughter bowl, but I would suggest taking a couple steps up over time rather then jump from a 9 pound ball to a 12 pound fingertip. They are totally different shots and it could discourage your daughter from bowling. You might want to introduce it to her over the summer instead of during league. Also, you said that you feel she is ready to move up, make sure she feels that way too before you do anything.

Thanks for the replies. She's 13 and without timing her ball I would say she throws preety hard. Her shot is becoming more consistant. Besides the 3 games she bowls on Sat. Jr.s, she practices an additional 6-8 games on Sat. The school she plans on attending next year has asked her to join their team. As for a youth coach, that is pretty much a non entity. I volunteer as a coach. And yes I have coached before although it was 15 yrs. ago. She's throwing a semi- roller and you can see her hook developing. My thoughts as an upgrade from the White Dot would be the Hyde by Columbia. I don't think we'll jump to 12 lbs but maybe 11 and as for her being ready , she can't wait till summer.I never planned on changing her routine till this league was complete. If anyone has any other ball suggestions , Id love to hear them. THANKS AGAIN!!.......Rusty