Hello to all,
I am left handed and I throw a straight ball. Doubt I'll be hooking the ball this year. I've been researching through the internet and going to three local pro shops where I live. Two of the three pro shops seemed to be pushing me towards reactive balls while the internet and one Pro Shop aimed me at plastic balls. The one Pro Shop guy came right back at me when I told him I was left handed and threw straight. He said, "you want plastic." That Pro Shop was also the cheapest of the three looking at plastic balls. I haven't ever bowled in a league but my girlfriend does and we have been talking about joining a summer league this year. Any suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Hey there Rowens. It sounds like the kind of Pro Shop experience that I once had before I found the right Pro Shop that I've now dealt with 4 seven years and wouldn't trade him for the world.
It seems like those Pro Shop people that you mentioned are selling you any kind of ball and don't really have your interest in mind. I see that you live in Maryland. I'm not familiar with anywhere in Maryland. I can give you a suggestion on finding a good Pro Shop and what to look out for.

1. How long has this person been in business?

2. Will he let you try your ball out on the lane to check to see how the ball fits and feels when you release the ball. That way he can make any kind of adjustments right there on the spot.

3. Watch out for pushy sales people. The Pro Shop person should be able to take their time with you without seemingly to be in a hurry. If you run into this that's a red flag. Don't say anymore get out of there and find some one else.

Does your girlfriend own her own ball? If so ask her where she gets her ball from and go from there. If she doesn't then ask good bowlers where they get their equipment at and also go from there. My number one concern in choosing the right Pro Shop would be how I would get treated as a person and not a number. I would say that yes plastic or maybe even urethane would be the best surface to go to. But it would also depend on how far you want to go in bowling and what competitve level you want to be. If you wnat to be competitive and go to tournaments I would highly sugguest that you own at least 3 balls. If you just want to be a once a week recreational bowler and just bowl for fun then one ball would do. For me and my game price is unimportant to me. I'm more concerned with the quality of service that I get and that the ball is right for my game. The number one thing that you should also be concerned with when you get your new ball is to make sure the ball fits your hand properly. Because if it doesn't then you would have all kinds of hand problems. A fit is a must if you want to have fun with this wonderful game of bowling. There's a sign that my ball driller has on his wall and it reads: "A BALL IS NO BARGIN AT ANY PRICE IF IT DOESN'T FIT." And that's so true. I hope that I've given you some perspective on what to look out for and I wish you both happy bowling. Please let me know of you're progress and if there's anything that I can do to help.