Why do so many people keep older balls? I have 1 other, and I don't know why I even kept it. I have a neighbor who spray paints them Bronze, Gold and Silver and uses the old balls as ornamental pieces in his garden.

I guess some people like to keep older ball just in case. I dont know. I actually had a NITRO/R and Crush/R until Oct then we moved so i tossed them. Now if i buy a b all to replace a ball i will give it someone who wants it or my Pro Shop will take it if i dont want it.

I usually carry the following 4

Hammer Vibe
Hammer Big Rig
Hammer Doom
Storm Hot Rod Pro Stock (Solid)

I also have a Columbia Action that I can only use when there's real soup on the lanes, which is almost never. It's good to have it just in case though.

Dennis, I still have my Brunswick GTB that I used in junior bowling that my dad bought for me in 1988. It was the first ball that I had that wasn't a hand-me-down. It's sitting in my closet. I had so many good games with that ball (won a couple of tournaments and placed in quite a few with it) that I hold onto it for sentimental reasons. When I retire my Messenger and retire my Xxxcel, those will be held onto as well as they were the ones I shot my 300 and 803 with, respectively.

I did sell my Nitro that brought me high game and high 6 when my school won the New York State High School Bowling State Championships, though. I didn't have it long, so it's value wasn't as much. I have the video, a scrapbook and 2 medallions from that day. Those take up less space, and they're easier to dust, too.

I wish i kept my Junior Bowling Ball. It was Ebonite Black Turbo was my first ball i got finger tip in and the ball i learned to hook a ball with.

Right now I've got three balls, and probably won't be buying any more until I really improve my form, because right now I'd rather improve my game with technique than by buying more equipment. My three are:

Ebonite Xxcel - heavy/medium
Storm Triple X-Factor - medium/light
Ebonite Maxim - spares

Ebonite Infinite One: 1000 Sanded. (Used for Pattern 5, dull surface to create friction on the back-end. Generally play up 15 or 10 for heavy oil volume)

Special Agent: 2000 polish. (Used on Regional Patterns 3 & 4 and transition on Pattern 5. Special Agent has all around hooking power without a lot of snap. Too much for Pattern 2, however finds its home with medium length and volume)

Action Max: 2000 polish (Used primarily on Pattern 5 if the Infinite One burns up or if I get an over/under reaction with the Special Agent. Has a stronger back-end skid/snap then the Special Agent which helps with carry down.)

Inertia: 1000 Sanded (Pattern 2 & Pattern 4. Down and In on both patterns is made possible with the Inertia. However with polish is tends to slide a bit more then it wants to bite. However if they dry out quickly it will burn up and goes back in the bag, to be replaced with...)

Jolt Pearl: 4000 Polished (Pattern 2 when it gets late in the game Jolt Pearl makes a showing. One of the most consistent rolling balls on light oil that I have ever thrown. Also used on our League and Open Bowling House Shot)

Power Groove: 2000 Polished (Not used very often, sometimes on a House shot when the Jolt just isn't giving me the right angle. Has a bit more back end then the Jolt which gives it a more aggressive angle.)

Wow! 15 balls?!?! O_O The bowling bag can't fit for 15 balls. Are 15 balls own by someone or by Sponsors?

I've still got a black U dot and a Cobra in the basement. I just can't bring myself to throw them away . I did pitch the Angle LD though.

Dennis, I don't know about anyone else, but the reason I keep my older balls is because on house shots, they all work. When I bowled on the PBA shots last summer, the patterns used heavier oil. On these patterns, the older balls hooked a little less. But if I lined myself up to adjust, I could still score just as well as the newer balls. I also can't afford to keep buying $250 balls all of the time. So I search for deals. On a house shot, my X-Factor and Deuce can keep up with anything.