The Hy-Road is more versatile, from what I've seen, than the BW Pearl. I don't think I've ever seen the BW Pearl in the finals of any TV broadcast. The Hy-Road has been there 8-9 times already and used but multiple bowlers, even by Storm staffers throwing against one another.

I originally intended this thread to help people make decisions on their arsenals for themselves. I will have to update the ball list since most of the balls on the original list are now outdated, but the same rules apply if you go back and read the first two posts I made, and apply newer equipment which others here can give you better advice on than me, I can't bowl anymore so I don't have first hand knowledge on the most up to date balls, other than the reviews I have read and results from my students.

If you need help deciding between two balls, post a thread on it and get people's opinion.

When you are building an arsenal, try to think of it like a golfer: You aren't going to have all drivers or all putters in your bag, you need the different clubs to get you through the round.
I have a MaxxZone for heavy/longer oil, a Fury for shorter patterns but heavy oil, a Twisted Fury for medium conditions, a Sidewinder for shorter patterns, a Wizard for medium conditions with a lot of carry down and a urethane ball for super dry conditions.
Most of my layouts are meant to roll rather than snap. I learned that when I first bowled in a PBA regional. I was using the balls that work on a house shot and was getting insane over/under reactions. I would throw a shot and go through the nose, make a 3/2 adjustment left and have a washout, 2 and 1 right and go brooklyn. It is very humbling to go someplace with your 220 average and leave having averaged about 170...

My usual 4 ball bag:
Cell/BWP/SD-73/Pluto/many others for heavy oil
Toxic - Benchmark and my go to ball
Link - When Lanes Start to carry down
WWF Rock Spare - spare ball

if needed ill add:
Roto Grip Neptune - that in between heavy oil benchmark ball
Gold Lable Elite (Polished) - if need something between Link and spare ball

on league nights ill roll with the top 4 but in tournments ill take 5-6, it just depends on how many i want to take in lol

In an attempt to build an arsenal, I'm confronted with the following question: "Do I really need a Mid-Performance Ball?"

Current Arsenal:
Rogue Cell: Med - Heavy
Cell pearl: Med
Twisted Fury: Med
Razyr: Dry
Golden Globe: Spare

I'd say you have a pretty big hole between the Cell pearl/twisted fury and the Razyr.

im a newbie to this bowling game and would love to see maybe an updated list of some equipment that should be in a regular house league. thanks

My "arsenal" consists of a Momentum Swing..period.That said Im a newbie.First ball i have ever owned and first that has a finger tip grip.I joined a league last week and my first time out is this evening.At the end of teh league I will be gettinga Freeze.So I guess I have 2 balls now! I was practicing last week and ran into lanes that were so heavily oild I couldnt get my ball to do anything.So Im thinking I need a heavy oil ball(ok I really just want to spend some money before the wife does).Speed is around 17mph. medium revs and high Track,if 0 degrees equals hand behind the ball and 90degrees equals hand beside the ball(righty towards the gutter) Im at about 50 degrees. any suggestions?

You will have a hard time finding a ball more aggressive than the Momentum Swing: http://columbia300.com/images/uploads/pdfs/performance_comparison_chart.xls

A Virtual Gravity or original Cell might give you a bit more, but it wouldn't be much.

Thank you. When I purchased teh ball I asked for a mid range ball that would give me some hook.It appears that its more than I thought.I do not know much about the drillings but I had anotyehr driller lok at it when I had the finger plugs replaced and he said it was drilled"mild".So Im wondering if maybe I should get something a bit more agressively drilled?