There are many new balls released every month, what I would like to ask is how do you know the if this new ball is suitable for your bowling style ? Is there a difference in ball selection if you play a straighter line or a small hook as compare to one who swing out his shot ? How will the RG and flare affect your selecion of a new ball. At present moment, I leave it to the Pro Shop to recommend the ball to me, but it doesn't really work out sometimes. Bowling balls are expensive so would like to learn more form the expert here so that the next time if I get a new ball I know what to look out for...thanks !

If you know what balls you have had good experiences with in the past, it is possible to match up the core numbers and type of coverstock to try to match it pretty close. If you have not had many bowling balls, then the best thing to do is ask the people at your Pro Shop and have them recommend a ball for you, or if you know what type of lane condition you want the ball for and the type of reaction you want compared to a ball you already have. For instance if you have a Columbia rival and find that your lanes are a little too oily for it at the beginning of the night, then you will want the resurgence to match up with it, or if the rival is burning out you may want to go with a dead flush or momentum.

Don't be afraid to try new things either. I recently bought a ball that was specifically to be used on the Shark and Scorpion patterns and I have found that it is quite versatile and works great on the House shot as well. You may be pleasantly surprised.

sometimes the pro shops like what they have tried most of the time. the guy i deal with usually tries to recommend what he's had experience with. also you are right on how much you want it to hook. some balls are far more aggressive than others. some are for oily lanes and some for medium oil. i like to have one for both. like the my twisted. it hits hard and pin action is amazing, but it can burn up about 2nd game and i move to my kinetic energy when this happens. the kinetic goes longer than the twisted and can hit as hard too. i'd like to have one more for dryer lanes as they tend to be here sometimes. it like coachjim said it all about your style too.

180Fury, for dry lanes look into getting the older Ebonite Bash before they run out of them, it is a cheap ball that is great for dry lanes. The new one is a solid the old one is a pearl, the new one (red black) is better for medium light oil the old one was great for dry, I never saw this ball burn up on me.

hey thanks i'm looking into getting a dry lane ball and i didnt know that the bash would be good one on a dry lane. i love my clash and the bash would be a good complement. they have an old one at the shop and i was trying to find something along that line and you just mite have helped me on that one. thanks jim i owe ya one.

If I have success with low RG balls (btw 2.48 to 2.52) but not so for middle RG balls (2.55 and above) so this be one of the criteria in choosing a new ball ?