There's lots of bowling equipment out there. The question is, how much of it do you need to own and what does it all do? Here's a rundown of equipment, from the most basic to equipment for those who need an extra edge.
Obviously, you need a bowling ball in order to bowl, whether you have your own or use one from the bowling alley. Choosing one can be confusing.
Balls come in various weights, from 6-16 pounds. Choosing one that is of comfortable weight is important: too light and you won't have control over the ball; too heavy and you'll be off balance and feel fatigue early in the game.
It's important to have proper fit for the finger holes. If the holes are too big, the ball may slip off your hand, while too small may result in your fingers sticking. The spacing of the holes is important, as well. The bowling ball should rest in your hand with a small gap between it and your palm. Beginners generally use balls drilled for more of the finger to be inserted, while more experienced bowlers that are used to handling the ball have them drilled for using just their fingertips. In either case, the thumb hole is usually drilled for the thumb to be inserted more fully.
So what are bowling ball coverstocks made of? Balls intended for beginners are made of polyester (often referred to as plastic). These balls evolved from rubber coverstocks from the 1950s (earlier balls were made of wood). Coverstocks intended for more advanced bowlers are made from urethane. They have a small amount of hook potential and work well for more experienced bowlers who only use one ball. For those who like to have bowling balls for various lane conditions (or want "strike" and "spare" balls - often one that can hook a lot and one that hooks very little or not at all), a reactive resin ball may be the answer. Because these coverstocks are more sensative to lane conditions or throwing errors, they can be harder to control. However, they offer excellent hook potential and are available in both glossy and dull surfaces for a variety of lane conditions. Particle technology coverstocks offer the most hook potential on medium to oily lane conditions. These sufaces have gripping materials embedded in them to allow them to cling to the lane, even in the slickest of conditions. However, with the fact that they are not useful in drier conditions and are harder to control, they are not appropriate for beginners or those that like to only use one ball.
So how does a bowling ball hook? Some balls are weighted to increase rotation. That, combined with certain coverstocks, can produce a ball that with a large amount of hook potential. This means, when thrown properly, the ball can hook a great deal. However, the ball won't hook by itself (though you may notice a slight hook, even when thrown straight). The ball must be thrown correctly to produce a hook. It takes practice to throw a proper hook.
Bowling shoes are an important part of bowling. First, they keep dirt and other debris from being tracked onto the playing surface. Second, the soles of the shoes are smooth, which allow the bowler to slide during the release. This prevents the path of the ball form being jarred by a sudden stop. Shoes from the bowling alley are usually just as good as those you can buy; they just may not be as comfortable or look as stylish. If you plan to bowl often, you may want to purchase a pair of shoes to ensure you will always have access to the right size. You'll also avoid the need for frequent rentals. Children are usually better off using rentals because they will outgrow shoes quickly. Most adults should get long use out of a pair of bowling shoes.
If you have a bowling ball, having a proper bag for it is important. It protects the ball from impact damage, keeps it clean, and allows your ball, shoes, and other accessories to be stored and carried in one bundle. Bags come in soft and hard case designs and are available in models that can hold multiple bowling balls. Larger bags often include wheels to aid in carrying the combined weight of more than one ball.
When throwing the ball, it's important to not hook your wrist. Some people find themselves doing this involuntarilly and use a wrist guide to prevent it. By placing the wrist in a proper posistion, wrist guides can also help prevent fatigue. These guides can consist of a simple strap or a complicated device that can look like something from The Terminator. They all serve the same function and it's a matter of how much help you need to immobilize your wrist that will determine what type you need.
Rosin can help keep oils on the skin from affecting your grip on the ball. If your fingers tend to get oily, a rosin bag may be a good investment. However, most people can get away with using a towel or the blowers on the ball return.
The bowling towel can serve multiple uses. Most bowlers us it to wipe extra oil off the before throwing the next shot. It can also be used to dry your hands of finger oils. Towels can remove dirt or other substances from the soles of your bowling shoes or the approach area to the lane (just make sure the towel is not used on the ball aftwards until it is laundered). It can also provide extra padding for the bowling ball when it is in the bag.
Sometimes the fit of a ball may be a little loose or tight depending on weather, temperature, and how far into the game you are. Bowler's tape can be placed inside the finger holes to make them smaller when the fit feels loose, and removed as your fingers swell during the game. Bowlers often use a special knife (which includes a file for removing burrs from the finger holes) to apply the tape.
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