A spare ball, usually plastic and drilled to go straight, is considered essential for good bowlers these days, so I decided it was time to add one to my “arsenal” and headed to the pro shop today. I had to wait for Jon to finish a lesson with someone, but when the pro shop officially opened for business, I picked out a 15 lb. red-black-gold (I liked the red and black in the scheme…my high school’s colors) Brunswick Target Zone (my chosen color scheme is the bottom ball on the page). Jon laid out the ball to be drilled like my High-Voltage is currently, except to go straight, and Brian drilled it. I wanted more or less the same feel as my strike ball, so this ball also has finger grips. I like the feel of the slug in my High-Voltage, but I was told they don’t put them in plastic balls, as they have a tendency to crack the ball.
During my free game, I concentrated on shooting my corner pins. I’m pleased to report that I did not miss a single 10 pin in the game, and maybe only one 7 pin (I say maybe because the pin was already down when I shot at it, making it a “shadow” pin). The frame I was most pleased about was the 4th frame, when I picked both the 7 and the 10 (shooting the 10 first) clean out of the rack. Hopefully, the acquisition helps me improve my spare game. As I have no room in my locker currently for three balls, the old wine U-Dot has been “retired” to the house ball rack.
Pro shop notes:
- USA Bowling Pro Shop will be running “Learn to Bowl” classes at Westgate Lanes on October 12 and November 9 (both Sundays) from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM for 16 bowlers each class. The cost is $25/person for the 3 hours, and includes video analysis. Sign up in the pro shop if you’re interested in a class.
- Ebonite International will be running a Columbia 300 and Hammer demo day at Westgate Lanes on Oct. 18, with squads beginning from noon to 5 PM. Bowlers will be able to try out the latest Columbia 300 and Hammer balls. The cost is $10/person and bowlers participating will receive $10 off merchandise in the pro shop.
The Tenth Board 