As I mentioned in last weeks tip, I get asked the question, why do you have so many bowling balls? Today I would like to answer that question and hopefully shed some light on this subject.

The variety of products on your pro shops shelves is far greater today than it has been anytime in the past.  Every manufacturer is making a better product than they did a couple of years ago.  There are even bowling balls that promise to work in all conditions.  However as part of “progress” or evolution, bowling balls are becoming more specialized.

As a former PBA Member I have encountered a vast array of oil patterns. If I didn’t have more then one bowling ball in my bag then I wouldn’t be able to match up to the oil pattern and be able to compete. Adapting to the conditions is the main reason competitive bowlers carry more than one ball.  This is called your arsenal.  Let’s look at golf for a second; do you have one club in your bag?  No!  So why would a bowler have one ball in their bag?  Golf clubs are made for certain distances and certain particular shots.  The same is true with bowling.  You have aggressive cover stock bowling balls to combat heavy oil patterns.  You have medium aggressive bowling balls for those medium to lighter oil patterns.  You have a spare ball in your bag for your spare shooting, and you have at least one ball in your bag for those light oil conditions.

So these are the reasons we have more then one bowling ball in the bag. Ball choice comes down to two issues…lane conditions and your personal style.  So to combat different lane conditions we need more than one ball in our arsenal.  If you’re not in it to be competitive then you don’t need more than one ball. But if you’re looking to improve your game and increase your scores, then you need to start building an arsenal.

Until next time I hope you have fun bowling and remember you can comment on any of my tips and I would love to read them. So remember, have fun, and shoot some big scores!!!

T.J. Yeip is the Manager of GLC Bowling and the Lead Technical Advisor. He is an IBPSIA Advanced Certified Member and former PBA member. You can email your questions to him personally at thomas.yeip@glcbowling.com