Best bowling equipment according to redditors
We found 142 Reddit comments discussing the best bowling equipment. We ranked the 98 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 142 Reddit comments discussing the best bowling equipment. We ranked the 98 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
I have this:
http://www.amazon.com/Vise-Three-Roller-Bowling-Black/dp/B00EREJE9I/
You can add a shoe bag (that clips on to the roller tote) for about $25.
IMO you won't find anything better.
> What's the best way to clean them?
A spray cleaner like this or this would work for a basic clean up, but the balls may need a full detox and resurface at a pro shop depending on their condition. With 30 balls, I'd probably just clean them up with a spray cleaner and let the future owners have the resurface done when they plug and re-drill them. (See below)
> Anything I should check for besides cracks?
Cracks and big divots in the surface of the ball are the big ones. Minor scrapes and scratches can be worked out at the pro shop when the new owner has the ball plugged and re-drilled.
> I think they may have custom finger holes. Anything I can do about that?
If any of the balls get sold (depending on age/condition, many of them may not be worth the hassle), the new owner would need to take the balls to a local pro shop and have them fill in the holes (known as plugging) and then redrill to their hand's measurements. Nothing for you to do about that.
> I notice a lot of these balls have another hole besides the three finger holes. What is the purpose of it?
You're referring to a balance hole/weight hole. You can read more about them here.
> What's the best way to sell? eBay? Craigslist? Bowling forum?
Like anything else, take lots of pictures and try to be as detailed as possible about the specifics (brand, model, etc.) Many of the balls may not be worth anything, so it could be a diminishing rate of return. I think you can post for sale items here as long as you don't spam the boards. Might be worth checking with the mods to be sure. Craigslist would be another good option. Ebay also.
I'd love to see pictures of what you've got just out of curiosity.
Southwest (as noted) is ideal because they don't charge for checked bags.
A Vise 3-ball tote with three 15# balls in it weighs exactly 50#. I did this when I flew down to Florida a few months ago to visit the Kegel Training Center and it worked very well. I use a backpack for all of my shoes/tape/accessories so that was easy, and then just a small suitcase for clothes.
https://www.amazon.com/Salmon-Creek-NuBall-Bowling-Rejuvenator/dp/B00BCQ0YG6
I have one and swear by it. It's amazing and an awesome investment. Much better than other homemade alternatives IMO.
Shoe slide cover. It will work wonders. Be careful at first until you are used to the slide, or you may fall.
https://www.amazon.com/KAZE-SPORTS-Bowling-Slider-Black/dp/B01M27BWLT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485452023&sr=8-1&keywords=shoe+slide+cover+bowling
That's kind of tough if you want it to be anything approaching a surprise... bowlers are very particular when it comes to their stuff. I am sure no one would turn down a nice bowling ball cloth, but that's not terribly expensive.
The only other semi-personal thing I can think of, depending on how big of a cornball your uncle wants to be, you might be able to get personalized team shirts (either silkscreened tshirts or embroidered polos) made for that amount for each person?
Otherwise, I think you're going to have to find out ahead of time what he actually wants and get that, or a gift certificate to his local pro shop.
New shoes will take some getting used to. If you look at the bottom of rental shoes they are (almost always) entirely leather except for the heel. Most bowling shoes the slide portion is only on the sole of the foot ending just past the balls of your feet.
So if you learned to slide more whole-footed with rental shoes then you will get that catching feeling with your new shoes. You'll probably need to learn to slide more on your toes and ball of your foot.
An option that may help is a shoe slide. I've been bowling with a shoe slide because my shoes are too tacky. The shoe slide tends to cover more of the shoe and might help you not to catch. Though it may not help in the long run to become reliant on a shoe slide.
https://www.amazon.com/bowlingball-com-Shoe-Slider/dp/B004KQ75ZS/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1510862214&sr=1-1&keywords=shoe+slide
I used wet/dry 3m sandpaper in stages of grit: 220, 320, 400, 800, 1000. Each sanded by hand wet. I then dampened an Abralon 4000 grit pad and did a final resurfacing. I would have liked to use a 2000 and 3000 grit abralon, but I didn't have one. Finally, I used this ball cleaner and polish which added a nice shine to it. I am impressed with how well it came out and reacts on the lane. By hand, it took about 2 hours total.
I turned a 2500 grit/matte finish surface into a 4000 grit/polished surface.
Why are they so expensive?
I bought this and love it:
http://www.amazon.com/Rawlings-ROSPRO-Rock-Rosin-Bag/dp/B000QEHXNW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452298564&sr=8-1&keywords=large+rock+rosin
Pyramid apparently has one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TVFNV9Z?pf_rd_p=183f5289-9dc0-416f-942e-e8f213ef368b&pf_rd_r=4ERVYZC7XHR0R48NV4R8
Also since you seem relatively unfamiliar with buying bowling balls: balls generally come undrilled so no need to look for a black market haha!
Nah, order him this:
https://www.amazon.com/Salmon-Creek-NuBall-Bowling-Rejuvenator/dp/B00BCQ0YG6
So rubbing alcohol is a decent cleaner, people have been using it for a long time. The only thing is that it is not designed as a de-greaser and has a bit of trouble picking up the oil. It would be better than no cleaning at all but IMO not quite as good as a specific bowling cleaner.
My recommendation would be tac up
here is some good ball at good prices. pending on how much it cost to get it drilled in your area it should be within that price range, amazon also has the lower end stuff under$70, if you have prime then it's a good deal. my son just picked up the original track tactix for $88 at amazon and that ball is well worth the price.
https://smile.amazon.com/Roto-Grip-Idol-Bowling-Magenta-13lbs/dp/B07BBPQQWQ/ref=sr_1_104?fst=as%3Aoff&qid=1565300963&refinements=p_n_size_browse-bin%3A2637524011&rnid=2637519011&s=sports-and-fitness&sr=1-104
https://smile.amazon.com/Radical-Bowling-Intel-Pearl-13/dp/B07DR2LP7G/ref=sr_1_145?fst=as%3Aoff&qid=1565301023&refinements=p_n_size_browse-bin%3A2637524011&rnid=2637519011&s=sports-and-fitness&sr=1-145
there are three standard outer diameter sizes for grips: 7/8", 31/32", and 1-1/32". the first and last are very rare; you have to have extremely tiny or extremely large fingers to need a grip in a size that only comes in those ODs so i wouldn't worry about it. 99% of bowlers use 31/32" grips.
the outside of the grip as well as the inside (at least on vise brand grips) will have a size on them so you can figure out what you need. the inside number (if there is one) will refer to the numerator in the fractional size, i.e. if it's an 11/32" grip it will say "11." on the outside it will list the full fractional size (ex. 11/32"), outer diameter (ex. 31/32"), as well as another number (ex. 4.5) that is intended to make buying grips easier/more convenient by making sizes go up in 0.5 increments from -1 so you don't have to remember the fractional size. in this handy chart it is referred to as "equivalent" and it is the same across all brands. i would just worry about the fractional size because you don't have to translate that to another numbering scheme; the size is the size.
because your PSO is so far away, i would recommend learning how to remove and install grips yourself. you will need a grip puller and glue. a work-out tool isn't completely necessary but i would recommend it for removing any remains from the grip left on the inside of the hole so that the next grip you put in fits true instead of being slightly more snug than it should be. a grip puller makes removing grips super simple and straightforward. for glue i suggest loctite ultra gel control. it will stay where you put it instead of running all over the place which makes mistakes less annoying and lets you be more precise. it also gives you a little more time to make any last-second corrections in grip orientation due to its slightly longer setting time.
hope this helps.
I can second this. I bought the one that akimbojimo229 recommended and was amazed at how well it pulls the oil off the ball. Almost like a sponge. https://www.amazon.com/Genesis-Pure-Bowling-Ball-Wipe/dp/B014YVXW00/ref=sr_1_36?dchild=1&keywords=leather+shammy&link_code=qs&qid=1570196315&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-36
So there are ways to go about this. Amazon is a very good friend. Idk if there is a better deal but.
What if I were to get the dexter jack and put one of these on my shoes?
I have 3 different thumb tapes. They are all different thickness.
https://www.amazon.com/Motiv-Flex-Protective-Performance-Black/dp/B01KP41V2G
is very thin.
​
Black Storm is pretty thick.
​
I also have the Lind tan stuff it is in between both of them.
Makes sense, summer is awesome for vitamin d, sucks when you want to look cute in layers. You could always get a little sheer with the snake print, something like this, plus it gives it golden girls vibe with your necklace.
Or a leather belt with a snake buckle.
Meeting the Tennant sounds awesome, every interview I've seen/heard makes him seem like a pretty nifty guy. Plus he's got the Scottish charm thing going on.
Whatever look you end up with, have fun!
ControlFreeks are worth it, hands down (pun intended)
My hands would get a little sweaty and uncomfortable during long sessions. Tried one of those bowler powder bags at one point, still kind of use it from time to time, but the ControlFreeks give good grip and my hands sweat less. I like that I could cut it so the chatpad still fits, and used the excess on the backside of the chatpad.
The rear casing I got with the paddles came with a bumpy "grip" texture, thought it'd be cool but honestly don't like it and just wrapped the ControlFreek grip over it. Had I known that it would be that bad I'd have gotten a smooth finish rear shell so the grip sticks better, but haven't really had any issue with it after I got it set on.
I recently purchased a bowling rosin bag that I use when I play. The bag has a anti-moisture powder inside and I just grip it between matches/deaths.
This is the one I purchase, but I got mine at my local bowling center. They have different ones you can use. Just search for rosin bag.
http://www.amazon.com/Ebonite-Ultra-Grip-Sack-colors/dp/B000MECMN2/ref=pd_sim_sg_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JFESC6GJ2WE1QKCR18F
I was developing a callus on the back of my thumb from it rubbing because I was gripping a little too much and started using [tape](http://www.Motiv.com/ Flex Protective Performance Tape Black - Pre Cut 40 Pieces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KP41V2G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_wSyoDbJQ7863T) on the area and it's helped tremendously.
The other thing I have found in my own experience and wether it's a mental thing in my head or not with thumb slugs, but any colors other than black or white feel rough on my thumb and irritates it and increases swelling. I have no proof if the color matters, but it seemed to for me and is why I went to switch grip insert.
Get a rosin bag. I bowled collegiately and you use it to keep your hands tacky in that sport so your grip is consistent from shot to shot. Works just as well on a mouse. I'm pretty sure this is essentially what products like gamer grip are made of anyway.
I use this
Get it, smash the hell out of it inside the bag you get it in so it's crushed into a more fine powder. Squeeze it, toss it around in your mouse hand and you're good.
A Rosin bag for sweaty hands
http://www.amazon.com/Master-Skin-Patch/dp/B007F0AU58.
It shouldnt hurt if you are not grabbing it tight. Else its the pitching problem.but dont worry about it man as long as your release is good. Pro uses tape and necessary equipment to help them bowl better with comfort too. Missy parkin uses glove because her finger always tear from intensive bowling.i use a glove that covers my thumb ,index and pinky too so that my thumb doesnt get abrasion.
What kind of rosin bag are you using?
There are the white ones like this that emit a ton of rosin, so much that it will coat your hand:
http://www.amazon.com/Ebonite-Ultra-Grip-Rosin-Bag/dp/B000MEFSHY
I would only use those in very, very humid/sweaty environments and very sparingly at that, otherwise it will eventually cause sticking.
Then there are "dry bags" like these, which are more of a middle ground:
http://www.amazon.com/bowlingball-com-Microfiber-Ultra-Grip-Ball/dp/B004KQ393U/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MECMN2/
I'm not sure if these are technically 'rosin' bags, per se, but that's what I call them anyway. The rectangular "dry bag" is what I use nowadays and can use it to combat moisture all night without getting sticky. However, I still make it part of my routine to rub out my thumbhole, just in case there's buildup.
There's going to be variance between brands, so you'll just have to ask around or try a couple different versions until you find one that suits you.
If you happen to overdo it, you can sneak off to wash your hands with soap and water and start over. Just make sure to dry them thoroughly obviously. I don't like doing that when I'm bowling well, mainly for superstition, but there have been nights it helped me regain my grip.
Does it have to be Siaair, or can Abralon be used? Or TruCut brand?
It does get slippery when your hands are sweaty. Holoball seems to be a particular problem with this. I might want to get a bag of rosin to help, but i'm still not sure. The problem isn't so bad, my hands get way sweatier in windlands, but because you're swinging it it can slip. I've never let it go, but i have felt it slip.
Another thing that makes this worse is the controller is tapered towards the back, so when you swing it, the force actually reduces your grip on the controller. ping pong paddles and tennis rackets are flared towards the end to prevent this. Hopefully the gen 2 vive controllers take this into consideration.
So did I! It's a skin patch basically glued to my thumb and then the skin underneath was split open and bleeding. So it looks much more gnarly than it actually was. Just very painful.
Yes, in a ball oven (not in the oven in the kitchen)
Ball Oven example
This may or may not be them on Amazon