Niva's Bowling Blog

As you become better at bowling you will need to learn how to "read the lanes". This is what you do when you understand what lane conditions you are bowling under and how they are changing. Lane conditions can be the most frustrating part of bowling as you get to be a better bowler. For the new bowler, who will generally be working on getting the ball straight down the lane, lane conditions are not a big issue; however, as you improve your game lane conditions will come into play, and you will have to learn how to read the lanes. Wet vs Dry I guess I should discuss here the difference between a wet and a dry lane condition. Basically a wet or "oily" condition means that your ball will slide further down the lane than it will on a dry condition before it hooks. When you are bowling on a "wet" (oily) condition, your ball seems to slide down the lane and not turn over (hook). Sometimes, it seems to slide the whole way down the lane without ever hooking! Whe...

Don't store your ball in extremely hot or cold places. Leaving balls in the car or trunk during hot summer hours can lead to cracking and core separations. Use a ball carrier to transport your ball to avoid accidental mishandling. Wipe oil build-up off your ball regularly with a towel or have it polished. This will maximize performance by keeping the pores from being blocked by dirt and limit the amount of oil that can be absorbed into the coverstock. Don't intenionally drop your ball on hard surfaces. Resufacing: The track of the balls will become scratched and will require resurfacing after 60 to 80 games. Resurfacing should be done using a ball spinner in order to achieve a uniform surface. Sand the ball with 220 or 320 grit sandpaper to remove deep scratches followed by 400 and 600 grit to bring the ball back to factory dull finish. Factory-polished balls requires an extra step. After sanding, it needs to be polished.

Bowling Balls are constructed of one of four basic types of material, and each is designed for a different purpose. The bowling ball most commonly purchased and used by beginning bowlers is plastic, though the balls are actually constructed of polyester . The plastic bowling ball is the least expensive type of ball, very durable, and the same construction as most in-house balls at bowling alleys. A plastic bowling ball generally stays on the course it is thrown and remains straight as it skids down the alley. The plastic bowling ball works well for kids and those learning the sport, but more experienced bowlers prefer a differently constructed ball. The other types of bowling balls are reactive resin, particle, and urethane. These types of bowling balls suit different needs, but anyone learning to throw a hook will be better satisfied with one of these types over plastic. One important consideration when choosing one of these three types of construction is lane conditions. Dry lanes ...