Q. I recently joined a league after many years on the sidelines. I need a new high performance ball but I don't know what would be best for me. Can you help?

A. I can only recommend a manufacturer not which ball they make. To decide that you need to go to the Pro shop professional in your bowling
center. Ask him or her to watch you bowl so they can determine the type of ball you need for your game. All the ball companies have quality equipment but I am partial to either Roto Grip or Dynothane for myself. If you are also in the market for shoes I recommend Dynoroos from Dynothane I believe at this time they are the most comfortable bowling shoes on the market today.

Q. I have heard that if you can only afford to carry two bowling balls you should have one that rolls early and one that rolls late. Is that true? And when should you use each?

A. That would be a good combination for a bowler on a budget. As a general rule you would use the ball that hooks early on fresh oiled lanes or lanes that lean toward heavy oil conditions. You would use the late reacting ball on lanes that are medium to dry. Also later in a set when the lanes begin to dry out in the heads and get oil carry down in the back. If you can afford it you should also have a spare ball.

Q. My friends keep telling me that my ball keeps going Brooklyn. What
is going Brooklyn and how can I keep this from happening?

A. Going Brooklyn means that your ball is crossing over to the opposite pocket from the one you should be hitting. If you are right handed the pocket is the 1 and 3 pins. Going Brooklyn means you are hitting the 1 and 2 pins (opposite for left-handers). This can result from several different factors. You might be aiming at the wrong spot. You might be pulling the ball across your body. You could be hanging up in the ball and releasing it too late. You might just be playing your ball from the wrong angle on the lanes. I suggest that you first go to your centers Pro shop to make sure your ball fits you correctly. Then I would ask them for some help on both where to stand on the approach and what spot to hit. I would also ask them where you could sign up for some lessons. This way if it is a timing or release problem your coach can help you cure that problem. Lessons are the most inexpensive way to learn the game. A series of lessons are cheaper than one new ball and last much longer. Practice won't help if you are practicing bad habits. So get a coach, take a lesson then practice what you learn the results will be worth the price.

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