After you’ve taken the plunge and bought your own bowling ball, the next question to consider (usually after you’ve continued to improve) is whether you should have more than one of them.
At just about any bowling league you’ll see quite a few bowlers carting around large bags with at least two bowling balls, so should you emulate them? Will getting a second ball do much to improve your game?
Is It Worth Getting a Spare Ball?
There’s a particular reason that bowlers carry more than one ball. Most bowlers roll their first shot with a hook, and a spare ball is used for a more precise second throw that won’t hook away from the pin(s) that remain.
(Think especially of the dreaded ten pin spare or seven for lefties–which leaves you very little margin for error.)
Since picking up your spares is a surefire way to make a big improvement to your score, adding a dedicated spare ball is a good way to better convert your spares, especially those on the side of your bowling hand.
But other bowlers would argue that a spare ball isn’t completely necessary.
This can range from straight bowlers to hook bowlers who have learned to alter their release to throw their “strike” ball (often made of a reactive coverstock) straight.
At the end of the day, it’s a personal preference, but having a spare ball in your arsenal will certainly give you more options.
When to Get a Second Bowling Ball, and Which to Pick?
If you’ve decided that you’d like the advantage of a dedicated ball for spares and you don’t want to have to alter your release to throw a straight shot, then it’s time to buy a spare ball.
Because of the reasons discussed in the last paragraph, a plastic ball is going to be the best choice for your spare ball. And fortunately, these are the least expensive balls so you can get a second ball without breaking the bank.
It’s a good idea to match the weight of your spare ball with your strike ball, so it will feel familiar and you won’t have to mess with the speed of your release. Beyond that, plastic balls are all fairly similar, so taking a look at our list of top plastic balls is one resource you can use to find one.
Asking the readers: if you’re a regular bowler, do you opt to carry a spare ball with you or do you “do it all” with just one ball?
If you’ve decided that a dedicated spare ball will be a good move for you, we have another article where we detail what we consider to be the best spare balls on the market so you can
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