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Spend what you can affordDec 10 '02 Write an essay on this topic.
Popular Products in Sport and Outdoor
The Bottom Line Just getting started? You can spend $100 and be happy. Want to be the best out of the store spend $450.00
The cost of bowling, even casually, can be very expensive. Not just the equipment but the cost per game. By the time you take a family of five to your local bowling center and bowl two games each, rent shoes, buy snacks or lunch and finish by playing a video game or two your bill will easily be around $50.00. It might be cheaper to go to the movies but not nearly as much family interaction. Three hours at a local bowling center is a great way to spend $50.00 on your family. If you want to spend more time in a bowling center with or with out your family the right way to go is to buy your own ball, bag and shoes. Centers don't charge to use their bowling balls but you will get clipped for a couple of bucks just to rent shoes. Buying your own equipment will be a challenge, you will have two basic choices. How much can you afford to spend and who should I buy my equipment from. The amount of money you spend will be reflected in the quality of your equipment and yes the better you buy the better most people will bowl. The cost bowling balls will range from $30 to $250. Be careful to find out if the price includes fitting and drilling, inserts and a thumb sleeve or slug. Add on cost before tax will scare you at the register if your not prepared. The difference in price is the difference in technology. The better the technology the higher the cost, the higher the cost the greater potential for better scores. The best bowling balls use the newest and most expensive materials and because of core or block design more time is spent developing the newest bowling balls. This is why some balls are very expensive and others are not. Bottom line is where do you want your bank account to wind up. Are you going to bowl just for recreation or is bowling your newest sporting endeavor and you want to be the best you can be? I don't suggest that a new bowler buy the top of the line equipment the first time you buy, instead stay at the low end until you learn the basics of bowling, the approach, the arm swing and hand position. Once you have a good understanding then buy better equipment. No sense dropping $450.00 only to find out bowling was just a passing fancy. Bowling shoes can be difficult in there own right. Do you want the best shoe? Expect to spend $160.00 if you do. How about spending $45.00 instead? Shoes at the bottom of the price list are fine to bowl in. They beat the heck out of rental shoes. Lower cost shoes will wear faster than top end shoes, they might not be as comfortable out of the box and they might not slide cleanly every time. But the less expensive shoe is also the simple way to go because you won't have to choose what slide sole to use or which heel to put on. What I suggest you do is try on a few pair before you decide. Which shoes are comfortable for you and which ones are well made don't forget to be sure you like the way they look on you. There are differences in the size scale for each manufacturer so be careful in that regard. Try and find a shoe with a wide sole, this will give you more balance at the foul line. Find shoes that use good leather for the slide sole as this will also help balance and help with timing for your game. Just stopping flat footed at the foul line puts pressure on your knee and causes timing problems to be more pronounced. Shoes have to be comfortable and functional to get the most out of them. Bowling bag is much simpler than balls or shoes. You just need something to carry your ball and shoes in. You can buy bags your shoes won't fit in, but why would you? Bags range from $20.00 to $225.00. Wow what a range. Low end, no frills, made light weight and you can fold them to fit in your glove box. They will be durable at the low end. So if you don't mind carrying your equipment buy cheap. If you have more than one ball you will need a multi-ball bag. More cost, some come with little or no frills other give you enough room and accessory pockets you could rent space to college students on a tight budget. Wheels and up to eight or ten balls, all on one rolling fork truck, can be bought at the upper end of the scale. Imagine eight, sixteen pound bowling balls and shoe and accessories and the the weight of the the roller bag itself, now pick it up and put it in your trunk. Then take it out, ouch, can't bowl?, back sore? Where you buy your equipment can make a difference. Bowling pro shops will be a little more expensive but offer a good variety to choose from and you should be able to get good advice from the people in the shop. Stores like Dick's Sporting Goods, WalMart and KMART offer bowling equipment at a cheaper price but not always a good selection and generally carry blems and second from Brunswick and Ebonite. Don't let them drill a ball! You can save money buying there but spend a little more and go to a bowling pro shop for fitting and drilling. I can't even guess at the number of times I've had to "fix" balls for bowlers who had them drilled at KMART! The internet offers the largest selection at the best prices, the down side there is what if there is a problem. You might not get exactly what you want in terms of how a ball is weighted. Where is the center of gravity and where is the pin, will this ball do what I want and all to often the cheapest internet deals are knock offs and blems. Buyer beware! Because I run a bowling pro shop I know you will get everything you pay for and the extra cost of using a professional almost always pays for itself in the long run. Well, I could go on! There is so much more you could know before buying bowling equipment. I think the answer is buy in at the lower end, learn to bowl, buy more equipment later. Seek good advice from the people who know, compare prices and spend with in your means. They best bowlers don't aways buy the best equipment. The best bowlers, bowl with a smile, treat their competitions with respect and always display good sportsmanship. Be a good bowler what ever the cost might be.  |
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