Over the next few weeks, I'll be writing a series of articles about some of the technical aspects and specifications surrounding the current spate of high tech bowling balls. There is just too much information to be covered in one article. You know, it used to be "so simple" in the 1960's. There were about four manufacturers of rubber bowling balls, you threw a full roller or semi-roller, and depending on the top weight and where it was in the ball, your finger holes were drilled up or down from, and left or right of, that top weight indicator.

But, "it's come a long way, baby" and there doesn't seem to be any end in sight to the variations, technical specifications, and perplexity for us as ball manufacturers search for the perfect bowling ball. The absolutely fantastic bowling ball and the one that will make you score even higher and higher without you having to do much. The thinking bowling ball that will automatically point itself toward the 1-3 pocket no matter where or how you drop it on the lane. (Yeah, right!)

As of last month, I counted at least 17 different manufacturers with, literally, thousands of different models to choose from. There are four basic types of balls, two different types of cores, and three general types of surfaces, so if you do the math, it's easy to figure out that there can actually be hundreds of thousands of different variations of bowling balls. For example, take a symmetrical core and it can be manufactured as each of the four types of balls as well as each of the three types of surfaces and, by seventeen different companies. Absolutely mind-boggling.

This is why I advocate making friends with your local pro shop ball driller. You need a person who not only knows how to drill but can also sift through all the different balls and recommend the proper fit for your style. Like everything else, if you don't know where or who to go to at first, comparison shop, ask your friends and other bowlers, or consult with your bowling center personnel to recommend someone. Just make sure, however, that the person you are asking is knowledgeable of the current sport of bowling. Advice can come from many people who really don't know what they are talking about. I know of several people who will drive to another state to get a ball drilled because they trust that individual.

So let's start with the easiest aspect of a bowling ball and that is the four basic ball types which are polyester (plastic), urethane, reactive resin, and particle:

The polyester has a hard cover stock which is very shiny and will not drive through, or finish, in the pocket aggressively. These balls are recommended for first-time, beginner bowlers and for use as a spare ball by the more experienced person. Unless the conditions are super dry, this ball will not carry the pins very strongly.

A ball made from the urethane compound is typically a dull surfaced ball. It tends to hook more than the plastic; however, still does not attack the pocket as aggressively as a resin or particle ball can. This ball tends to have a more even and therefore, controllable hook roll. "Not too cold, not too hot, but, just right?"

The current darling of ball types, a reactive resin has the ability to skid in the front part of the lane and "store" it's energy so that it creates aggressive action when it hits the pins. Many people use the term, "it thinks," when talking about a reactive ball.

The particle ball, as the name implies, has materials added into the reactive resin balls for even greater ability to cut through the oil on the lanes. This hybrid will generate even more hook and aggressiveness when it gets further down the lanes and drives into the pocket. It was a natural evolution if you think about it. What do you do with something when you want to get a better grip on it? Didn't sandpaper come to mind first? Well, couldn't we say that adding microscopic bits of glass, ceramic, or other substances to the resin compound is akin to sandpapering the surface of the ball without actually doing it?

Over the next several weeks, this series of articles will deal with the high-tech specifications of today's modern bowling balls. If you want to get a jump on it, look ahead to terms such as hook (line or stroker), straight ball (roller), and cranker; symmetrical and asymmetrical cores; flare potential; and bowling ball pin (NOT bowling pin).