| Although it isn't necessary to own your own | | | | span is a proper one for you. |
| equipment in order to enjoy bowling, I | | | | |
| strongly recommend that you do. All bowling | | | | You can also test the span by fully inserting |
| centers have "house balls" available for use | | | | the thumb and the fingers. If the second or |
| at no charge to customers, and your local | | | | middle crease of the finger extends beyond |
| bowling center will rent bowling shoes. | | | | one-half of the ball, the span is too narrow. |
| | | | Conversely, if the second crease does not |
| But you'll find your scores mount when you | | | | reach the inner edge of the hole, the span is |
| have equipment fitted to your individual | | | | too wide. Remember, an ill-fitting bowling |
| specifications. When you buy a ball your | | | | ball will feel twice its weight. |
| bowling proprietor or his pro shop will drill | | | | |
| it for you at no charge. If you're really | | | | I really think one of the fascinating aspects |
| serious about bowling, you should buy your | | | | of bowling is that so many decisions in the |
| own ball and have it drilled for your own | | | | sport are left up to the individual. An |
| physical make-up. It's like buying a | | | | instructor shouldn't prescribe what weight |
| tailor-made suit. It will fit you perfectly; | | | | ball you ought to use unless he's had many |
| it's yours alone. | | | | opportunities to see you in action. |
| | | | |
| Today bowling balls come in almost all colors | | | | Almost all bowling balls today are of the |
| and weights. There was a time when almost all | | | | three-fingered variety, although at one time |
| balls were black, and their weights were | | | | two-fingered balls were the only kind used. |
| always sixteen pounds or very close to it. | | | | Nowadays the two-fingered style is something |
| Now that women have taken up the sport | | | | of a rarity, although a couple of the leading |
| however, bowling balls come in almost every | | | | pros still use them. Ed Lubanski of Detroit |
| hue; and the weights range from ten pounds to | | | | won the 1958 World's Championship with a |
| sixteen, though never more than sixteen. | | | | two-finger grip. But generally it's felt that |
| Black models retail for about $25; other | | | | the three-finger style is easier to hold; |
| colors and mottled balls are slightly more | | | | it's more comfortable and it's controlled a |
| than that. | | | | lot more easily. |
| | | | |
| Bowling balls are made of hard rubber. The | | | | I recommend that you own your own bowling |
| lighter weight balls contain a cork center, | | | | shoes too. They range in price from $7.50 to |
| and cost about the same as the sixteen | | | | $10, or even $20 for a really elegant pair. |
| pounders. | | | | Bowling shoes are of a special variety. |
| | | | |
| Here's a good test to determine whether the | | | | The sole of the right shoe is rubber, to help |
| thumb hole fits properly: place your thumb in | | | | you to brake or slow down as you approach the |
| the ball and turn your hand back and forth, | | | | foul line; it also gives you the necessary |
| clockwise and counter-clockwise. If you feel | | | | traction as you start. The sole of the left |
| just the slightest bit of friction, the thumb | | | | shoe is leather, allowing that foot to slide |
| fit is a good one. The thumb shouldn't stick | | | | on the fourth or final step. |
| at all; it should be a bit on the loose side. | | | | |
| | | | You'll also need a bowling bag to carry your |
| The finger holes of a well-fitted ball will | | | | equipment in, and these range in price from |
| be neither too tight nor too loose. | | | | $7 to $40 or $50. You can purchase a small |
| | | | bag, for carrying the shoes alone, for about |
| The span - the distance between the finger | | | | $2.50. |
| holes and the thumb holes - can be determined | | | | |
| in this manner: insert your thumb fully into | | | | Any good comfortable sport shirt is fine for |
| the thumb hole and then extend the two middle | | | | bowling. Just be certain it gives you full |
| fingers over the finger holes. The second, or | | | | freedom of movement and that it doesn't |
| middle, crease of these fingers should be | | | | hamper your arm-swing at all. |
| directly over the finger holes if the ball's | | | | |