| By J. Lloyd | | | | particular lane where you know the |
| | | | conditions? If so, buy a pair of shoes to fit |
| Beyond the ball, the most important piece of | | | | those conditions. If you tend to move around |
| personal equipment a bowler can buy is a good | | | | a lot, shoes that offer changeable soles for |
| pair of shoes. Picking out just the right | | | | different lane conditions could be a good |
| bowling shoes, however, can take a little | | | | idea. There are some great reasons for those |
| time and consideration. The payoff will be a | | | | who bowl more than just once in a while to |
| great pair of shoes that help you avoid the | | | | consider getting their own bowling shoes. |
| rental stand while rolling a good game. The | | | | They include: * Cost savings. If you're a |
| first place to start when picking out a pair | | | | weekly bowler, a pair of shoes might end up |
| of bowling shoes is with the price. Setting a | | | | costing less than rentals over the course of |
| budget is not a bad idea. Shoes can range | | | | a few months. * Sanitation. For some people, |
| from quite affordable to very pricey | | | | it just doesn't matter how much disinfectant |
| depending on what specifications you have in | | | | goes into rental shoes, the idea of wearing |
| mind. The next consideration is in the style | | | | shoes someone else did just turns their |
| of bowling you actually intend to do. Serious | | | | stomach. A good buy in bowling shoes is ideal |
| players very likely will want a pair of | | | | for these folks. * Comfort. When a pair of |
| bowling shoes that matches their throw style. | | | | shoes fits and fits right, it can really make |
| For example, left handed bowlers can buy | | | | a difference in comfort on the lanes. * |
| special shoes that help them set up for the | | | | Performance. There's just something about |
| throw just a bit better. This is a small | | | | having the right shoes on that tends to make |
| edge, but one many serious bowlers take very | | | | game play improve, at least a little. While a |
| to heart. For those who want bowling shoes, | | | | good pair of shoes won't take a player's |
| but don't have a big budget, ambidextrous | | | | score and increase it by 100 every time, it |
| shoes might be in order. When picking out the | | | | can provide a little edge that can actually |
| right shoes and even setting the budget, it's | | | | make a big difference. Anyone who bowls more |
| not a bad idea to consider how much play time | | | | than once every blue moon would likely |
| you actually plan to put in. The more the | | | | benefit from a good pair of personal bowling |
| shoes will get used, the more likely it is | | | | shoes. Providing comfort, the right fit and |
| you will be better off going with a more | | | | perhaps even some cost savings over the long |
| expensive, durable pair. Buying a really | | | | run, this is a small investment in the game |
| expensive pair of shoes for an annual trip, | | | | that can make a big difference. |
| however, probably isn't the best use of extra | | | | |
| money. The last thing to consider (beyond | | | | Get all the latest in bowling know how from |
| size) is standard play habits. For example, | | | | the one and only true source at Be sure to |
| do you happen to play more often at a | | | | check our our bowling shoes page. |