Selecting a New Ball, weight and layout

Question
I have not bowled since the mid 70's and recently have a renewed interest after coaching a High School Bowling Team.  I have been catching up on all the technology and lane conditions.  I have a 14lb plastic Bonanza ball conventional grip from the past.  I have caught up on RG, flare, coverstock, oil patterns etc...I was given a Hammer Razr recently which I plugged and had redrilled with a fingertip grip.  I have bowled about 30 games with it over the last month  with small hook.  I consistently hit the 1-3 pocket going down the 2nd arrow and leave a ton of 10 pins and sometimes the 7 pin.  I have researched balls galore and came down to selecting the 900 global Jewel after watching a ton of videos on balls.  I throw the ball the same way that the tester was throwing from the outside.  I throw 10 to 11 mph.  I am 62 and the 14 lbs ball at times (when bowling over 6 games) feels a bit heavy.  I was going to buy a 12lb Jewel
but found out that the core on balls less than 14lbs are different than the 14 to 16 lb balls except for the balls made by MOTIV.  I was advised by one pro shop that I should get the Virtual Gravity NANO at 14lbs to fix the 10 pin problem as he feels that the ball is so much stronger.  I am concerned that with my slow ball speed that the NANO will be too much at the backend.  I have come down to either getting a 12 lb Sigma Tour by MOTIV or going with the 14lb Nano.  I understand that the SIGMA Tour is very consistent and predictable.  I average around 165 with one or 2 strikes per game.  I am hoping the equipment will convert the 10 pins into carrys.
I want to go to a 12lb ball to increase speed and hopefully more revs.  Will I lose that much dropping two lbs.  I am very consistent as I can throw a 10lb plastic ball straight down the middle
and leave easy 5 pins or strike and get around 160 at 13.5 mph...Also any advice on drilling layout with balance hole....  My finger swelled up every week and I had to get it drilled bigger 3 times...any suggestion...the ball driller felt that it should be real snug but it was sticking.
Any suggestions on a Pro shop or Coach in the greater NYC, LONG ISLAND, NEW JERSEY AREA that can help me.

Answer
Jerry,
Where to start?

Your going from a bicycle to a Corvette from the Bonanza to a Virtual Gravity Nano. You're right the Storm would be a HUGE step in cover and core.

Let me try to touch on a few things initially. Pro-line balls come in one pound increments. Ball weight depends more on your size/weight. Strength should NEVER come into play. A good fit just hangs in you hand and literally lets go of YOU! You may want to drop a pound to thirteen or revise your fit. But 6 games and it feels a little heavy, sounds like a little adjustment and you're good. Giving up a bunch of weight won't help you throw the ball faster without the significant change effecting your timing and messing you up. I can give you a tip or two to get the ball speed up.

I can't answer some of your questions as you don't really provide the necessary details that I need to help. How was the Razr drilled? What is your Positive Axis Point? Can you help me with an idea how you roll the ball (Axis Tilt and Axis Rotation)? Ball speed is slow, but how does the old stuff roll? If lanes are oily you might need something a little stronger but most centers provide quit a bit of friction at or just outside of second arrow (10 board). What happens if you roll the ball outside of the second arrow? Can you forward a video?

Unfortunately, all the info you need is not usually provided in the sample videos for new balls. The problem, your speed is way slower, the featured player usually has strong skills and the lane conditions are "very shootable" (easy). So while the path of the ball might look like a good option, speed, rev rate, the lane and lane conditions dictate what the ball can do.

You need to understand what you need to control. A ball is a tool. You need to think of your ball as a tool to control the lane (roll when you need roll, more hook when you need hook, etc.) that is what a ball should provide. More ball could end up earlier roll, or too much overall hook and with your ball speed you'll get no help. So, a ball construction just like the plastic ball and the Razr in a urethane cover might be the trick. Without knowing more about you, I can't really suggest anything.

I know a couple guys. Mike Luongo and Ray Laursen in Middletown and Staten Island respectively and Tom Laskow in New Jersey. What shop are you getting your stuff from? Please e-mail me if you'd prefer ([email protected]). With more info, I can get get a better picture of what you do. Thanks for the questions. I hope to hear back soon.