Did you know bowling first had it's origins way back in 3200BC in Egypt? Yes, the Egyptians weren't just good architects but they had a talent on the bowling alley too.

So what makes a good player? Is it the equipment, the ball, the clothes and bowling shoes they wear or does none of that matter and it comes down to sheer ability. Seriously, it's definitely got more to do with ability but use faulty equipment and it could mean the difference between hitting 200 in a game.

Ten Pin Bowling

Ten pin bowling is obviously the game most know and see. It has plenty of television coverage and in the United States for example, has become a past time for many families. It's not just a time to dig deep and find that competitive spirit - bowling is also a great social sporting game and one of the reasons it's so popular.

Bowling Surface

The bowling surface has undergone some changes since those early days of the Egyptians. Actually, we are not quite sure what surface they used back then but we do know that surface wood dominated the platform that balls were bowled down on. This has since changed.

In fact, technology has definitely crept it's tentacles into all facets of bowling and it has extended to the surface where materials that imitate the old surfaces are now being used.

Bowling Strikes

There's little doubt that every player wants to bowl a strike every time they step up to release the ball. The lead up to release, the wait and then to see the pins disappear has produced some extraordinary reactions. Bowling strikes consistently revolves around getting into a rhythm. We won't go into that right now but if you want to learn how to bowl strikes nearly every time, click here.

The Bowling Ball

The material employed in making the bowling ball has changed. Originally, this was made out of wood. The most frequently used balls in bowling alleys are made of hard rubber. They come in several weights so that players of all ages can play this game.

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Customized balls are ones made according to the player's specs. Custom made balls are for major bowlers, particularly people who are in contests. They come in several colors and designs. There are also those that are clear which are painted in a way that makes it appear that there's a figure or an object within the ball. A bowling ball can be held in alternative ways.

#1...The 1st is known as the conventional grip where the bowler's middle and ring fingers are placed into the ball holes up to the second joint.

#2...The second is called the finger tip grip. Here, the middle and the ring fingers are placed in the holes up to the 1st joint. More effort is needed by the second, but it gives the player better control when the ball is released.

#3...The 3rd is known as the Sarge-Easter Grip. Again the middle and the ring fingers are used but in contrast to the other 2, both fingers occupy one hole which works really well with players with high "rev" rates.

The style used to hold and release the bowling ball varies among players. It's best to experiment with the different types of grips so you know which one works best for you. Bowling is a fun sport that needs hand and eye coordination like basketball or soccer. Getting the right bowling ball will help the player feel comfy - a right step in making the necessary improvement to be very competitive at bowling and getting your average up.

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Bowling balls are normally made out of urethane, rubber, plastic or reactive resin materials. And depending on the kind of game being played, they may or may not be equipped with holes. A ten-pin bowling ball weighs about six to 16 pounds while the five-pin bowling ball, on the other hand, weighs no more four pounds and doesn't have finger holes. To be more effective in a game, some bowlers, particularly professionals, normally opt to have theirs custom-made, weighing in proportion to their heights and weights and with finger holes customized to fit.

Kinds of bowling balls

A bowling ball can be one of six kinds: ten-pin, five-pin, plastic, urethane, reactive resin, and particle. The ten-pins are 8.5 inches in diameter. Made out of different materials, some can even be hollow with outer crack- and split-resistant shells. The five-pins, on the other hand, are smaller, having 5-inch diameters. The plastic ones are made of polyester coverstock, inexpensive, durable, and are best for beginners while the urethanes offer less deflection and more friction albeit being made of a softer material. Reactive resins are made up of particles that make them stickier than the other balls. However, they do have better lane grips and high hook potential although they roll faster on oiled lanes. The particle balls have the same materials as the reactive resins except ground glass pieces are mixed in, adding grit for better lane grip.

When buying bowling balls, avoid those that have surface cracks because this affects how your ball will roll on a lane. As for weight, choose one that is proportional to your arm and upper body strength. Average adults should consider 10- to 14-pound balls while children can use six to 10-pound ones.

More information on Bowling Balls is available in Picky Guide, one of the fastest growing online magazines giving free consumer reviews and information.

Cost of a Storm Virtual Energy Bowling Ball at a Pro-Shop?

Anyone buy the new Storm Virtual Energy Bowling ball that could let me know about how much they paid for it? I've been looking online at them and they're around $130 un-drilled and drilling costs around $70. Just lookin' too see what anyone paid for them at a pro-shop. Answers are greatley appreciated

i have seen them cost anywhere from $100 to $200 with no holes.