Me, Equipment, or Both?

[doubleraven]

I'm a relatively new bowler (been rolling the rock for about 7 months now) and have fallen into a bit of a rut. My average is currently at about 150, but I'm capable of much better. For a while, I was throwing in the 170-180 range, but have fallen back. Over the last couple weeks however, my scores have dropped down to around 120 Every once in a while, I regain myself and can pull a 190 (circa) but my consistancy has just got down the drain.

Right now, I guess I'd be considered a stroker (although a hack might be more accurate ) I'm relly trying to open up my game right now, and throw some different lines, but am not having good results. I'm throwing a well-used Colossus (original, black). My typical line is straight down 10, and into the pocket(or Brooklyn pocket, but not often through the nose). Sometimes I can throw over 15(at the line), out to 10(breakpoint) and back. If I try anything deeper, the ball won't change direction, it'll just straighten out and skid into whatever's there.

Like I said above, I'd probably be considered a stroker, low revs (never measured, and its hard for me to see what the black ball is doing down the lanes). Any idea how much of my problem could be equipment vs me? The ball was in the shop last somewhere around 60 games ago. I don't know how many total games it has. I've put on at least a few hundred, and it was well used when I got it.

I don't want to be an equipment dependent house bowler, but at the same time if a more powerful ball is what I need to open up my game, I'm open to it. I've been wanting to get a fairly powerful resin (maybe an Ultimate Inferno or Shock and Awe, or possibly something more like a BVP Nemesis)

*Edit* I forgot to add that I've got a picture showing more or less what happens when I throw various lines. http://www.geocities.com/doubleraven/danbowling.jpg.

Edited on 4/8/2005 0:25 AM

[mumzie]

My guess is that if your average is around 150 now, it's you. Here's why:
If you're averaging 150, you are not making at least 4-5 spares a game. Either you are leaving difficult combinations, due to not hitting the headpin/pocket on your first shot, or you are inconsistent in picking up single pins.
Both of these things are indicators of inconsistent mechanics.

Lots of bowlers these days try to compensate for lack of mechanics with more equipment than they need. What they need to do, and what I'd suggest you do, is get some lessons from a CERTIFIED coach in your area, and practice to get the mechanics consistent. And - when you're practicing, the only thing you worry about is where the ball is going on the lane - not what it's doing at the pins. In other words - are you consistently hitting your target line - whatever it may be for that practice session.

When your timing, approach, and release are all consistent, and all as good as they can be, it's then time to start learning lane conditions and adjustments. Once you learn how to read lanes, then you can start adding equipment. If you can't move your feet and your targets - from playing at least the first arrow to the 5th... you don't know how to adjust. Once you know how to read lanes, the information contained in your drawing will become extremely obvious.

Good luck!!!



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-- The way we see the problem is the problem.

[doubleraven]

quote: you are inconsistent in picking up single pins

Defintly true. I don't leave to many splits/difficult leaves, maybe one or two per 3 game set. I go through phases with the single pins/easy pickups. I'll either be dead on or dead wrong, but not in the same game usually. I also seem to have more problems picking up left hand spares (even though I'm a righty). I use a plastic ball (which was my 1st ball coincidently) for most single pin/easy leaves. It seems when I use my strike ball, I'm more likely do chop or do an over/under.

When I get the ball to the pocket, I can rip it apart pretty good. I'd estimate(based on Quibica scoring and changes that I've made in my game since it last measured me) that I'm throwing around 17 mph.

I've gotten some help from the pro shop at my usual alley, but don't really have money for coaching right now (or a new ball for all that matter, but I might be able to find a way)

[doubleraven]

Also, my track is almost right off my thumb hole, on the right (ring finger) side of the hole. I've been told that this is not the way it should be. I'm guessing this means that I'm more of a side roller and need to stay behind the ball more. Correct?

Is it easier to stay behind on a 15 lb ball?

Edited on 4/8/2005 2:20 PM

[SirAshley]

Okay we'll start with a few don'ts... Don't over-analyze your shot, Don't over-bowl (30 games a week) Don't and I repeat Don't lose confidence. Stand tall and let the bad shots go... Judging by your post, your confidence is in a bit of a rut. Try this, go out one night and pratice nothing but your shot. PAY NO ATTENTION TO YOUR SCORE!!!! Practice hitting the same mark and throwing with the same form over and over. Score is nothing but a number. Now most importantly stroll into league with some confidence, throw a bad ball and know,not fear, the spare. Anyway, just my two cents, hope it helps. Oh yeah, remember that this game is supposed to be fun, keep it that way
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Bowling is 85% mental 10% luck and 5% skill

[doubleraven]

Went out and did some practicing today, and was pretty embarassed. I threw 5 games. I try to ignore my score, but I just can't. I wish today I could have...
I had two games UNDER 90. My other games weren't much better. It seems that my confidence (and skill) are both gone. Its humiliating when those ladies who drop their reactive ball on to the lane and hook it like 2 boards at about 10 mph (you know the image) are scoring higher than me (someone dedicated to the game, and who studies it quite a bit)

I could not for the life of my hit my mark (straight over the 2nd arrow) for the life of me. I've been trying to adjust my timing, to what was shown to me by my driller (bowldoc4u) who said my timing was too early. It seems that the only way I can hit my mark though is going back into my old habits, which I'm pretty sure will limit my game in the long run. I just kept pulling the ball left, no matter what I did, unless I started a bit more left, and threw right, but that doesn't work for me. The ball will travel down at an angle, hit its breakpoint, and then go straight rather than turn a corner. Carry is usually not a problem for me. If I can get it flush in the pocket, the rack will explode.

A couple things I found: like I said above, the only way to hit my mark was through bad technique. I pulled a 15 lb house ball off the rack and threw it a little. I was able to control it better, and get a bit more revs(based on seeing the colors spin versus not seeing much happening on my ball), and could hit my mark, but being a convential drilled plastic, it landed over the 2nd arrow, and hit 6 square on. When I was bowling straight (like many beginners) I threw a 16 with no problem, but due to the different hand positions in hooking, maybe the 15 is a better weight for me?

If I can get some parental assistance ($) what I think I want to do is to go to the pro shop, get a 15 lb ball drilled up (I'm thinking BVP Nemesis, and its worth noting that my ball is pretty beat, beyond what resurfacing can fix) and get some coaching, maybe take my game completely apart and rebuild it? Or maybe that would be a bad thing to do in the middle of a league, but it is a handicap league, in which it seems my handicap keeps going up. It started at 33, and is up to 52 after 3 weeks...

Edited on 4/10/2005 4:44 PM

[SirAshley]

Honestly...At this point, I would be more concerned with getting spares than hitting the pocket. Spares are the key, I promise you'll have a few strikes a game, you always get one lucky one. Think of it like this, if you got all your spares and 2 strikes you'll shoot 200. I think your problem is your frustrated from throwing a bad first ball and taking out that aggrevation on the second ball. I'm just guessing, but I had a habit of doing that myself so I can completely relate. Find a mark for each spare you leave and pratice hitting them. Worry about strikes once you begin getting most of your spares. For your first ball, I would work on throwing a ball that will leave you a spare you can easily pick up. Start there, just a thought man... good luck...
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Bowling is 85% mental 10% luck and 5% skill

[doubleraven]

Its a good thought and a good point. Today, rather than try to pick up my spares, I just hit the reset and got a fresh rack to try and work on my strike ball, unless I left the pocket up, then I shot it there. (thats when I had already gotten fed up with my scores and stopped caring, plus it gave me something to explain if someone I knew was there and wondering why I was bowling so bad.

It was rough I tell ya....

I have a feeling, knowing my consistancy (or lack thereof), that I'll probably kill (as in bowl really good) on Thursday (my leagues night)

[bowlitup]

Someone posted that you don't want to over bowl, and that is true. HOWEVER, I worked at a bowling alley for 12 months, and I bowled every night after work.(4-6 nights a week) And let me tell you that if you have the stamina, the help of knowledgeable people,(my boss was on the Tour for years) an open mind(which it's clear that you have)and the drive to force yourself to achieve, You CANNOT over bowl. If you can stomach it it will help you. I started working there and my ave. was 155. after 6 months of this type of practice 170, and when I quit, my league average was 189! It took a year of hard work, but it paid off.

And by the way... I still don't have the skills to make my balls turn the corner when I try to play deep. My shots do the same thing as yours do.
Good luck!
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Ben
VIVA LA NACION!!!

[bowlitup]

Also, I didn't buy much new equipment that whole time. Only 1 ball and new shoes. I learned how to make my stuff work for me.

Since then however I have sold out! I buy a new ball every 3 mos. or so!

Once again,
Good Luck!
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Ben
VIVA LA NACION!!!

[CoachJim]

Find a coach, post what part of the country you live in and someone here will recommend someone.

[CJ_Bowling]

Failure to open up the lane can be attributed to where you are focussing your eyes. When you bowl straight down the lane it isn't so important to focus on the correct spot because it is fairly natural to bowl in a straight line. But when you are aiming to bowl across the lane it is very important to focus on the correct target. For instance when I stand on board 25 I would focus my eyes on second arrow (Board 10) and I would hit the third arrow (board 15). I used to have big problems hitting the third arrow when i focussed on it, but once i focussed my eyes on the second arrow I could hit the third arrow a lot easier. Knowing this has helped every part of my game especially spares. So if you want to hit board 15 try focusing your eyes on board 10, and see what happens and adjust from there. Hope this helps.

[sunnyrt]

If you're that embarassed of your score during practice shoot spare practice with your first ball (i.e. 10 pin, 7 pin, 4 pin, etc..) and then throw your strike ball second. People will quickly see that you are "practicing" and won't take a second glance at your score.