The mental game is something I have a huge problem with. If I throw the first three strikes of a game, the thought crosses my mind "what if this game is the one," and I proceed to throw a bad shot. This is not always the case, but it happens a lot. So my question is this: how can I overcome the internal struggle of bowling? How can I condition my mind to just throw one shot at a time? I do not get nervous in close games. More often than not I will finish very strong in the tenth, whether the game is close or not. If I can condition my mind for one shot at a time, that will only improve though.

Look into focused for bowling by Dr. Dean Hinitz. I've read it twice and it helped me turn my mental game and overall approach to life around. From what I hear he's one of the best. If you ever have the chance to do a clinic with him it's probably worth every penny.

Our book is written & compiled by bowlers dealing with sports related issues arising in competition...neither of us have degrees in psychology but we've studied it for over 25 yrs each and understand the mind from an athletic viewpoint...but I can say I've never heard the 'wet face' dilemma before! Go to our website HYBowlingConcepts.com and order up! Thanks

I too have issues with the mental game. I was told by several PBA Tour bowlers that I am on my way to bowling professionally, but the only thing stopping me is myself. I beat myself up like none other after bad shots, if I start stringing strikes together I do the same thing and think "Is this the game?"
Last Monday night I shot really bad and it took every bit of self control to keep myself from punting the ball return for a 54 yard field goal...I'll check out both those books though

Lol, my nickname for quite a while was "2 drink minimum" because that's what I needed to shut the mental hamPsters down and just be normal.  Now I'm just fine, but it took a lot of work getting there . .

I can't recommend Rico and Gary's book Head Games enough, I'm going to go back and read my copy again today and see what stands out at me this time.  It's also great to read every once and a while just for reinforcement of the concepts.  Even as many issues as I'm having with my physical game right now, the perspective change has helped keep me calmer and more focused and that has helped me improve my scores. 

I've been told for years that if I could have turned off my brain, I would have been much more successful.