Maybe it's not unusual, but I have quite a bit of trouble bowling well if I'm not drinking.  My wife doesn't like alcohol period, so out of respect for her, I've all but stopped.  Might get a drink once or twice a month.  Out of a big score/set perspective, this has been my best year, but my composite average is down almost 10 pins from where it's been the last several years.  I've looked at it several different ways, maybe it's being busy (two jobs, two kids), maybe it's the same old wide open shot week in and week out, maybe it's the lack of anything competitive, etc.  However, when I really try to focus, it seems like that doesn't help, almost makes it worse.  It's been particularly frustrating the last couple weeks, I threw the ball pretty well Tuesday, but didn't have much to show for it, and was just flat out terrible Friday.  But one thing that really drives my point home about the drinking thing is that a couple weeks ago, I was throwing the ball decent, just couldn't get lined up to save my life.  Shot was a little crispy and I was being stubborn, but it wasn't that bad.  170-something the first game, and halfway through the second game my wife asked if I wanted a drink.  190 or 200-something my second game, and at the start of the 3rd game, the "buzz" set in.  I don't ever really get a buzz, I just get super relaxed and insanely confident.  Last game was a 280.  

 

A couple years ago, I subbed for an injured buddy of mine for a third in his league.  First 4 weeks were terrible, 560s, 590s, etc.  The fifth week,  I decided to have a drink before I started bowling, and I shot 300/800.  I had a drink before I started every week the rest of the third, I only had one set under 700 the rest of the way.  I call it not being able to slow down my mental hamPster, that would be my diagnosis.  Then again, if I try to relax and just throw the thing, the hamPster slows down too much.  Seems like a drink or two is the only thing that really gets me to the sweet spot.  Advice or pointers?  

I used to drink two or three beers when bowling but due to a problem that has me on medication for nerve pain I have not had a drink since last March.  While it took a while to adjust my average is up by 7-10 pins in the leagues that I bowl in.  Try not to over think your shot and relax you should be fine.

 
Mark

I'm not a drinker but my wife will have a few beers on most nights we bowl. She never gets "over the top" but her scores will be 10-15 pins better when she's had a few. I have watched her and , for her, she relaxes, smoother swing/release than when she's drinking only water. I have a few friends that also drink on some nights and they score better after a few.

 

Conclusion: nothing to prove this but I see ( most times and to a point when drinking ) they relax, not the mental 'pressure' they put on each shot. Not sure if it's the alcohol relaxing them or just in a 'mood' that helps but most will score a few pins better. Now there have been a few times, some 'over drink' and their game goes to crap so there is a personal limit, IMO.

 

Is it a crutch ? Beats me but I'd think it's no more a crutch than a wrist support, a glove or some 'luck charm' some may carry. It's a muscle/relax/mental thing that helps some 'get into the groove'.  I can say that on nights my wife or I have had a tough day with the kids that our scoring is off so maybe it's a mental/muscle relaxing thing, not sure but as long as one doesn't go to the extreme, why not ? Isn't that the reason for bowling ? Fun, relaxing enjoyment and maybe make a few bucks ( if that's what one does ) ?

 

I say as long as you and your wife are in agreement as to a limit, you are under the "limit" for driving ( if you do drive ) then have fun, enjoy and be yourself.

 

JMO