I bowl over 700 pretty much every time I bowl a league set. This week, bowled my 2 leagues and subbed in 1. Each set over 716. (If you click my profile check the link in it)

I think that you just don't quite grasp the difference in oil patterns between day to day league bowling and the PBA. The shotmaking requirement out on tour is much higher. You need to have perfect release, accuracy, and speed to be consistent out there. On THS you can miss and still be in the pocket.

There is a HUGE difference in talent between a PBA player and a guy who shoots big numbers on THS. I do agree that a guy that racks up 700's in league may have the potential to give the regionals a go. These are the types that generally need some seasoning in regional events. I have however seen newcomers win their first regional events. This has happened twice in the last 10 years in the Midwest.

There are several factors that play into the equation IMHO. One is that there are many GREAT bowlers who choose not to venture into the waters due to time, travel, family, etc.

But there is a huge difference from shooting consistent 700's locally (THS's) and what the professionals encounter during their travel. The different houses play differently, even with the same oil pattern. Between different surfaces (various synthetics and wood), the condition of the actual surface, and the various oil patterns, make some incredibly demanding and tough conditions, each unique. Thus, mandating a very adaptable physical game.

It is amazing just how good the Pro's really are, and until you can bowl beside them for 10-12 weeks in a row, most would never see it. Their ability to change the most subtle thing to score, and be consistent with each change. The speed at which they read lanes, ball reactions, and adjust accordingly.

This is not to say many "locals" can not compete with them, or win occasionally, as many have seen it happen in "local" tourneys. But the long haul is quite different. I can cite many instances here, with our local Obenauer Masters Championship, Classic Shootout, etc., featuring many top locals, top national amateurs, and pro's like Angelo, Baker, Ciccone, etc.

I am positive we will hear many other reasons, and maybe even from some that have attempted the tour and decided it wasn't what they expected, for one reason or another.
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The Older We Get, The Better We Were
www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
www.BowlWNY.com - local & national stories by Joe Ciccone
http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games
24 is not my age, IQ, or bowling average, but my firematic number, at least I think that what it is

right
on house shot the local bowlers with bowl good
they know the shot, lanes, ect,
my last 4 sets 742,771,722,721.

we are not bowling with the pros on PBA pattern A<B<C<D.
league bowlers are what they are
I tried couple regionals I will let that to them
averaged 190 to 200, needed more balls ect.

but I also but in a tough house where oil is NONE
last 4 sets 592,526,645,571.

shoot lot of spares start at 3rd arrow end at 5th.

it all depends on the house.it can be easy or hard
I still have more fun shooting 700 at the easy house
have couple of beers go home feeling good.

I understand where you're coming from thinking that guys shooting 700+ every night can go out on the Regionals and succed.
About 8 or 9 years ago I was that guy.
Averaged 230+ in league and did alright in local tournaments.
I lined up some backing and made a 5 tournament swing to see how it would go.
Well you learn real fast what works at home won't work out there.
The ball hooks in spots that you didn't think were possible.

So I took my lumps and made my self a better bowler to compete out there.I was out there for 5 more years.
And I succeded at it but at a price.
My scoring on a THS suffered because of it(ie. my average dropped slightly,my honor scores decreased).
Now I'm a more complete bowler who bowls better when the lanes get uglier.
I bowl better in longer formats with higher finishes(bigger pay checks).

So for me it worked out in the long run.
But its hard to explain to people that averaging 230 in league doesn't mean success out there.

i've been averaging in the 230's for the first few weeks of leagues so i guess i can comment here. The shot out there is so easy, its almost like a different game. I find my spare game deteriorates dramatically from bowling on these easy patterns, and i was pissed today when i shot a 646. i've also bowled a few tourneys that have put down variations of pba patterns, and have struggled to average 180. These patterns really make the game completely different. I'm probably going to average in the 220's in one league, 2 teens in another, and yet i will struggle to average 180 on a pba shot.
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stanski

There are some people that actually average higher on the PBA shots or even a sport shot than a house shot...doesn't seem common, but I know a few.  Other than the shot differences, you have to remember that in a PBA event, you need to be able to shoot big numbers for a hell of a lot more than 3 games.  Endurance plays a big part in it.  I know people that can bowl 3 games well and then they fall apart after that because they start having problems with their thumb or they get tired.  You can't afford to do that on tour.  As many have said before, if you are a 200 average bowler, you would indeed be lucky to average 180 on the easiest pattern which is the 35 foot pattern E in my opinion.  The first game or 2 on those patterns while the shot is fresh...you can usually find a consistent line but once carrydown sets in and it becomes spotty, the difficulty continues to increase.  You need a significant amount of dedication to ever make it anywhere out on tour.  No one that goes in and bowls 3 or 6 games in a week has any shot in hell at doing anything out there.  Everyone that makes it anywhere bowls more than that each day.

50th on the PGA tour is over 1M now.  About 60th place is
about a Mil now.