So I've recently gotten back into bowling.  Received a new BWP for my birthday and have been bowling with it now for a little over a month.  I'd say my average at my home lanes is about 190 +/- (not in any leagues to find out, but just based on practice).  Went over some fundamentals with one of the local coaches at the bowling center and he feels I have a really solid form and I do not need a lot of tweaking.

More than anything I probably need help more with my shot making strategy etc.  I'm what the local coach says a "down and in" player.  I line up at about the 22nd board or so and aim for about the 7th board at our local center (again give or take depending on oil transition).  I also bowl tournaments at another center that is a lot more oily and generally end up moving to the right about 4-5 boards and aiming for the first arrow.

What I really want to find is someone who can coach me because I'd really like to get into some PBA tournaments.  Does anyone have any advice on how to go about doing this, or who is good for that in the California area (particularly bay area)?  Thanks all!
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If you were 14 years old i would say 190 is good, you might be a natural player though and 220 plus might be a real attainable goal for you.

Contact tenspinspro on here for idea's of coaches in your area, if Sam Baca is near you i highly recommend him since he is very good from working with him.

You are in Santa Clara, so going to Stockton to see Sam Baca is not out of the relm of possibilities.  Manteca is not that far away either and Rod Ross, gold level coach, is there.  However, if you want to stay close, look up Skip Pavone or Ray Santos at Cambrian Bowl.  Skip especially can let you know about your PBA potential since he's been out there regionally.  Ray has coached up (and done a fantastic job) a lot of youth to the point of decent performances in PBA Regionals.  Cambrian Bowl also has a Sport league.  

At your level I wouldn't necessarilly jump to a gold level coach.  Most of them do not have open appointment times.  Rather then are all scheduled with Team USA, and other high level players.  

I agree with mrbowlingnut, if you are young about 14 then 190 is a good start.  Because most players I see on the Regional PBA (this is not even National) can average over 230 on any house shot at any time.  Unfortunately the pace of learning in this game is geared to the young.  If you are 30 or 40 and starting back with 190 average then that's still good, but PBA is probably out of reach.  Just not enough time at your physical peak to be competative.   Though if you pick up quickly enough there's the Senior Tour.  

There's PBA Regionals all over the area.  You can always enter as a guest and see how you do.  

Erin

Since you live in the Bay Area, Dublin Bowl has Sport Bowling certified scratch tournaments once a month. The same goes for the monthly PBA Pattern 6 Gamer at Yosemite Lanes in Modesto. Roughly half of the guys who bowl are PBA members that regularly bowl in the PBA West Region.


Call Chuck Holland at Dublin Bowl for more information. Speak to Wayne at Yosemite Lanes in Modesto.
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-Jeremy Vitug