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Author Topic: Does Age Change Your View Point?  (Read 6698 times)

txbowler

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Does Age Change Your View Point?
« on: September 25, 2015, 03:38:02 PM »
A several years ago, I remember bowling against a bowler who was a regional PBA guy who was very well known and now into his 50's.  He almost missed an stone 8 pin and I remarked "that was close", and he replied, he had 17 inches to hit that pin and as long as it fell over he was happy.

Later I asked him more about it, and all he said was, you'll see when you get my age.

Well, now I am his age, and I think I get it.  When I was younger, I was upset when I threw a brooklyn.  Today, hooray, I don't have to shoot a spare.  LOL  Now I do not celebrate brooklyn's by any means.  I will just walk off the lane, or try to figure out why it happened but I no longer am upset.

And now, I am the older guy that the younger bowlers are asking why I didn't get upset?  And I'll simply tell them, did it strike?  Goal accomplished.

But I watch the younger guys, and they are like I was; mad at a brooklyn.

Just curious if others feel the same way?
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xrayjay

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2015, 03:47:52 PM »
 I do see a change over the years of bowlers I see age with me. But, I do know of a 50 plus who still gets upset with himself and beats himself up when shooting brooklyns.
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kidlost2000

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2015, 04:31:35 PM »
Im about to turn 34 and its very different from when I was 19/20.

I've learned stuff happens good and bad. It doesn't matter. Make the next shot.

Bowling is a game of skill.  It also involves a lot of luck. Some is bowler generated,  some is just the way the pins fall,  roll,  and the score is added.
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BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2015, 06:11:25 PM »
It's perspective.  That comes with age and experience.  You'll only truly understand when you get there (here) that bowling should be fun, and if it's not then why do it?

Life has a way of mellowing us out over the years.  This doesn't mean we cannot be competitive.   It (perspective) can actually enhance our ability to compete because every shot isn't "life or death", "success or failure", and so on... 

Physically I'm not what I was 25 years ago, but mentally I'm better than ever.  Today's equipment helps us geezers hang with the young guys, and enjoy the advantage we usually have regarding spare shooting, understanding angles, etc.

« Last Edit: September 25, 2015, 08:46:29 PM by notclay »
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charlest

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2015, 08:10:30 PM »
Quote from: notclay on September 25, 2015, 06:11:25 PM

It's perspective.  That comes with age and experience.  You'll only truly understand when you get there (here) that bowling should be fun, and if it's not then why do it?

Life has a way of mellowing us out over the years.  This doesn't mean we cannot be competitive.   It (perspective) can actually enhance our ability to compete because very shot isn't "life or death", "success or failure", and so on... 

Physically I'm not what I was 25 years ago, but mentally I'm better than ever.  Today's equipment helps us geezers hang with the young guys, and enjoy the advantage we usually have regarding spare shooting, understanding angles, etc.


"Bowling is not a matter of life and death; it is much more important than that." ;D
« Last Edit: September 26, 2015, 07:42:49 AM by charlest »
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Juggernaut

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2015, 10:08:47 PM »
Q: Does age change your viewpoint?
A: That depends on the subject.  Some things I got right years ago, some things are still a work in progress.

 Like you, when I was younger, I took bowling VERY seriously. In 1993, I was averaging around 210-215, and was planning to quit my job and turn professional, but it never happened. (Life got in the way). I was breaking necks and cashing checks, and ALL business about it.

 Now, 22 years later, I am 55 yrs old and 50lbs heavier. The knee on my slide leg has bad cartilage in it, and I shattered the elbow on my bowling arm, which now has a permanent "Don Carter" bend in it. I am lucky to average what I am (average last season was 200 even). Yes, my view has changed.

 I am one of those guys who didn't need, or want, the "resin revolution". I was one of those "Del Ballard" style bowlers with medium speed and lots of roll. Resin has NEVER been my friend. Probably never will be. Bowling technology left guys like me, with our physical skill set behind, and I was never able to fully make the changes I needed to. Hell, I had a hard time changing from Yellow Dots to urethane because it (urethane) hooked so much.

 I consider myself lucky just to get to still be bowling. I no longer even attempt to "kick a** and take names", I just bowl, socialize with friends, consider myself lucky, and go home.

 First and foremost, bowling should be fun, or at least enjoyable. If it isn't, you are wasting both your time and your money. I didn't always see it this way.
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2015, 02:03:15 AM »
Yes.

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billdozer

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2015, 09:10:22 AM »
Kkid put it best!  Only the next shot matters anymore.
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avabob

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2015, 11:13:20 AM »
I think the biggest thing with me is perspective on the history of the game.  I sometimes forget that anyone under 35 doesn't even remember the pre resin game.  Also when I was 30, the game from the 30s and 40's sounded like ancient history.  Hard to believe that the urethane era of the 80's and the polyester era of the 70's is now ancient history.

Also thinking back, I was as scornful and resentful of the short oil urethane 80's as some of those guys were when the resin revolution hit.  Now I realize that the game is about adaptation and versatility.  I had the ability to adjust my game to the short oil era but was too stubborn to make the change.  Ironically, changes I was ultimately forced to make in recent years would have served me well had I made them 20 years earlier.   
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JOE FALCO

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #9 on: September 26, 2015, 12:04:55 PM »
 I consider myself lucky just to get to still be bowling. I no longer even attempt to "kick a** and take names", I just bowl, socialize with friends, consider myself lucky, and go home.

So True!
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spencerwatts

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2015, 12:52:33 PM »
I'm also one of those geezers and I don't hide it all whenever I'm out there on the lanes.
 
Physically, I'm very close to the body weight that I carried back in the mid-1990s when I was in my early 30s and just prior to me leaving the game in its entirety for nearly the next 20 years. And I can still say my ball speed and rev rate have not dimished.

If anything at this juncture, my approach and preparation to and for bowling has changed. I have to do more in terms of stretching, conditioning, applying geezer ointment (Salonpas) and taking ibuprofen, Advil or Aleeve. Additonally, I do my best to keep my body hydrated while I'm bowling. (I have had nagging and persistent issues with my hip, groin, and upper thigh; there are times and days when I can't make certain shots because they require more leverage created by my legs.)

Overall, in the 18 months or so into my return, I can make a valid argument that my game is better than it was 20-25 years ago. Much of that has to do with the crash course and steep learning curve I've experienced in understanding the game in this era and what it takes to be competitive among scratch and PBA level bowlers. Back in the day, as I posted on here elsewhere, there were many disparities and it started with who were your connections in the game.

To ask to ask the question whether age has changed my bowling view point? My answer would be yes, no matter how much in our best efforts we try denying it.
« Last Edit: September 27, 2015, 02:58:09 PM by spencerwatts »
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St. Croix

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2015, 10:43:01 AM »
tx, to your point, I am 60 + years old and have been bowling on and off (mostly "on") since I was a teenager. Brooklyn strikes do not bother me anymore. As I have aged, I have found that my love of bowling has grown. I participate in two leagues each week and practice with a group of players from various leagues from time to time. I am satisfied with my overall average (180). Because of all the great posts from so many knowledgeable bowlers on this website and all of the learning tools available on the internet, I know the game a lot better than I did years ago.



« Last Edit: November 13, 2015, 11:53:37 AM by BallReviews-TECH »
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Bowlaholic

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2015, 02:42:34 PM »
With age I came to realize everything wasn't about "me".
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avabob

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2015, 03:05:39 PM »
The biggest thing I have seen as I age, is that the more I learn about the game, the more I realize how much I don't know. 
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Does Age Change Your View Point?
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2015, 03:38:12 PM »
Quote from: avabob on November 13, 2015, 03:05:39 PM
The biggest thing I have seen as I age, is that the more I learn about the game, the more I realize how much I don't know. 

+1

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