So my average has now dropped 60 pinsin the past two months.  I bowled a 171, 84, and a 189 ( with my plastic spare )   Ever since i took a lesson my game has gone downhill.  I have recently also started throwing gutterballs.  I have no idea what to do.  Should I go back for more lessons?  They are what screwed my game up in the first place.  I tried going back to my old game, but it just feels way to akward now.
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dirty jerz

the problem is im at an easy house
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dirty jerz

Clearly something worked at some point because the other two games were respectable.  Basically, what was different about that game?  Why did you bowl the 84?  Missed spares?  Too many splits?  I understand the gutterballs can hurt, but how did you do on the second ball?  Were you getting to the pocket at all?

There are a lot of things that go into a game like that.  If you went through the nose frequently and left a lot of 4-9s, 7-10s, Big-4s, and whatnot, then you're dealing with a lot of opens and a failure to adjust your line to your new game.  

If you're missing a lot of single-pin spares or non-split multi-pin spares as a result of some new spare-release or something, then either practice that more or ditch it in favor of something else that works for you.  

As for the gutterballs, especially chasing marks with gutters, all you can do is not do that anymore.  I revamped my game significantly about two years ago and it took me a few months before I saw much average improvement.  But I've picked up nearly 40 pins in the last two years because of it.

SH

Yeah, keep doing what the coach told you so that you can get used to it.  I was just thinking that if you are getting a bunch of gutterballs you could be missing your targets to the right and it could be a shoulder/follow-through issue.
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Current Arsenal:
Parker Bohn III
Bohn up a Storm!!!

Well, it depends on how good the coach is.  Some people will never have completely textbook styles, and sometimes coaches try to change too much instead of working with the bowler's natural tendencies and trying to fine tune them.  I had some things I decided to work on when I came out of youth 3 years ago, and it all instantly screwed me up.  I could still score on occasion, but completely textbook stuff never felt comfortable no matter how much I practiced with it.  It's taken me at least 2 years to get back this far, and I'm still not quite comfortable, but I'm doing consistently better.  Consistency is all that matters.  Not all people are the same.  It's the same way with drilling.  Sometimes what people tell you is comfortable doesn't look right or isn't textbook, but just try to change something and watch how it affects them.  You shouldn't ever have to drastically change something unless it's drastically affecting your game in a negative way.  I picked some of my "flaws" back up and have just worked on making it all more consistent, and I'm having a lot better luck with that.  My composite from last year (even with a 205 pace through the first 3rd of the year) was just under 219, and I'm at 227 in a summer league right now, and what's best is that it feels better and I'm getting a lot better roll on the ball.  I'd rather throw good shots than put up big numbers every now and then, and the big numbers come more consistently when you're throwing good shots.
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New member of the Metal Militia!!!  If you think Simple Plan is metal, then you must die.  And not get to be a member . .\m/!!!

If you aren't beer inclined, taking a nice deep breath and exhaling each time as you are standing on the approach can be a routine to relax also.
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Current Arsenal:
Parker Bohn III
Bohn up a Storm!!!

Edited on 6/28/2006 2:02 PM

When you get coached your average WILL drop. When I had a coach, I said no way Ill only get better. I was consistently 175-185 at the time. I dropped to being consistent with 145-155. I was pissed, frustrated, and upset with myself. Well I didnt need the coach anymore because I knew what I had been working on and what we talked about. After all that, I started to work on my game by myself and repeating things in my head to try or follow. I got a heck of a lot more consistent, my average finally got higher and it went higher than before, and now I bowl even better than I use to. Bowling is mentally and physically tough. You cant expect everything at once. Things come in steps and you have to take those steps wisely to become successful. This has been my experience and what I have heard from others. Hope this helps.