I made a similar post a couple of years back, but never really went beyond that.

I bowled regularly from roughly 2002 until about 2011. I bowled both in regular old mens leagues, and also bowled in the ABT. (I even won a couple of tournaments, but my handicap helped!) I elected to give up bowling to save on money, but 7 years later things are much better in that regard, and I often start to think about getting back into bowling.

I had some bad habits, and I'm hoping that perhaps the layoff will give me a good opportunity to fix them. If you could start the whole thing over, how would you go about it? Would you start with some lessons before anything else?

I would start with finding a great pro shop and great coaching. One ball. Learn to throw it correctly. Not worry about scores for a year or two. Fundamentals. Build the base as solid as possible.

Same answer I give my son when he asks about going golfing with me at some point. Simply tell him, I’d love to go with you, but you’ve never picked up a club. Do yourself the favor and start with lessons. Don’t build bad habits. It’s a lifelong game, like bowling. Start the right way. Not sure he takes it the right way.

My honest guess, if he started with fitted clubs and lessons, he’d be shooting under 90 consistently by end of year two. He picks up stuff like that very well and easily.

Very interesting question, because more than any sport I know,  the fundamentals for success change so much as the environment (lane surfaces, balls) changes.  The modern power game ( speed and revs) would not have been effective with rubber balls on the lacquer surface I learned on.  Just as my medium speed stroker style is not the most effective technique on modern surfaces.