Is Bowling 90% Mental?

 How much of bowling is mental? Is it higher than 80%? Most of the bowlers I’ve talked with believe its closer to 90%. If that is the case, then why are they not investing 90% of their time on their mental game?

The mental part of your game is no doubt a huge factor regarding your success. When you realize how significant it is to your game, you will begin to spend more time focusing on it. Many bowlers want to know how to throw a hook or play a certain lane condition. Both of these are very helpful, but if you don’t know how to mentally prepare yourself, then all that knowledge can go to waste.

Your mind has unlimited power. You can visualize the shot you want. Did you know your mind cannot tell the difference between what is real and what you imagine? Your brain believes what you can imagine. The key is to make sure your heart believes it, too.

What you believe in your heart is the “X factor”. What you choose to believe will determine your actions. Your actions determine your results. You can have a great physical game, but if you don’t believe in your shot, then you are big trouble. So many bowlers question themselves and it leads them into a rut. Have you ever been then before?

If you are confident in your physical game, then why don’t you take some time this week and assess your beliefs. You really need to know what you believe about yourself. I believe over the next month you are going to practice on the lanes before you bowl in competition, right? If you are, and you believe bowling is 90% mental, then you need to schedule mental game practice, too.

Your competition is always looking for an edge. What is your edge? What advantage do you have over your competition? No matter who you are going to compete against, everyone has the same amount of time to use wisely each week. The secret to getting an edge is choosing to make time to practice your mental game preparations.

So tell me, how much time do you invest each week mentally preparing yourself for competition? How much, do you believe, bowling is mental?
  By:Jeffrey Hardwick

 For bowlers having problems believing in themselves in certain situations,and at key

moments,look no further than,Sean Rash,Chris Barnes,Pete Weber,and from a few years

back,Lonnie Waliczek.Then look at these bowlers that have had all the confidence in

their abilities in key moments,look at the performances of Tom Smallwood,Wayne Garber,

and Kelly Kulick.Belief in your ability at all times, is the key to dealing with the pressure.

Great topic.  

I would say that it's dependent on the type of bowler.  Your beginner bowler/recreational bowler, the game is probably more physical than mental because they are just starting out and need to work on their physical game before they can worry about punching out to win a game.  

For the competitive bowler, bowling is most definitely 90% of the game.  Being able to analyze the lanes, ball reaction, and the 9 million other facets of the game are the most important aspects of bowling well.  Having the physical tools to do it all should be second nature.
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Proud Supporter of Rob Stone
Obviously, you aren't a golfer.
Some stayed in the foothills, some washed logs like teeth.

SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY QUOTE OF THE DAY
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
   "I'm about 5 inches from being an outstanding golfer. That's the distance my left ear is from my right ear."

Ben Crenshaw


    MYTH:       Sports Are At Least "90% Mental" At Higher Skill Levels.

     FACT:      Yogi Berra, the legendary baseball great, was known to once say, "Baseball is 90% mental -- the other half is physical." So much for mathematical science. It is true that in the upper levels of a sport, the mental game becomes more critical. After all, beginners in a sport are simply struggling to achieve a basic competence in physical skills. Thinking about complex game strategies and competitive psychological issues are the least of their concerns.

Another common statistic (spoken with such conviction as to sound downright scientific) thrown around is that humans use only 10% of their brain power. How can anyone possibly measure or prove a statement like this? Because these percentage-based statements are impossible to verify, they add little credible discourse to sport psychology.

Here, though, is one never-ending oddity. If at least 90% of all athletes and coaches state that the mental arena is vital, and absolutely critical at the higher reaches of a sport, then why do they also admit that they rarely practice mental skills? Perhaps they don't know how to practice these skills, or are not psychologically minded enough to seek assistance in this area. There still remains, in many sports, a stigma associated with an athlete who is "too mental". That's unfortunate.

3.      MYTH:      The Mental Game Always Makes The Difference Between Two Otherwise Equal Athletes In A Competition.

     FACT:      It has been said that if two athletes are equal in physical skill and physical conditioning, and in experience, then the factor that makes the difference between winning and losing is mental. Indeed, it is said, at the higher levels of a sport, the mental game is often the deciding factor, because most athletes are equal in their technical and physical abilities. Experienced coaches, players and commentators make this statement all the time. This is not particularly insightful, but rather, a tautology, an error of logic. Clearly, the mental game makes the difference when all other factors are equal.
                     Bill Cole










                   

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MOTIV GIRL

I would say bowling is 90% mental and 10% equipment form and technique..

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2 Fingers 4 Life
I Am The 3 Fingers Nightmare

Edited on 2/2/2010 5:15 PM

This may sound too simplistic and that success isn't just about a frame of mind or a belief that in reality it's about talent, resources, skills and a host of other things. This is of course true to some extent but sometimes success is about being in the right place at the right time irrespective of the other factors and as we never know in advance when and where that place or time might be, we need to be ready and prepared for it. Being in the right frame of mind means being positive and expectant so that if that opportunity comes along, you'll recognise it and seize it.

Having the right attitude about how you want your day or life to be is the most important first step on the road to success. A lot will need to happen after that but it's surprising how a positive mental attitude can be the catalyst for all sorts of things kicking off. What is almost certain is that not having a positive outlook and a strong belief will almost certainly reduce your chance of achieving success to zero.

When you look at the successful people and think that you have nothing in common with them and that's why you'll never be a success, the simplest thing you can do to put yourself on an equal footing with them is to have the same positive mental attitude as them.