From right hand to left hand...

I have finally got it in my mind I am going to pick bowling back up after three years, but instead of bowling right handed I am going to switch to my left hand.

Who has done this before and what were some of your obstacles?

I already know I have the mechanics down to throw left handed and my high game is 255 if I recall and I usually average around 180-190. The fluidity of my swing is what is making me want to switch. It feels extremely effortless for me to throw left handed. I know the one thing I will have to get down is spares, most importantly the seven pin, but other than that a lot of times I bowl left handed people tell me I am a natural and ask how long have I been bowling and that's when I tell them I am not even left handed. Which comes as a surprise.

I had success several years ago right handed with a lot of scores in the 270's high game 288 high series 775. I am hoping switching to left hand if not for higher scores a little more consistency and that elusive 300.

Anyways, to sum things up, I just want to know what obstacles I might have to look forward to or what are some goals I should set to help myself along? I do plan on getting into a Summer league but other than that I just want opinions and general ideas from everyone.

Are you switching because of injury?

Thanks kyobou7. Yeah I need to work on my conditioning. Starting planks and push ups today. Sliding was another thing I forgot to mention. I kind of plant. I need to learn how to slide which is what I think might be the most mental objection for me to overcome. About how long did it take you go start comfortably sliding?

Haha, you sound like me.  Depends on what the goal is, if you want to be competitive, probably won't work out as well as you think it will like itsallaboutme says, but if you're just trying to have fun, it might work out ok.  I bowled a year lefty a few years back, and it was actually pretty fun.  There's a guy here in town that switches every year, he has honor scores with both hands.  But it is a lot of work, especially if you have average/scoring goals.  I didn't have any goals the year I bowled lefty, I was just doing it cause I wanted to.  It's one thing just throwing the ball, it's a completely different thing trying to get the skill where you want it.  I throw it good lefty too, but I'm a complete wall baby. 

Your swing feels fluid left handed probably because you are not coordinated or strong enough to manipulate the ball like you can right handed.

If you want to bowl left handed knock yourself out.  But if you think you will be better with your non dominant hand you do not understand how difficult the game can be.

The time spent doing planks and pushups would be much better spent walking or riding an exercise bike. 

Good luck to you.

I can use both my left and right hands equally. I can dribble/shoot (basketball, when I did play organized ball), throw hardball, switch to southpaw (box/fight), and even write. BUT, bowling left handed is too damn hard for me to do.

I've seen guys who have switched do to injury, or for their personal agenda, and they have made it work. So, good luck again....