I have a problem with my mental game. I have a really hard time focusing on shot making outside of really close games in league or direct head to head matches. Put money or, I hate to say it, my ego on the line, and I become a lot different shot maker. Or a group of pretty girls on the set next to me How do you all get yourself to focus on making every shot? Lately I have been content hitting a break point of 10 boards when bowling recreationally

First I'll say you can't be as intense on every shot as if it was for your life. You'll burn yourself out.

You need to get a routine so that every shot seems the same as the last.

For me it is pick up your ball, wipe it off, find your spot on the approach, find your target and align your body to the target, take a deep breath and then go.

I do this in practice or in competition regardless of situation.

If you vary your routine it will add stress to the shot. Many when put in a pressure situation will alter their routine and often it will not produce the result they were looking for.

Your mind and body likes a routine.

There are two good books about the mental game.  One is by Dr Dean Hinitz, Bowling Psychology and the book by Josh Blanchard, Energy In Motion.  Both are excellent books! 

I personally like 'with winning in mind' by Lanny Bassham. Shooting is more a mental sport than a physical one, imo.

I thought I replied to this lol. I try to treat every shot the same, but i have the mental block making it impossible. And it isn’t a gambling addiction type of situation because I don’t gamble... per se. just paying money to get in pots and tournaments. The focus under pressure thing also extends to outside bowling. If I am in a stressful or high pressure situation elsewhere, I have a mental clarity that doesn’t exist outside of that situation.

To be a little different, I think you need to approach this from two sides.  I would try to reduce the imposed stresses from the higher pressure situations while also trying to impose some stress on the lower pressure situations.  The ultimate goal is to treat each shot the same regardless of the situation.  That is near impossible to do so trying to bring each side closer to each other can provide some consistency. 

I would be wary of trying to bring all situations up to the higher pressure type mainly because being at high stress for extended periods of times becomes tiring.  You will find trouble trying to be at that level for an entire block. 

Hope that came across understandably.

I agree with this. I'm new to bowling. I picked it up (almost) 3 months ago. I'm at 5 bowling balls, and can't wait to get another. I read a lot of what better bowlers have to say, and in general I prefer to listen to those who know what they are talking about. My average is almost breaking the 200 barrier and just rolled my 1st 270+ game. With all that said: I came from a different sport that is WAY more taxing on your mind, over a longer duration, requiring a lot more practice. That sport is golf.

I played junior events, high school, college, and tried professionally on and off for a decade(it's expensive). I've had more instruction than I care to think about, and can't remember half of the instructors I went through. The most beneficial instruction I ever had was going to a sports psychologist. The just of what they taught me that I will try really hard to put into bowling terms:

We are creatures of habit- pre shot routine is usually something that is very consistent. You do your waggle, pick up your ball a certain way, etc.
This is "Pre-shot"- this is where your conscience mind is completely in play. You're adjusting to where you stand, where your target is, how you want to position your wrist, etc.
This is the where your brain gets in gear. Your muscle memory knows exactly what  your brain wants it to do. This is a repetitive motion that your body knows.

It's time: this is the hard part, and more specifically the part that is your concern. It's time to pull the trigger- this is where the conscious mind has to take a back seat, and your subconscious mind takes over. If I've lost you here, take this example. Wodding up some piece of paper, leaning back in your chair, you throw it at the trash can, and it's perfect goes straight in. Then. You sit there and word up another piece of paper sitting up straight treating it like a freethrow. Make sure your elbow is in and you dont even come close= get your pre shot, adjustments, and everything else together- from there you dont worry about your form, how much cleavage is on the other lane, or what your buddies or teammates think about if you screw this up. All you are focusing on is the simplest thing you can do. You are stroking it to your your target. Not guiding it, steering it., forcing it, just rolling it there. You'll be amazed what your mind will do when you free it up from all the stuff you have no control over! Kind of like how you made the first word of toilet paper.