Author Topic: Egos (Read 3104 times)

txbowler · « **on:** March 21, 2012, 01:22:52 PM »

I think it finally dawned on me what drives all of bowling - Egos.

In every other sport, you pretty much know how good you really are. In golf, if you cannot consistent shoot under par at your local course from the blues tees (never mind the tips), you are not thinking about joining the PGA. And none of your buddies or the general public suggests that you should.

But in bowling, because of the THS, the common league bowler can bowl just as well as the guys on TV.

This causes 2 problems:

1) A lot of common house bowlers develop egos that they are really better bowlers than they really are. Their buddies and general public ask them if they are pros or why don't they try to become one, because they see them bowl just as well as the guys on TV.

2) The really good bowlers get no respect. The bowlers who have put in the work to become the true elite of the sport cannot show they are really the best because on a THS they can get beat by the common house bowler in a carry contest. So they develop an ego to proof they are indeed better.

This I believe is why the elite bowlers press so hard for sport conditions to be implemented. Why? Because on sport conditions, the common league bowler's average will fall probably 20-30 pins into the 170-190 range. Now, no one will think he is as good as a pro anymore and the elite bowler will be respected for being at the top of the sport of bowling like the pros of other sports by the general public.

It's all about ego.

txbowler · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2012, 01:09:18 AM »

The replies here have pretty much proven my point.

There are 2 sets of egos.

EGO 1: The elite bowler. He wants to be recognized as the elite of his sport.

EGO 2: The house bowler. He for the most part doesn't give a crap about anyone else as long as HE can bowl like an elite bowler in his weekly league. Cares nothing about the sport. (There are exceptions to this of course)

EGO 1 & EGO 2 are mutally exclusive in my opinion. And since the highest percentage of revenue for owners is EGO 2, EGO 2 will always be taken care of.

But until EGO 1 receives the recognition that they feel the have earned, they will fight for the SPORT of bowling because it is on those conditions where they can show they are the best. But in doing so, EGO 2 will just leave the GAME because they just care about themselves for the most part. And if they can no longer bowl like pros, they will find other ways to occupy their time in my opinion.

Last year, Sport memberships were 19,000+. Regular memberships were 1.8 million+.

Somehow someway, these 19000+ bowlers want some respect from the 1.8 million.

Good luck. I don't think forcing sport conditions is the answer. The owners of the lanes would rather you 19,000 quit and the 1.8 million continue bowling I think. You are going to have to find your respect some other way.

Edited by txbowler on 3/21/2012 at 11:14 PM

r534me · « **Reply #17 on:** March 22, 2012, 03:55:44 AM »

I think don't think either one is the preferred source of revenue. That source would be parties, cosmic bowling, etc. In SF, there are two bowling spots opening with something like 18 total lanes. Do they want leagues? Highly doubt it. They want the people who want entertainment like eating,drinking, games and socializing. Bowling serves at the backdrop for that. Google Lucky Strike and Mission Bowling Club and you see what I mean.

But if that keeps some alleys open for league bowlers so be it. It is what it is.

trash heap · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2012, 10:52:14 AM »

Well based on my personal experience, my kid wants to go bowling, and in our home we have all kind of electronic devices in the house.

I have 4 children. They play video games, but they are not obsessed with them. My kids have interests outside the home. One in gymnastics and soccer. One in volleyball and music, One in music and running, and my son who plays baseball and bowls (Also likes to fish). I live in a small town and there are plenty kids in the neighborhood. I see kids outside playing games like capture the flag, kickball, or whatever kind of game they come up with. When the weather is nice, I can't keep my kids inside.

I really blame parents on this issue. There alot of lazy parents out there. Real easy to pay $50 - $60 for game and have your kid parked in front of the TV all day versus having to cart them around to various activities. This generation of parents probably spend as much or more time on the computer than their kids.

the_l3g3nd_killer wrote on 3/21/2012 7:59 PM:If i may stray off topic here for 1 reply. A poster said there are many reasons as to why league bowling is in decline. My opinion is the #1 reason is not technology because of bowling equipment but technology as in electronics. Nobody wants to go out and do anything any more. Whether be play sports, go bowling or just go for a walk. What kid wants to go out and do something when they just got the newest game system, or I-pad or I-touch or what ever new item is on the market. Bowling is in decline because of laziness. I am 26yrs old and I remember when i was in juniors we had like 12-16 team leagues in the 12 to 21 age division. and like 7-10 in the lower age group. Now there lucky to get 5-7 teams for older age division and 3-4 for the younger age division. I would have to say advanced technology in electronics is #1, and a far 2nd is Bowling equipment.

Author Topic: Egos (Read 3104 times)

txbowler

Egos

txbowler

Re: Egos

r534me

Re: Egos

trash heap

Re: Egos