do any of you here on the forums believe that bowling is going downhill because of the newer technology and equipment? I read a thread on the PBA forums by Brian Voss (one of the greatest to play the game I might add...), and he was basically saying that bowling has lost it's value as a sport due to the newer bowling balls and equipment. Not too long ago on BallReviews fourms, someone mentioned that Marshall Holman has given up on trying to learn the "new" game of bowling.

Now, I didn't grow up in the polyester age, but I was around during the urethane age. (born 1970) While your at it, there were still some folks throwing rubber balls for that matter. Has bowling to me gotten worse? It'd be kind of hard to say. My Dad was not a big fan of the urethane balls because he said he couldn't control them, over/under, too strong yada yada yada. I see the same thing happening now with reactives and particles that was happening with the urethanes. This is why I'm confused (as far as people complaining about equipment). As a youngster, I still noticed people being competitive with rubber and polyester, even with the urethanes taking over.

I honestly look at it this way, "If you could stroke it then, you can stroke it now!". Hell, I remember throwing agianst some older cat in my early to mid-twenties thinking, "Man, this is gonna be easy!"...I ended up loosing points, one to be too cocky, but two because the old timer had a chance too keep up with a young cat with his old tried but true stroking style. What. Should I be mad because the equipment helped the old man be competitive? That's rich! See my point? Every other sport in the world is effected by technology. Ok, check this out. Football, basketball, and baseball players are HUGE and strong as HELL nowadays, so obviously, they need better gear to protect them as well as to help them to perform (Astro turf sucks though...). Golfers are more physically fit to be more competitive even with the new equipment. Yeah, you can hit the newer balls farther now, but you still have to know how to hit that damn little white ball in the first place! How many bowlers do you know now that are trying to have a strong physical game to go along with their mental game and their mechanics? Plus I don't see anyone complaining about the recent technology changes with shoes, bags, and or accesories? (If your gonna' complain do the best that you can.)

In some ways I feel where these pros are coming from, I really do, but in many ways I think they want us to stay stagnant in the sport too. I mean, look at Pete Weber. He STILL thrives even though he had an exremely hard time adjusting to the new equipment. But look what happened, he found some equipment that matched up with HIS style of bowling. Nuff Said. I bet when Voss and Holman qualify for the Senior tour, they'll be tearing it up there. No doubt in my mind one bit. Do you think the seniors will complain about them when they are the "new" kids in town?

One thing that bothers me the most, is Voss said that people would lose respect for the pros because theY bowl high games like the pros do in their leauge nights. Now, is there anyone here on these forums who think that the pros are a joke? Just because the equipment is better doesn't mean I'm gonna' be able to take out Voss or Holman! You STILL need skill to beat these guys, whether its a little or a lot. Anyone can be beaten in our sport at any given time. What I'd like to see is for the ABC to make THE "competitive" leauges have a tougher shot (mabey a sport shot) and why not bring back the Brunswick Pro Pins, not only for the pros but for all competitve leauge and tourney bowling. If you're making the ball stronger hell, make the pins stronger too.

Now I'm babbling, but you get my point. This is JUST my opinion people, and I love both Voss and Holman, but jeez, like my Dad would tell me to do when the lanes started to break down...adjust!
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When you've moved up, moved back, adjusted left and right, cupped, flattened out, have thrown everyting in your arsenal, and the pins still don't cooperate, just say, "Aw to HELL with it!", and throw the ball!