win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: need some constructive advice please......  (Read 1920 times)

Rolltide1980

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 4
need some constructive advice please......
« on: March 05, 2014, 11:07:10 AM »
Ok first things first, I'm 33, have been bowling for approximately 20 something years, started bowling thumbless at the age of 13 and have bowled that way ever since. In July of 2012 I injured my right (bowling) hand, it was non bowling related. I tried to bowl thru the pain and it eventually became unbearable so I took a year off and just returned recently. I notice I no longer have as much range of motion in my hand, may be due to the injury healing up improperly.  I suspect it was ligament damage so possibly it drew up when it healed, not very sure. I can bowl relatively pain free now but due to the loss of flexibility and bowling thumbless, I have lost a fair deal of revs and even the axis of rotation seems to have changed. My question to everyone is this; is there a different type of grip or anything I can possibly change up to possibly add some power to my shot?? I've researched different grips such as the Sarge Easter, tri grip,  offset, adding a pinky hole etc, but due to me not using my thumb, I'm not sure if any of these grips will have any effect at all. I would truly appreciate any and all suggestions as I am pretty clueless when it comes to ball drilling. Thanks in advance! !

 

BallReviews-Removed0385

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 0
Re: need some constructive advice please......
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2014, 12:08:21 PM »
If you continue to not use your thumb I cannot think of any of those mentioned layout methods being of any benefit to you.  They assume you use the thumb as far as I know.

There are not too many ways to mess up your game faster than trying to maximize revs and hook.  Bowling is about repetition.  When guys try to max out one or both they tend to "hit" one release while "missing" the next one or two.  Strike, split, whiff, etc.

My advice is to try to find something you can repeat reasonably well with your current style without maximizing any one part.  Muscle is the enemy to a good, solid, repeatable game. 

As far as layouts go, you should probably stick to something very stable, such as
2 1/2" off your PAP and below the fingers for added stability, then go from there.

One of my favorite balls right now is my Melee, drilled 2" from PAP.  I can play very close to friction and it rolls so predictably, while the polish helps it to hit.  Is it the big, sexy hook?  No way!  But it allows me to beat up on those guys when the lanes get drier, and everything for them is skid/snap, with no effort at all on my part.

Rolltide1980

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: need some constructive advice please......
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2014, 08:31:35 PM »
I understand what you're saying and I do agree that consistency and technique are much more important than power and revs, it's just that my pin carry and average have suffered due to my loss of revs. I have been told in the past that I have pretty good form and technique for a 2 fingered bowler, and I always strive to repeat shots and have really toned down my hook over the years, instead trying to come right up the back of the ball instead of coming all the way around it. That being said, I agree with you as far as changing grips not really having much of an effect and rather I should focus on my drill pattern. Right now my go to ball is the IQ Pearl, it has a very smooth backend and really carries smoothly thru the heads.

Rolltide1980

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: need some constructive advice please......
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2014, 08:38:51 PM »
I know I sometimes catch a lot of flak from the old school, more traditional bowlers, and I can understand that, but it's the only way I know how to bowl, I never had anyone really teach me how to bowl so it's just been the way I taught myself, and whether it's wrong or right in everyone's eyes, I've done it this way for so long, it's almost too late to relearn. I guess I have to live or die by the sword at this point.

BallReviews-Removed0385

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 0
Re: need some constructive advice please......
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2014, 08:45:42 PM »

I'm not saying you have to change everything.  Just try and isolate a few things that you can do to be more consistent. 

Maybe it will be something totally unrelated to your release.  Good footwork promotes a better arm swing.  Better arm swings promote accuracy and effortless revs that will match up with your speed, etc.  You need to be open to change, or get comfortable with your struggles.

Rolltide1980

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: need some constructive advice please......
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2014, 09:00:08 PM »
Footwork lol that a whole 'nother can of worms. I have a very unconventional form of footwork; I wear sneakers on both feet so I plant my left foot with zero slide. I think most people I know expected me to have knee problems way before I ever had any kind of hand problems. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense to me about what you said as far as using as little effort as possible. If i have to force myself to rev up my shot, the harder it will be to replicate shots. There's some nights that it seems like I'm in the zone and I'm not forcing anything, but other nights I'm struggling and that's when I find myself trying to do too much with the ball.

Dave81644

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1662
Re: need some constructive advice please......
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2014, 07:25:30 AM »
notclay +1