Who would that be?

Greetings, I haven''t posted in a while but I need some help right now.  My main problem right now is my ball speed: my fastest speed is still a mile and half slower than your average bowler''s lowest speed.  

I''ve read the all the tips online to fix it, I''ve taken videos and shown them on other sites and I''ve talked to coaches within my area, but nothing has solved my speed problem.  They''ve helped me with other parts of my game, but while the speed of my shots is much faster than when I first started, the speed is still too slow for it to have a real impact.

I''m a bit desperate because I love this game a lot so I''m going through lengths to get the help I need.  So I ask again: if you had a problem with your game and could only choose one person in the US to diagnose and fix it, who would that be?

I''m open to anyone and I would prefer someone who has worked with the pros but you get the idea.  I don''t care about costs like that, the only thing I would prefer would be someone in Illinois, where I currently live, but I''m willing to travel across the country if need be.

Edited on 6/29/2010 3:49 PM

If you're in Illinois I'd recommend going up to Sheboygan, Wisconsin for the Summer Video Sessions hosted by Steve Richter at the end of August. He'll have 3 top 100 coaches there including Hank Boomershine who designs balls for Storm/Roto Grip and has probably coached pros like Duke and Weber since they're on staff.

I went there last year and had a video lesson with Hank Boomershine. I also went to a similar session in Des Moines two years ago with Chris Sand. Either of them are good coaches that I'd recommend and I'm sure Steve Kloempken is very good too. If you end up spending the weekend there you'll pick up a lot more information from hanging out with those guys between sessions too - if you take full advantage of being up there you basically have access to 4 coaches.

I also learned a lot from Steve Richter through a series of emails before the session last year and talking to him after I got up there - even though he didn't coach me on the lanes. From Steve's advice I saw an improvement in my PBAX average and laneplay before I even had a video lesson. Hank and Chris have helped my physical game and Steve Richter improved my ability to read ball reactions and knowing when to make slight adjustments to get the correct ball reaction.

For information about this look at either of these links:

http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=261175&ForumID=13&CategoryID=2

http://www.box.net/shared/8fx9dmev60

Thank you all for your replies.  It seems people here are still as helpful as ever and I really appreciate it.  I will take the suggestions you've given me to heart.

Some of you have asked questions about me and I'll be happy to answer them.

1.  I'm a healty 25 year old who constantly jogs in the mourning and sometimes lifts weights.  I have no disabilities in my body, so it can't be a physical reason as to why my speed is horrible.

2.  Speaking of that, it really is horrible.  All the coaches I have been to have said my ball is way too slow for my age and I agree with them.  When a 60 year old lady can let it rip faster than me speedwise, I know I have problems, no offense to the 60 year olds out there.

3.  My coaches are flabbergasted to my speed problem because no matter what adjustments we make, I can't get a burst of speed in my shot.  It's not a communication problem because they commended me for listening to them and as you could see I too have high praise for them.  Nevertheless no matter how much I fool around with my swing, timing and speed of footwork, my ball can't just get a burst of speed.

It's like practicing hitting your target board on the lane, only instead of hitting your target, your always throwing it into the gutter.  It's so frustrating because you don't have results to work with even through luck.

4.  Of course I will listen to the people you've suggested even though I might not tell them what I'm looking for.  That's why I posed such a question: if those people can gain your respect, they will definitely have mines.  

My goal in bowling is not about the money or tournaments or even the competitive nature of the sport, but the understanding of the game to it's deepest levels and beyond. I want to reach a level where people can say "man, that guy sure knows how to bowl.  He knows his stuff." I'm hopeful the people who I see can point me in that direction.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

Will have to 2nd Mo Pinel. Reason is that he is the type of coach that will not sugar coat what I am doing wrong and will tell it like it is.
--------------------
Bowling is like life. Sometimes you are the ball. Other times you are the pins.