My wife made a comment the other day that she thinks I should start bowling regionals.  I'm not of the same mind.  We bowl on cake conditions week in and week out and couldn't get a winter PBA league going in this town because it would never support it.  Every year I go to nationals and am ecstatic if I shoot 600 for just one set.  I only bowl two leagues a week, don't pay attention in one, and haven't practiced for years.  I do have a lot of knowledge however, I have a pretty good instinct for homing in on where the shot is at and how transition will affect it, I usually make good decisions on how to adjust, (and yes, I actually adjust, I don't just go grab an "adjustment" out of my bag) and can read ball reaction very well.  I don't think that translates into being a successful regional player.  Now I'm sure no one just goes out and wins their first tournament, but I don't want to be one of these guys with the inflated heads that goes out and embarasses myself.  I don't think bowling regionals wins you any points with the pros or impresses anyone, I'm sure some people get made into running jokes whether they are bowling because they think they're good or because they want to become good, I'm sure it all looks the same.  There are several people from my town who think they're good and have thoroughly embarassed themselves at regionals, and as such, my town has developed a certain negative reputation for producing massive egos with no talent.  I almost feel like I would have extra obstacles to overcome, especially within the region.  Plus I don't exactly have the money to throw around on entry fees unless I feel like I'm going to get something back. 

 

Now on the positive side, my wife has a 6th sense for things like this.  I may not see the possibility, but if she says to go for something, it usually works out very well.  Without getting into the details, whether or not she knows anything about what she's telling me to do or not to do, she's got a pretty good track record.  I believe my game is built more for tougher conditions, but I still have to hit the shot, and I have no way to practice that.  What advice or experience would any of you have to offer?  I do very well on PBA experience leagues, but we only have them during the summer, and otherwise I would have to specially request for a pattern to be put down for me to practice on, and having two jobs doesn't exactly lend me much practice time whatever the case.  I do believe I would be good at it once I was able to get started, but therein lies the biggest problem. 

I would try a tournament or two.  You can enter a tournament as a non-member.  The tournaments are very well run and most of the guys are great.  They will be helpful and give some advice, during the practice session or after qualifying, if you ask them. 

 

I have bowled 4 regionals this year.  Two standard (as a senior) and two senior.  The key is to be realistic with yourself and build on each tournament.

Hampster,

 

You are already ahead of the game.  You said it yourself, you don't want to go in and make yourself look bad because you have an inflated head...  You know what your are up against.  You know our region has some of the best players top to bottom.  If you can afford it financially, then I say do it.  Pete runs a tight ship in the SW Region, always well run, on time, etc..  Bowl a couple and see how you do.  If you KNOW you are going to bowl 4-8 a year or more, then joining the PBA would be more worth it, to save money on the entry fees.  Your location is not bad travel wise, you have a number of MW tournaments close too. 

 

Who gives a rats butt what some toes think about you bowling?  You bowl because you want to, because you want to test yourself against challenging lane conditions with top competition.  If you do well, then YOU know that you have done well, and that's all that matters!!!  It's a great feeling.  Oh, and you have your wife BEHIND you on this.  That is huge, a lot can be said good about your wife as a wife and woman!!  Believe me, I know, what it's like to try and bowl NOT having the support of my wife, hell I was her pro in a pro-am, that's how we met, and I kinda needed the money, and she beat me down about bowling in the first place.  I've never met her, and I like your wife!!  Tournament bowling is tough enough as it is, having her support is awesome!

 

Finally, depending on which tournament(s) you bowl, you might even see me making a come back this year!  That's worth .04 cents and Sprite right there!!  Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

Hey. I have bowled two regionals and cashed in both. And i have yet to bowl 600+ at nationals. I am always between 570-590. Regionals are a whole different animal then nationals. I like regionals better than nationals cause there are better bowlers and they make you better believe it or not..

If you are serious about bowling( and it sounds like you are )then you owe it to yourself to bowl several PBA Regional tournaments. These are a great way to see where your game is and to compete at a much higher level of competition.  I have several suggestions which you may find useful:

 

1) Invest in a plastic ball and practice shooting spares for several weeks before the tournament. You will be shooting MANY more spares than you are used to. Use your plastic ball to shoot at EVERY spare except those that involve double wood.

 

2) Tune out the other competitors and their negative thoughts/talk/body language. Ask Mike Austin about this one-----he'll have many stories about this. Many of these guys will do anything to mess with you.

 

3)Practice as much as you can at home for several weeks before the tournament. If you can't find a house that will put down the regional patterns just remember the general area of the lane that a particular pattern usually dictates. For example, when I used to practice for the Cheetah Pattern I would place white athletic tape on the lane as a guideline. I put a strip on the 1 board and the 4th board at the arrows and also strips on the 1 board and the 4th board at about 38'., which is the breakpoint for this pattern.

 

4)Bring an arsenal of bowling balls with a variety of surfaces . Make sure you have balls that are very dull( say 360 Abralon ), balls that are smoothsanded( 2,000 Abralon, etc. ), and balls that are highly polished ( 2,000 Abralon and polished, etc. ).

 

 

Enjoy yourself and good luck !