Made a decision recently to take bowling more serious and try and use it as an income stream. I've been a solid bowler (230+ average for a few years) and won several tournaments, so I figured I would have a shot at decent success. Soon found out the talent pool outside of my area is better than expected and frustration has set in. What is some advice to get through the frustration and is it possible to try and go "all in" too soon? Please only constructive criticism. Not trying to say I'm better than everyone or just whine because I'm not winning everything. Just looking for any advice on the experience from anyone else who has lived it.

I done it for about 20 years.  While I won't consider myself in the same category as Bob Hanson, Avabob, or some of the other accomplished bowlers on this site, I felt I could win every tournament I entered.

First, I bowled 3 leagues a week.  One on wooden lanes, one on synthetic, and one on laneshield.  The one handicap that is hard to overcome when bowling out of town is knowledge of lane charecteristics.  You probably have the same advantage in your home house.  How to play that one pair of lanes with poor carry.  I took notes on each pair of what worked and didn't work when I was out of town just in case I ever came to that tournament again.

It's almost impossible to make a living tournament bowling.  Don't put yourself in the position of having to win.  Too much pressure.  I used each tournament as a chance to make new friends, have some fun.  Just treat the tournaments as a vacation.  Learn from each outing.

I've been competitive in every event. It isn't like I'm getting last place. Just missing the cut by 5 pins or what not. Coming close enough to feel like I had the shot and just not taking the advantage. I know it isn't practical for a full income. I am an accountant for my full time job. I just like the supplementation that bowling could provide.

Your frustration may come from the fact that good tournament bowlers average 230 in league, but not all 230 average league bowlers are good tournament bowlers. 

The only way to get better is to participate.  You will pay for this education.  Just take full advantage of every opportunity and try to improve every time you shoe up.

Learn as much as you can about lanes and lane conditions.  You will figure out what patterns and lane surfaces work better for your game.

Learn as much as you can about balls and layouts and how and when to use what.  Know your equipment like the back of your hand.  No guessing if you need to change balls and how it will react when you do change.

The suggestion I will make is this, buy an app that you can use to track your bowling. They are amazing at helping you keep track of your bowling. What you are leaving, and what you are missing. Track what patterns you bowl good on and which ones you need more practice on. In and 8 game total pins tournament, leaving a 6 or 7 count could mean alot going into the last game.
Good luck in your future tournaments.

I think this is where you will see a big improvement.  As an engineer, and you as an accountant, I kinda enjoy the analysis of things.  Analyzing your performance will show you where you can improve and will also give you information about the locations you bowl. 

Then again, the best way to make money in my area is to be the Secretary of as many leagues as possible.  GUARANTEED payday.

Many of the best bowlers on tour have day jobs and other businesses to support their bowling habit. There are even more people I have seen come and go live as either professional bowlers on the PBA or the local bowling alley hustler, and the outcomes I hear about are more often sad stories than happy and successful ones.

In essence, if you asked me what I thought, what I've been saying is, you're probably a good bowler, but I think you should still keep your day job. The numbers just don't add up with today's scratch bowling scene, anyway.

My personal bias is to use bowling as a form of recreation - like gaming, skill games, or gambling would be... because that's what "legitimate" tournament bowling is all about. You pay a fee, play a skill game, and hopefully you have what it takes that day to beat everybody else in the field.

You mention you average 230 in league - the new "bar" for professionals and league bowling is literally a 255 average these days. Those guys at the highest levels are just on a whole other spectrum. Add the variable that the top 5% of bowlers from your area and other areas will be competing at the same level as you now, and we all know that most "good" bowlers will transition the lanes much differently than it would at league. The advanced level of lane play and the way the field breaks down patterns are things most don't/cannot practice for.

Either way if you're going to "chase the tour," keep bowling as much and for as long as you can financially, emotionally, and physically support yourself. I can guarantee that something "challenging" will happen when you are chasing the show. The way you answer those challenges in life and sport will determine how successful you can be.

In the end whatever you do, keep it fun. Remember, recreational bowling doesn't mean it can't be competitive, too.

AVABOB .. that is funny!

Well Jimmy, google is my friend and you can't hide from google.

First off, after watching your videos your physical game isn't the problem.  Some fine tuning to smooth a few things out, if we want to be picky. I watched the video from the NBT final and you throw it better than the guys that made the show.  But the best bowlers aren't always the guys that throw it the best.  The best bowlers are the guys that "get it".  Some guys "get it", some guys throw it great.  The guys that do both kick everyone's ass.

Are the results from the NBT on 7/21 pretty typical of how your performance have been?  Looking just at the results there it looks like you either don't play the lanes well as they transition or you are just plain pressing too much as you get into contention.  Which would it be?

Yes that is usually how my performances pan out. I am in it for the majority of the even then it just seems to fizzle out. I know that I am not going to be the best all the time or even the majority of the time honestly, I just would like to make a little money here and there. Thanks for the compliments on the physical game. It is actually frustrating because people compliment me, but I don't win enough in my opinion. After reading all these responses, I think I will need to adjust my plan going forward. I'll just work more in the pro shop or something, It still has to do with bowling .

Thanks everyone for your advice/opinions.