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Author Topic: Skill, Knowledge and Bowling Balls  (Read 937 times)

pin-chaser

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Skill, Knowledge and Bowling Balls
« on: November 10, 2008, 03:26:21 AM »
The most talented and skilled bowlers in the world (the pros) carry ~15-20 balls from tournament to tournament. Even within a single tournament they might use 6 or more to find to "look" they want.

I agree that skill plays a significant roll but I heard this phrase a couple years back and believe it to be true:  "You cant out execute a bad ball reaction".

Additionally, if you use a ball 10 years old it will not perform like balls of today (and for that matter balls that are 2 years old). Equipment and understanding when and how to use a specific layouts, surfaces, cores ...etc has become the name of the game today. If you dont use the correct ball you will give pins to the field.

On a scale of 1 - 100 for skill, equipment and knowledge(experience) where 100 is the best I believe the following in order to keep up with the scoring pace:

WRW2/Duke: skill is a 90+ Equipment is a 90  Knowledge is a 95+ Avg/THS 250+
I am:      skill is a 60  Equipment is a 90  Knowledge is a 70  Avg/THS 230
My son:    skill is a 70  Equipment is a 90  Knowledge is a 60  Avg/THS 225
Joe:       skill is a 40  Equipment is a 95  Knowledge is a 40  Avg/THS 200

The point here is that the less skill/knowledge places more importance on equipment. And two, even if you have the great skill/knowledge there still is great importance on "matchiing up". And three, that there is a point where if you have enough skill and knowledge that the importance of equipment plays less of a role but is still a major and constant key.

Anyone have other ideas?
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Reijn

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Re: Skill, Knowledge and Bowling Balls
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2008, 12:20:17 PM »
By your unofficial rating system, it appears that all you need is quality equipment to maintain a 200 average.  I'm not buying that.

Personally, skill would seem to play the biggest role.  Let's face it, strikes happen.  But the difference between a 185 and 200 bowler is the ability to pick up spares.  The difference between a 200 and a 225 bowler is not only the ability to pick up spares, but to string a few strikes together.  It's easier said than done of course, but the difference is that simple.

Skill can make up for equipment and knowledge.  Knowledge and equipment would go hand in hand with each other, as you need to use your knowledge to know which equipment to use.

If I had to focus on one element, I would choose skill.  You can buy equipment and knowledge is simply experience.
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los2003

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Re: Skill, Knowledge and Bowling Balls
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2008, 12:21:42 PM »
this is a great post.. I think on a ths equiptment maybe moer important for people who lack knowledge and skills. I know people who say if they get it right of the head pin they can strike. they may have 5 borads to miss either way. it's almost sad at some houses in my area.
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Xcessive_Evil

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Re: Skill, Knowledge and Bowling Balls
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2008, 12:39:41 PM »
quote:

If I had to focus on one element, I would choose skill.  You can buy equipment and knowledge is simply experience.


Solid statement right here.  

But I find it hard to believe one attribute hasn't been mentioned-and that is the luck attribute.  Maybe it's because the of the possibility it can't be truly measured?
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Dan Belcher

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Re: Skill, Knowledge and Bowling Balls
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2008, 12:42:04 PM »
quote:
But I find it hard to believe one attribute hasn't been mentioned-and that is the luck attribute.  Maybe it's because the of the possibility it can't be truly measured?
Over a long period of time, you create your own luck in bowling.  People with good releases are the ones who usually get the last-minute scouts rolling into the 10, avoid leaving the washout when missing outside too far, and carry everything in general.  People with poor releases are the ones who miss it just a pinch outside and leave a 2-8-10, or leave corner pin after corner pin after corner pin.
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Xcessive_Evil

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Re: Skill, Knowledge and Bowling Balls
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2008, 12:51:21 PM »
quote:
quote:
But I find it hard to believe one attribute hasn't been mentioned-and that is the luck attribute.  Maybe it's because the of the possibility it can't be truly measured?
Over a long period of time, you create your own luck in bowling.  People with good releases are the ones who usually get the last-minute scouts rolling into the 10, avoid leaving the washout when missing outside too far, and carry everything in general.  People with poor releases are the ones who miss it just a pinch outside and leave a 2-8-10, or leave corner pin after corner pin after corner pin.


True.  I have been seeing more often than not the luck factor going my way lately.
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los2003

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Re: Skill, Knowledge and Bowling Balls
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2008, 12:56:53 PM »
I understand about the splits and such but leaving corners and back row pins can simply be a bad ball reaction or unlucky. if your not leaving half 10's it can be many of things causing you to get tapped not just a bad release.
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pin-chaser

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Re: Skill, Knowledge and Bowling Balls
« Reply #7 on: November 11, 2008, 05:59:50 AM »
Reijn,

   Your point about making spares is not the case any longer. Back in the day you could not strike on less than lets say 80% good shot and spares were more important. Today you can strike on a 50% good shot and a 200 average by many are with 1-2 missed spares per game and 6 strikes.

   IMHO, the "luck" factor seems to more important today than in yester years. I dont know how many through the beaks, brooklyn's, barely touching the head pin strikes I see today on a string. But that is just the point... the "string". Never before have strings been easier to obtain. If a lucky strike happens its more likely than ever to be on a string. However, I dont believe that luck will prevail over a "given period". The cream always seem to rise and on any shorter periods it is a toss up. So I dont buy into the "luck" factor having any significant importance.  Beyond this kind of luck, weak/ringing 10's, over under conditions, solid 9's all can be neutralized and I dont consider leaving these as "unlucky".
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pin-chaser

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Re: Skill, Knowledge and Bowling Balls
« Reply #8 on: November 11, 2008, 06:18:41 AM »
Reijn

   There is a significant difference between experience and knowledge. Yes you can gain knowledge through experience but you can also gain knowledge through training, reading, conversation...etc. But it is far more difficult to gain experience in any other way than living through it.  For example:

   It was difficult for me to shoot my 1st 300 game. I constantly got nervous back in the 70's everytime I got a string going. However living through those experiences I gained confidence and confortability and shot my first. Three weeks ago I shot my 28th 300 game and many said I look un-nerved. (little did they know).

   As for knowledge gained not through experience, I talked with a ABC and PBA hall of fame member and as we talked he disclosed some of his secrets. One of which was to set the ball down at your ankle. By doing this the ball would get less rev's and skid longer. I remember this was a key to winning a tournament. I had never attempted it, but when the lanes broke down and my shot went away, I had a completely different look which allowed me to win.

And yes, many bowlers today would not be able to average 200 without todays equipment. And while I preach skill far too many today simply dont have it despite it being more available. And dont forget, todays 200 is like 185 in the 70's and more like 170 in the 50's. And just to be clear, equipment today means more than bowling balls, I include lane surface and pins because double voided pins are easier to knock down and fly around, the lane surface and balls create more friction on the dry and technology in lane machines give far greater consistancy then using spray guns and a push bar. Technology has made shooting a 200 average with much less skill.
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