Smackre

Just wondering how many Bowlers we have on TFP. I am a active bowler. I love the sport and have been doing it for 8 years now. Averging 206 atm on 2 Leagues and was throwing for my first 300 game last week. I ended up leaving the 7 pin on the last stike. Ended up with a 299.

So if you are a bowler Post !~!

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keyshawn

oh wow. Cool post.

Yeah, actually it's just more of a casual thing for me, I try to play at least a once a month or so...
My average is ~130 or so...and high game was 205. I bought my own ball a couple months ago [at the thrift store for $3 !] , and actually have only used it once since.

Congrats Smackre

My dad actually was a semi-pro and was in a bunch of local tourney's in the 70's, then he blew his knee out [I think it his high was a 270 or so]

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AVoiceOfReason

I once bowled fairly often. I tried out for the college bowling team and was in the running to make it, but was disqualified because I had graduated midway through what was my senior year (back then, once you graduated, you lost all eligibility). I bowled leagues in law school, but after that, it became less frequent. In the past 10 years, I've probably not bowled more than five times. I'm still OK at it--I averaged 162 the last time, with a high of 175--and if my 7 year old takes more of an interest in it (translation--I have to think to take him sometime, as he liked it the two times he's tried it), I should be able to bowl more often.

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htra0497

Damn ... my first thought was lawn bowls; manicured grass, cheap beer, sunshine and little or no physical effort.

laconic1

I have been in a league this summer with some of my coworkers. I had always liked bowling but never really did much of it until this league. I broke 100 for the first time ever the second week of the league, and currently have an average of 122. My best game is a 166. If I end up doing a winter league then I'll go ahead and buy a ball, although I really don't know what I'm looking for in a ball. It's been a lot of fun, and I actually enjoy going to work on Thursdays now because I know I'll be bowling that night.

Mitzkrieg

yup, i likes the bowling. did a company league a bunch of years ago and had a 176 avg. but mostly its only a handful of times a year that i go anymore. started golfing more

radioguy

bowler here. average 180, bowled in the national tournament this year for the first time. ended up cashing, not much, but i got my money back. bowling is great, been on a league for a couple of years now.

SirLance

In a league, and bowl every Thursday.

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Kubz18

rough break on the 299/7 pin

i also am a semi fequent bowler, average about 185, i dont consider myself not much better than the average joe

if i would stop moving every 5 months i would join a league

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laconic1

Just got home from bowling tonight, had my best game ever, a 177. Still not as good as most of you guys, but considering it was on two lanes that I have always had a horrible time with I was pretty happy.

radioguy

good job crazybill. keep up the good work and you'll be hitting higher and higher scores. it's always nice to have a career game. i haven't had one in a while

Smackre

Ya gotta love the nights when you break a new high game or series. when i was bowling youth i bowled a 280. Almost 7 years ago. i hadnt broke that 280 score untill i threw that 299 afew weeks ago. It completely makes you want to bowl more. right now im averging 30 games a week and cant get enough of it.

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jason87

i bowl every week with a group of friends , my high game is 225

Kurant

Used to quite often. DIdn't this year as the birth of my child kept me plenty busy. Booked anywhere from 209-219 over the last 8-10 years.

I've got a few 300's, a few 800's, bowled Team USA in '98 and '99, made cut both years, but didn't make the team. Best finish was 19th. Various Mega-bucks tournies in Vegas. Overall, the game has declined steadily with the birth of probably 50+ new bowling balls a year, easier lane conditions and more technology. Just not what it used to be.

I've been bowling since I was 7, and it's a much needed break. Maybe I'll get back in it in a few years.

laconic1

A few questions for the more knowledgeable bowlers. Right now I just play with a house ball, but I'm thinking about buying a ball. Right now I just roll the ball straight ahead, I don't know how to make it hook. My average speed is around 17 mph. I want a ball that will work with my current style and let me learn how to hook the ball like good bowlers do. What would I look for in a ball, and how do I know what they mean by a dry lane, or medium or oily lane? I generally use a 14 pound ball in my league because that is what the lanes I bowl at have, but I have bowled at other places with 15 and 16 pound balls comfortably. Would I be better off going with a heavier ball like a 15 or 16 pounder or staying with a 14 pounder or even a lighter ball while I'm learning how to hook a ball?

Kurant

House balls are drilled conventional, at least, most are. Which means, your fingers go all the way into up to the second knuckle. When you go to purchase a ball, the best way to begin to learn to hook the ball, is get a ball drilled fingertip, there is no way unless you get out completely behind the ball with a flat wrist that you can't get side rotation. Side rotation = friction = the resin the balls are made of can grip and react. Over time, and through practice, you'll learn more about the game, and more about hand positions, and more about the motions and know how of making a ball hook. You'll learn about carrying the 10 or 7 pin (otherwise known as getting "tapped") and you'll learn about if dry conditions exsist, or if oily conditions exsist.

When you go to the pro shop to purchase a ball, I personally would find somthing medium hook, with a good amount of length. Simply because, most house conditions are fairly easy, and most places aren't flooded with oil during league play. But, they can become dry. A medium hooking ball will allow you to move left or right as the dry out (depends on what hand you are) and still maintain good angle to the pocket, and decent carry.

The heavier the ball, the better the carry, however, if you physical limitations don't allow you to go heavier, you need to decide for yourself. I don't care what ANY pro shop tells you, but simple physics will teach you, that no 15 pound ball will carry corner pins as well as a 16 pound ball. Again, base that upon your physical limitations, and your needs. I would personally start with a 15, as it will be a little easier to get around the side, and once you get used to it, move up if you desire.

Bowling is all about repeating motions, and consistancy, and practice when you start. As you get better, the bowling balls now a days, and firly easy lane conditions allow you to get lazy, not hit the target your looking at, and play an area on the lane. If you want to be good, and competitve, trust me when I tell you, learn to repeat shots, hit what your target on the lane, and LEARN TO SHOOT SPARES. I can't stress spare shooting enough.

I personally attended the PBC Camps, and Dick Ritger's Bowling Camp twice in the mid 90's in Ithica, NY. Lessons are good, as they can teach you the fundamentls of balance, and arm swing.

Read, practice, and soak it all up.

grumpyolddude

Great post, Kurant! I've been a certified (by YABA) bowling coach for several years, and everything you say rings true.

Smackre: 7 pin,eh? are you right or left handed? I'm a rightie, but some nights it seems I leave more 7 pins than 10's. I tend to play my shots a tad on the light side of the pocket.

I got my first 300 at age 50, just this past April. And, despite haveing averaged over 190 for years, I shot my first two 700 series just this past season!

What Kurant says about converting spares is absolute gospel! Every extra spare you convert adds 10 pins... minimum. If you average 120-130, its a safe bet that you miss most of your spares. If you are in the 170-190 range, you probably struggle with your corner pins. If you average over 200, more than likely, you usually only miss the occasional split.

Bowling is a great game and a tremendous way to spend time with your children. If you have a child showing some interest, fnd him or her a youth league and BE THERE with them. You'll stay connected for life!

Smackre

What Grumby said is 100% true. me and my father have been bowling togeter for years. Its a great way to connect. Yes i am right handed Grumby. I dont realy leave that many 10's or 7's id say. Id say i leave the same amount of 10's or 7's as any other pin i leave.

Also Great post Kurant. Very good guide for starters. My first ball when i was 12 was a Falcone. Then i bought a columbia 300 Green messanger. Then i got a Columbia 300 Blue messangers. I still use that blue messanger to this day.

Also id also like to say that when you get your ball drilled make sure you tell the guy drilling it how you want the ball the react. And dont go in there and say you want everbit of hook out of it you can get. Because you wont be able to control it and you will have a ball you cant use in dry conditions. You want it drilled with medium hook in mind. How a ball is drilled has alot to do with how it rolls. My Messanger is my oldest ball. Its a medium performance ball. It hooks more than my bully because where the pin was placed when i had it drilled. Also i had the sureface changed.

Right now im waiting for the new Columbia 300 EPX1 to comeout to see how the new generation of balls are going to react. If i read the articals right it is going to have a 500 grit finish on it. And the bully has a 2000 Grit im pretty sure. Man that is going to cut threw that oil fast and take off. I do not think the EPX1 will be a good ball for those realy dry nights hehe.
http://www.columbia300.com/gear/balls.cfm?bid=191

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Kurant

The absolute WORST thing you can do like Smackre said is getting a ball drilled for "max performence" or in other words, every piece of hook you can get out of it.

2 reasons, 1 because in carry down late in league or tournamts, these balls get very iffy on the backends. YOu lose alot of consistancy in reaction, and lost alot in angle to the pocket. 2, becase these balls are only useful on 1 condition, depends on surface (And you won't understand this right away, but as you get further along in your game you'll know what I'm talking about) and ball of course, but most are useless on heavy oil conditions, or heavy carry down, and complete useless on dry conditions, because they just don't store any energy down the lane. Wish I could comment on today's equipment, but it'll be 3 seasons this year since I threw a ball. I have NO idea whats out anymore.

I personally had the most success with things with a low RG (Radius of Gyration) and medium top wieghts. (1.8-2.5). With that combo, sanding to 400 and finishing with 2000 grit polish, and keeping pins above your fingers, you get good mid-lane roll, with (depending on ball) strong back ends, or move the CG to tame it down slightly, and get good arcing roll, or even getting the ball to hook and stop.

You wouldn't believe a bowling ball would involve that kind of physics!

I am also a cerfitified YABA instructor, and I haven't coached for a few years now, but I also was an instructor for a very basic portion of Dick Ritger's when I was 19-20 and 21, and taught the basic class locally with another guy who was a Ritger instructor. Shot my first 300 when I was 14, first 800 when I was 16. I've got 13 300's and 8 800's and held the Alaska state record for a total of about 17 hours (I shot 845 on a Saturday night in a tournament, 3 oclock the next afternoon, guy by the name of Robert Hammond shot 852. Just my luck.). Kinda cool to say though.

laconic1

Thanks for all the advice and info. My summer league is almost over but I'll probably joining a winter league. You guys are absolutely right about spare shooting. My first delivery usually gets six to eight pins consistently, but how I do on the second delivery has had huge effects on my overall score. The other day in one game I only picked up two spares and had one strike and scored a 109. The next game I had two strikes and six spares, and the two spares I didn't pick up were both splits, and I scored a 163.

grumpyolddude

I recommend that every bowler develop a relationship with a reputable pro shop. A talented proprietor can watch you bowl and make suggestions on core, coverstock and drilling patterns. They may even provide lessons at a reasonable rate (no one's to old or experienced to benefit from a little coaching).

I currectly have 3 balls... 3 different manufacturers... 3 totally different and (hopefully) complementary rolls. I start warmups with my Storm X-Factor. If its break point is too deep, I pick up an Ebonite Crossfire, which reads the lane earlier and has a strong, continuous arc... and hits like a mutha! If the Storm hooks early and rolls out on me, I take up my Columbia 300 TI Messenger (gold). This one goes long and breaks late and hard (my 300 score was shot with this ball). I also carry a plastic Zone for corner pin spares.

It may sound like I've spent a fortune on my gear, but I haven't paid full price for anything but my shoes. I bought the Messemger used... had it plugged and drilled... totl under $75. I've had it for 3 years. I won the Storm in a raffle (I had my choice of balls) and the Crossfire was part of a summer program that included lessons with several professional tour winners, hours and hours of practice, and a video tape session. The Zone was a gift from my son.

Even with all of that, I haven't even put a dent in Kurant's accomplishments... well done, K!!!! My claim to fame is that I've nurtured several bowlers averaging over 200, and helped my daughter raise her average over 30 pins last season (he who can't do, teaches).

Have fun with your bowling. Sex, rock and roll, bowling and beer keep this old codger going! Get all you can of all of 'em!

Smackre

If there was one thing id tell a new bowler. the biggest factor that is going to change your game is practice. and i mean practice. when i was starting out i was at a bowling alley 3 nights a week practicing and bowling on 1 league. practice is the key factor. i know guys who have bowled on a league for for years but aint any good cuz they dont go practice.

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laconic1

Been a while since I posted in here. I ended up buying a 14 pound Columbia 300 Scout Reactive and had it drilled fingertip. It took me about 10 games before I was able to break 100 while I figured out how to get the ball down the lane. Once I did though my game has improved quite a bit. I'm about a 150 average over the last few weeks with a best game of 218, and 4 games over 180. Plus I still have a 125 average for the league to date so I still have a big handicap for now I still struggle with spares somewhat, which is a little discouraging, since I almost never have to contend with any splits. Almost all of my spares are a 2-4-7, 1-2-8, 5, or 6-10. I'm pretty sure the first two scenarios are from just not getting enough angle into the pocket. The third scenario is from me not getting the ball over far enough and having it hit the 1 pin on the left side. I don't know how the last scenario occurs. It feels good to see the progress I've made though.

Ahambone

I absolutely love to bowl; I've been doing so since my high school had a Tuesday afternoon bowling club. When I first started out, no one noticed that I was bowling with my index & middle fingers instead of my middle & ring fingers; how I was able to hit anything throwing the ball like that, I'll never know.

The only ball I own is a Columbia White Dot. I don't know how to hook (still trying to learn after all these years), so I feel like a White Dot is the best for me. My avg. is probably in the 130-140 range, with my high being somewhere in the low 200's. My biggest accomplishment was when I threw back-to-back 200's.

I have a VERY unconventional bowling style. I take three steps, and people say that when I throw the ball it looks like I dislocate my shoulder. That's pretty much the best way I can describe the way I throw, but I know that I need to learn from scratch if I ever seriously intend to hook the ball.

Catdaddy33

Nice thread...

I've bowled since I was 8 and actually met my wife 19 years ago in a youth bowling league. I bowled in a college league and my highest average was in the 170s. I ended up working in a bowling alley for 3 years during college, and after a few months ended up being night manager.

After we closed down on Friday and Saturday nights we use to invite friends over and drink and bowl every weekend. After I got a job out of the town post-college, I was so burned out on bowling I never picked it up again, until a few months ago when my daughter wanted to go bowling one night. Took me a couple of games to get back into the hang of it. Now, my wife and I are considering joining a league maybe this summer or next fall..

theguyondacouch

I bowl every now and then, I usually roll 150 or so. I went bowling two weeks ago for the first time since like, june. good times, good times

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joofoo

My wife and I love to bowl... we used to be in a league, but it's been a few years now. We plan on getting back in one soon. When we did bowl every week my average was ~171...

we bowled again a couple of weeks back after taking about three years off and I rolled a 165 and a 110.. ekks!

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Toaster126

I love bowling. It's a great activity to do with friends that doesn't require a lot of thought. It also has "downtime" so there aren't obstacles to communication. Very underrated activity by the masses, if you ask me. The only thing I don't like about bowling is the amount of cigarette smoke in some bowling alleys.

I bowl a straight ball so my average is around 155. When I get a little more time and money on my hands I'll learn how to throw a ball with hook. I imagine that will make my game crappy for a while, but then eventually make it better than it was.

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