new bowler here

[tonytrees]

Hows everybody doing on this forum? I thought I'd sign up and join the discussion. I recently started bowling in a league with my pops and his friend as someone dropped off there team. Well after getting a ball drilled, I'm starting to develop a decent shot. Problem is that I'm not consistent enough on my shots yet. I would like to be able to know when I should move a few boards, but should I just be concentrating on trying to throw the same strike ball every time? I tend to hold onto the ball/ come across my body a few too many times each night. Any advice from you experienced bowlers?
Thanks

[75lockwood]

WELCOME TO THE BOARDS!

regarding your questions:

learning when to adjust is key, as oil on the lane breaks down (is removed/moved around by the balls) in order to continue to strike you need to move (left for a right handed bowler). that being said, since consistently is an issue, you should never move because you don't get a strike if you miss your target, adjusting off a bad shot will just lead to more issue.

Couple questions: what is your average and what ball did you get?

The best way to improve your consistency is to practice practice practice! make yourself a routine for every time you get up on the lane and do the exact same thing.

[striker12]

welcome to the boards.

ok about you pulling your arm across your body thing you should try doing is on your ballance arm have your thumb face towards the ground like your giving someone a thumb down i read up form alot of pro bowlers that it helps from pulling but then it could also be your are squeezing the ball and that could make you pull your arm.

[75lockwood]

welcome to the boards.

ok about you pulling your arm across your body thing you should try doing is on your ballance arm have your thumb face towards the ground like your giving someone a thumb down i read up form alot of pro bowlers that it helps from pulling but then it could also be your are squeezing the ball and that could make you pull your arm.

Agreed, another thing you can look at regarding pulling the ball is to slow down, when your first learning to bowl you shouldn't be trying to jam the ball (it often ends with you pulling it across the lane) let the ball do all the work, once you start your swing let the arm just swing.

[tonytrees]

I was going to mention when I just relax and not be tense I usually throw a much better shot. As of now I'm starting between the first and second arrow and just letting it go straight then hook in as thats how most of the guys in the league seem to be doing best. Three people on my team are throwing across the oil and have much more hook but they are exceptions. I went from about 115 with 80's equipment that didn't fit on my first three weeks ever bowling, and the past three weeks I'm around 145 with custom ball and what not. I'm very determined to learn more and hate very much having one of the worst averages.

[75lockwood]

I was going to mention when I just relax and not be tense I usually throw a much better shot. As of now I'm starting between the first and second arrow and just letting it go straight then hook in as thats how most of the guys in the league seem to be doing best. Three people on my team are throwing across the oil and have much more hook but they are exceptions. I went from about 115 with 80's equipment that didn't fit on my first three weeks ever bowling, and the past three weeks I'm around 145 with custom ball and what not. I'm very determined to learn more and hate very much having one of the worst averages.

The bowlers you mentioned that throw across the lane and have the ball hook back are cranker's, they throw the ball with a lot more revolutions thus allowing the ball to dig in and hook more. by the sound's of things you are a stroker, strokers don't have nearly as much power as crankers and rely more on accuracy than brute power. as a 145 average bowler the main thing i would recommend working on your spares as much as possible, the difference between a 145 average bowler and a 190 average bowler is making spares, if you make every spare your scores will improve a lot.


when you are bowling, the main thing you should worry about is enjoying yourself, if you have fun with it you will come back every week and the scores will follow. if you are practicing i recommend not worrying about the scores and instead focus on specific aspects such as hitting your target every time, pick a target and hit it every time regardless of if it ends in a strike or not.

Good luck and happy bowling!

[striker12]

just read what lockwood put cause i proably could not put it better my self but if i did put it before him he would proably correct me lol

[75lockwood]

just read what lockwood put cause i proably could not put it better my self but if i did put it before him he would proably correct me lol

Lol thanks striker :D

[tonytrees]

What's your opinion on wearing a pretty solid wrist brace. I have been wearing one as it lets me take my mind off of wrist movement. It keeps me more consistent. Is this ok?

[75lockwood]

Wrist supports are rather common amongst bowlers and there is nothing wrong with using one. if it helps you bowl better then why not?

[billf]

Nothing wrong with braces. They make them for a reason and if it's helping it's doing the job. Your average for a first year is actually pretty good. Another thing that can cause you to pull the ball is if you release it too late. A late release allows the balls weight to move the arm out of the swing slot. Gripping too hard with the thumb can also do this. There is a lot to bowing, more than most people think, but being able to hit your target is a big key. It takes time and can get frustrating but does pay off in the end.

[75lockwood]

Nothing wrong with braces. They make them for a reason and if it's helping it's doing the job. Your average for a first year is actually pretty good. Another thing that can cause you to pull the ball is if you release it too late. A late release allows the balls weight to move the arm out of the swing slot. Gripping too hard with the thumb can also do this. There is a lot to bowing, more than most people think, but being able to hit your target is a big key. It takes time and can get frustrating but does pay off in the end.

wait, so your saying what we do isn't just a game for nonathletic people? (quote from a jerk at my school lol)

[billf]

wait, so your saying what we do isn't just a game for nonathletic people? (quote from a jerk at my school lol)

If he thinks it's easy tell him to save his money. Three game series, $1 USD, a pin and I will bowl him. He can even choose the pattern from any listed in the Kegel library. Then he will see just how unathletic he is for bowling.

[75lockwood]

If he thinks it's easy tell him to save his money. Three game series, $1 USD, a pin and I will bowl him. He can even choose the pattern from any listed in the Kegel library. Then he will see just how unathletic he is for bowling.

Haha yea lol it would be nice to actually get him on a lane, it would be interesting to say the least LOL

[AngeloPD]

welcome to the boards tony!

[Brother_jd]

Welcome to the boards!