I did it! I finally did it!

[JaMau24]

Hey guys, long time no see. Hope everyone is doing well...

Just thought I'd drop by to tell everyone I finally got the monkey off my back!

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w261/astroph/Bowling/800_zps04598f88.jpg

Ok, I understand my definition of "finally" is a little different than some people, considering I've only been back to bowling for a year, but I've been chasing that 800 for a while! Centuries it feels like!

Update on my bowling game: I've been slumping the last couple months and I think I found the reason why. So may this be a help to others who are slumping too. What I have been doing is going into the bowling alley with a number I want to hit, or with an expectation that I HAVE to bowl well. Reason why I've had this pressure on myself is this 700K AMF Tourney that I got re-rated in (re-rated to 224). Getting re-rated makes me feel like I have to shoot a monster score (and I do) but thinking about it was detrimental to my game. Anyway, I got knocked out the 700K Tourney because I never shot the nice 723 series I needed the last 2 weeks (even though I'm very capable of bowling that), and I didn't advance. So, with all the pressure off of me and no expectations, I shot 731 on Thursday. Then I thought, "Hey! There is something to this relaxed mind thing!" So I bowl league last night and shoot another 731 (weird huh?). Then I come into tonight and shoot 800. So may this be a reminder to you all -- KEEP YOUR MIND QUIET! Do not set expectations before you bowl. Don't think about it, just do it.

EDIT: All of this bowling done with my amazing DV8 Brutal Nightmare!

[ecub]

Congrats! Yeah, some people just over think their game. I just same, I just concentrate on hitting my mark, the scores will come.

[striker12]

gratz on the 800 series and nice games i just wish i could do that in league i can do it when i go up and have fun but not in league

[SouthpawTRK]

Congratulations on the 800 series!!! Great advice about keeping your mind quiet and not setting expectations prior to bowling! I've definitely been plagued with not keeping my mind quiet and setting expectations at one of the leagues that I play in. For this coming week, I'm going to take your advice; keep my mind quiet, don't set any expectations and just bowl :)

[Keithalw]

Congradulations on the nice series... and awesome advice... happy for ya bro

[Brother_jd]

Congrats on the 800!

[bowl1820]

Congratulations on the 800 series!!!

[The German Shepherd]

Well done! Sounds like you have righted the ship in a big way!

Jay

[J Anderson]

So may this be a reminder to you all -- KEEP YOUR MIND QUIET! Do not set expectations before you bowl. Don't think about it, just do it.



Excellent advice! I would suggest a slight amendment; do not set expectations on your score before bowl. Bowling pins, much like footballs take funny bounces, and automatic pinsetters can and do occasionally place a pin off spot. I've shot games in the 190-210 range that were much better games than tome of my games in the 240s.

Do set the expectation that you will bowl well, i.e. that your eyes will stay on the target, your body will be in balance through the whole approach, that your swing will be in time with your feet, etc.

[I suck at bowling]

Congrats man! That is quite the accomplishment!

I'm still looking for my first 700, but I'm well on my way.

[75lockwood]

Well done good sir! so, where is mike?

[Zothen]

Congrats on 800 series

Zothen

[JaMau24]

Thank you all very much! Kind of you.



Congratulations on the 800 series!!! Great advice about keeping your mind quiet and not setting expectations prior to bowling! I've definitely been plagued with not keeping my mind quiet and setting expectations at one of the leagues that I play in. For this coming week, I'm going to take your advice; keep my mind quiet, don't set any expectations and just bowl :)

Let us know how you come out Southpaw. Remember, don't think about the score you want to achieve before you bowl, or the series. Just go in their with a nice relaxed mind, don't over think your shots, just see your mark, and hit your mark. That's all that has been in my head this last week, see the mark, hit the mark. Do it! Good luck!


Excellent advice! I would suggest a slight amendment; do not set expectations on your score before bowl. Bowling pins, much like footballs take funny bounces, and automatic pinsetters can and do occasionally place a pin off spot. I've shot games in the 190-210 range that were much better games than tome of my games in the 240s.

Do set the expectation that you will bowl well, i.e. that your eyes will stay on the target, your body will be in balance through the whole approach, that your swing will be in time with your feet, etc.

Yes, exactly. I should have clarified. You can have a broader view of your expectations, but don't narrow in on anything too much. Just do what you know how to do! No thinking!


Well done good sir! so, where is mike?

Mike still bowls with me. He's been doing well. I guess he just doesn't visit the site anymore, or if he does, he doesn't post anymore. I'll tell him you were asking about him. Perhaps he'll make an appearance.

[75lockwood]

Mike still bowls with me. He's been doing well. I guess he just doesn't visit the site anymore, or if he does, he doesn't post anymore. I'll tell him you were asking about him. Perhaps he'll make an appearance.

Alright, you two need to get that Me vs Michael thread back up and running, the boards aren't the same without it!

Good luck to you in bowling many more 800's!

[J Anderson]

Mike still bowls with me. He's been doing well. I guess he just doesn't visit the site anymore, or if he does, he doesn't post anymore. I'll tell him you were asking about him. Perhaps he'll make an appearance.

Yes, we need him back, because even though my hair and beard are just about the right color to play Santa, there's just not enough hair left on top to do it right!

[Hammer]

Congrats on the 800 series. The highest I ever got was a 710 series. If you are going to think about anything in bowling you all should think about keeping your mind quiet and make a good shot one frame at a time. I have had games were I started a game with three opens and then got stringing strikes and a couple spares after that to end up with a respectable game. I could have had the thought of
well, I know where this game is headed after getting three opens at the start. You never know when your luck will change and you can end up with all strikes after the opens. Never give up and ruin the rest of your games. Focus on one frame at a time and try and throw your best ball in each frame.