WTB - a bowling game because mine has mysteriously disappeared...

[The German Shepherd]

534 today. Feel totally lost...

(name withheld due to sheer frustration)

[swingset]

We've all been there.

Just shake it off, relax and start from scratch....slow yourself down, relax your muscles, concentrate on your target and have fun. The game will come back to you.

[got_a_300]

It happens to all of us at one time or another even though
we have been bowling good all along. Take for instance I
had a 509 series a few weeks ago after having some 740+
and high 680+ series not only that but the week before that
509 series I only had a 572 series so it just happens nothing
to be worried about.

The last few weeks since having the double 500+ series I have
bounced right back up there to the high 590 - 600+ series again
so the only time I'd say to worry is if it becomes a every week low
500 series then it is time to see what has changed in your game.

[ecub]

Yeah, it does happen. 2nd week of the Men's league, I shot a 478. Threw 2 gutter balls as my 1st ball. I thought it was going to be a bad season. Previously, I only threw, I believe, 1 gutter in the past 5 years. This time, I do 2 within 2 games. Just last week, I shot a 516 in a Men's league. I was the lowest in my team.

[SouthpawTRK]

Although I'm not much of a bowler, I feel your pain Jay. Tonight at league, I shot a 231, 131, 174. I don't know where my game went for game number two; no strikes, just spares and open frames. The third game felt a bit better, but still a far cry from the first game.

[Hampe]

Lol Jay.....you should know by now that you can't buy a bowling game, you got to earn it with practice :D

Head up buddy.....everybody has slumps.

[Tampabaybob]

534 today. Feel totally lost...

(name withheld due to sheer frustration)

Feel your pain brother...happens to all of us. Wish it didn't but when it does the best idea is to TRY to relax and just go back to basics. Sometimes it'll help but not always as I can attest from a few miserable series this year myself. STUFF happens and you have to try to clear your head. Note my signature block....that's all I can say....Good luck !

[Judy clemons]

I'm sorry I feel your pain . perhaps you were not as focused as you believed . Next time you will know what to check for first leading to less frustration and better bowling .

[billf]

Sometimes we take things for granted. You can't appreciate how good you are until you see how bad you can be.
We all get accustomed to the good games and series, always wanting more and more (human nature?). Then the big guy gives us a reality check. Not to be mean or vindictive but to allow us to appreciate the good times. (applies to more than just bowling)

[e-tank]

happened last week in league. My accuracy was off plus the i couldnt figure out the lanes. One seemed drier than the other so i played accordingly but it was really a grab bag of what was gonna work on either lane. First time i bowled below average all season :(

[got_a_300]

happened last week in league. My accuracy was off plus the i couldnt figure out the lanes. One seemed drier than the other so i played accordingly but it was really a grab bag of what was gonna work on either lane. First time i bowled below average all season :(

I know what you mean e-tank I had the same exact problem in league
last night the left lane was a lot drier than the right lane was and the
right lane was like the Sahara desert to start with.

The German Shepherd don't feel bad as I only had a 523 series :( on
league last night. I just couldn't throw the ball hard enough to keep it
on the right side of the head pin and I was throwing my T Zone plastic
spare ball most of the night. I don't think they oiled the lanes last night
or the oiling machine is really messed up or they are maybe experimenting
with the shot.

[e-tank]

I know what you mean e-tank I had the same exact problem in league
last night the left lane was a lot drier than the right lane was and the
right lane was like the Sahara desert to start with.

The German Shepherd don't feel bad as I only had a 523 series :( on
league last night. I just couldn't throw the ball hard enough to keep it
on the right side of the head pin and I was throwing my T Zone plastic
spare ball most of the night. I don't think they oiled the lanes last night
or the oiling machine is really messed up or they are maybe experimenting
with the shot.

Im working on getting my own plastic spareball for this reason. When things arent working ill just play conservative with a plastic.

[GoodGravy]

I feel your pain

Spent the last week working on playing deep and felt very confident I would be hitting over 600 for league night last night...alas....complete failure...

back to practice!

[Hammer]

Bowling is just like life. Let's face it, you don't have a great day every day. Sometimes you have days where you just can't seem to get out of the dumper no matter what you do. Then one day you are back in the black and it seems like the world is a different place. On one league night I started out with a 120 game and my average is in the area of 171 to 189 in my 27 years of bowling. I thought to myself that I know how to bowl better then this. My wife even beat me that game and sometimes she is lucky to hit a game of 100. I think she bowled a 163. Boy! Did I feel silly. Even my teammates said WOW, your wife beat you. Luckily in the second game I pulled up my jock and bowled a 183 and finished with a 194. PHEW! That first game my wife would say as I was coming off of the approach after my turn what the heck are you doing? I said that I had no idea. I couldn't find my line. All I can say is THAT'S LIFE AND THAT'S BOWLING. You have to accept the bad and move forward.

[billf]

Jay, when you find where to purchase this current myth called a game, would you please PM the details so I can get one also? 167, 194, 158 last night and 169, 184, 167 this morning

[J Anderson]

I think my game just likes to take a lot of short vacations. I wish it would tell me where its going when it disappears, my wife and I might like to go too!

It was working hard the first game Monday when I shot 223 on a fairly difficult sport pattern. I think it went to the snack bar for a coffee break because I only had a 142 the second game. It returned to finish with a 189 and 177. I think it decided to leave for a brief vacation after that since Wednesday I only hit my left handed average one game and subbing right handed on Thursday my high game was only 171. On Saturday, after two practice games focusing on my balance arm and then spare shooting, my game was back well rested and refreshed. I started throwing a strike with my White dot, a second strike left handed, and a third back right handed with my Black Widow. After two spares, there was another right handed strike with my VG Nano, one with the White Dot and another lefty to finish the second turkey. I'm hoping it decides to stick around this week.

[SmilingBowler]

We've all been there.

Just shake it off, relax and start from scratch....slow yourself down, relax your muscles, concentrate on your target and have fun. The game will come back to you.

I echo swingset. Even though I am in a bit of a slump; I have only shot 600 once in the last 16 times I bowled in my 3 leagues, I still focus on improving. Literally focusing before I throw my next ball, slowing everything down and not being so concerned with anything other than where I am in that moment I go to pick up my ball. From there, its all rhythm and allowing the previous focus to become my present focus and follow through til all ten pins have fallen.

Its not easy, but this game keeps us humble. We bowl on wood lanes that are oiled sometimes heavy, sometimes lightly. Its all about being confident in adjustments and going with the flow. I often reflect to the days when I was throwing 600 regularly (it wasn't that long ago - it was January this year!) when I was able to simply bowl. Emptying my mind is the key from the time I pick up my ball. After that point, I'd rather not think, just look, stare, watch and be prepared for a high-five. (: .)

[Hammer]

Hey, I was happy if I got a 3 game series of at least 500 or above. If I got a 600 series that was frosting on the cake. I never really worried about not getting a 600 series because that will only tense you up if you have a chance to get it. Remember this, don't look at your score until the game is over because you will just put pressure on yourself and that is not good to be successful at making good shots. A negative thought will give you a bad outcome on your performance.

[SmilingBowler]

I look at the scoreboard maybe three times a game.
After the 4th, after the 7th and after its all said and done.

This allows me to update my "Best Bowling" App. I can typically recall the last 4 frames remaining pins (if necc.) from memory, and it also helps me track how close I am to my opponent on the other team. Monday Night is a 5-man team where I am either #2 or #3, then there's Thursday, a 5 person mixed team and Wednesday, a 4 person mixed team, both of which I am the anchor.

I enjoy the social aspect of the game and can be found talking to a bunch of different bowlers of other teams and leagues when I'm at the lanes. I usually take a walk after each game to mentally "turn the page" and start anew. In that time, I strike up chatter with friends in other leagues. A bunch of us bowl in other leagues in the same house. Most of us bowl in 2 or 3 leagues. I only know of 2 guys who bowl in 4 leagues. Not sure I can do that, just yet. Maybe once I hone my skill a little more. Still knocking off the rough edges a bit. (: .)