How do I find a coach?

[Bendial]

Hi Guys,

I want to get some lessons, I feel like my game is all of a sudden getting a lot worse and I think it's because I've developed some bad habits due to lack of instruction. How do I find a coach in my area? I live near San Francisco so it shouldn't be too hard, yet I can't find any resources online and nothing on craigslist.

[e-tank]

have you tried asking the front desk at your alley?

[Bendial]

I've asked them several times and each time they said to ask later so they could get the guys phone number, and they never do. So I gave up on them.

[e-tank]

try this

http://membership.bowl.com/USBCsearch/SearchCoachesMain.jsp

[Greenday]

try this

http://membership.bowl.com/USBCsearch/SearchCoachesMain.jsp

Yea, bowl.com is how I found my coach.

And my coach is awesome. Gave me one of his bowling balls for free. This weekend, he's getting his silver certification. As a result, they are giving out free lessons on Sunday so I'm going to go and get some free lessons to get some perspective from other good bowlers. Very nice of my coach to let me know.

[WolfGirl1980]

Try asking the pro shop at your bowling alley if they give lessons thats what I would do.

-Sara

[billf]

Go through bowl.com for a certified instructor. Pro shops usually offer lessons BUT not all pro shop personnel are qualified to do so. Just like many businesses, anybody can charge for lessons, certified or not. A person who is serious about their coaching with have references available, vendor/business license and a copy of all certifications (that can be verified through bowl.com).

[WolfGirl1980]

Only reason I said ask your Pro Shop is because the Pro Shop I usually go to the owner is a Professional Bowler eventhough he is not a USBC Certified Coach I also would think that he is way more then qualified to give lessons.

-Sara

[Mike White]

Go through bowl.com for a certified instructor. Pro shops usually offer lessons BUT not all pro shop personnel are qualified to do so. Just like many businesses, anybody can charge for lessons, certified or not. A person who is serious about their coaching with have references available, vendor/business license and a copy of all certifications (that can be verified through bowl.com).

Dammit Bill, look what you started.

First is was a simple online class to be a Level 1 coach.

Then when I heard that the guy in the pro shop wanted to retire after 30+ years I signed up with IBPSIA, and have just completed their Pro Shop Certification Class.

Next up, I'll buy the current guy's shop equipment and have a new part time job.

Life was nice before you opened your mouth :)

[billf]

Mike, sounds like you're living my dream lol

Sara, that's odd seing as most pro bowlers ARE USBC certified coaches. Mike Fagan and Jason Belmonte are two Silver certified coaches that come to mind immediately. Which others are Bronze and Silver I would have to double check.

[Greenday]

Got to work with a guy who helps coach Team USA. He was certifying people for their silver certification (Including my coach and my ball driller). Got free coaching from three people and all the free bowling I wanted. It was awesome.

Really, bowl.com is a good way of meeting coaches. Meet one, get a lesson, see if you like working them. If not, try other coaches.

[WolfGirl1980]

Mike, sounds like you're living my dream lol

Sara, that's odd seing as most pro bowlers ARE USBC certified coaches. Mike Fagan and Jason Belmonte are two Silver certified coaches that come to mind immediately. Which others are Bronze and Silver I would have to double check.

I checked the list his name wasn't on there my cousin however was on there Stacy Watts but Chuck Farish he wasn't on there for AMF Rose Bowl should be off goldsmith lane off bardstown road, in louisville ky unless it just didn't say his name or someone else runs the shop or does the coaching and he just drills the balls who knows.

[Tampabaybob]

Sara, don't bet on all PBA members being certified. Many years ago I bowled, and in fact worked in the pro shop for, a PBA member that would NOT help people. I bowled on his team and he wouldn't give me any help. I later found out from another (older) pro shop employee that he would never help anyone because he never wanted to create a good bowler that might come back and beat him someday. That was one of THE biggest determining factors on becoming a coach many years ago. I coach all ages and I do it for free. ALWAYS.

[billf]

Bob, my point was many amatuer bowlers believe just because somebody did something with the PBA that they know what they are talking about or how to teach it. Most people that have a natural gift can't teach it because they honestly don't know how they are able to do it so easily.

[WolfGirl1980]

I had decided tonight to get coached by my cousin anyway well going to try and see if she will coach me she is USBC Certified so I am going to email her and see how much she charges to give lessons or to see if she even does charge money for coaching she coaching a kid on my team now so hopefully maybe she will coach me too.

-Sara

[Bendial]

Still no luck finding a coach. The closest coach to me on bowl.com is bronze certified and he has no contact information so I have no idea how to reach him. My local bowling center had a coach they recommended but he apparently got sick and doesn't coach anymore.

[billf]

A quick search revealed six Bronze or Silver coaches within 20 miles of two of Alameda's zip codes.

[classygranny]

A friend of mine was going to use a guy named Mike Hester...something Hesterwood, Hesterworth, (I just can't remember for sure). I think he is in Dublin or Hayward - I can't remember. This may not be close enough to you.

Not sure if he is certified. She met him and scheduled lessons, but managed to break her leg before the scheduled time and hasn't been able to bowl since.

All I can remember is Lane 41 Pro Shop was the name of his shop. I emailed her for info, but she hasn't replied.

Thought this might be something you could research further if it's close enough to you.

[Bendial]

FOUND A COACH!!!!! Have a 1.5 hour session on Saturday :-D maybe now I'll be able to dig myself out of this 110-130 average rut (with some practice of course).

[WolfGirl1980]

My cousin just said she will coach me and better yet she not gonna charge me cause I am family and for one thing I couldn't afford lessons if I was being charged so I hope she can help me with consistency cause last night I bowled a 143 141 and 180 for last game hopefully the last game will help me keep my average at a 151 average or above.

-Sara

[billf]

FOUND A COACH!!!!! Have a 1.5 hour session on Saturday :-D maybe now I'll be able to dig myself out of this 110-130 average rut (with some practice of course).

Now make yourself a list of everything you want to cover. A part of your time will be question and answers and not just watching you bowl. Spend your money wisely and be prepared. Also, bring a pen and paper with you to take notes with. You would be surprised what little bit of important info you can forget in a week or two. Or maybe you could record the session? I haven't heard of that before but personally, I would be fine with it.

[vdubtx]

I will be going for my first coaching sessions this summer. I went to USBC and found a somewhat local Silver certified coach.

After 6 years I have decided to take the summer off of league and get some instruction. Time to take my game to the next level. The past 4 years I have been 216, 217, 217, 221 averages and this year am back to a 216 with a few weeks to go. Have noticed this year my timing is off and my wrist hurting(yes, getting old) and want to see what a coach tells me and how I can improve my game and consistently be a 220+ bowler. Starting to bowl in some local tournaments and also bowled the USBC Open in Reno for the first time. One of my main goals is to be more accurate with my shots and also to average at minimum 200 at Nationals. This year I averaged 190.55 with a 1715 All Events total.

[kybowler]

Always some good info online or ask the highest avg bowler in your house to help you..

[kybowler]

http://www.bowlingtips4u.webs.com/

[billf]

I will be going for my first coaching sessions this summer. I went to USBC and found a somewhat local Silver certified coach.

After 6 years I have decided to take the summer off of league and get some instruction. Time to take my game to the next level. The past 4 years I have been 216, 217, 217, 221 averages and this year am back to a 216 with a few weeks to go. Have noticed this year my timing is off and my wrist hurting(yes, getting old) and want to see what a coach tells me and how I can improve my game and consistently be a 220+ bowler. Starting to bowl in some local tournaments and also bowled the USBC Open in Reno for the first time. One of my main goals is to be more accurate with my shots and also to average at minimum 200 at Nationals. This year I averaged 190.55 with a 1715 All Events total.

Good job in deciding on a Silver coach. Given your average the chances that a Bronze coach would be able to help a lot are fairly slim. Averaging 220 you probably have the technique but a Silver coach's expertise lies in lane play and adjustments in addition to the physical/mental games a Bronze coach specializes in.

[billf]

Always some good info online or ask the highest avg bowler in your house to help you..

I asked the highest average bowlers in the county for six years. Kept being told to slow my ball down. Saw a Gold and Silver coach, know I can hook it at 20+ mph. It helped inspire me to become a coach myself. Since then I got the staff job with BowlerX.com, won several tournaments and found out that the others bowlers I asked for help (except one) can't shoot crap outside our home center.

Your suggestions are good but they really depend on what the issue is and who is being asked. Still a place to start though.

[Greenday]

I asked the highest average bowlers in the county for six years. Kept being told to slow my ball down. Saw a Gold and Silver coach, know I can hook it at 20+ mph. It helped inspire me to become a coach myself. Since then I got the staff job with BowlerX.com, won several tournaments and found out that the others bowlers I asked for help (except one) can't shoot crap outside our home center.

Your suggestions are good but they really depend on what the issue is and who is being asked. Still a place to start though.

It would be good to ask for some general pointers, but just because someone is a good bowler doesn't mean they are good at teaching it or helping people with different styles from themselves.

[billf]

Plus the one guy is a natural and has no clue how he does it. His timing and balance have been perfect for years. He didn't even realize he rotated his hand on release.

[vdubtx]

Good job in deciding on a Silver coach. Given your average the chances that a Bronze coach would be able to help a lot are fairly slim. Averaging 220 you probably have the technique but a Silver coach's expertise lies in lane play and adjustments in addition to the physical/mental games a Bronze coach specializes in.

Thanks for the insight into different levels of coaches. :cool:

[Bendial]

It would be good to ask for some general pointers, but just because someone is a good bowler doesn't mean they are good at teaching it or helping people with different styles from themselves.

This, all the way. I've listened to advice from so many good bowlers and the bottom line is none of them really helped me.

[vdubtx]

It would be good to ask for some general pointers, but just because someone is a good bowler doesn't mean they are good at teaching it or helping people with different styles from themselves.


This, all the way. I've listened to advice from so many good bowlers and the bottom line is none of them really helped me.

Absolutely agree here. I have had people ask me for help over the years and I can give a few pointers, but aside from that, no way that I could teach it.