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Aslan
09-03-2013, 10:38 PM
I guess I was supposed to start my own thread...oops.

TIME MACHINE!!!
8-30-2013

135-128-115-144-177

Aslan
09-03-2013, 10:39 PM
TIME MACHINE!
9-2-2013
Cosmic Bowling:mad:
116-126-212

Aslan
09-03-2013, 10:50 PM
Practice tonight.

432 Series: 159-137-136
then
448 Series: 153-158-137

On the POSITIVE side...:
1) An asian girl bowling next to me said, "You're really good, you're a pro right?"
I was so shocked at the question that I just stared at her awkwardly and she eventually smiled and walked away. :o
2) I shot 6 games, all over my average...and raised my average 1 pin to a 128. :cool:

On the NEGATIVE side...:
1) My ball reactivity is GONE....what BS!! I roll 5-6 weeks and now that damn ball is going straight. I deep cleaned it, even gave it a little rubbing with a 1200 grit sandpaper...nothing. Just a little flare. I went from standing left of 1 dot from the middle to standing one board left from middle. BULLsheet...it's BULLSheet I tell ya! :mad:
2) No clean games...no 525+ series...no scores of 170 much less 190s-200s. Again...BULL sheet! :mad:

Aslan
09-06-2013, 05:06 PM
Spent the early AM passing a few kidney stones...so I stayed home from work today. By 10:30AM I was bored so I went to the alley:

433 Series: 113-145-175
then
412 Series: 119-122-171
then
a 156 game.

Despite a few games in the 110-125 range...which was irritating...and despite that 171 ONLY being that low because I literally missed a 10-pin spare FOUR TIMES!!!....I DID raise my average another point.

Aslan
09-10-2013, 01:28 AM
:mad:
394 Series: 165-112-117

Then 2 games: 160 and 96

Rare...just..."rare". First of all, I rarely ever start out strong then finish bad. And I haven't thrown under 105 in about 2 months. My line and targets seemed good...but I was trying to generate hook and it was making my follow-through too "sideways" versus vertical.

And since I was aiming just right of the second arrow (versus just left)...trying to take a better angle into the head pin...I must have thrown...12? balls in the gutter on the first roll?? The first game started out -/ The last game started out - 9, - 9. Lots of 7 2s...lots of S8 1s. A damn nightmare.

Yet...in a shocking display of inconsistency/mathematics...I somehow managed to bowl a 130 average...1 pin above my current average. Crazy.

Aslan
09-13-2013, 01:40 AM
First Night of Thursday Fun League with Bunny!

349 Series: 147-115-87

Obviously the 1st night is the night you want to do badly...and I knew I'd struggle having never bowled at that lanes and not being used to synthetic lane surfaces...but I have to say I was NOT happy with the 87. No excuse for that. The 115...I was okay with. I figured I'd finish strong in the final game like I usually do...and what a disaster.

Since I ended on such a bad note and need the practice on the synthetic lanes, I stayed afterwards and bowled a few quick games:

407 Series: 130-151-126

I think during league play I was standing way too far right...aiming middle...too much of a straight line shot. So if my ball didn't move...I hit too far to the right...if it moved at all prematurely, I'd go left. During practice I moved back to the left where I usually stand. Still had to aim more middle due to the synthetic lanes, but standing left helped. Also worked on getting DOWN more...not standing straight up and lofting the ball. And worked on my release to try to get some reaction on the backend. Hopefully week 1 was just an aberration. We played a very, very beatable team tonight and even though it seemed like nearly every team was going sandbaggapalooza...we still should have been able to win the first week against what was likely the worst team.

But...had fun...THANKS BUNNY FOR INVITING ME!!

The German Shepherd
09-13-2013, 11:37 AM
Okay now, nobody wants to do badly - but if you are going to do badly, do it on night one...

Jay

Aslan
09-13-2013, 11:54 AM
Okay now, nobody wants to do badly - but if you are going to do badly, do it on night one...

Jay

Yes sir. Had that been week 2-12...I'd be drilling a new ball before next week or at least spending literally every day at the lanes practicing, starting from scratch, the whole approach/release...everything. Low 400s I can live with...everyone has an off night....it's still above my average technically. But when you can't even break 350...I mean, you might as well just quit and go for a run or play a round of golf or something...because it just aint happenin.

ANd it's about FUN...don't get me wrong. And I had LOTS of fun...but when you roll a sub-115 game...or don't break 100...it sucks all the FUN out of it like a high powered vacuum. The last game...was NOT having fun. I saved my cursing for when the league left and I was by myself practicing...and tried not to curse loud enough for people 2-3 lanes over to hear me...but those final 3 practice games I was letting myself know I was NOT happy with the results.

Bunny
09-13-2013, 12:00 PM
Thanks for coming out Aslan! I had a great time. Don't let that other team fool you. That old dude consistantly rolls in the 200's. I just want to bowl my best and have fun. I'm so happy to be able to bowl! The lanes are tough at Carter and so much different than the wood at Concourse. You'll go back to Concourse at kick ***, watch.

vdubtx
09-13-2013, 12:19 PM
Aslan, just keep the attitude of it being fun and you will be fine. Like you said, we all have off nights.

One of my Thursday league partners that I have bowled with for 9 years now has an interesting delivery of the ball which makes his ball hook way too much for a house shot and he will typically have at least 1 game below 100 a week it seems. He can't control the hook and won't listen to anyone telling him what to change to stop his delivery. He doesn't care what his scores are really and is just out to have fun with me and the rest of our team. On occasion he will be on and score in high 100's or even a low 200, but then he'll drop 100+ pins to that game the next time up. :) Last night he had 2 games under 100 and we s a team still took 3 games total.

In the past this was my only league bowled so I would take his less than stellar performances and get pissed off etc., but in the end what did that achieve other than getting me frustrated? Nothing. Now, I have fun on this league again as I have an outlet that is more competitive on my Tuesday league where I am serious but still have fun with some other guys from my Thursday league who are also competitive.

Only reason I am rambling is to tell you to not get discouraged. Keep at it and learn a little something each week and apply it the next week to see some improvement. I say a little something as if you try to change too many things at a time, you will only end up hurting your game. KISS(Keep It Simple Stupid) is what I always tell my team mates. Small adjustments go a long way to getting the ball to the pocket.

Best of luck to you on the lanes. :cool:

Aslan
09-13-2013, 05:23 PM
Thanks for coming out Aslan! I had a great time. Don't let that other team fool you. That old dude consistantly rolls in the 200's. I just want to bowl my best and have fun. I'm so happy to be able to bowl! The lanes are tough at Carter and so much different than the wood at Concourse. You'll go back to Concourse at kick ***, watch.

Yeah, I'm SO looking forward to next week...and one of the reasons is...I want to see what those other teams actually can bowl. I don't want to whine about sandbagging after shooting an 87 in my 3rd game...but as I looked around that alley...I saw guys with half their balls ending up in the gutter, I saw people trying to bowl left handed or doing the in between the legs rolls...and you're right...that round guy in the red shirt on the other team...he AIN'T missing that many spares starting next week!! You could TELL he was just half-butt throwing it.

I have a LEGITIMATE excuse that Thursday was my FIRST night bowling at Carter....and literally the 4th time I've rolled on synthetic lane surfaces since getting that ball. So, it was a big adjustment in not only where I stand and where I aim...I also had to start my approach with the ball lower and chop my backswing by 1/4 to 1/2...and my speed. Normally I throw a 16-17mph ball...but on those lanes, I was being so careful, I looked up and saw ball speeds ranging from 12.5 to 14.9.

But...the 3 games of practice really helped. Starting location fixed, approach fixed, target optimized, and my speed is back closer to 16mph...which "feels" better. I was SO afraid that my ball wouldn't come back...I would NOT move left of center. And I just can't play that way. Thats why I kept having them "barely" fall right...into the gutter. I'm not used to throwing along those right 10 boards like that....I'm not precise enough to hug that gutter.

So I'm good now...excited to start throwing better now that it "counts".

Bunny
09-13-2013, 06:26 PM
I know, the team next to us wasn't even being subtle about it. I heard one of them yell out, "Now use your left hand, ha, ha, ha!"

We were giving them like hundred pins last season! So the handicapping thing doesn't work when you cheat. We'll see how they do against us scratch. That's what I look at. Bring it on!

Bunny
09-13-2013, 06:40 PM
and you're right...that round guy in the red shirt on the other team...he AIN'T missing that many spares starting next week!! You could TELL he was just half-butt throwing it.


He, he. You're right! Normally his follow through is "Ooops I coulda had a V8." No kidding! He literally bonks himself in the forehead. Last night he wasn't following through like he normally does! I guess he remembered his V8!

But seriously, they're good people. You cracked me up when you said something about his nephew. You were just being matter of fact but it was funny. :D

Aslan
09-14-2013, 01:12 AM
I know, the team next to us wasn't even being subtle about it. I heard one of them yell out, "Now use your left hand, ha, ha, ha!"

We were giving them like hundred pins last season! So the handicapping thing doesn't work when you cheat. We'll see how they do against us scratch. That's what I look at. Bring it on!

I KNOW!! I don't mind a team maybe not bringing their "A-Game" week 1...but for Chrissake...it's pretty pathetic when you look over and and you got one guy bowling opposite handed and the other team next to them just dropping it in the gutter and laughing. I feel bad for any team that had a good week. I mean, what a kick in the groin for a 130 bowler to almost crack 200...and instead of being proud and happy...their team is doomed.

Aslan
09-15-2013, 07:08 PM
Got knocked out of the poker tournament kinda fast today...so the positive is I got a couple series in on synthetic lanes in Temecula.

Based on what I learned practicing after leagues on Thursday, I ended up lining up around boards 28-31...aiming 3rd arrow in from the right (boards 14-16). Hopefully I'm describing this correctly.

422 Series: 130-129-163

By the end of the series, I was starting about 5 boards right...aiming at board 15 (3rd triangle from the right). The ball just was NOT hooking on the backend. A "little" flare...but nothing much really. I tried just slowing down the delivery/shortening the backswing...but the stupid lanes, their speedometer for those lanes wasn't working. It was reading like 23-27mph...and believe me...I was throwing probably closer to 13mph.

After the 4th game being another 130...I just got frustrated and started firing it down there...but then I collected myself and though, "why don't you just throw a half a game the way your coach told you to....throw pride out the window...forget all the stuff you read and see on the internet...and just simplify the game. 2 strikes in a row. And I even picked up a couple spares. So I bought a 6th game...just rolled the way my coach told me to...nothing fancy...and scored my best game of the day.

455 Series: 130-145-180

No hook though. Not sure if my release and follow-through aren't getting it done...if it's the very oily synthetic lanes of Temecula...or if after 85-135 games...the ball is just an oil soaked, round piece of resin. I hate to think a ball only lasts 3 months though. My coach says he changes balls once a year...which I guess I can see. But once every 3 months seems ridiculous. I'll have it baked and refinished probably mid-October...maybe that'll help.

bowlerRob2
09-16-2013, 02:29 PM
Balls should last more than 3 months. I been using my Brunswick ball since November 2012 and it still kicks em. Just regular cleaning is all I do. I have heard (rumors) that Storm balls don't last that long. I only have one Storm Ball (an ROP) but it doesn't get used very often. What Storm balls are in your bag? your profile doesn't say anything but "storm".

Bunny
09-17-2013, 12:14 PM
Normally I throw a 16-17mph ball...but on those lanes, I was being so careful, I looked up and saw ball speeds ranging from 12.5 to 14.9.

I don't think you can really count on the ball speed "radars" being accurate at different centers. I seroiusly doubt they ever calibrate them. We bowled at three different centers a couple of weekends ago and our "registered" ball speeds varied significantly from one place to another. :confused:

Aslan
09-17-2013, 10:32 PM
A quite decent round of practice. Felt good to be back on wood lanes. Simplified things...and it paid off. I think I'm ready for leagues on Thursday!

459 Series: 165-145-149

then

509 Series: 184-146-179

Kinda bummed that I didn't hit 525 with that last series. Was real close. But, spare shooting was improved and I felt confident. And I probably would have done better...but I had dillwads to the left and right of me that didn't understand bowling etiquette...so 1/3 of the time during the last 5 games I had some pre-teen idiot walking up and chucking their ball during my backswing.

Bunny
09-17-2013, 11:08 PM
A quite decent round of practice.

459 Series: 165-145-149

then

509 Series: 184-146-179


Woo! I'm throwin' rocks tonight!! Mark it Dude! :cool:

Aslan
09-17-2013, 11:51 PM
Woo! I'm throwin' rocks tonight!! Mark it Dude! :cool:

I wonder what their averages were. I'm thinking Donnie 157, the Dude 119, and Walter 179. Smokey...123...The Jesus....189.

Aslan
09-18-2013, 12:46 AM
One thing that kinda held me back was some splits. Had a 7-10, had a 4-7-10....and had 2 or 3 (1-2-4-7-10s). Missed some 10s, missed some 6-10s. Made most of the easy spares though and that was the difference. Didn't miss the easy 2-4-5s or 3-5-6s. Would have been nice to make more strikes, but I was grateful for the practice at picking up spares. When I did strike, it was unfortunately Brooklyn strikes...but I'll take em.

Played the right side, standing center and aiming at boards 8 and 9. Given it was wood lanes, I could get away with aiming that far right and having the ball come back. On synthetic lanes I think I can use the same approach/target to start...but a lower ball speed and I need to "snap" my release...and I'll need to move left as the game progresses. Thats the game plan for Thursday anyways. I'm hoping to at least get "some" hook before I have to start aiming at board 15 and throwing straight up the middle. The ball speed and release are going to be more important on synthetic lanes. I don't "snap" the wrist...there will be no hook. And if I do a 3/4 to full backswing...it'll dart straight through the oil and hit way right.

Bunny
09-19-2013, 12:15 PM
I wonder what their averages were. I'm thinking Donnie 157, the Dude 119, and Walter 179. Smokey...123...The Jesus....189.

Funny, you never see Donnie, Duder, or Walter actually bowl. They brought Barry Asher in to teach the guys some basic stuff, but I guess those scenes got cut. Barry's the guy you see bowling in the background at the end of the movie when The Dude is talking to the Stranger.

True story...I would watch that scence a few times over beacuse I thought the old guy's swing was pretty classic and smooth. I wondered to myself, "Who is that old dude?"

When I found out it was Barry I told him what I had thought, (who's the old guy?) He laughed! I knew he could take it! He's pretty cool! :cool:

Aslan
09-19-2013, 01:55 PM
But what do you think their averages would be? Just guessing based on their characters.

I think Jesus has to be the best. They don't just hate him for the pedo stuff...I bet he brings it. I'd say Walter is the next best...because he takes it seriously. Not sure on Donnie. I'm thinkin the Dude probably has a fairly low average just because I don't think he cares. I think it's one of his favorite activities...so he's experienced...but as long as he bowls +/- 15 pins of his average I don't see him caring. He's probably more concerned if the cost of white russians goes up 25 cents than he is if he rolls a 105.

For me...Donnie is the wild card. Is he the middle player? Does he totally suck?? Hard to say.

Aslan
09-20-2013, 01:28 AM
First series was practice before leagues started:
366 Series: 104-125-137
Kinda sucked. I think the ball was slightly big due to being left in my trunk. I'm not sure.

Thursday League Night:
383 Series: 131-141-111
Extremely inconsistent. I'd throw a spare, a double, a couple spares...then a -/3 and a 5/-. I mean, I started out the 3rd game with a -/-. Some throws felt great...but the majority just felt horrible. I was tempted to give up on the new things I've been working on...but I tried to press onward. Had a LOT of thumb issues. Thumb would get stuck...I'd powder it...then the ball would slip out of my hand and go in the gutter. Didn't seem to have any "in between"...either the thumb sticks and I throw it 25 feet or it slips out and goes 10ft into the gutter.

Fortunately, I had such a miserable week 1 that I actually helped the team in week 2 and raised my average by 6 pins. The lanes seemed a little drier than usual. Usually I don't hit left much on synthetic lanes but quite a few of my throws missed the headpin and went left which was unusual.

Bunny
09-20-2013, 12:17 PM
First series was practice before leagues started:
366 Series: 104-125-137
Kinda sucked. I think the ball was slightly big due to being left in my trunk. I'm not sure.

Thursday League Night:
383 Series: 131-141-111
Extremely inconsistent. I'd throw a spare, a double, a couple spares...then a -/3 and a 5/-. I mean, I started out the 3rd game with a -/-. Some throws felt great...but the majority just felt horrible. I was tempted to give up on the new things I've been working on...but I tried to press onward. Had a LOT of thumb issues. Thumb would get stuck...I'd powder it...then the ball would slip out of my hand and go in the gutter. Didn't seem to have any "in between"...either the thumb sticks and I throw it 25 feet or it slips out and goes 10ft into the gutter.

Fortunately, I had such a miserable week 1 that I actually helped the team in week 2 and raised my average by 6 pins. The lanes seemed a little drier than usual. Usually I don't hit left much on synthetic lanes but quite a few of my throws missed the headpin and went left which was unusual.


Yeah, but we had a great time! We have the best team! Carter is a tough. Not sure why. I had to ball down to my Rising Star last night. The First Blood was so over/under. Luckily, I decided to switch early in the first game. First roll with the RS was a strike, good sign. That 13 lane was giving me trouble. The last game was open-mark-open-mark. I finally was able to break the unlucky lane 13 curse in the 5th with a strike. I think I went turkey after that but couldn't keep it going.

My spare shooting was not so great. Weird, I've been pretty solid in that area lately. Per Aslan's observation, I went back to using the RS for left sided spares and that helped.

Thanks Aslan, or Asia, or Walter, or whatever your name is!! :cool:

Aslan
09-20-2013, 01:47 PM
It'll be interesting to see where we are in the standings after this week. Me and Babs had better games in week 2, you had to be "near" what you did last week, and Buddy was killing it later in the night. We could be as high as 2nd place going into next week. I mean, I think in that last game Buddy rolled a 186 or something...that might be the high game last night.

Bunny
09-20-2013, 02:29 PM
It'll be interesting to see where we are in the standings after this week. Me and Babs had better games in week 2, you had to be "near" what you did last week, and Buddy was killing it later in the night. We could be as high as 2nd place going into next week. I mean, I think in that last game Buddy rolled a 186 or something...that might be the high game last night.

Yes it will. I was above last week's ave, and yeah Buddy finished strong striking out for the 186. That's more like him. It's hard to tell, I didn't see everyone's scores but judging by the scores from last week, there was some MAJOR sandbagging going on. That's why I look at scratch scores after the first week. I'm not too concerned about winning the league because as we've discussed before people cheat.

That reminds me...

We were bowling next to a guy at Carter. He bowled a 300. We were congratulating him and clapping. He started going, "Shhh." "No 300, just practice." "No 300, just practice." Then immediately high-tailed it out of there.

Whatevs. :confused:

Aslan
09-20-2013, 02:49 PM
I'm not too concerned about winning the league because as we've discussed before people cheat.


Well I AM! I plan on dominating the **** out of this league. And if I gotta go Tonya Harding on somebody...then so be it. This is league play, it determines who goes ot the next round robin. Am I wrong?

Aslan
09-21-2013, 02:39 AM
Well...what word can describe tonight's practice...***p, abortion, disaster, horrible, bull****, garbage, refuse, defacation...I could go on and on...

Wasn't gonna bowl...but I was bored. So...went to the lanes...took advantage of the great league practice benefits.

342 Series: 103-116-123
Tried not to get too worked up. I wasn't striking much, but I was doing "okay" on spares and getting practice...and I figured I'd score better as the night went on and I found my spot.

374 Series: 145-119-110
The 145 was the highlight...from there I started to lose it. Just lost it. Couldn't get the ball to do anything. I was missing my mark, throwing it in the gutter...the I'd hit my mark but the ball would either sail straight into the right side or cut too far left and hit the 4-7.

But...even though I could feel it...that game 6 I was "done"...I just couldn't end with a 110. So...

360 Series: 127-99-134
The first game was "okay"...just wasn't hitting pins after spares...like 9 /, - 9, 9 /, 3 -, 7 /...just stupid. Then things got BAD. My thumb tends to stick in the ball...and if I powder it...the ball slips off my hand and goes into the right gutter. So...I'd throw it...stick...hit the 4-7. Powder... -/7. Then...stick. Then, powder and gutter. Then stick...etc... etc... etc... And to make matters worse...I had been biting my nails earlier in the day...and kinda bit the cuticle on my right ring finger. Didn't hurt much early on...but after 7 games...it was so swollen, it was getting stuck in the finger hole. BUT...I couldn't end on a NINETY-NINE!!!....so I went to buy ONE MORE game!

But...apparently, Bowlmor/Carter believes in having only one person on the register at it's busiest times...so I had to wait in a huge line. There was a hot blonde in line I really wanted to hit on...but of course I p*$$ed out and didn't. So when I finally go to pay for one more game...the guy can't enter it in because it's "extreme cosmic bowling time"...and I can't use my practice rate during that time. I politely told him that I was in line since before cosmic bowling started...but he couldn't enter it in the computer and had to go get the manager...but she was busy...so I ended up getting the last game for free...after waiting about 25 minutes. : (

And...my reward?? The last game was like trying to bowl in a closet...with no lights...and your annoying hispanic neighbor kids running around. Neither group to my left or right...seemed to grasp the whole "courtesy" thing...and I lieterally could not see anything to aim at. Nothing. Completely dark. I just aimed where I thought my mark would be, lucked into a couple strikes, picked up a couple spares...but it was stupid. By then my finger was throbbing and my left knee was aching and pretty much just blown out.

So...I kinda wanted to bowl tomorrow...but I think I'm gonna take a day off. I might bowl on Sunday afternoon...I don't know. But...I think I'm gonna take a break from the bowling forums...gonna punish myself for such an embarrassing performance. I need to "reflect" because I'm supposed to start my 2nd league a week from tonight...and I don't know...I gotta re-think that. If I'm THIS bad...I gotta re-think my strategy. :(

Aslan
09-23-2013, 01:22 AM
I did some practicing today. Trying to rid myself of the memory of Friday night.

420 Series: 165-123-132

445 Series: 131-142-172

Was having trouble with spares the whole practice. And the strikes were few and far between. Had to aim more center than usual...boards 11-13. The ball had some "flare" after the bath it got a couple nights ago. But it still isn't coming across the lane like it used to.

Started finding my "groove" by game 6. Not so much my mark, but my entire swing motion. Was disappointed in my spare shooting. For a couple games I switched to a spare ball, straight across the alley approach, but then went back. Normally I try to practice on synthetics on Sundays, but I didn't feel like paying $5.50/game...plus I needed to get back in the swing of things...bowling on wood where I knew I could probably get back on track.

Aslan
09-24-2013, 02:06 AM
Another good night of practicing. I usually don't practice 2 days in a row, but I had 2.5 hours to kill between work and dance lessons AND it's Mondays so it's $2 games at my usual alley (which is near where the dance lessons are)...so it was a no brainer!!

443 Series: 149-168-126
First two games were pretty good, but then I had trouble with spares in the 3rd game.

474 Series: 179-124-171
The two 170 games were VERY exciting because in one, I had a clean game through 6. And in the other, it was only 2 open frames. Thats REALLY good for me. I was getting lucky for sure...getting slow pinfalls on strikes...barely hitting pins and having them barely fall over on spares...but it still counted!! The 124 game screwed the series...missed a TON of spares...hard time striking.

428 Series: 122-125-181
Started to struggle with this series. Figured my body was just trying to tell me to quit for the night. But I knew I was on the "verge" os "something". Then...it happened!! I figured it out. I realized why I've been struggling...suddenly the game made sense. Started with a strike then a spare...then a couple open frames...then 3 strikes...a couple spares...the a strike in the 10th. I think I only got 6 pins to finish it out...but still.

The point is...I figured it out. I know what I was doing wrong. And it all makes sense now...it makes sense why I'd score better when I'd get mad and just say "screw it". It wasn't my aim or my speed or my release. It was far simpler. Balance and my overall swing motion. All I had to do was extend my balance arm...and my scores jumped up!! And it wasn't about "firing" the ball at the pins...it was the motion of "firing" my arm upwards. Suddenly the release and follow-through were just happening naturally...and the ball was hooking more and it was repeatable because I was "balanced".

Kinda upset that I missed out on a couple clean games by 2-3 frames. And it woulda been nice to get at least ONE 525+ series...but I'm happy. Yes...it's wood lanes...so I can't expect as good of results at leagues on Thursday...so I'll temper my expectations. But now that I got my swing back...I just need to make a small backswing adjustment...if that doesn't work, maybe move up a little or tweak my approach...but I think I "got it".

Aslan
09-27-2013, 04:10 AM
Got to league early.

388 Series: 157-115-116
Didn't go well, but I figured I just needed to find my mark.

411 Series: 154-149-108
Felt good, but not "great". Then I dropped a 108...and was not happy...but figured I'd have a few drinks and once league started I'd get my **** together.

319 Series: 116-100-103
Disaster. League bowling...fortunately the rest of my team was great for a second straight week...because I stunk it up BIG TIME. NOTHING worked. The ball went straight as an arrow. Barely a "flare" at the end. Had to move my feet right 2-4 boards and my target in 5-6 boards just to hit the pocket. No hook...nothing. I tried slowing the ball down...tried moving closer to the foul line...even finally gave up and tried the high loft approach my coach was working on with me. Nothing worked. A complete embarrassment. I thought I'd try a deeper knee bend, but after 7 games, my left knee was shot so trying to get a big time knee bend wasn't gonna work.

361 Series: 122-102-137
Couldn't end the night on a 103...even though my knee hurt and my thumb was starting to swell. Tried releasing the ball closer to the foul line, but that didn't really work.

Looks like I'm back to square 1. I can't figure out if my style is right or the coach's style is right. I can't tell if the ball has lost all reactivity or if I've somehow flattened out my release. On wood lanes, throwing >17mph...high backswing, longer approach, slightly lower knee bend, standing about board 30, aiming at board 10...I seem to do fine. 140s-180s. Then I go on synthetics...and I'm bowling 100s-150s. I have to lower my backswing, shorten my approach, I'm standing near board 20 and I have to aim closer to board 15.

Oh well. Not sure where to go from here. A very disappointing night.

vdubtx
09-27-2013, 10:35 AM
Aslan,(see I got it right this time)

Seems to me you are just over thinking your bowling. Believe me, I was at the point you are at one time too. Of course everyone wants to do well, but having so many thoughts and tweaks in mind in your head at one time is only detrimental. During your practice, don't worry so much about score as working on 1-3 things in your game at a time. First, get your approach consistent. Then, get your delivery consistent, then get your target shooting consistent. Seems that the delivery and targeting are both off if you are missing targets and in the end spares.

Using what you seem to know in small dibs and drabs can go a long way to improving your game. It's all about consistency.

Just my $.02.

Aslan
09-27-2013, 12:26 PM
Seems that the delivery and targeting are both off if you are missing targets and in the end spares.
.

Yeah, it's definitely not "all ball/equipment". The advantage of today's equipment is that out of the box, you can throw right and miss...but the ball hooks back into the pocket. You don't need to be precise. But now that it's essentially a straight ball...suddenly I have to approach consistently and hit my ONE board....no room for error. And even if I DO hit my mark...when you're going in straight, like the old days, it's highly unlikely even if you hit the pocket that you're gonna strike every time. It becomes a spare game and trying to avoid splits.

But you're right...something is "off". When you're throwing and it's going across the lane and hitting the 4-7...thats not ball or lane conditions. Thats getting frustrated with the lack of hook and "pulling" the ball across my body. Same thing with my ULTRA FRUSTRATING tendency to release my thumb to early (usually due to powder causing it to slip out) and the ball goes straight in the right gutter. It's not "ball" or "lane conditions"...it's by release being bad.

So I have to fix whatever in my delivery is wrong. No doubt. But the other 20%...is I HAVE to find a ball that can hook a little. Maybe not now...now I need to work on delivery and picking up spares. But in today's game...you can't throw straight at the headpin and win. My ball hook was SO BAD....SO BAD...that my teammate in the 3rd game asked if it was a plastic ball. I almost considered throwing my conventional grip urethane just because I can control it better and what the hell...if I'm gonna throw straight...I don't need to throw fingertip/reactive resin. And I HAVE TO learn how to throw on synthetic lanes. It sounds like a BS excuse...but when I throw on wood lanes...which I do 65% of the time...we're talking a NOTICEABLE difference. I could do a t-test to see if the difference is significant...but I'm telling you...it's noticeable.

And thats what has hindered me taking another lesson. I bowl on synthetics, disaster, decide to go take a lesson. Then I bowl on wood lanes and throw a 165-169-184 and am hitting my spares...getting some movement on the backend...and I figure, "maybe I don't need the lesson". And my "lesson situation" is complicated...because my current "coach" is kinda unorthadox...and his teachings/style don't really match with me. So either I gotta drastically change my game and try to do things the way he teaches...or I gotta find a new guy to take lessons from...and the current guy gives me lessons for between $0-$20 for an hour and a half. I've seen other coaches charging more in the range of $50-$200/hour for private lessons.

Gonna roll tonight (hopefully). Was supposed to join my first (serious) league that starts tonight....wood lanes. Sanctioned, sweeps in Vegas, the whole 9 yards. But...the damn alley hasn't called me back after my last 2-3 messages...sooooo...I'm kinda in limbo. But I'll tell ya this...they don't call me back and get me in a league tonight...it'll be my last attempt to join a league there. I still might practice there or open bowl if the prices are decent on a given day...but I'll take my league business elsewhere. Also gonna roll on Saturday morning in Bunny's group lesson thing. If for no other reason than it's cheap practice time. See how the next two days go and then re-assess.

vdubtx
09-27-2013, 01:24 PM
The advantage of today's equipment is that out of the box, you can throw right and miss...but the ball hooks back into the pocket. You don't need to be precise.

If it were that simple I would be bowling a 300 every night just tossing my ball out on the lanes. Fact is, you are just plain wrong about that statement. Adjustments need to be made no matter what ball you throw as the night progresses. Adjust right/left, forward/back, more hand/less hand etc. too many factors that can go into the game.

So many factors come into play when bowling at a higher level that until you learn the fundamentals and get consistent with those fundamentals, you are just shooting yourself in the foot when trying to incorporate some or too many adjustments into the game.

Aslan
09-27-2013, 04:52 PM
If it were that simple I would be bowling a 300 every night just tossing my ball out on the lanes. Fact is, you are just plain wrong about that statement. Adjustments need to be made no matter what ball you throw as the night progresses. Adjust right/left, forward/back, more hand/less hand etc. too many factors that can go into the game.

It was said in a larger context. What I was saying was...if you throw a ball with a big hook...and you get that hook (which is usually greater out of the box and diminishes over time)...you have greater pin carry and greater room for error. I didn't say you didn't need to adjust. I didn't say you could just throw it blindfolded and it would knock all the pins down. I said that if you throw a straight ball, your room for error diminishes. You're not getting the same pin angle and pin carry. Thats why balls hooking is a good thing and we don't just throw plastic house balls leaving our wrists flat. I guess I didn't explain it right.

The bottom line is, whatever is going on...release, ball, lane, approach, follow-through, shoulder angle, etc... I need to find a way to make the ball go right and then come back left into the head pin. It's a fairly simple concept. Unfortunately...I'm doing (or not doing) something right...and it's making a simple concept more difficult.

Aslan
09-28-2013, 01:13 AM
First night of Sanctioned League tonight.

And I bowled the best series I've ever bowled in my life. Not great for setting your average!!!

545 Series: 181-183-181

To put this in perspective...YESTERDAY...in the Thursday FUN LEAGUE....I bowled a 319 Series. In THAT LEAGUE...my average is 114. In this league...a sanctioned league...my average is 182. Don't bother checking Iceman...I don't get my USBC # until next week...so I'm just as excited to see it on there as I'm sure you are.

Now...this is where I HAVE TO think...I HAVE TO think that my problems are related to lane conditions. I simply am having a MONUMENTAL problem switching from wood to synthetics. As you can see in my signature...my lifetime average is just over 130. On wood lanes, I bowl in the 120-190 range. I have ball reaction on the back end...and a ball speed of over 17mph. On synthetics...after 3 weeks my league average is 114. My ball doesn't move...it's a straight ball. I have to shorten my backswing, my approach, lessen my speed, and I end up just lofting it 20ft hoping I can get a strike or at least a decent shot at a spare.

It has to be the lanes. On these wooden lanes...if I miss right...it'll hook back. If my release is a little off...it'll still hit the pocket. I have a 4-6 board cushion. But on synthetics...if I miss my board...even one board...or if my release is off my just a little...I'm toast. If I force it to hook...I top the ball and it crosses in front of the headpin and hits the 4-pin. If I throw it too flat, not enough hand rotation...it hits right into the 3-pin.

So...on the negative side...I can't figure out synthetics...and nearly every alley is synthetics. Also, I now have an average 51 pins higher than my lifetime average. So for the next 23 weeks...I'm not gonna be much help to my team.

On the PLUS side...I just bowled a 545. Thats my BEST SERIES EVER. I threw 3 straight games over 180. And that last game could have EASILY been a 201 had I not got my thumb stuck in the ball in the 8th frame. Ended up with a - / after a spare in the 7th. That mistake alone was 20 pins.

This is gonna be a tough league. I don't know if my 545 series was the best tonight. Easily top 5. But I saw games of 214 and 246 so I don't think I'm league leader by any means. And a lot of the better teams were at Sweeps in Laughlin tonight...so even stiffer competition next week.

vdubtx
09-28-2013, 10:14 AM
Congrats on your series, very nice improvement from the prior night.

Regarding your usbc number, it won't show anything until end of the season when your final average is reported.

Aslan
09-28-2013, 12:09 PM
Congrats on your series, very nice improvement from the prior night.

Regarding your usbc number, it won't show anything until end of the season when your final average is reported.

Thanks! Even though it was wood lanes...it felt SO good to be out there in a real, sanctioned league with some fairly serious and high average bowlers and not only not embarrass myself...but put up numbers that turned a few heads. I'm sure at least a few of them were like, "Dang...who's the guy in the gold shirt...he's killin it."

But yeah...I have to "temper my enthusiasm" because my usual series on those lanes is more around a 445 so even though I now know I'm "capable" of more...and my goal is to carry a 190 average by the end of the season...I can't get too disappointed if next week I roll a 411 series.

Dang...I wanted to see me on Iceman's "official website" and now he's gonna call me a fibber all season!! Bummer.

Aslan
09-28-2013, 06:32 PM
Went to the instructional clinic that Bunny told me about so I can try to figure out synthetic lanes. So I bowled a lot of frames, but only 2 complete games since we were bowling on different lanes and not really keeping track.

126-129

The good news is I got some good instruction from some legitimate talent. The downside is, I have to completely tear down my entire approach and release to be effective on synthetics. I just bowled the best series of my life (545) yesterday...and not 24 hours later I'm being told by someone who is knowledgeable enough to know that:

- Push the ball out on approach (don't drop it down as previous coach told you).
- Release the ball lower (don't loft it like the other coach showed you).
- You last coach is a nice guy, but an idiot and doesn't know bowling.
- My ball is essentially crap and I need a new one.

So now, on the plus side, I can still have a decent back swing and longer approach. On the negative side, I can't aim arrows anymore. In order to release that ball so that it's hitting the lane <15ft...I need to aim at the dots at about 6ft out. No more upright stance/high loft/extension. Now it's back to knee bend, getting low, and just kinda "dropping" the ball about 2-4ft from the foul line.

Still have to throw straight. My ball speed is just too high and that ball is just to mild to really hook at all on oily synthetics. I saw a guy using one next to me and his would hook...but he was an old timer barely throwing it and he threw it along the far, far right side of the lane. I'll get 50% gutter balls if I try to hug that 3 board like that.

Actually, the 129 was BEFORE the lesson and the 126 was AFTER the lesson...but I still think the coaches learning points were valid. The trouble is...a straight ball is a straight ball. I can bowl between my legs and it'll go straight. Approach, release...it doesn't matter if you're just throwing a straight ball. I can go back to throwing my 14lb urethane if it's just a straight ball. So...I think a ball change is going to be coming. I'll work on what I learned today, try to get more consistent, make it feel more natural. But if I'm going to do anything but "spare"...I can't throw a straight ball at board 15. Granted, it takes oil patterns out of the equation...but it also leads you vulnerable (times 10) to splits. AND...you have to be a precise spare shooter, which I am not (yet).

Bunny
09-28-2013, 10:38 PM
The good news is I got some good instruction from some legitimate talent.


Hall of Famer Barry Asher. I'd say so!!


http://www.bowlingball.com/BowlVersity/bowling-great-barry-asher?lf=search

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRQ8WaAh9Gk




I just bowled the best series of my life (545) yesterday...and not 24 hours later I'm being told by someone who is knowledgeable enough...


One of The PBA's 50 Greatest Players, I'd say he's more than knowledgeable enough!




Glad you made it!!

I don't roll on Shabbos!!!

Aslan
09-29-2013, 12:18 AM
One of The PBA's 50 Greatest Players, I'd say he's more than knowledgeable enough!

Thats what I meant...if it had been the guy working behind the counter or even some guy in a pro shop...I'd have been like, "listen dude...I just rolled a 545...so...I don't really need to completely change my game...but thanks." But when it's a former pro...hall of famer...etc.. kinda hard to go "pfft...whatever."

Aslan
09-29-2013, 07:14 PM
Sunday Practice:

368 Series: 111-134-123

Tried out the things I learned at the Saturday clinic. As you can see...it didn't work out very well. I'm back to throwing a straight ball. 3-4 months ago I switched from a 18-year old urethane ball to my first reactive resin ball. I used to throw straight at the head pin and score between 87-129. Suddenly I was scoring between 115-187 with my new ball and I could throw out to the right and have the ball hook back into the head pin.

But now...on synthetic lanes....it's a straight ball. A little, little tiny flare at the end....other than that just a heavier, uglier version of my 14lb, 18-year old urethane ball. By the end of the 3rd practice game...I started feeling good, threw 2 strikes in a row...so I bowled two more practice games:

104-107

Obviously, didn't work out very well. Trying to stop muscling the ball...trying to get down, trying to release sooner...it just wasn't working. If I was an inch one way or the other from my target...I'd end up shooting a spare...and my spare shooting just wasn't working out today. Because I was trying to get so low, my balance was off. A lot of my mistakes were in my shoulders...either too much shoulder or not enough.

This was my last practice on synthetics before league play on Thursday....so not sure what I'm gonna do at this point.

Aslan
10-01-2013, 02:10 AM
Monday Practice on wood lanes:

341 Series: 123-105-113
Started out not going well. Messed with my approach/swing so much Saturday and Sunday that it took me a bit to get back to my "old self".

395 Series: 101-142-152
My coach came over and gave me some pointers...got me to settle down a bit. I think I was struggling and it was just messing with me. Since I was starting to do better...I did a few more games.

488 Series: 161-192-135
Had a great 2nd game. Started to lose it in game 3...was getting tired. But I left feeling good. Granted...granted...it was on wood lanes. But at this point...if I can roll a 450-550 series on Fridays in my sanctioned league...while I try to find a way to fix my struggles on synthetic lanes...I'll take it.

Aslan
10-04-2013, 04:46 AM
Thursday Night League

Two pre-league practice games: 112-106

Not really "real games" since I was essentially trying different things that I learned at the Saturday clinic. Unfortunately...nothing was working. If I tried to release the ball closer to where it passes my front sliding leg...I end up dropping it and it goes right in the right gutter. It's as if my right shoulder isn't fully "straight" yet so I'm releasing the ball towards the gutter. So if I'm going to perfect that release point...I need to work on getting my shoulders square sooner.

League Series: 425, 144-161-120
By game 3 I had slightly too many gin and tonics...but overall it was a good night and I finally helped the team. Unfortunately...we played the "sandbagger express" and they beat us all 3 games. We only lost by 2 pins in game 2...and almost caught em in game 3...but it was not in the cards.

I tried to just throw the way I'm used to. Some slight "tweaks"...getting lower...pushing the ball out in my approach rather than dropping it...shorter backswing...longer approach so I'm not crowded at the line. Still couldn't get any hook. I pretty much am throwing 18mph and thats still too much speed for that ball to hook in heavy oil. I thought about throwing it at boards 1-5...the drier part of the lane...but it's too close to the gutter...I get nervous and either pull it or drop it in the gutter. And throwing at boards 9-12...it was just going straight to the right of the headpin. So I had to play the straight shot...boards 11-15. Tough to strike playing a straight shot...but I guess until I get my other ball drilled...I'll try and work on my spare game.

Aslan
10-05-2013, 01:16 AM
Friday Night Sanctioned League (wood lanes):
533 Series: 176-133-224

Bowled a 525+ series, bowled my highest game ever...and missed my 2nd clean game by a pin. In the first frame of game 3, my thumb got stuck and I threw the ball about 15ft in the air and it landed half way down the lane. Picked up the spare. But then "over did it" on powdering up the thumb in frame 2...threw it in the gutter on ball 1, and could only get 9 pins with my 2nd ball. That was my only open frame.

I was really worried after bowling my best ever 545 series in week 1 that I'd never live up to that average..well...I couldn't...average 178 tonight...so dropped my average to an even 180 after 2 weeks.

But most importantly...my team took 4 points and we should be in 1st place or at least tied for 2nd next week!

Aslan
10-08-2013, 01:38 AM
Monday Practice (wood lanes):

Just got my ball back from a $15 oven treatment. Last time I do that given I just got my food dehydrator from Ebay. I asked him to resurface it as well, but he said it didn't look like it needed resurfacing; I wasn't going to argue.

539 Series: 217-150-172
First game was awesome! Like my 3rd or 4th best game I've ever bowled! Ball seemed to have more reactivity after the baking/dehydrating...but hard to say since I tend to get a good deal of reactivity on wood lanes. Synthetic lanes on Thursday will be the real test.

483 Series: 197-131-155
The first game of the series I started with a 5-bagger. Probably only my first or second 5-bagger of my life. Then I ruined it with a 3 | 3. The last couple games were better than the score indicates...was having trouble with picking up spares. A lot of 2-pin spares, easy ones, and I'd chop them thinking the ball would hook more than it did.

Lifetime average moves up a pin...not a bad practice session. :cool:

Aslan
10-11-2013, 01:08 AM
Thursday Night League (synthetics, non-sanctioned)

427 Series: 133-119-175
The first game I almost bowled a clean game, but ended up with a 1 / 1 in the 7th...then 1-2 more open frames. Still finished over my Thursday average with a 133...but with 2 of our bowlers on vacation and Bunny having a rare "off" night...we lost by two pins to a HORRIBLE team.

The second game was a disaster...not sure what happened.

The 3rd game was 2 frames away from a clean game. Picked up a great 3-5-7 split...got a double in the 8th and 9th...open in the 10th chopping the 1-2-4-7. But finished with a 175 which is excellent for me on synthetics...and more importantly, it got us the 3rd game AND the total pin count...so we should have gotten 2 out of 4 points on the evening. And we only missed picking up the other 2 points by a grand total of 11 pins. Sick...but oh well.

We did see a guy almost die though...that was scary...but I'll save it for another post.

Aslan
10-12-2013, 01:57 AM
Friday Night League (wood lanes, sanctioned)

411 Series: 136-159-116
Tough night. Had trouble with my thumb. Getting stuck, then slipping out, then getting stuck, then slipping out...just a tough night. Pulled things together in the second game...bowled 7 clean frames after 3 bad frames. But then in the 3rd game, I was doing okay, just couldn't pick up spares.

Brought me down to earth after 2 weeks of scores in the 180s.

The only good thing was when the league coordinator came over and asked if I had bowled on wood lanes before and told me that one of the players on the other team had mentioned that they think I'm a "pro" and had asked her about me. I'm not sure how anyone could see my scores of 136 and 159 and think I'm a pro...but she said she could tell by the way I threw that I was good...regardless of the score. So that made me feel a little better.

Team should still be in first place next week...either 2 or 3 points tonight...don't know yet because one person on the other team didn't have an established average so we don't know what her handicap was.

Amazing that I rolled a 427 series and helped my team to victory on synthetics Thursday...then bowled a 411 on wood lanes and nearly crippled my team. Who woulda figured?

Aslan
10-14-2013, 12:31 PM
Friday Practice with Mike White:

124-92

Went to see Mike about the tri-grip and we bowled a couple games. He wanted to see my release, but I bowled so poorly it wasn't really possible to learn much. I tend to bowl crappy the first couple games in an unfamiliar alley...so it wasn't surprising.

The first game I threw it in the gutter 4 times to start the game.....definitely hard to score when you're playing 8 frames instead of 10. And in the second game, not only did I start off with 2 gutter balls...but outside of 2 strikes...didn't mark at ALL....horrible spare shooting.

But, it was nice to meet another member of the site...I liked the alley and got to feel what it was like to bowl on what I'd say is a synthetic lane with medium oil. Normally I either bowl on heavy oil synthetics or drier wood lanes...so it was interesting to see how my ball reacted to the "in between". I woulda bowled a few more games to test out the new tri-grip but:

1) The place got packed about 6PM as leagues were starting.
2) I wanted to get home and catch Game 2 of the ALCS.

Aslan
10-15-2013, 12:33 AM
Monday Practice (wood lanes)

Wanted to try the new tri-grip, but the Frantic was working well and my coach was there and he doesn't want me switching balls. I still used the other ball a few times just because I'm so anxious to test the try-grip...but the thumbhole was too big and I didn't have any tape.

406 Series: 125-151-130
Disappointing. Was having trouble with my mechanics and throwing the ball in the gutter and just the things that have been messing up my game lately. The coach noticed and came over to help. Unfotunately...his "help" is to radically change my approach. And I HATED it...BUT...I gave it a chance. If he's nice enough to help me out...pretty much free of charge....the least I can do is listen and "try" it.

440 Series: 138-139-163
By the end of the series...I was getting used to his approach. I hated it at first...and I don't like the idea of being a "consistent 130-140 bowler"...but the consistency was improving.

460 Series: 156-182-122
Felt "good" The last game was an aberration because I got like 3 splits. And I ALMOST converted 2 of them. A 2-10 and a 3-10. The guy on the lane next to me was in "awe" that I came so close to picking those up.

498 Series: 159-159-180
I was tired...so all the "muscling" I was doing making my game more erratic....I had no strength left to do it. And my spare shooting was spot on. Very close to clean games!

Aslan
10-18-2013, 12:42 PM
Thursday Night League (synthetics, non-sanctioned)

Practice: 106-116-98-97
Was trying the new tri-grip ball...was NOT working out. It falls off my hand in a way that made it impossible for me to hit my marks. Decided to put it aside for leagues so not to completely kill my team.

League: 470 Series: 189-125-156

Put up my best game and best series thus far in this league. The shortened approach and things I worked with with my coach on Monday seem to still be paying off. Team took 3 out of 4 points so we should have 2nd place...maybe 3rd or 4th depending on how the teams we were tied with did.

More Tri-Grip Practice: 182-122-145-105-108-116

Thought I figured it out...but still was having problems...and by game 5 the inside of my thumb was really hurting. Gonna have to work on it some more before I feel comfortable using that ball/grip for leagues when it counts. But the fact that I threw a 182 with it means...there's hope.

More about the tri-grip in the tri-grip thread.

Aslan
10-19-2013, 04:19 PM
Friday League (wood lanes, sanctioned)

478 Series: 182-146-150

Started off strong, out bowled everyone on my team and the other team's best player. But didn't finish strong. Bowled about 17 pins shy of my average over the series. Not sure if we took 3 out of 4 or 1 out of 4 since this team was new and didn't have a handicap set yet. But since the 2nd place team looks like they lost 3 out of 4...we'll probably still be in first place next week. And next week will be intimidating....bowling against the team with the 3 best bowlers in the league...all 3 carrying near 200 averages. It's a handicap league...so I gotta remember that I don't need to beat them scratch...but still...watching those guys is a fairly stark reminder that I'm nowhere near as good as I want to be.

The shortened approach has really made my game more consistent...but now I'm a 470-480 series bowler. It remains to be seen if I can improve upon these changes and become a 495-505 series bowler. My goal by the end of season is to be a 570 series bowler...so I'm still a ways off.

Aslan
10-22-2013, 03:51 AM
Monday Practice (wood lanes, low oil)

367 Series: 111-112-144
First two games I tried a new approach, timing, and release. But it was too much change all at once. Switched back to old approach for game 3.

485 Series: 186-136-163
Was working on my release, trying to get more revs. Had to muscle the ball too much though...which gave inconsistent results.

485 Series: 121-169-195
After the first two games, I switched to a much lower release, bigger knee bend, less loft. Actually was quite successful.

135 Game
Didn't have as much luck in the 2nd game. Mainly splits and spares and my spare shooting wasn't as good. Obviously still some work to do!

Aslan
10-25-2013, 03:45 AM
Thursday Pre-League Practice:

Tried the tri-grip to see if I was ready/confident to use it for Leagues: 175-98
After the 175, I thought I was ready to take the plunge...but the 98 changed my mind. Tri-Grip ball...back to the bag!

Thursday League (non-sanctioned, synthetic, moderate-heavy oil): 424 Series: 116-167-141
I was NOT happy with game #1...but turned things around after that.

Post Thursday League Practice:
Was still very interested in seeing if I could throw another 175 game with the tri-grip drilled ball.

388 Series: 118-129-141
Was not only working on the tri-grip; but was also working on my new approach and release.

355 Series: 148-91-116
The 91 game I was trying to target the pins, then the dots. Targeting the arrows I had the best luck.

Aslan
10-26-2013, 03:29 PM
Friday League Night (wood lanes, sanctioned)

495 Series: 165-160-170

Pretty consistent night…but just really disappointed that I would at times throw such great shots…then every 3rd, 4th, 5th or so frame…completely miss my target and hit the right gutter or miss way left and hit the 4-pin. A lot of doubles and 4 clean frames broken up by 1-2 open frames where I picked up 7-9 pins. Not acceptable if it isn't a split situation. I forgot my wrist support at home…first time bowling without it in awhile…but I don't blame that. I think my inconsistencies were just over/under shoulder rotation…nothing to do with the wrist.

Pretty much bowled my average….one pin higher for the series. But we played the most skilled team in the league…with 4 guys that regularly hit the 200 mark…beat em the first game…lost by about 12 pins the second game…maybe 18 pins the 3rd game…and lost the series by ONE PIN. Got 1 point out of 4…knocked us out of 2nd place. :confused: :mad:

Aslan
10-29-2013, 02:53 AM
Monday Practice

Usually do Monday practice on Wood Lanes, but the place was closed due to a private party so I wandered over to the other alley and practiced on synthetic lanes. Also gave me another opportunity to use the tri-grip ball.

Tri-Grip Ball
569 Series (4): 126-126-153-164
Started getting used to the tri-grip ball.

Worked on getting low and a slower approach. Got my speed down from over 19mph to between 15.5 and 17.5 mph. Started targeting the dots instead of the arrows. Started to see some real success after the first 2 games. Decided I would see if the same approach would be useful if I were to throw my Frantic rather than the tri-grip Columbia WD.

537 Series (4): 128-165-132-112
The Frantic at the lower speed showed the hook/backend reaction I was used to on drier wood lanes. Not as much…I mean I still had to start my approach about 3-7 boards right and aim no further right than the 10 board…but at least I was getting some arc…rather than throw it straight up the 12-15 boards.

Then bowled another game with the tri-grip: 131. Then another game with the Frantic: 122.

The tri-grip WD obviously had no backend…plastic ball and all. But I was able to do quite well at hitting the headpin and picking up spares. Not a lot of strike potential unfortunately. The Frantic had more strike potential, but was more erratic. Threw it in the gutter a handful of times…not getting my shoulders parallel to the foul line and/or not following through.

Aslan
10-30-2013, 09:51 PM
Had a couple hours this morning for practice (wood lanes):

433 Series: 140-135-158
Started out trying to use the dots instead of the arrows…like I did on synthetics Monday…but I was just getting too much reaction. I could NOT keep that ball on the right side of the headpin! Ball speed so slow…no loft…means even my Frantic was just too much ball for dry/wood lanes.

Instead of moving left, I tried moving right…hoping that if I could just get it further right, maybe add a "little" speed…make sure my form was good so I didn't toss it in the right gutter…"maybe" it'd work. But I had to start aiming back at the arrows and lofting a little. Otherwise it grabs too early.

510 Series: 190-165-155

Missed a clean game in the first game of the series due to 3 frames, all 3 were splits…2 (5-10s) and 1 (2-8-10).

The key to my game on dry lanes is the release. All the stuff I've been working on with approach is secondary. On synthetics, I need to change the approach and ball speed …because otherwise it's a straight ball. And I have to remember to make sure I also have a good release. With low oil, other way around. Need the good release…and have to hope the approach doesn't get too far out of whack.

Started using my tri-grip Columbia WD as a "spare ball". Mainly just for splits and single 10-pins. Had pretty good success with most spares. And the ones I missed were very, very close. So, the final 3 games, best series in quite awhile. Feel good about Friday Night League!

Aslan
10-31-2013, 08:35 PM
Thursday Practice (synthetic lanes)

Didn't have leagues tonight due to Halloween; so I stopped at an alley near where I had a meeting. I was the only one in there…they had a good deal, $10.50 for 2 hours…so I got 9 games in before I had to leave. Still coulda got 1-3 more games in if I didn't have to leave early.

377 Series: 88-130-159
I really struggled early! That 88 was my worst game in MONTHS! I just couldn't get anything to work. But, started making some adjustments, picking up more spares.

390 Series: 121-143-126 (Tri-Grip Practice)
Since I was struggling with the Frantic, I thought I'd get some tri-grip practice in. Just like before, seemed to be more consistent at hitting the pocket and hitting spares…but had trouble getting strikes and had more splits.

398 Series: 122-126-150
Went back to the Frantic…tried aiming at different spots. In the first game, I aimed at the dark areas 3/4 down the lane…trying to get my follow-through working. But, as is the convention…the further the target, the harder it is to hit it. I started targeting arrows in the 2nd game…a little improvement…more than the score indicates since I had trouble with spares that game. Then the last game…had a few open frames that hurt me…especially with them wedged in between marks…but I felt good in the last game.

This was practice for NEXT Thursday. Friday leagues I know what to do…and just need to play my game and pay a little more attention to good form and picking up spares. But NEXT THURSDAY…is where I need to slow the ball down, aim at the dots instead of the arrows, and really, really concentrate on my form. No room for errors on synthetic lanes. I get 2-3 boards away from my target…my ball just isn't strong enough to grab the dry area and hit the pocket.

And still gonna stay with the Frantic instead of the Columbia WD tri-grip drilled. But at this point it's almost a toss up as to which one to use. With the WD, I'm almost guaranteed a 366+ series…but it's not likely I'll get more than a 429 series. And I NEED a 399+ series to help my team in that league. With the Frantic…I could get a 462 series…or I could suck it up and get a 378…so the variance is higher…but I'm likely to do better (either a little or a lot) with the Frantic as my strike ball and the WD as my spare ball. Now…if I get to the alley and get a couple practice games in before league…and the WD is rolling better than the Frantic….I reserve the right to change it up.

Aslan
11-02-2013, 01:47 AM
Friday League (wood lanes, sanctioned)

Practice: 159-139
Was going to try a new 6-step approach…but I couldn't even do it one time…just too odd. Wasn't too happy with the practice.

536 Series: 171-182-183
Put together my second best series thus far. I anchored the team in the 2nd and 3rd games and we took 3 of 4 points. Hopefully we'll be in first or second place by next week. Didn't do anything special…just played my usual game…tried to concentrate more and pay attention to my form and hitting my mark. Didn't do a lot of striking for some reason, but was pretty good with spares. Even came close to picking up a 4-7-10 split. Close…but no cigar.

At the end of the night watched a guy come up short in a 300 bid. 289, left a 3 pin or 4-pin. Last week a guy made it to the tenth, same thing, left the 3-pin or 4-pin…ended up with a 286. So I think we've had a 290, 2 289s, and a 286 in 5 weeks. Lots of good bowlers in this league. It's fun just holding my own against them.

Aslan
11-05-2013, 01:37 AM
Monday Practice (wood lanes)

472 Series: 168-144-160
Was feeling good.

563 Series: 197-177-189
My BEST SERIES EVER!! Including picking up a 5-10 split to salvage a clean game in the 6th…before losing it to an open frame in the 9th. Damn Sleepers!! Then missed a clean game AGAIN by one frame…a gutter ball in the 2nd followed by 9 pins. Damn ball slipped off my thumb.

537 Series: 184-169-184
THIRD BEST SERIES EVER!! Including yet another near clean game…only missed it due to a 7-10 split…which believe it or not…I ALMOST picked up.

The main difference in my game was allowing myself to drop my shoulder. It was one of the first things my coach had me change 3-4 months ago…trying to get me to stand up straighter. But now that I'm not leaning over the foul line, dropping that right shoulder is really allowing my arm to swing freely. So I focused on my release but also my balance leg and overall form. And wow what a difference!!

Wasn't striking early on due to being a few boards too far inside…throwing the ball a bit straight at the headpin and a little too hard. But as I adjusted, moved my target a bit right…didn't muscle it as much, I started getting a better strike rate.

Aslan
11-08-2013, 02:37 AM
Thursday League (synthetic, moderate-heavy oil)

449 Series: 149-155-145
Felt "okay", but not great. Spare ball (tri-grip) was missing way left. Seemed to be okay using my strike ball for spares.

Make-up Game from Halloween
402 Series: 113-179-110
Disaster. I got on a streak in the 2nd game…but what a disaster. Cost my team 2 points. I was all over the place. Just when I thought I had my mechanics down…I go and poop this brick. Very disappointed. By game 3 I just stood off to the side…watched my teammates do pretty well…but I was worthless at that point. Not sure what changed from the first game to the second game…maybe my knee started to wear out so I couldn't get as low…maybe out of frustration I was pulling it…I don't know. But far too many 3/- frames.

Aslan
11-09-2013, 01:49 PM
Friday League (sanctioned league/wood lanes/low-moderate oil)

387 Series: 129-131-127

Worst series since I started playing in this league. And no excuse since this is the type of lane/conditions that I do well on and my ball is designed for. Not sure why…no answers…no excuses…just absolute disappointment. Worst series since joining this league…dropped my average 6 pins. And the first week where my scores in the Thursday League were higher than my scores in the Friday league.

The only good thing is consistency…and the only possible explanations are either the lanes were more oily than usual OR….I did use a 1000 grit wet sandpaper on the ball…not to "sand" it…just to scuff it a little. I thought that would help it grab a little more though…not less. I don't know…maybe it grabbed earlier and was all rolled out by the time it hit the pocket.

But I feel horrible…we lost 3 out of 4 points to a very sub-par team…on a night where the 2 teams ahead of us and the two teams we are tied with all played each other. This was our opportunity to get pack into the top of the standings..and it wasn't the "team" that failed…it was me. They all did fine.

Aslan
11-12-2013, 01:26 AM
Monday Practice

Synthetic (med.-heavy oil)

Holiday rates were in effect at my usual wood lanes practice place, so I went to the synthetic lanes who were having a Veteran's Day special.

As usual when practicing on synthetics, I tried both the Frantic as well as the tri-grip drilled Columbia WD.

Frantic Series: 147-102-120-147
Wasn't doing horrible, but was not striking much and was missing spares. I tried to keep the speed down to try and get some backend hook…but even when I was barely throwing it…I was hitting 18-19mph. I may need to really, really slow it down and/or get a stronger ball.

Tri-Grip Columbia WD Series: 105-99-146-114
Just wasn't working out. Seems to work okay as a spare ball…but I just don't see it working well as an everyday ball. Really hard to judge whether the grip is effective or not. I'd like to see how the grip does creating revolutions and hook…but since it's a plastic ball…that effect isn't going to be very noticeable by design.

Will try to practice with each ball before league play on Thursday. But will probably stick with the Frantic as the strike ball and WD as the spare ball for now.

Aslan
11-15-2013, 01:27 AM
Thursday Practice (Pre-League)
Fingertip Grip Frantic: 118
Tri-Grip Columbia WD: 91

Thursday League (moderate-heavy oil synthetics):
448 Series: 210-121-117
Had my SECOND CLEAN GAME EVER!! And my highest scoring game on synthetic lanes!! But then, in games 2 and 3…back to sucking rocks! Bowled about 14 pins above my average (overall) so I helped my team take at least 1 point…but let em down in games 2 and 3 which helped to cost us 2 out of 4 points against the worst team in the league. : (

Thursday Post-Game Practice:
439 Series: 134-137-168
More consistent, felt good…but was highly motivated to impress the couple next to me…one of whom was this mid-20s blonde with a rack that WOULD NOT QUIT! But at the end of the day I left alone…destined for a night of masturbation and pornography and she will go home with her thumbless bowling boyfriend…and give him tremendous head. Oh well…someday…my prince will come (disney song). Hopefully, my prince looks like Alyssa Milano…except minus all the tattoos and the weird fascination with starving children in Africa.

I think it's time to get my next ball drilled. I think I'm gonna pass on tri-grip…it just doesn't feel right. I'll head up to see Mike White in a couple weeks and get the new ball drilled up. I need a stronger ball for synthetic lanes with heavier oil…the Frantic just aint cutting it (despite the 210 game). I also only used my "spare ball" ONCE tonight!! Yeah….ONCE!! The Frantic is SO straight…it makes no sense to switch to a spare ball…even for single 10-pins or 6-10 leaves.

MICHAEL
11-15-2013, 01:41 AM
Thursday Practice (Pre-League)
Fingertip Grip Frantic: 118
Tri-Grip Columbia WD: 91

Thursday League (moderate-heavy oil synthetics):
448 Series: 210-121-117
Had my SECOND CLEAN GAME EVER!! And my highest scoring game on synthetic lanes!! But then, in games 2 and 3…back to sucking rocks! Bowled about 14 pins above my average (overall) so I helped my team take at least 1 point…but let em down in games 2 and 3 which helped to cost us 2 out of 4 points against the worst team in the league. : (

Thursday Post-Game Practice:
439 Series: 134-137-168
More consistent, felt good…but was highly motivated to impress the couple next to me…one of whom was this mid-20s blonde with a rack that WOULD NOT QUIT! But at the end of the day I left alone…destined for a night of masturbation and pornography and she will go home with her thumbless bowling boyfriend…and give him tremendous head. Oh well…someday…my prince will come (disney song). Hopefully, my prince looks like Alyssa Milano…except minus all the tattoos and the weird fascination with starving children in Africa.

I think it's time to get my next ball drilled. I think I'm gonna pass on tri-grip…it just doesn't feel right. I'll head up to see Mike White in a couple weeks and get the new ball drilled up. I need a stronger ball for synthetic lanes with heavier oil…the Frantic just aint cutting it (despite the 210 game). I also only used my "spare ball" ONCE tonight!! Yeah….ONCE!! The Frantic is SO straight…it makes no sense to switch to a spare ball…even for single 10-pins or 6-10 leaves.

That Frantic should have a HUGE FLIP at the end!!!!! Wow,,, how is it drilled??? pin up down, where is it located?? Was the ball drilled to suit your delivery with Mike looking at your axis of rotation ect..ect...

Its not the Tri Grip,,, Mine flips a bunch, and Gene one of teammates is bowling Godzilla scores with his tri grip DV8 marauder! It SHOULD NOT GO straight!!!

Has Mike seen you throw the ball???? Maybe its your delivery, release of ball? It kicks like a Missouri Mule!!! Gene it now thinking about doing some tournaments since after going to the tri grip, his average has been 235! Before the Tri grip,,, he was a 220 bowler.... good, but now he has moved up to another level!
It may not be for you!!! You might be right,,, maybe later after you reach a certain level, you might want to give it another try!

For the life of me, that ball should hook, like many of the women you date!!!

Aslan
11-15-2013, 01:23 PM
That Frantic should have a HUGE FLIP at the end!!!!! Wow,,, how is it drilled??? pin up down, where is it located?? Was the ball drilled to suit your delivery with Mike looking at your axis of rotation ect..ect...

I've posted the picture in the past; here it is again:
1078

So hopefully from the picture you can tell what the pin up versus pin down is, location, etc... I always thought "pin up" meant the pin was above the finger holes...but I'm a complete techno-peasant when it comes to drilling. Mike has done a good job of explaining it...but it's still kinda Greek to me.

I know a Frantic can hook. I've seen a couple other players throw a Frantic as their strike ball and both got more hook than I do. I "believe" (this is a theory at this point) that my Frantic/hooking issue is 20% lane conditions, 10% drilling, 20% beginner skill level, and 50% my delivery/style.

On low-oil/wood...I get a smooth arc...left foot center...targeting 9-board...ball arcs into that 11-5 board area...the hooks smoothly into the pocket. No hard break at the end, just a smooth arc.

On synthetics and heavier oil...I have to stand about 5 more boards right...and throw virtually straight at the 11-13 boards...and there's a slight "flare" at the end just before it hits the headpin.

So...."why is that?" Well, from what I've gathered...a combination of things (in believed order of importance):
1) Ball Speed: I throw 19-20mph. I've tried to reduce that with a shorter backswing and a shorter approach...less muscling...but I can't comfortably get that number much below 19mph. Through trial/practice...I HAVE noticed that I can get the Frantic to hook more on synthetics/heavy oil if I can get down to 13-15mph. I saw a guy throw a Frantic with a ball speed of 11-12mph...extreme outside track (2-board)...and he got a HUGE amount of turn/hook.
2) Loft: I comfortably loft the ball about 10ft. That much loft kills the ball energy (in terms of building up revs). I've tried to set it down sooner...closer to 5ft...but I lose all accuracy as I essentially just start "dropping" it.
3) Stroker/Revs: My approach is a stroker with low revs. I've seen a Tweener use a Frantic and get a little more flare...I'm sure a cranker or thumbless bowler could get it to turn...but my release just doesn't seem to generate a lot of revs.
4) Sanding/Polish: I have used a 1000grit wet sandpaper to "scuff" it a little. The "point/intent" was to get it to grap more...but I think that has resulted in cutting down a bit on the energy the ball can build up. I tried to polish it...but that didn't appear to do anything.

So...the above = about 55% of my issue(s). But, also, the Frantic is a symetric core, entry level advanced ball designed for medium oil and the ball has a hook rating (PerfectScale) of 189.5. If you compare it to some popular balls out there that I've seen on the lanes on Thursdays:

- Hammer First Blood: assymetric, 220.8, Pro Performance
- Storm Hy Road: symetric, advanced level, 173.8
- Storm IQ: assymetric, high performance, 211.9
- DV8 Diva: symmetric, high performance, 199.8
- AMF Mamba hybrid: assymetric, pro performance, 214.2
- Roto Grip Defiant: assymetric, pro performance, 216.47

So as you can see, the only ball that is similar in level and PerfectScale rating is the Hy Road...BUT, the Hy Road is a medium-heavy oil ball. The Frantic is the only ball of the ones listed that is recommended for "Medium" lane conditions. Now, I have seen lower level, low hook balls like the Strike King, Tropical Breeze, Hammer Nail/Spike, Pyramid Path, etc.. but these are usually female bowlers throwing a very straight ball up the middle.

So my point is, while I think my approach/release is far and away the culprit...the bottom line is I have a ball that isn't necessarily designed for heavy oil. And me sanding/scuffing it a bit doesn't help that.

I plan on paying Mike another visit this month or next month...have him watch me a couple more games...and hopefully he'll get enough information to be able to drill my next ball. I probably won't be league bowling much on synthetics until February/March or even May/June...but having a medium-heavy oil ball to "play/practice" with from now till then will help me get some practice for when my next synthetic lane/heavier oil leagues start up again.

bowl1820
11-15-2013, 02:22 PM
I've posted the picture in the past; here it is again:
http://www.bowlingboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1078&d=1384541118

So hopefully from the picture you can tell what the pin up versus pin down is, location, etc... I always thought "pin up" meant the pin was above the finger holes...but I'm a complete techno-peasant when it comes to drilling. Mike has done a good job of explaining it...but it's still

Depending on your actual PAP location.

That look's like what is called a "Label Leverage" layout. That's where the Pin is located 3 3/8" from the PAP and the CG is close to the middle of your grip. It's a basic stroker layout for the most part it will give a good overall reaction depending on how you use it.


while I think my approach/release is far and away the culprit
You hit the nail on the head here.

You got high speed, low rev's and excessive loft, bowling on a oily lane. The ball doesn't have time to read the lanes and react.

Aslan
11-15-2013, 03:04 PM
You got high speed, low rev's and excessive loft, bowling on a oily lane. The ball doesn't have time to read the lanes and react.

EXACTLY!!!

BOWL1820 is wise, wise, wise...

Simple Physics explains why I can't get hook...to get hook...on high oil...if you were trying to "instruct" someone...you'd say:
- Asymetric ball, made for moderate-heavy oil
- Lower speed and low loft to give it time to react to the lane
- Polished surface so it doesn't lose energy before the dry area
- 2-handed > thumbless > Cranker > Tweener > Stroker (fingertip) > Stroker (conventional grip)

The bottom line is, I "get away with" my style and that ball on low-oil wooden lanes because it's grabbing the lanes earlier and arcing into the pocket earlier. On heavier oil synthetics...there's nothing for the ball to grab until 9-14 feet in front of the headpin...but the ball is already travelling so fast...it can't make the turn.

It's like driving a car on a paved road versus an icy road. On the paved rode, you can travel 75mph...turn the wheel some and the car turns. On ice, you can have the wheel turned all the way over...but you ain't turnin...and when you finally hit that 10-30 feet of dry pavement...you're just gonna skid.

So why not just slow it down?? Ya dumb-dumb!! :confused:

Well, I've tried that. Worked on it a great deal actually. Slower, earlier release...starting the ball lower, lower backswing, shorter approach, etc... But I just can't get the accuracy with that lower speed. My approach/release works when my shoulders are parallel to the foul line and I'm getting good "snap" with the ball. That gives the ball good rotation and at that speed...very good pin action. In addition to the shoulders ending up parallel...it also helpls my acuracy because I'm throwing the ball "out" rather than "down" and I get very good follow-through, extension, form.

The downside is it won't hook. Just pure Physics...the same Physics that causes a person in a car to go in the ditch on an icy road. And if a stronger ball doesn't "help"...I'll have no choice but to work with a professioinal coach at how to either get a higher rev delivery or reduce my speed. Pro bowlers throw at 20-22mph...so you CAN get tremendous hook at higher ball speeds...but you have to develop a professional level release.

Aslan
11-16-2013, 01:32 AM
Friday League (sanctioned, wooden lanes, low oil):

540 Series: 168-213-159
Felt good. Actually had a great first game, but it was broken up in the 5th frame with a -/1. First ball in the gutter, second ball my thumb stuck and I pulled it. Then the second game, I had my third ever clean game 213…felt really good about that. I think the booze sunk in by game 3 and I was a little off. A lot more open frames, missed spares (barely)…etc… Probably my 3rd highest series I've ever bowled, second highest in league play.

Never pulled out my spare ball…just threw the Frantic with lateral movement and I did fine.

Aslan
11-21-2013, 01:54 AM
Rare Wednesday Practice: Arlington Lanes, Riverside CA (low-med. oil synthetics)

607 Series: High Series: 222-170-215
Threw the Frantic while I was waiting for Mike White to finish drilling a ball for another customer. Threw my 4th ever clean game 222, then missed another clean game by 2 frames, then another clean game by 1 frame. And the greatest thing about the clean game!? To keep it clean I picked up a 3-10 split in the 3rd frame...perfect shot hooked it right between the 3 and the 10.

Everything was working…never felt that good bowling. The lanes were synthetic, but low oil so the Frantic had a decent amount of backend reaction.

530 Series: 175-159-196
Throwing my new ball that Mike drilled for me. 16lb Hammer Rhythm. I was hesitant throwing it, almost afraid that the hook might be too severe…so I wasn't getting the most out of the hook potential. The 16lbs was a little harder to control than the Frantic, but I tried to lower the backswing, slow it down, set it down earlier…and I have to admit, at least in those first 3 games, a GREAT deal of pin action! I mean, anything even near the headpin seemed to lead to 8, 9, or 10 pins.

Should make league play tomorrow interesting. Heavier oil; so I don't anticipate another high scoring night…but it'll be interesting!!

Aslan
11-22-2013, 01:10 AM
Thursday League: (synthetic/heavy oil)

358 Series: 111-125-122
What a HUGE disappointment!! Got my new ball and thought I could finally get a little reaction on the heavy oil lanes…NOPE! I tried setting it down earlier, slowing it down…but obviously I was back to just sucking BIG time!!

402 Series: 127-115-160
Did some practicing…but it wasn't working. Gonna have to just go back to what works. I'll use the new ball, but I guess it's not much different than the last ball. I guess my only hope is that no other lanes I EVER play on are this heavily oiled…EVER….because if they are…I bowl like an 11-year old. Good times.

Hampe
11-22-2013, 07:34 AM
Aslan....do you know how long the pattern is and how many units of oil are used? Just trying to get a frame of reference what's considered really heavy oil for you.

Aslan
11-22-2013, 01:19 PM
Aslan....do you know how long the pattern is and how many units of oil are used? Just trying to get a frame of reference what's considered really heavy oil for you.

They said "THS, typical top hat pattern. We aren't sure on the units of oil...we just use a 'wick system'." So I have no idea what that means. Bunny swears that their oil machine doesn't work and just dumps oil on the lanes.

Aslan
11-23-2013, 07:02 PM
Asher/Baker Clinic @ Fountain Bowl

Mostly just practicing…working on things. But after a little instruction and realizing I was the only one bowling on my lane…I decided to put my name on the scoreboard and keep track of my score:

136-182

It was great working one-on-one with Barry Asher. The first time I went to the clinic (over a month ago), it was hard to get instruction because there were more people and Barry was kinda going off on a tangent about where I usually bowl and my ball. But this time was a lot better. He again is really trying to change my game a great deal..so it'll be interesting to see if I can take that back to my Friday league and then my Thursday league and get the benefits of his instruction.

But if the 182 game….where I knocked down 9 pins in NINE frames…a strike in one and then finishing with a strike after a 9 / in the 10th….ONE frame away from a clean game…is any indication…I may have at least started to turn a corner on bowling on synthetic/heavier oil lanes. : )

Aslan
11-26-2013, 01:01 AM
Monday Practice (wood lanes, low-medium oil)

437 Series: 161-169-107
Was using the more prototypical approach I learned from Barry Asher. Early on it seemed very smooth and effortless, but I was struggling to get the ball back to the pocket…even at the slower speed, because I couldn't get any revs on the ball.

509 Series: 192-152-165
Still was struggling to get the ball back to the pocket. I almost gave up on the new approach but realized if I ever want to be a better bowler, able to bowl on non-wood/low oil lanes…I can't keep "chucking" the ball with high loft. It works on wood…it can even work on low-oil synthetics…but those styles are getting more and more scarce.

484 Series: 169-175-140
Started adding some more revs to the approach/style I learned from Barry. It's pretty much what he taught me…but I just add a little bit of revs to my release without "muscling" it.

532 Series: 192-152-188
Even though I really wanted to stay with the Frantic on wood/low-oil lanes and save the Rhythm for medium-heavy oil. But since I was struggling to get back to the pocket, I decided to take it out of the bag and give it a try. I gotta admit…the weight, the ball reaction…I'm gonna HAVE to use it Friday for leagues. The Frantic may be relegated to "spare/splits" ball sooner than I had planned.

Overall, mixed emotions. I like the consistency…I like that I'm "bowling like a bowler" now…but I'm a little disappointed that if you look at those 12 games…I averaged 163.5 which is 0.5 above my average at that center. So…whats it gonna take to get to that 190 average goal!!? And…after what's transpired here on the website…I'm even more motivated than usual to improve…so that maybe someday…MAYBE…SOMEDAY…I'll be good enough to be allowed a differing opinion. Maybe…someday… First…the clean games….> 525 series EVERY TIME…and a 190 average by March 2014. I'll worry about those goals for now…the website egomaniacs later.

Stormed1
11-26-2013, 02:58 AM
Just take it one step at a time. As you said you're working for clean games. More games are won/lost on spares than strikes. Being able to stay clean will make your goal of 1090+ a lot easier. Just don't give up

Hampe
11-26-2013, 03:33 AM
Overall, mixed emotions. I like the consistency…I like that I'm "bowling like a bowler" now…but I'm a little disappointed that if you look at those 12 games…I averaged 163.5 which is 0.5 above my average at that center. So…whats it gonna take to get to that 190 average goal!!? Lol....you've got to be a little more patient dude. One lesson won't make you a 190 avg. bowler. I started working with a coach last October (2012), and I didn't see a real improvement in my average until the end of this summer.

MICHAEL
11-26-2013, 09:37 AM
Maybe its me, but I get this feeling that patience is not one of your virtues! LOL...... Hang in there partner!!

You changed your profile picture? Who is that in the picture, he looks familiar but the picture is so small, like your scores, its hard to make out???

Just kidding about the scores... lol Hey if we can't poke fun and have a good time, what's the use in Bowling!!

We are all sure you will improve over the coming years,,,, nowhere else to go, right!!

You and I are a lot alike,,,, both human, and male! Have a good one my San Diego friend!!

Mudpuppy
11-26-2013, 11:55 AM
Maybe its me, but I get this feeling that patience is not one of your virtues! LOL...... Hang in there partner!!

You changed your profile picture? Who is that in the picture, he looks familiar but the picture is so small, like your scores, its hard to make out???

Just kidding about the scores... lol Hey if we can't poke fun and have a good time, what's the use in Bowling!!

We are all sure you will improve over the coming years,,,, nowhere else to go, right!!

You and I are a lot alike,,,, both human, and male! Have a good one my San Diego friend!!

That is Joaquin Phoenix from the movie Gladiator. He is the emperor Commodus who killed his father to steal the throne from Maximus. It is a great must see movie.

Aslan
11-26-2013, 12:51 PM
That is Joaquin Phoenix from the movie Gladiator. He is the emperor Commodus who killed his father to steal the throne from Maximus. It is a great must see movie.

Why to I have a feeling Iron Mike is thinking, "why would a commode need an emperor?"

I appreciate the encouraging comments (minus Mike). No, patience is not one of my virtues. Actually, I don't think I have any "virtues"...but definitely not patience. My average has went up 16 pins over the last 220 games in the past 3.5 months (how long I've been bowling more seriously)...yet I've nearly quit bowling 2-3 times because it just absolutely pisses me off to no end when I go out there and can't even hit a 400 series.

I tend to magnify my mistakes x1000 yet completely overlook the accomplishments such as:
- Went from averaging 121 in July to now averaging 137.
- 2nd best bowler on my sanctioned Friday night team.
- Averaging > 160 on Fridays, which is probably in the top 35% or better against some very experienced bowlers.
- Most improved bowler in the Thursday league; +16 pins over 10 nights (118 to 134).
- Thursday league season record for high handicap game (270).

Aslan
11-30-2013, 03:59 AM
Friday League: (wood lanes, low-oil)

448 Series: 155-156-137

Suckage!! Struggled ALL NIGHT keeping the Rhythm on the right side of the headpin. Was staying true to my improved approach and release…but with the earlier release and lower ball speed…I just couldn't keep the ball right of the headpin. The league has 3 weeks off in December, so I have plenty of time to figure things out or possibly move back to the Frantic for wood lanes. Also struggled with spares. Seemed to get a lot of "deep" spares like a single 9-pin…and I'm really not used to shooting at those. I seemed to do well with the other spares…so-so with the 6-10 and single 10…but the single 9-pin and single 8-pin were causing me issues.

Aslan
12-01-2013, 02:50 AM
Thanksgiving Weekend Bowling/practice:

Game 1: 98
Was having trouble staying on the right side. The lanes appeared to be very, very dry…which was unusual for this bowling center. I tried to work further outside…but by the time I got out to the 6 board…I decided to experiment with playing inside.

Games 2-4: 432 Series: 128-155-149
It was working….but man…with my new approach keeping the ball speed down…lets just say a LOT of Brooklyn strikes. I woulda had a higher score…but as someone who prides himself on shooting spares without a "spare ball"…lets just say it took a lot of missed opportunities before realizing I needed to not turn my wrist over because even the Frantic was hooking like a beast.

Game 5: 111
Decided since I was running out of room on the left side of the lane…that I needed to move down a ball from the Rhythm to the Frantic by frame 5. Then took another 4 frames to figure out a line since the Frantic was hooking like a madman compared to what I was used to.

More can be found in my videos thread….

Aslan
12-03-2013, 01:08 AM
WHAT A WORKOUT!!!

Monday Practice. Normally I practice on wood lanes…but since my wood lane league is on a 3-week break and I got 1 more week of Thursday league…figured I'd practice on synthetics/heavy oil where I really need the help.

363 Series: 99-138-126
Struggled, struggled, struggled.

436 Series: 118-142-176
Worked on slowing things down. 16mph was NOT working!! Got it down to 15-15.5mph…but was still struggling…

341 Series: 128-110-103
Terrible. I was moving around all over the place trying to find my line. I was throwing the ball right…not getting turned toward my target…just everything falling apart at once.

388 Series: 155-79-154
The second game I wanted to kick my ball bag into the bathroom I was so mad. In the 3rd game of the series I tried to just really, really slow the ball down…got it down to about 13.5mph. But I was still having trouble getting square to the foul line. Finally I just got pissed and decided to THROW IT!!

461 Series: 169-138-154
In the first 2 games…I just aimed at the headpin and chucked it at the arrows. 17-19mph…very nice momentum and pin action. Seemed to pick up spares more accurately as well because at that speed…the ball can't really do anything but go straight. But after the first two games…I was dog tired throwing that 16lb ball that hard so I went back to a more traditional approach for the 154 game.

441 Series: 130-142-169
I started playing the inside line. I found that moving inside forced me to keep my ball speed down and really use the lane to help guide the ball. Harder to hit spares with the ball moving so much…but if I picked up 2-3 spares in each of those games….I coulda had some real nice scores. In the 3rd game, I started out with 4 strikes…unusual for me.

So…I'm tempted to "chuck it" in the final night of league play on Thursday. I mean, it's a straight shot at the headpin…but I'm pretty accurate with it. And I'm more accurate shooting spares at that speed. And I wasn't getting as many splits as I thought I would…mainly because of the explosive pin action.

But…I think I'm gonna try the inside line first. I "felt" good…it felt like I was right on the verge of something special. But…after 18 games of practice…I was "done". I think I've thrown 20-22 once…but 18 is a LOT. Im very sore!!

And it "felt" like I was really having a bad night of practice…a 99,103, 118, 79 certainly didn't help that. But to be honest…I averaged 135 over 18 games…and my average at that center is about 134…so it really wasn't as bad as it felt…especially considering it was "practice" and I was trying different approaches and techniques.

Aslan
12-05-2013, 12:47 AM
Couldn't find a decent center to bowl at…so I wound up at the Cal State Fullerton student commons. A nice little 8-lane alley. Can't beat $1 games!! Even though it did cost me $8 to park. : ( California!!

344 Series: 115-120-109
Blah. Couldn't really figure out the lanes.

407 Series: 135-146-126
Started getting a better feel for them…started moving inside a bit.

466 Series: 153-179-134
Tried setting it down earlier, slowing it down even more, using as much of the lanes as possible.

379 Series: 125-141-113
Tried improving my release…to get at least SOME revs…but if I try to high rev it…I end up "chucking" it further down the lane…so it was a struggle. And my spare shooting was really starting to falter. By game 3 I was just "done".

I want to use more of the lane, slow it down, etc… But the sooner you set it down…the more the lane can affect the ball…so it's less consistent than firing it at the headpin at 19mph. I really struggled playing the outside…seems like if I didn't get the ball down and the release just right…the ball just wouldn't come back to the pocket or worse go to the gutter. And I can't seem to hit spares with my strike ball…not throwing it that slow. Too much variation based on the lane effects. I started just throwing my back-up ball with a flat release…seemed to do better that way.

Aslan
12-06-2013, 12:51 AM
Thursday League: synthetic/mod-heavy oil

428 Series: 149-141-138
I'm not that upset with tonight's performance given that it was 26 pins above my average so I at least moderately helped my team each game. And I was happy with the consistency in scoring game to game. Not as high as the 448, 449, or 470 nights I've had over the course of the league…but my 4th highest scoring night over 11 weeks and by far my most consistent.

Slowing the approach down…getting the ball down earlier to use more of the lane surface…seemed to be working.

But spare shooting was 40/60. The more you let the lane work…the more variation in your spare shot. I'm trying to resist the urge to go to a flat wrist or plastic ball spare shot…working on lateral adjustments and consistent delivery…but when releasing a higher hook ball earlier…it doesn't take much variation to miss a single pin. Work in progress.

Aslan
12-07-2013, 07:28 PM
Saturday Afternoon practice: Tustin Lanes- medium oil synthetics

I wanted to go to the clinic at Fountain Bowl but the special olympics was there again (despite it NOT being on the website!). So, I headed back towards home and stopped off at an alley I never bowled at before for an hour of practice.

463 Series: 177-166-120 then 160-123.
Slower speed, nice and easy release. Wasn't getting many revs though. And that led to a lot of shots that hit right of the headpin because there was virtually no hook. I noticed I was varying where I started the ball (waist versus chin level) so I'm sure I was also varying my ball speed a bit…which also explains why the ball would sometimes hook into the pocket and sometimes hit right of it.

Overall a good practice. Averaged a 149 at a lane I had never played at before including a 177 right out of the gate. Also got a lot of strikes. Still striking Brooklyn more than I'd like…but as long as I can stay around the pocket, good things should happen.

Aslan
12-10-2013, 01:15 AM
Monday Practice: AMF Carter- medium to heavy oil synthetics

451 Series: 129-179-143
Felt pretty good; working the outside; board 9. The first game was just loosening up.

442 Series: 126-164-152
Tried working even further outside; 8 board. But I can never seem to have much luck out there. I get nervous of the right gutter and start pulling it. And these lanes don't have the usual dry edge so the ball just doesn't seem to come back from that far out. Started moving back inside after the first game.

436 Series: 148-151-137
Started moving even further inside…standing 3 boards left of center and by the last of the trio was standing as far as 9 boards left of center. Was throwing the ball at about board 11, 12, 13, and finally 14.

452 Series: 117-191-144
The first game I got about 4-5 splits and was getting real frustrated. So in game two I shot high loft directly at the headpin. I was tempted, after scoring my highest score of the night, to keep doing it…but after 11 games…I couldn't keep heaving that 16lb ball 17mph. I tried it in the first 3-4 frames of the last game but was too tired and was losing accuracy so I finished strong moving back inside with a more traditional approach.

Overall felt good. Probably the best I've ever bowled on these lanes. It wasn't "league conditions" with fresh oil…but I averaged 13 pins higher than I usually do at these lanes. Probably my last practice there since our last league night is this Thursday. Then I'll be back to practicing on low oil/wood for my Friday league which is on break right now.

Aslan
12-13-2013, 10:48 PM
Thursday League: Last Night/Fun Night!!

398 Series: 112-129-157
Struggled early trying to hit the headpin. The two lanes were behaving very different than each other. I started to get it figured out late into the second game…had a decent 3rd game…but overall disappointing night.

As much as I liked playing with Bunny and enjoyed the challenge of bowling on heavier oil…I admit I'm very glad that I'll be just bowling on one lane, one center, low-oil for awhile. I need to start building up my confidence again.

Overall for the 12-week league:
Average: 135
Trend/Slope (series): 3.9965 (positive value denotes positive trend)
Variance/STD DEV/R2 (series): R2 = 0.10077 and standard deviation = 43 pins.
High Scratch Game/Series: 210/470
Low Scratch Game/Series: 87/319
Awards: Most Improved bowler +12 to 13 pins over starting average. Second highest handicap game (season): 256.
Team Finish: 3rd (of 6). 2 points back of 1st, 1 point back of 2nd.

Aslan
12-17-2013, 01:26 AM
Monday Practice: wood lanes

Well, I tried to get back into the swing of things on wood lanes…getting ready for the home stretch in Friday Leagues. Unfortunately, with most of the leagues on break….the place was pitch dark with the black lights going so it was a bit difficult to work on hitting my spots when I couldn't see the damn dots or triangles.

421 Series: 125-158-138
Started out way too far left. Not enough hook in the Frantic to start out 6 boards left of center and throw at board 8-9.

530 Series: 174-176-180
Once I moved over, just left of center and started aiming more towards board 10…I started getting some consistently good scoring. The first 2 games were a frame shy of a clean game.

376 Series: 143-125-108
Things started going downhill for some reason. Same ole situation…pulling it left, then pushing it right.

512 Series: 206-123-183
I decided to go back to "chucking" it; high loft. The first game was clean including a 4-10 split pick-up in the 2nd. But as is the case with the "chucking it"/high loft style…I inconsistently followed it up with a dismal 123 the following game. Decided to go back to the more consistent method of lower speeds/loft and finished up with a nice 183.

I think I'll stick with the Frantic for now…try to stick with the more consistent style rather than "chucking it". Once leagues are back up and running in a few weeks…I may start out with the Hammer in game 1 on the fresh oil…see how that goes…play a little more of an inside line. Then in game 2 or 3 of the series move right and use the Frantic. Or..maybe just start center with the Frantic throwing more of a straight ball…then move left and throw more right as the right side dries up and allows the ball to hook more. I'd like to get as much use out of the Frantic as possible while the wood lanes are still around. Once we go to synthetics, it'll be put into the reserve role as the back-up ball until later in the year when I get the Slingshot drilled up.

Overall a good night of practice though.

Aslan
12-23-2013, 11:10 PM
Monday Practice: (wood lanes, low oil)

506 Series: 155-180-171
Very close to clean games. Wasn't striking very much though.

464 Series: 175-113-176
Started striking a little more, but couldn't seem to run many together before getting a split or some goofy open frame. I tried playing inside in game 2 but even on low oil/wood lanes I can't get the Frantic to come back to the pocket. So I moved back to the right side and started playing the 9-10 target/board.

537 Series: 212-168-157
First game started off with a 5-bagger. Was able to keep the games "mostly" clean

I wanted to finish with another series…but I had ran 6 miles earlier in the day and was just exhausted and my back was killing me so I took a game off and let my daughter bowl as I did a little coaching. Then I bowled one more game to finish the 12. 161 the first game, 147 in the final game.

The good news is…two series over 500…and 10 of 11 games over my average. 6 of the 11 games were over my league average there. The bad news…not striking much. I was doing well picking up splits for the most part…but if I'm gonna average 190, I can't keep getting 2 strikes per game. And the 113 game was a stark reminder that I'm not quite ready for tournaments just yet.

Struggled quite a bit late leaving the 1-2-4. An easy spare to pick up, but never good to leave the headpin. And it seemed like I'd miss right…then over-correct and pull the ball. In the latter series, I had a few frames where I was pulling it big time and hitting the 4-7.

Aslan
12-26-2013, 07:09 PM
Got bored and decided to go to the alley with the child and bowl a little. Glad I did!

4-Game Series of 773: 195 (clean)-220-209-149

The first 3 games were the best 3 consecutive games I ever threw in my life!! 195 clean and then a 220 game (2nd or 3rd highest of my life) that started off with a 5-bagger. In the 3rd game I was a 4-6 split away from another clean game. Then the lights went out in favor of cosmic bowling so I lost some of my vision and finished with a 4th game of 149. Lots of tough spares with sleepers/splits.

The lanes were VERY dry as is usually the case after a holiday shutdown. And I tend to do better and better as the lanes dry up.

My spare shooting was excellent. In the clean game, only a few strikes so it was all done the hard way. I only missed one single pin spare and that was a 7-pin where I shoulda threw it straight because it caught the lane earlier than I thought and missed left into the gutter.

Aslan
12-28-2013, 01:01 AM
Pre-League Practice:

495 Series: 235 (clean)-115-145
Game 1 was the best game of my life…11 pins over my previous high game. But then things started falling apart. Started getting a bunch of splits. Barely salvage a 115. Had a similarly bad game in game 3 but finished with strikes in the 9th and 10th to salvage a 145.

Friday League Night (wood lanes)
479 Series: 150-160-169
Had high hopes after a few weeks off and after bowling a 235-game that I might put on a show on league night…but no luck. Spare shooting was only about 50%. Seemed to do well on one side, but struggled on the other so I couldn't run many strikes together.

Aslan
12-31-2013, 01:55 AM
Monday Practice (wood lanes, low-moderate oil)

475 Series: 154-162-159
Got off to a rough start. Was pulling it for some reason. And the lanes seemed slicker than usual…so missing right didn't work as well as usual.

498 Series: 179-136-183
Better, but a horrible 2nd game with a few splits and bad spare shooting.

510 Series: 181-187-142
Again, better…but there's always that ONE game that ruins the series!

570 Series: 188-201-181
Started figuring out what I needed to do. Stayed focused on my target and avoided the urge to look up at the pins. And played a more direct line approach at the spares.

Game 13: 149
The center made an error and gave me an extra game….so I took advantage! But, after 12 games, I was beat. Got a few splits, a couple missed spares…but strung a few strikes together at the end.

The good news is….brought my lifetime average up another point. AND…a couple 500+ series which is at least showing "some" progress. And with the exception of a few that I pulled and one that I lost in the gutter to the right…I was hammering the headpin. The bad news is…just can't seem to strike. I mean, some games I could…some frames I could…but I just couldn't consistently strike. And that puts a lot of pressure on my ability to keep from splitting and pick up spares.

Oh well…hopefully this'll be enough to help me out come leagues on Friday.

Aslan
01-04-2014, 01:43 AM
Friday Night Pre-League Practice:

555 Series: 176-147-232
Bowled my 2nd highest game ever in game #3.

Friday League Night (wood lanes/moderate oil)

519 Series: 171-169-179
Bowled above my league average and helped my team, so thats all that really matters. But I was a bit disappointed that I didn't bowl any clean games nor did I hit my target of 525+. Barely missed it. Actually in the last game I was hoping for a 206. Would have given me my 2nd best ever series. Seemed to be around the headpin all night. But a lot of 6-10 leaves or 4-7 leaves. Was doing pretty well with spares…probably over 60% if not higher. Also was very fortunate to be bowling on a THS pattern. More than a few times I missed right but still got a strike or at least hit the headpin. That will not be the case on tougher patterns for sure.

Aslan
01-07-2014, 12:24 AM
Monday Practice: wood lanes/low-moderate oil:

511 Series: 178-156-177
Pretty good. I was trying to work on some things I learned at the clinic on Saturday…keeping my head straight up and down rather than tilting it to the side.

650 Series: 214-222-214 (clean)
The first two games I was one frame away from a clean game. In the 3rd game I converted a 5-7 split and a baby (4-10) split to keep the game clean. Only a 214, but I was very proud of it. And the combined series score is the highest I've ever thrown. Tried to focus on my balance arm, release, and form.

493 Series: 198-123-172
Took a break for 20-25 minutes after the first 6 games. Came back and did "okay", but for some reason things fell apart in game 2. Kept leaving 7 / and 6 /. And started having trouble picking up spares, especially single 10-pins which I was leaving a lot of. Was trying to move outside and play the 6-board…but it wasn't happening. I get too nervous that close to the gutter….so I tried to move inside and play 14 board…but the ball didn't seem strong enough to make the turn.

548 Series: 187-180-181
Went back to playing around the 9-board. Was trying to start out 3 boards left of center, but again, the ball didn't seem to be making the turn as I hoped. So I stayed around center or 1-2 boards left of center. But it was tough to strike. I was hitting the headpin…but sometimes a pocket hit, sometimes hitting dead center, and sometimes hitting brooklyn. Was constantly playing with speeds and releases trying to find something optimal.

I'm definitely getting better. Games in the 170-225 range rather than 145-195 range. The trick is transferring it to league play.

My coach told me from now on, NOT to roll 12 games. He said 3 games and make them count…that way league night won't be so different than when I practice. I guess his hypothesis is that I'm more relaxed in practice because I know if I mess up, I still have multiple games to play. Hate to give up my practice time. But, it's an interesting idea and I yield to his experience.

Overall good day of practice though.

Aslan
01-11-2014, 03:20 PM
Friday League: sanctioned/wood lanes/moderate-low oil

537 Series: 183-182-172
Overall good night.

Positives:
- I hit my target of 525+ that I set for myself each series. Which meant I was over a 175 game average (which is the average "good" bowler nowadays).
- I hit my 2nd highest series (this season) total in that league.
- Bowled all 3 games above my league (and lifetime) average(s).
- Finally starting to see more series over 499!

Negatives:
- Missed my highest series in that league by 8 pins.
- 0 clean games.
- one atrocious shot where I ended up with a 1 /. Fortunately it was after an open so I was AS mad.
- Never felt comfortable all night.
- WAY too many misses of makable spares. Probably only 30% on single 10-pins and I leave too many of those to be that bad.
- In the last 2 games…scores woulda been WAY worse had I not went on a short run of strikes early and finished strong.
- Didn't get above 550 much less anywhere in the 600s.

Started my approach (left foot) on boards 19-22. Target stayed constant all night as board 8. Early on I had to move right and start around 18-20 because the ball just wasn't hooking at the speed I was throwing it. In game 3 I slowed it down and moved back to the 19-23 area where I started. Most of the bowlers were playing much further inside around the target board of 13-14 so I really ended up not needing to move much off of targeting the 8-board. I like that target (it's my "A-game") because on those lanes a miss right will usually come back and a miss left still hits the headpin.

First game I did very well. Had two splits and picked up one. That other one was my only open.

Second game I started off with 2-3 strikes and then had some troubles. A couple make-able spares that were missed and a split…had I not finished with strikes in the 8th, 9th, and 2 in the 10th…it would have been a real downer.

Third game the booze was working against me. I also changed speeds because I just wasn't getting the reaction on the back-end so I tried slowing things down a bit…starting my approach about 2 boards right to play the extreme high track. Started off with a couple strikes, go one somewhere along the line and finished with a strike in the 9th and 2 in the 10th. But outside a couple spares…it was horrible.

Aslan
01-14-2014, 12:38 PM
Monday Practice: wood lanes/moderate oil

450 Series: 146-150-154
Could NOT get any ball reaction. The lanes weren't just oiled (as far as I know) and I've never gotten such little reaction on these lanes. Really, really frustrating!!

456 Series: 163-127-166
Kept moving left...from about the 8 board to the 11-board but STILL just not getting enough reaction to bring the ball back. And of course, Rob M...like that little green alien in the Flintstone cartoon...the whole time I'm hearing, "You can't out bowl a bad ball reaction". So I'm almost arguing with myself outloud, "Yes...I CAN out bowl a bad ball reaction...so can it Gazoo!!"

516 Series: 191-159-166
Started off with one of my better games. A clean game where I needed to convert a 3-7 baby split and then in the 10th needed to convert a 2-10 split to preserve the clean game. But as happy as that made me...STILL struggling to knock down all 10 pins. By this point I had moved my target to about board 14 and was just sending it almost straight down the lane...virtually NO ball reaction even near the end of the lane.

486 Series: 168-164-154
I decided to finally give in to Rob's advice...not on changing balls or outbowling a bad ball reaction...but on playing your A, B, and C games. My "A-game" (or critics would argue lack there of) was NOT working. My "A-game" is to play boards 8-11...and I was now outside of that. So I changed to my "B-game" and played the far outside track aiming at board 6. Slow ball up the far right where there is less oil, and just let the ball do the work and come back in. Problem? It was going left of the headpin. I moved out to the 5-board and ultimately the 4-board...but I simply don't have the accuracy to play inside the 5-board. If I don't get those shoulds exactly square...it goes into the gutter. No "room to play with" playing that far outside. After the 168 and 164 I tried to go briefly to my "C-game" of playing inside...but again, the ball reaction just wasn't there and it was sailing way right. So I finished again trying to go back to my "A-game" but with no success.

Was very disappointed and annoyed. After last week, I thought I had maybe taken a big step forward...and then I go out there and am completely lost. I had one great game, I bowled above my average, and I raised my lifetime average by a pin...but those things are only "slight" consolation prizes given that I just couldn't get comfortable out there. Picked up more than half my spares...and shot a LOT...a LOT of spares!! But I still had trouble with the 10-pin and the 6-10. With me playing the spare game with reactive resin...it's alot more based on "feel". I rely on a certain amount...ever so slight...of reaction to the lane. And I wasn't getting it. So then I have to target more inside...and it takes some time to develop a new path like that.

Just overall crap. And my concentration was off...I'd just go up there and throw and forget all the things I was trying to work on. I wanted to focus on keeping my head straight...but was throwing too crappy to even know if my head was straight or not. And add to that, the lanes were crowded and I had idiots to the left and right just being downright fools. Bad day of practice...and now I'm scared to see whats gonna happen at league play on Friday. : (

:(

Aslan
01-18-2014, 02:57 AM
Friday League: wood lanes/low-moderate oil

548 Series: 153-213-182

First game I had a little trouble. Picked up a little over half my spares, but wasn't striking.

Second game I had a split in the 2nd and open in the 3rd and was clean the rest of the way. Must have struck about 7 times. I was just on FIRE!

Third game, started off with 2 strikes, then a spare. Still was doing quite well but I missed 2-3 very make-able spares…had a split…and pretty soon I was at 182.

Obviously I was overall happy with the night. My best series thus far in the league. Helped our team to take 3 out of 4 points. But I could have had a really special night if could just pick up very make-able spares. We're talking single 10-pins, single 2-pins, 4-7, etc… Normally I can't strike but can make most spares. Tonight was the opposite.

Aslan
01-22-2014, 03:43 AM
Tuesday Practice: Wood Lanes/low-moderate oil

453 Series: 188-134-131
Was trying to play a "little" inside but just couldn't get in my groove. Started out aiming at the 8-board and by the end of the series was aiming more at the 10-board. After game 1, the lights went out for cosmic bowling…so that made things more challenging. Games 2 and 3 were just disasters. A lot of 8/-. Trouble with splits, trouble picking up spares…just miserable.

496 Series: 176-173-147
I started moving outside. Boards 8, then 7, then 6. In the first 2 games I was feeling pretty comfortable…both times I missed a clean game by 2 frames. Did pretty well in all 3 games picking up spares, but in game 3 couldn't seem to strike as much as the first 2 games.

580 Series: 222 (clean)-164-194
Moved away from board 6…too close to the gutter and was making me nervous. So I stayed outside playing boards 7 and 8. First game was great; 6 strikes with a turkey in 7,8,9. A few frames shy of a clean game in game 2. 6 strikes in game 3 and a 2-4-5-10 split pick-up to boot. But I missed a single 10-pin in the 2nd frame and then opened in the 10th to put a damper on things.

Used PINPAL APP for the first time and therefore got some interesting statistics:

First Ball Average: 8.53 pins
Strikes: 35% (but only 1 turkey and 3 doubles, the rest single)
Spares: 57% picked up

Single Pin spares: 83% (15/18)
Most common single pin leaves: 4, 5, 6, 10.
Never left a single 2, 7, or 8.

Multiple Pin spares: 46% (20/43)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 (5 times)

Splits: 28% (2/7)
Made a 5-6 baby split. Made a 2-4-5-10.

Average over 9 games: 169.89
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 173.56

Aslan
01-23-2014, 02:31 AM
Wednesday Practice: Synthetic Lanes- low oil

Needed to practice with my Rhythm and on synthetic lanes in preparation for Saturday's tournament. Money is tight so I took advantage of $1 per game bowling at a student commons that happens to have a bowling alley.

392 Series: 144-125-123
Worst series in some time! Tried to play my normal line with the Rhythm but it was going WAY left of target. In game 2 I moved to my "B-game" and started playing the outside line, around board 6. But that was even WORSE!! Six straight 9s…only one strike. So starting in frame 3 I was "around" the headpin…but struggling. In game 3 I abandoned the outside and moved inside. Tried standing 5 boards left of center and throwing out to the 14 board/thereabouts…but I couldn't strike. And to make matters worse, I was struggling a great deal picking up spares.

453 Series: 126-151-176
In the first game I decided to give in to Rob Mautner's advice and switch balls. It was becoming glaringly obvious that these lanes had not seen much oil..and the Rhythm is just too strong. But throwing the Frantic at the 8-11 boards and then at the 6 board…it wasn't working either. Horrible spare shooting as well. In game 2 I went back to the Rhythm and trying to play inside. NO strikes…but I was picking up spares. In game 3 I moved as far inside as I could…standing about board 30-32 and aiming for boards 11-16. FIVE strikes…but bad spare shooting killed me.

431 Series: 171-120-140
Only a few opens in game 1. Still playing far inside. Game 2 things fell apart. So I realized my only other choice was to pull out the Frantic and play inside with it. It was the last of my 6 options unless I wanted to do something more drastic and speed up the ball…but I hate to go back to that bad habit if I can avoid it. Game 3 was a little better at marking, but only struck twice.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.71 pins
Strikes: 19% (but only 1 turkey and 2 doubles, the rest single)
Spares: 40% picked up

Single Pin spares: 50% (11/22)
Most common single pin leaves: 5 and 10.
Never left a single 1, 2, 7, or 8.

Multiple Pin spares: 46% (20/43)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 (5 times)

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 9 games: 141.78
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 154.44

Overall a disappointing night. I needed to practice with my ball on at least moderate oil synthetics to prepare myself for Saturday…but these lanes were so dry that it was even less useful than practicing on wood. The only benefit was throwing the Rhythm again. It's been awhile since I've thrown it. But no other real value.

Still hitting light. Still leaving 3/4 buckets (2-4-5) (5x). But TEN single 5-pins! Only good news….I was 90% at picking up the single 5-pin.

Aslan
01-23-2014, 08:02 PM
Thursday Mid-Day Practice: synthetics lanes- heavy oil

417 Series: 122-137-158
What a stark contrast between last night and today!! I went from the driest lanes I've ever seen to pretty much the slickest (or tied) lanes I've ever played on. First game, couldn't pick up spares. I tried to adjust for the lanes being too slick...but I should have just considered everything a straight shot because I was getting NO bite. More horrible spare shooting in game 2. Finally started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in game 3...first 6 frames were clean, then a split, then a spare...then fell apart the last 2 frames.

537 Series: 211-155-171
Started off game 1 with an open, missing a 7-pin. Then a few spares...then a missed 9-pin. Then a spare and 5 straight strikes. Ran into trouble in game 2...again; spares. Game 3 was better...a split, a missed 7-pin, and a missed 10-pin were my only open frames.

Never had to adjust much on these conditions. I'd stand with my left foot on or to the right of center and just throw it up the 11-12 boards. No hook whatsoever. If I got a good release, it "might" flare a little at the end and come in at a better angle...but other than that I was playing straight shot all 6 games. Happy about the 537 series, but not happy that I didn't even manage ONE clean game of the 6.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.41 pins
Strikes: 31% (but only 1 5-bagger, and 2 doubles, the rest single)
Spares: 45% picked up

Single Pin spares: 50% (8/16)
Most common single pin leaves: 5, 7, 9, and 10.
Never left a single 1, 4, 6, or 8.

Multiple Pin spares: 42% (11/26)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2-4 (4 times)

Splits: 0% (0/5)

Average over 9 games: 159.00
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 170.50

Disappointing because I foresee Saturday's tournament being really a beating. Probably 392-537...and that just isn't gonna cut it if I'm gonna challenge other bowlers...even in a small charity tournament.

Still was hitting right of the pocket...but much different leaves than the past couple days. Today the 3 most common leaves were single 7-pin, single 10-pin, and the 1-2-4. Each of those were left 4 times. Was 0-4 on the single 10. : ( I saw a pro working with a guy at a clinic and the guy said "I keep leaving single 10 pins!" And the pro responded, "Well, get used to it. The better you become, the more of those you'll leave." So maybe it's a good thing. But I GOT TO get better at spare shooting. Usually it's my forte and I don't strike a lot. But lately, phew...stinky.

Will be glad to see wooden lanes again tomorrow night!!

mc_runner
01-24-2014, 09:47 AM
For the tournament just go in with the belief you can and will do well, it makes a huge difference!

Aslan
01-25-2014, 02:11 AM
Friday League Night: wood lanes/low-moderate oil

565 Series: 137-237 (clean)-191

Got off to a tough start. Not "bad", but not good. Splits, chopping multiple pin leaves…just not a great start. Game 2 was my best game ever. New high score! 5-bagger…clean game. I had the highest score out of my team AND their team…and THEY had 4 bowlers with near 200 league averages. Game 3 was almost as good. Only open was a baby split in the 2nd or 3rd frame. Only about 5 strikes, spread out….but the spare shooting was solid.

Ended up with the highest series to date (personal best in the league). I'm sure I'll be in the running for high handicap game and maybe even high handicap series. The only downside…my team lost 3 out of 4 points. Last week I had high handicap series with a 701 and the second best handicap game with a 266. This week, high handicap game of 286 and a handicap series of 712.

Aslan
01-25-2014, 11:42 PM
OCUSBC BVL Tournament: moderate oil synthetics

563 Series: 161-223-179

Well, my first tournament and I did okay. I bowled with 5 other bowlers, 2 men and 3 women. Each game I had either the best or 2nd best score. And after the 223, the OCUSBC rep congratulated me and seemed impressed.

Game 1 was a letdown. Started off with 7 clean frames including a nice pick-up of a 1-2-4-10. Then I missed a 3-10 baby split in the 8th, chopped a 10-pin off the 6-10, then opened in the 10th chopping the 6-10 off of the 3-6-10. My spare shooting was very good overall, but on those lanes (a little slicker than my usual wood lanes)…the Frantic hooked just a "shade" less leading to the chops.

Game 2 I was money. Spare, strike, strike, spare, strike, strike, spare through 7. But my problems in the 8th continued as I barely missed picking up the single 10-pin. Then 3 strikes in the 9th/10th…for a strong finish.

Game 3 was the opposite of the first two games. After a 1st frame strike, I left a 4-7-6 split then failed to convert a 5-7 split. From there on, I fought my way back with a 3-bagger, 2 spares, and a strike. In the final frame…I had a shot at knocking off the morning leader in our division. He had a 583 series and was in the lead. All I had to do was strike then spare and I'd move ahead of him into 1st place (barring anyone else having a better game in the PM. But…I opened. Left a 1-2-5 and somehow chopped the 1-2 and left the 5.

My squad/division was 150-170 averages. The two guys bowling with me were veterans. The one guy was the guy that had the lead in the AM…he was re-bowling to see if he could get a better series and to win bracket money. He also happened to be the 2011 champion of that division. I clobbered both of them.

I thought based on last year's winning score/series being a 498 that I'd need something in the 500s. Figured I could probably score at least a 537…so I was happy with the 563. My goal is always 525 and I exceeded that. And I learned a lot. I learned I probably should have bowled 4 times…and I learned what "brackets" are. Probably could have won some money if I'd known what that was all about.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.94 pins
Strikes: 43% (2 triples, 2 doubles, 4 singles)
Spares: 58% picked up

Single Pin spares: 85% (6/7)
Most common single pin leaves: Single 10-pin.
Never left a single 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8.

Multiple Pin spares: 40% (4/10)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (twice)

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 9 games: 187.67
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 191.67

Strike % was much better as was single-pin spare shooting. But I couldn't run many strikes together and my mulit-pin spare shooting was not good.

Aslan
01-28-2014, 02:32 AM
Monday Practice: wood lanes, low-oil

483 Series: 157-138-188
Started off rough. But by game 3 I was a 6-7-10 split away from a clean game.

531 Series: 215-147-169
A 3-10 baby split away from a clean game to start, but struggled from then on out. I started moving right to get a better angle into the pocket, but the lanes were so dry I just couldn't keep it on the right side. I tried to speed it up…but playing the 5-board is just too close to the gutter for my liking.

465 Series: 132-148-185
I tried to move inside but the Frantic couldn't make the turn back into the pocket. 2nd game of the series I switched balls and went to the Rhythm. I figured the better surface would pull it back into the pocket.

169-156
My coworker finally showed up and we bowled a couple games. I got off to rough start in the first game with some bad spare shooting, but pulled it together with some strikes to salvage a 169. Same thing in the 2nd game…4-5 strikes but bad spare shooting.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.47 pins
Strikes: 35% (1 4-bagger, 2 triples, 7 doubles, the rest singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 65% (19/29)
Most common single pin leaves: 4-pin (8 times!).
Never left a single 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 34% (15/43)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 (3x)

Splits: 10% (1/10)

Average over 11 games: 164.00
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 172.91

Left a LOT of single 4-pins!! That's unusual for me. I figure it was the result of moving inside with a ball not strong enough to make the turn.

Aslan
02-01-2014, 01:32 AM
Friday Pre-League Practice: 168-164

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.24 pins
Strikes: 28% (6 singles)
Spares: 66% picked up

Single Pin spares: 83% (5/6)
Most common single pin leaves: Single 5-pin.
Never left a single 1, 3, 6, 8, or 10.

Multiple Pin spares: 55% (5/9)

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 9 games: 166.00
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 171.50

Aslan
02-01-2014, 01:52 AM
Friday League: wood lanes/moderate oil

446 Series: 165-121-160

I watched the other few better players on their team and they were playing the outside line so I thought I might as well join them before they burned it all up. Normally I'd start about 8-board and move right to the 5-board as things dry up and I need a better angle…but tonight I started at the 5-board. Working the 5-board on the left lane and 4-board on the right lane. Had a clean game except for 2 splits.

Game 2 the right lane broke down and I just didn't feel comfortable playing the 3-board so I moved inside. After two frames…it was apparent the Frantic didn't have the ability to make it back to the pocket…so I switched to the Rhythm. Took me another 1-2 frames to get comfortable with the ball change. At the end of the day, I shot one of the worst scores I've shot in a month. Which, of course, mentally killed me.

Game 3 I ended up playing inside on both lanes. Game 3 went better than game 2, but it took a turkey in the 9th and 10th to salvage a 160.

On the plus side, 4 of the 5 games were in the 160s…so at least I was consistent. AND, I DID raise my lifetime average up a point. BUT…on the negative side, my team dropped all 4 points and my league average fell a point. After 5 straight weeks of increasing scores, I definitely hit a speed bump. My timing was late and my follow-through inconsistent. I'll have a lot to work on Monday. And I'll be moving back to targeting board-8 at the beginning of games. I just don't think I have the revs NOR the ball to play the inside.

Aslan
02-04-2014, 01:43 AM
Monday Practice: Wood Lanes, low-moderate oil

478 Series: 155-159-164
I started out trying a 3-step approach. I'm trying Joe Slosinski's DYDS method mainly concentrating on the head placement and ball placement. Was doing "okay" but after the 1st game decided to switch to a 5-step approach. I just wasn't comfortable with the 3-step approach. Game 3 I did quite well. Started off with 2 strikes, then threw the ball in the gutter twice, then had 3 more strikes followed by 4 spares. Missed a clean game by throwing a -/- in the 3rd!! The only problem I was having with the DYDS method is it sorta lines you up to throw the ball in the gutter…and you have to be very diligent about getting turned toward the target and getting squared up.

523 Series: 205-196-122
Started out with a 4-9 split…then a clean game until the 10th when I missed a single 10-pin. Game 2 also went well. I was playing the outside…boards 2-6 and was pretty successful. In game 3 I moved inside. DISASTER. I tried standing at about board 24 and throwing over board 21 to the board 13 target. Just wasn't happening.

466 Series: 136-163-167
I tried a ball change from the Frantic to the Rhythm hoping it would make it back to the pocket playing the inside…but nope. Couldn't strike and suddenly my spare shooting was abysmal. Usually the first game I switch balls I have to "adjust" my spare targeting. Decided to move back to targeting the 8-board in games 2 and 3. Game 3 was clean through 7…mostly spares, but the spare shooting was excellent. Then a 6-7-10 split in the 8th and a 6-7 split in the 10th to kinda put a damper on things.

455 Series: 159-125-171
I was mentally done after 9 games. But I pressed on. Game 2 I got a couple splits and my spare shooting was off for some reason. In game 3 I struck in the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th. But unfortunately I couldn't pick up ONE damn spare.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.27 pins
Strikes: 31% (1 4-bagger, 3 triples, 5 doubles, 18 singles)
Spares: 50% picked up

Single Pin spares: 70% (21/30)
Most common single pin leaves: 4, 6, and 10 (6x each).
Never left a single 1 or 7.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (20/52)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (9x!)

Splits: 0% (0/12)

Average over 9 games: 160.17
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 167.33

I'm not sure if I was doing Joe's DYDS properly. But I liked the 5-step approach. Will try it again during leagues.

Aslan
02-05-2014, 10:27 PM
Wednesday Practice: synthetic lanes/ medium oil

488 Series: 135-202-151
Had a hard time figuring out the lanes in game 1. Game 2 I was firing on all cylinders. Clean game through 8 frames before barely missing a single 6-pin. Then struck in the 10th. That close to a clean game. A split and a couple frames of bad spare shooting doomed me in game 3.

500 Series: 134-202-164
Still couldn't get in a groove in game 4 and finally ended up moving outside to play the 5-board. Game 2 was a frame short of a clean game; missed a 4-7 in the 2nd frame. Other than a turkey in frames 6-8; all spares so spare shooting was decent.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.21 pins
Strikes: 33% (2 turkeys, 1 double, the rest single)
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 81% (13/16)
Most common single pin leaves: 4, 9, and 10 (3x each).
Never left a single 1, 2, or 3.

Multiple Pin spares: 40% (11/27)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 and full rack (4x each).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 6 games: 164.67
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 169.83

Was still trying the Joe Slowinski "drop your damn shoulder" technique with a 5-step approach. One of the challenges early on is you have to be very diligent about squaring up with the foul line as you release…otherwise, you tend to throw a few in he gutter. Pretty sad when 4 of your most common leaves are a full rack.

One of the things I worked on today was extending toward the target. Playing the 5-board can be dangerous and you need to be precise because as you throw out towards that 5 board and/or 6-board…the ball tends to travel over towards the 1-2 boards before getting a grip and arcing back. Had to "out bowl a bad ball reaction" and add a little speed to stay on the right side of the headpin. If I had a stronger ball #3, I may have made a move inside…but I knew on that slick of surface there was no way the Rhythm was making the turn so I just added a little speed and it seemed to work okay.

Aslan
02-08-2014, 02:17 AM
Friday League: Wood Lanes/low-moderate oil

481 Series: 153-165-163
Game 1 was HORRID! Splits, poor spare shooting, inability to strike. Just abysmal. I managed to salvage it a little at the end, but overall disappointing. Late in Game 1 I lost the Frantic. I missed a 4-7 spare and the Frantic hit the gutter hard and bounced up over the 7-pin into the pin setter and back. When I got up to bowl the next frame I noticed two MASSIVE indentations in the overstock. The size of quarters with about a 1/4 inch depth. I turned it into the front desk and had to use the Rhythm for Games 2 and 3.

This took some getting used to starting in game 2. I don't usually use the Rhythm on wood lanes and I never use it for right side spares but since I only have 2 balls in my ARSEnal…I didn't have much choice unless I wanted to use a house ball. Game 2 was "okay". Game 3 was "okay". But both were slightly below my average.

But the team won 3 out of 4 points against the team in the spot above us so we moved from 5th to 4th…and thats what counts.

Aslan
02-11-2014, 02:39 AM
Monday Practice: Wood Lanes/low-medium oil

476 Series: 135-178-163
Mostly just getting used to the new ball. Had a decent second game but started out with a couple splits. Spare shooting was off as I was trying to figure the ball out.

433 Series: 140-157-136
More splits and bad spare shooting.

508 Series: 139-164-205
Game 3 I was a frame away from a clean game. Left a weird 1-3-9-10 and couldn't get all 4 to fall.

490 Series: 148-147-195
Was having trouble keeping the ball on the right side of the headpin so I went back to throwing more of a straight shot to finish the last few games. In the last game I was a 4-10 split in the 10th away from a clean game.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.35 pins
Strikes: 33% (3 turkeys, 6 doubles, and the rest singles)
Spares: 43% picked up

Single Pin spares: 63% (19/30)
Most common single pin leaves: 6 and 9 (6x each).
Never left a single 1 or 8.

Multiple Pin spares: 32% (17/52)
Most common multi-pin leave: 4-7 and full rack (4x each).

Splits: 0% (0/10)

Average over 12 games: 158.92
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 167.58

New ball. Tri-Grip drilled Brunswick Slingshot. Destined to be my back-up ball in a month and a half…but will use it a bit as a strike ball on wood lanes and low oil in the meantime. It had a little more "bite" than I thought it would. At low speeds I had trouble keeping it right of the headpin.

Tried to work on sliding more than "planting"…but I couldn't get the hang of it. Was still working on DYDS and my balance arm. Tried staying behind the ball…but as predicted….that just caused a end over end straight ball…so I gave up on that for now. Mainly just getting used to the new ball, working on my balance arm and non-sliding leg and making sure my shoulders get square with good aim. I started with my heels almost on the back dots to give me more space to the foul line and that helped my timing a bit.

MICHAEL
02-11-2014, 06:55 AM
The Sling Shot is not a high end ball at all! But a good one, I have one I use for spares drilled weak. It works great for me shooting 10 pins! I also throw it with my palm up, to eliminate side spin and hooking. It works better then my plastic when throw THAT WAY! Having never bowled on WOOD, I am not sure how my balls, with my style of bowling would react!

Do you like the Tri-Grip? It feels great to me!!! It exits the thumb faster, and with ease, plus gives me more revs!

I think you would have to admit, if its truly a Tri-grip, it feels VERY COMFORTABLE without a doubt.

Then its a matter of just getting use to its very comfortable feel, and hitting your target.

I know without a doubt that several friends of mine have it bowl higher scores with the grip. James had throw 2 300s in the last couple months. We had a lady here in our circle that threw her First 300 game using the Grip!

Take a good picture of your ball, so I can get an IDEA of how its laid out

Aslan
02-11-2014, 01:07 PM
The Sling Shot is not a high end ball at all! But a good one,

Agreed Iceman. Thats why I really wanted one and once the Strike King came out, I knew I had to act fast and scoop one up before they went the way of the do-do bird. Fortunately, since the Strike King got released, a Slingshot can be had for < $58.99 shipped. I think it's a great ball and preferable to plastic or urethane or urethane/reactive hybrids becaues it has all the positives of a reactive resin ball, with the straight line tendency of those lesser technologies for around the same price point.


I have one I use for spares drilled weak. It works great for me shooting 10 pins!
Mikey White drilled mine and I told him it is destined to be a "spare/back-up ball" so he says he drilled it to go straight. Right now I need to use it as a strike ball on wood and very low oil...but thats only for a month and a half until my house switches from wood to synthetics.


I also throw it with my palm up, to eliminate side spin and hooking. It works better then my plastic when throw THAT WAY!
I have done that before, and have done it unintentionally trying to keep my "hand behind the ball". I don't like to do that if I can help it. I seem to throw more accurately if I keep my same release. But yes, I think many pro-plastic spare ball guys would be shocked at how straight you can make a reactive resin symmetric ball go by simply leaving your hand behind the ball and throwing palm up. When I throw my Rhythm palm up, a ball with a PerfectScale rating of 211.3...it goes striaght as an arrow. Not sure if that would be the case with an assymetric core...I doubt it...but I've never thrown one so I don't know for sure.

But I agree with a statement you made previously on this topic. The nice thing about using a weak reactive resin ball as a "spare ball" is if you do make a little miss right (for rightys)...it'll grab and do a little hook back into the pin...especially useful for single-10s. The only downside is I've chopped 6-10s twice in as many weaks because it hooks a "tad" more than I wanted.



Having never bowled on WOOD, I am not sure how my balls, with my style of bowling would react!
I'd have to see you bowl to know for sure. But it's very forgiving, very much catered to straighter bowlers and higher speeds. Not a good condition for matte, solid coverstocks that want to grab early...because there's more to grab. Low speed, high rev bowlers usually struggle because it's hard to keep the ball on the right side (for rightys) of the headpin. But players that shoot straight with polished, lower end-medium performance balls tend do much better than on synthetics. Lots of people throwing mid-performance and entry level stuff like Slingshots and Tropical Breezes.

And a ball like the Slingshot, even with that low differential...on wood lanes is gonna hook. I stand with my left heel on center and lay the ball down over the 14-15 boards, crosses the 8-9 board and it comes back to the pocket. And it would never make that turn (unless you bowl thumbless or high rev) on synthetic lanes.


Do you like the Tri-Grip? It feels great to me!!! It exits the thumb faster, and with ease, plus gives me more revs!

I think you would have to admit, if its truly a Tri-grip, it feels VERY COMFORTABLE without a doubt.

I tried it once before and didn't like it. It felt like I was "dropping" the ball. Part of it was the thumb angle was a little "off". Once I added some tape it was better. But it tended to chew up my thumb a bit more than fingertip. It DOES feel more comfortable. I was throwing a 16lb Columbia WD and it actually felt lighter than my 15lb Frantic. And now, the 16lb tri-grip Slingshot feels NOTICEABLY lighter than my 16lb Rhythm. It IS comfortable. But after bowling 12 games last night, my thumb is getting chewed up again. I think I had Mike make the thumb hole too big or the angle still isn't perfect or maybe I'm gripping too much with the thumb. But it's calloused and I actually tore the top layer of skin off the inside of the thumb. I tried to adjust the thumb hole with 4 pieces of electrical tape on the back of the hole and one piece of gripper tape on the front of the hole...but I'll have to keep an eye on it. Might just be a matter of a slight rounding of an edge or something minor.


Then its a matter of just getting use to its very comfortable feel, and hitting your target.
That's really where I'm at right now. It's WAY too early to tell if this is superior to a standard finger-tip grip yet. It feels comfortable (except the thumb issue)...and I seem to be throwing it fairly well. I mean, how many bowlers do you know nowadays that can take a Slingshot and bowl straight at the pocket and get a 195 and 205? I'm not "bragging"...this site certainly has the talent to best that...but it just goes to show you that straighter can still be greater...even in the land of modern bowling. And I WOULD have done much better but this is the FIRST time I threw this ball ever...so my spare shooting was off as I had to adjust my targets slightly. The Frantic hooked more, more arc...so I had to "play the hook" more so than with this ball (Slingshot). The Slingshot plays more like a plastic ball where it's almost a straight cross-alley Norm Duke style shot at that 10-pin.



Take a good picture of your ball, so I can get an IDEA of how its laid out
I will. Mike has the actual "numbers" of how he drilled it...but I'll take a pic of it. And hopefully Friday I can get my destroyed Frantic back and take a picture of the damage as well...just for entertainment purposes. Ball bouncing out of the gutter into the pinsetter = pinsetter wins. :mad:

Aslan
02-13-2014, 12:07 AM
Here's the photo of the new ball that Iceman requested:
http://imageshack.com/a/img691/1495/1jqh.jpg

Tri-Grip drilled 16lb Brunswick Slingshot. Pin slightly above the finger holes and quite a bit more right than on my other balls.

Aslan
02-15-2014, 01:54 AM
Friday Night League: Wood Lanes/low-medium oil

470 Series: 165-165-140
Well…a BIG SURPRISE!!! The FRANTIC HAS RETURNED!!

I don't believe it, but the pro shop guy repaired the thing. So, it's back into the line-up!! Unfortunately, this meant having to completely change my spare shooting after getting ready on Monday to use the Slingshot. So game 1 was just horrible spare shooting atop horrible spare shooting. Game 2 was better, but I couldn't strike.

Before game 3 the league secretary told me if I got another 165 I'd get a "triplicate" patch. I was actually somewhat hopeful to win it…at least I could win something!! But, after a couple gutter balls where I didn't get my shoulders straight, it was out of the question.

Individually, NOT a good night. But as a team we split 2-2 against the top team in the league so that wasn't too bad. Better than most Valentine's Days anyways.

Aslan
02-15-2014, 09:22 PM
Kinda bummed out right now about this recent string of games.

In Week 10 of leagues I shot a 448 series which was my 3rd worst of the league season. After that, I had 5 straight weeks of increasing scores; 479, 519, 537, 548, and 565.

Then in Week 16, the bottom seemed to have fallen out: 446 followed by 481 last week and now 470.

I thought I had crossed a bridge, was consistently throwing in the 500s and watched my average climb from the low 160s to high 160s. Now, it's back down to the mid 160s.

I'm trying to avoid the urge to go back to high loft/high speed. Many, many of the successful bowlers in this league (wood lanes) are high speed players and many are high loft players. And these guys carry 190-200 averages. And I KNOW I could strike more if I went back to that style. But I want to get better the RIGHT way…in a manner that will allow me to excel on all kinds of lane conditions…and when these lanes switch to synthetics, will give me an advantage over others in the league. But dang. Throwing a 140 is NOT what I wanted to do. :mad:

Aslan
02-19-2014, 03:13 PM
Tuesday Practice (wood lanes/medium oil)

486 Series: 154-151-181
Continued working on the DYDS method. Seems to work. I just sometimes was having trouble getting revolutions. I'd be so focused on my balance arm (important in DYDS) and not lofting the ball and trying to keep my hand behind the ball...that I don't focus on the all important "release". A couple "misses" into the gutter (unfortunate side effect of DYDS and not squaring up to the foul line) and about 4-7 weird multiple pin leaves kept scores down. Not to mention inability to strike much.

551 Series: 166-190-195
A few bad shots kept the 166 down. THen the lights went out for "cosmic bowling" ( :mad: ) but it actually made me bowl BETTER!! The 1st and 2nd games were similar. But in Game 3 I was a couple missed single 10-pins away from a clean game.

492 Series: 173-158-161
The 3rd game I actually struck 6 times...but my spare shooting was abysmal. In game 3 I switched balls (and weights) to try and play the inside line. I was out at the 5-board and with the lights out just wasnt comfortable that close to the gutter...and the Frantic can't make the turn inside.

520 Series: 161-134-225 (clean)I was pretty dead at this point, but I wanted to keep working on my inside game with the Rhythm. Two splits cost me a clean game in Game #1. Struggled with splits and 3-6-10s in game #2. I just wasn't happy with the Rhythm playing inside. I "want" to learn to play inside, but the Rhythm just isn't a good ball for that. I end up have to move towards center and almost throw out of the 10-board and have it do a "big arc". Just no "snap", no "backend". The coverstock graps too early and it was frustrating me because while I "could" strike...a small miss meant a split or right side multiple pin leave.

SO...in game 12 (#3 of the series)...I decided to just go out there, high loft, speed dominant...and just throw the Frantic up the right side at the pins. This is sort of my "D"-game. Also known as my "old game" or my "frustration fall back". Well, lets just say...5 spares and 6 strikes later I had my 12th ever clean game and my best game since the tournament a few weeks back!!

Me "chucking it"....WORKS...for multiple reasons:
1) It's my "natural/comfortable" way of doing it.
2) While the release is not "ideal" (in many ways), it's my best way of imparting revs on the ball without going "over the top" of the ball.
3) It provides MUCH more speed. About 14.7-16mph increasing to 19-21mph. What is the pro speed level to produce the most carry? 19-21mph.
4) WOOD LANES. Wood lanes are easier for speed dominant players with straighter balls...lower level performance balls. I can "miss" 2 boards left or as many as SIX boards right...ans still hit the headpin...and if I can hit the headpin...I can strike or leave an easy spare.

So "why don't you just DO that then?" Good question.
1) Wood lanes are dying. Even my house will wave "bye bye" to wood lanes in April. And speed dominant, chucking, high loft does NOT work as well on synthetics and slicker surfaces. I can still strike well due to the speed/force...but leaves tend to be splits more often. I also see that "room for error" go down to 0-1 board left and 2-4 boards right.
2) It's not "correct". If I take lessons from ANYONE...except for the current house pro...including this site's experts...they HATE it! They HATE it!! So...part of the reason to change it is if I want to take my game to the next level, whether I develop a transitional or modern release or not, I need to bowl "correctly".

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.15 pins
Strikes: 35% (1 4-bagger, 4 turkeys, 5 doubles, and the rest singles)
Spares: 59% picked up

Single Pin spares: 80% (24/30)
Most common single pin leaves: 2-pin (7x) and 10-pin (8x).
As usual, never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 47% (24/51)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2-4-7 (5x).

Splits: 0% (0/8)

Average over 12 games: 170.75
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 175.75

Other than that...DYDS is working well! I can't "believe" it....because if you see me bowl...I about fall over after releasing the ball because I'm so tilted...the whole "keep your head straight up and down" thing is OUT the window. But man...it seems to work! Disappointed in my 10-pin single spare pick-up rate though. 50%, left it 8 times...gotta find a way to get better at that (other than a plastic ball). But overall, all stats were improved! Struck more, picked up more spares, higher average, less splits....all good!

Aslan
02-22-2014, 03:21 AM
Friday League: Wood Lanes/low-medium oil

542 Series: 213 (clean)-157-172

Started out great! I actually picked up a 5-10 split in the first and then in the 7th had to pick up a 3-7-9…which I thought would be near impossible. Picked up both, kept the game clean. But most of the action was on the right side so the lanes were drying up faster than usual. By game 2 I was already approaching the 5-board on the right lane.

I was able to stay at about board 6-7 on the left lane…kept using the Frantic…standing with the left foot on center of a board left of center. But on the right lane, by Game 3 I was forced to move inside and play the Rhythm at about board 10, standing 3 boards left of center.

Great night. My 3rd highest league score. I met my goal of 525 series or higher. I bowled at least one clean game. And it was personally my 4th highest series of the league. AND…we took ALL FOUR points!! So if we're not in 3rd place…we're at least (most likely) in sole possession of 4th place (10 teams).

Aslan
02-25-2014, 02:08 AM
Monday Practice: wood lanes/medium oil

536 Series: 162-176-198
First game I ran into a little problem with spare shooting. Missed two 4-7s but managed to pick up a 5-7 (somehow). 3 frames away from a clean game though. Also missed 3 spares in the 2nd game. A 4-7 that I chopped and a single 4-pin. The other open was an 8-10 split. But again, picked up a nice 3-10. Game 3 I ran some strikes together despite a gutter with the first ball. The only other open frame was when I chopped a 1-2-4.

552 Series: 170-159-223 (clean)
A couple bad splits (4-6 and 6-7) and a couple missed spare opportunities kept the score down in game 1. Game 2 the spare shooting was even worse and I left a 7-10 split in the 7th. Game 3 was very much above average. I slowed things down, tried to work on accuracy and it paid off.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.39 pins
Strikes: 37% (1 4-bagger, 2 turkeys, 5 doubles, and 5 singles)
Spares: 58% picked up

Single Pin spares: 78% (11/14)
Most common single pin leave: 4-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 7-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 48% (12/25)
Most common multi-pin leave: 4-7 (4x).

Splits: 33% (2/6)

Average over 6 games: 181.33
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 186.5

Was still working on DYDS; but am having trouble with the lateral spine tilt at the foul line. Being rather tall, leaning that much makes me off balance and I tend to fall down to the side. I can catch myself, but still; falling over and having to brace myself with my hand.

Aslan
03-01-2014, 01:47 AM
Friday League: wood lanes/low-medium oil

521 Series: 178-183-160

First game I struck a fair amount, but spare shooting kinda sucked. Second game, exact opposite, only struck 3 times but also only had one open frame in the 1st frame. Spare shooting is the KEY!! Last game I was DRUNK…but still shot a 160.

Overall a bummer…no clean games…and missed my 525 goal by 4 pins. BUT…we took 4 out of 4 points!! Should be in 4th or possibly 3rd by next week!!

Aslan
03-03-2014, 03:00 AM
1st Annual Billy Hardwick Memorial Aslan vs. ZDawg Southern California Invitational: Temecula Lanes/Heavy-Oil synthetics

454 Series: 129-151-174
As usual; struggled with spare shooting in the first game in a house I wasn't used to. Struggles continued in Game 2 but I managed to string a few strikes together which salvaged a half-way decent score. Things got better in Game 3…still wasn't striking a ton, but got better at picking up the spares I left.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.72 pins
Strikes: 28% (1 turkey, 1 double, and 4 singles)
Spares: 45% picked up

Single Pin spares: 33% (2/6)
Most common single pin leave: 5-pin (3x).
Only left single 5s, 10s, and a single 9.

Multiple Pin spares: 50% (8/16)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2-4 and 1-2-3-4-5-7-8 (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 151.33
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 163.67

Definitely lower stats across the board than what I've been seeing. Slicker lanes, had a lot of trouble getting the ball to hook back into the pocket. If I missed a little I left the 1-2-4. If I missed a lot, I hit the 6-9-10. And when I DID hit the pocket, I left a 5-pin or a 10-pin.

Aslan
03-03-2014, 03:16 AM
Sunday Practice: AMF Riverside Lanes/Heavy-Oil synthetics

Went out to see M White at Arlington, but they were full, so I stopped at the AMF on the other side of town to get in a few games of practice on lanes I've never played before. They played a lot like AMF Carter in Fullerton…very, very slick…so more practice on heavy oil!

147-191-111-176
Took a few frames to figure out the lanes. Then I strung a few strikes together, but was only 50/50 on spare shooting. In Game 2 spare shooting continued to suck big time, but a 1st frame strike and a 5-bagger netted me a decent score. Game 3 I was all over the place and spare shooting continued to be a problem. I needed to leave to get to a party, but couldn't leave on that sour of a note so I threw one more game. In game 4 I managed 4 strikes and a few spares to at least salvage something semi-respectable.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.90 pins
Strikes: 37% (1 5-bagger, 1 turkey, 1 double, and 5 singles)
Spares: 26% picked up

Single Pin spares: 0% (0/4)
Never left a single 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, or 9.

Multiple Pin spares: 31% (7/22)

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 4 games: 156.25
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 164.5

Despite the slightly better score, it really was WORSE than yesterday! The 5-bagger saved my score….but 0% for single pin spares is unacceptable.

Still coming in right, no hook back to the pocket. I was only throwing around 14-15mph. I tried to lower the speeds 1-2 more mph…and could get a little more reaction, but less predictable.

I continued to try the DYDS approach but am having a little trouble with balance when tilting the shoulder THAT much at the foul line.

Aslan
03-04-2014, 02:43 AM
Monday Practice: Wood Lanes/Low Oil

551 Series: 156-172-223
Started off a little rusty on spare shooting. Got back in my groove in Game 2. Game 3 was exceptional, first time I ever threw 7 strikes in a row. Unfortunately I opened with an open frame and finished with an open frame…so, *&%!

524 Series: 163-168-193
Despite the high game in the last series, I switched balls and started playing inside. Each game was only a couple opens away from clean, so it was going okay.

486 Series: 143-151-192
Game 1 didn't go well, so I went with what I call the "nuclear option". After 8-board, then playing the outside, then reluctantly playing inside…the "nuclear option" is going to high speed/loft. Ran into some problems with splits in Game 2 before salvaging Game 3.

545 Series: 192-169-184
Spare shooting kept the scores down.

The lanes were pretty dry, so I couldn't stay outside very long. I really tried to play the inside, but the ball just wasn't making the turn. Rather than continue experimenting with moving deeper inside, I decided to get some practice with high loft/speed (chucking it). The disadvantage to chucking it is if it hits center…some nasty splits. The advantage to chucking it is if it hits either side of the headpin…the pins virtually explode.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.67 pins
Strikes: 42% (1 7-bagger, 4 turkeys, 6 doubles, and the rest singles)
Spares: 51% picked up

Single Pin spares: 61% (21/34)
Never left a single 1-pin or 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 42% (16/38)

Splits: 30% (3/10)

Average over 4 games: 175.50
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 186.83

Overall, bowled better than I was on the synthetic lanes….nice to be HOME!! Tried to work on balance and accuracy rather than continuing to try and push the limits of DYDS. Still gonna work on DYDS…but I really need to work on some basics (like spare shooting) before I get "too fancy".

Aslan
03-08-2014, 02:20 AM
Friday Leagues: Wood lanes/medium oil

452 Series: 135-181-136
Second lowest score in 5 weeks. I blame being upset due to some earlier comments on this webiste. I bowled as if I had "something to prove" and when it started off rough, I just couldn't "snap out of it".

In addition, I bowled against my former coach's team and after having a miserable first 5 frames, he tried to help me…essentially getting me to be straighter up and down, no DYDS, lofting/chucking the ball. Once he helped me, I felt kinda obligated to take his advice and changed my game accordingly. Many people would have just politely told him they were trying a DYDS method/technique…but I didn't want to **** the guy off or come off as ungrateful for his help.

The only "good news" is I didn't have to move much. I played the 6-8 boards the whole night. But for some reason (see above), I started pulling my shot again…which I haven't done in a very long time.

This is the last league play for the Frantic. It will be entering semi-retirement Monday. I want to focus on using the Rhythm and playing inside; developing my inside game. And I'll start using the Slingshot as my back-up/alternative/spare ball. Vegas is only 2 weeks away!

Aslan
03-12-2014, 04:24 AM
Tuesday Practice: Wood Lanes/low-moderate oil

532 Series: 154-210-168
Had a 5-bagger in Game 2, but spare shooting was hit and miss.

520 Series: 171-199-150
Retired the Frantic and switched to the Rhythm; I just couldn't get the Frantic back to the pocket without venturing to the 1-5 boards and I just didn't have the accuracy tonight to keep it out of that right gutter. More strikes with the Rhythm but the spare shooting was spotty at best. Game 2 was strong; 3 sets of doubles and the only open frame was a 4-7-10 split in the 3rd. Struck a lot less in game 3.

500 Series: 177-157-166
Just really bad spare shooting in the first 2 games. Mixed in some strikes, but spare shooting was **** poor. In the final game, couldn't strike. 8 spares in 10 frames…2 chops. I didn't strike until the final ball to salvage 500.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.51 pins
Strikes: 37% (1 5-bagger, 1 turkey, 8 doubles, and the rest singles)
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 63% (12/19)
Most common single pin leave: Single 6-pin (8x)
Never left a single 1, 5, 8, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 51% (20/39)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 (3/4 bucket) left 6x.

Splits: 0% (0/6)

Average over 4 games: 172.44
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 181.11

In practice I was working on my release…trying to improve my follow-though "towards the pin" rather than up to the ceiling. I also tried to let the ball do more of the work; but thats a work in progress.

This was my "farewell party" for the Frantic but unfortunately it only lasted 3 games. During my time using the Frantic (over 7 months) my average increased from 121-147. I figure I put nearly 500 games on it in that time span. It was a great ball to learn on in a wood house. It was disappointing early on that it didn't have much of "snap" on the backend, making it difficult to use on medium-heavy oil…but as I started to understand bowling ball specs I realized it did what it was designed to do.

Aslan
03-13-2014, 05:32 PM
Wednesday Practice: Wood Lanes/low-medium oil

457 Series: 146-138-173
Spare shooting was rough as I adjusted to throwing the new tri-grip Slingshot. Struck out in game 3 to salvage a decent 173.

532 Series: 151-193-188
Still was struggling with spare shooting, but managed a 4-bagger in game 2 and 5 strikes in game 3 to finish with a couple nice games.

483 Series: 187-161-135
Suddenly spare shooting came back alive and was a frame shy of a clean game in game #1. Spare shooting only "okay" in game #2. Then in game #3 things just fell apart. I think my body/mind kinda was checked out after game #8.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.45 pins
Strikes: 38% (1 4-bagger, 3 turkeys, 4 doubles, and the rest singles)
Spares: 43% picked up

Single Pin spares: 61% (11/18)
Most common single pin leave: Single 10-pin (5x)
Never left a single 1, 8, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 35% (14/39)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2-4 (5x).

Splits: 0% (0/5)

Average over 4 games: 163.56
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 172.67

Mainly the practice was to get used to using the Slingshot which is replacing the Frantic in my bag. The apparent disadvantage is I can't miss right and have it come back into the pocket. It just doesn't have the hook ability to make that move. So rather than starting out at board 18 and throwing for the 8-board as a target, I'm starting out about the 17 board and targeting the 9-board. Minor adjustment of feet 1 board over to the right and target 1 board over to the left. The advantage is I'm now throwing only one weight (16lbs)...no more going back and forth from 16 to 15 when I'm using my Rhythm as my strike ball.

Other than getting used to the Slinghsot, I was really focusing on form and extension. I found that if I kept it simple and controlled...and reached out towards the pins...my accuracy was good and I was having success. Had to keep reminding myself to let the ball do the work. Still was trying to incorporate the DYDS into my shot...but only to the point that my form was good.

Overall disappointed that my margin for error to the right has shrunk...but my margin of error on the left has actually improved by a board...and I actually was striking more with the Slingshot than the Frantic AND over time I think it'll help my spare shooting. My house was supposed to switch from wood to synthetics in April, but now I'm hearing more like June...so the Slingshot should get some decent time as a strike ball in the 1st two months of Spring/Summer league.

Tired. Need a night off to rest the body (and thumb) before leagues tomorrow night.

Aslan
03-15-2014, 06:34 PM
Friday Pre-League Practice: wood lanes/medium oil

229-199- 179?

Got to the bowling alley early so I decided to chill and get my drink on and bowl a few games. First game out of the gate, I was HAMMERING it! I had 8 strikes in game 1, but missed all 3 spare opportunities. In Game 2, still good, but in a different way…only struck 5 times, but only missed 1 spare.

The 3rd game I didn't really count because a fellow league bowler showed up and he bowled a frame and had me use his 2 balls in 2 other frames so it was just a mishmash.

League Night: Wood Lanes/Medium Oil

520 Series: 187-174-159
Even though it wasn't a "bad" night…our team dropped 3 of 4 and finished in 4th place instead of 3rd…so it also wasn't a "good" night. And I missed my 525 goal.

Single pin spare shooting was good, but some trouble with multiple pin spares and splits. In game 3, only struck in the 9th and 10th…so obviously I didn't make an adjustment that I really needed to make.

Form, balance, and projecting the ball down the lane were my areas of focus and I did a pretty good job with it. Came in high on the right a bit too often, but I didn't pull the ball I was around the 6-9 boards all night….left heel between boards 16-20.

Off to Vegas for Sweeps next weekend!!!

Aslan
03-20-2014, 03:10 AM
Wednesday Practice: Synthetic Lanes/low oil

Needed to get some practice on synthetic lanes before sweeps in Vegas. Unfortunately I went with the cheapest option, $1 games at the local college alley. Oiling isn't a very consistent thing at this place…never know what you're going to get.

442 Series: 122-198 (clean)-122
First game I just couldn't figure out the lanes. Not that I believe MWhite, but I think it was a reverse block pattern. Playing the outside the ball wouldn't make it back to the pocket…yet anywhere inside of the 7-board…it went straight at or left of the headpin. And spare shooting was rough…the Slingshot was hooking too much adding a bit of difficulty to the spare shots.

In game 2, first clean game in quite awhile. Only 4 strikes, so it was mainly good spare shooting. But in game 3, even worse than game 1. Only 2 strikes, only made 2 spares…just abysmal.

402 Series: 114-151-137
More spotty strike rate with spotty spare shooting.

405 Series: 156-140-109
The first game went well. I tried moving inside…but it wasn't really working.

397 Series: 122-132-143
Just couldn't get the inside game to work in Game 1 so I decided to start shooting the Slingshot. Had to move outside though to get a good angle at the pocket….lanes were just too dry even for the weak Slingshot. Of course, playing the outside (5-7 boards) means 4 gutter balls on ball 1. Horrible spare shooting in game 3 though.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.43 pins
Strikes: 20% (5 doubles and the rest singles)
Spares: 39% picked up

Single Pin spares: 41% (10/24)
Most common single pin leave: Single 10-pin (6x)
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 39% (29/74)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (9x).

Splits: 14% (1/7)

Average over 12 games: 137.17
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 146.92

NOT what I wanted before sweeps in Vegas. The lanes were so dry that I didn't get the practice on medium oil synthetics that I was looking for. So now I'm fairly apprehensive about how things will go in Vegas. Took a step backwards tonight. : (

Mike White
03-20-2014, 12:22 PM
Wednesday Practice: Synthetic Lanes/low oil

Needed to get some practice on synthetic lanes before sweeps in Vegas. Unfortunately I went with the cheapest option, $1 games at the local college alley. Oiling isn't a very consistent thing at this place…never know what you're going to get.

442 Series: 122-198 (clean)-122
First game I just couldn't figure out the lanes. Not that I believe MWhite, but I think it was a reverse block pattern. Playing the outside the ball wouldn't make it back to the pocket…yet anywhere inside of the 7-board…it went straight at or left of the headpin. And spare shooting was rough…the Slingshot was hooking too much adding a bit of difficulty to the spare shots.


That sounds consistent with a normal condition becoming similar to a reverse block due to usage.

The big difference is, you said the dry area started need 7 board.

That would have been a lot easier condition than Temecula.

Playing inside, a person who hooks the ball could get the ball out to 8-9 board, and feel comfortable that the ball will hook back to the head pin, generating a decent entry angle.

What we had at Temecula, was the dry area started closer to 15 board. So it was impossible to generate decent entry angle.

Slingshot was hooking too much? May I suggest a plastic ball? :)

Aslan
03-20-2014, 12:35 PM
Slingshot was hooking too much? May I suggest a plastic ball? :)

Believe me...when I was struggling with the spares...I thought to myself, "THIS is an example where I might throw a urethane ball instead of a weak reactive!!" Becuase, if a ball with a PerfectScale hook rating of 157-159 is hooking too much to hit a single 10-pin (without varying your release which I'm reluctant to do)...THAT is an example of the need for a "spare ball". Granted...this night was the FIRST time in over 700 games I've come across that situation...but yes, I should have brought my Blue Knight with me.

What this condition "sort of" allowed me to work on was my inside game. I bowled about 4 games starting 4-11 boards left of center and throwing between the 15-21 board. On most conditions, I can't get away with that using a symmetric ball...but these lanes were so dang dry that at a moderate speed...it was coming back ot the pocket. So, at least I got to play around a bit with that. The Slingshot wouldn't have made it back...but the Rhythm did.

Aslan
03-24-2014, 01:08 AM
Practice for Sweeps in Las Vegas: synthetic lanes/medium oil

I knew the slicker synthetic conditions would be tough; especially after playing on the lanes at Southpointe during my lesson with Rob.

455 Series: 120-160-175
Game 1 was missing the headpin and not making spares when I needed to. Game 2 was much of the same, but was getting closer to the headpin…unfortunately with a few splits. Game 3 I got 5 strikes, but was still struggling with picking up splits.

441 Series: 156-121-164
Game 1 was just as horrible as the first game of the previous series, but finished with 3 strikes in the 9th and 10th to salvage a decent score. Game 2, just horrible. Game 3 also horrible, but spare shooting was starting to improve.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.97 pins
Strikes: 28% (2 triples, 2 doubles and the rest singles)
Spares: 40% picked up

Single Pin spares: 42% (3/7)
Most common single pin leave: Single 3-pin and single 10-pin (twice each)
Never left a single 4-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 40% (15/37)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 3-10 and 2-4-5(3x each).

Splits: 40% (2/5)

Average over 6 games: 149.33
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 155.33

I tried to get my higher speed approach to work on these lanes and it just wasn't happening.

Aslan
03-24-2014, 01:39 AM
Sweeps in Las Vegas: medium oil synthetics

432 Series: 113-135-184
Was all over the place in game 1. Only 3-4 marks. Missed both single-pin spares by inches. In game 2, more of the same. Trouble hitting the headpin. Hit the headpin 4 times and struck 3 of the 4…but ya can't win if ya can't hit the headpin. In game 3 I slowed things down. I tried to throw it as slow as I could. Was a single 6-pin and single 7-pin away from a clean game and more importantly, never missed the headpin.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.27 pins
Strikes: 30% (1 double and the rest singles)
Spares: 34% picked up

Single Pin spares: 50% (4/8)
Most common single pin leave: Single 6-pin (3x)
Never left a single 2-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 26% (4/15)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2-8 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 144.00
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 156.67

Obviously sweeps didn't go as I had hoped. Really struggled with getting my speed down. In game 3, I felt like I was an 81-year old man just walking up there and dropping the ball. Didn't feel like I was getting anything from the release…just dropping it. But, dropping it worked a heck of a lot better than throwing it! So I'll be working on slowing things down, rolling it, etc… as I get ready for the next league. The difficulty is I'll still be playing on wood lanes for awhile

Aslan
03-30-2014, 01:12 AM
Friday practice (wood lanes/low-medium oil)

186-145-127-189
Was trying to work on some things Rob worked on with me. And also had to get used to drier conditions than last I saw in Vegas.

Game 1 went well. Only a couple frames shy of or a clean game. But the lanes were kinda dry and I was moving to far outside, so in Game 2 I tried playing the inside with the Rhythm. But as usual, it didn't have the 'snap' to make it back into the pocket. So in Game 3 I went back to the Slingshot playing the outside 5-6 boards. Couldn't strike, couldn't pick up more than 3 spares, just abysmal. So I bought one more game to see if maybe I could go back to my old ways and see an improvement…might not be ready for Rob's slower/roller method just yet, without more practice. Game 4 went much better (only 2 open frames) with my higher speed, higher loft approach….so I figured I'd go back to my old ways for the league games and practice Rob's items at a later date.

Friday League: wood lanes, medium oil

522 Series: 176-201-145
Had trouble with the 6-pin in Game 1. Left a 6-pin, a 3-6-10, the 6-10 twice, and a 6-7 split in the 10th. But, only missed 1 makable spare in Game 1 (chopped a 6-10) so I felt good about that; 2 frames from a clean game (9th & 10th). And actually went back to Rob's teachings and was using a slower, more of a roll, type approach.

Game 2 I was really feeling good. A spare, a double, another spare, then a triple to start. 7 clean games before pulling a shot and leaving a 3-6-9-10 which I chopped. Then I left the single 6-pin in the 9th and 10th and missed it in the 10th to once again finish 2 frames away from a clean game.

Game 3 the alcohol started kicking in, then we had an earthquake midway through the game. But all that aside, I had moved from targeting the 8-board to targeting the 6-board and I think I pulled more than a few shots trying to stay out of that right gutter.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.58 pins
Strikes: 29% (1 triple and 3 doubles)
Spares: 54% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (6/9)
Most common single pin leave: Single 6-pin (4x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 46% (6/13)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 3-6-10 (2x), 6-10 (2x), and 2-5 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 3 games: 174.00
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 183.83

Bowled above my average and got a 200+ game. But I'm upset that I didn't get a couple clean games and a 525 series out of the deal.

Aslan
04-01-2014, 04:28 AM
Monday Practice: wood lanes/medium oil

509 Series: 180-138-191
I decided to use the Rhythm instead of the Slingshot. Wanted to see if I could figure out how to play inside. Started out targeting the 6-board. Was working on the new approach Rob M. worked with me on. I did quite well, but struggled with the release. I focused so much on rolling the ball, slowing my speed, and improving my accuracy…that sometimes I'd just drop the dang thing…and it would roll straight into the right side of the pins. Also struggled early with carry…and if I "tried" to get more hook I'd end up crossing over.

501 Series: 149-158-194
Okay, games 4 and 5…I admit I was really second guessing Mr. Mautner. I mean, I understand slowing the ball down, rolling it, and letting the ball do the work…but when you're rolling a symmetric ball end over end it goes STRAIGHT! Hand behind it…straight as an arrow. Directly into the 3-pin leaving me with some stupid 1-2-4-10 nonsense. I decided to move left and play the 12-board instead of the 6-board. Figured if I was going to throw a straight ball…might as well move closer to the pocket. Game 6 was much better. Still had a few that strayed right…but was clean through 9 frames before chopping a 9-10 leave in the 10th.

535 Series: 155-158-222
More of the same in games 7 and 8. Did pretty well, but had the occasional straight ball go slightly to the right…leave a 1-2-8. Game 9 I came in high on a couple of shots but picked up the spares. Only one open frame…missed left on a single 7-pin in the 5th. THAT was the game things started coming together. I realized that the reason I wasn't getting the revs was I wasn't doing the final part of the new approach/release…I wasn't finishing by pointing towards the pins. I was just concentrating on the accuracy and just letting the ball go.

543 Series: 191-172-180
More of the same in the 10th game. A few frames where I'd lose focus on the release and the ball would hit right…but I was getting the hang of it. A 3-10 split in the 2nd away from a clean game. In game 11 I was tired and I tweaked my knee. But still, I was only a couple splits and a 4-7 away from a clean game. More of the same in game 12. Mostly solid, but a few releases were flat and missed right.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.62 pins
Strikes: 39% (3 triples, 9 doubles, and the rest singles)
Spares: 54% picked up

Single Pin spares: 72% (18/25)
Most common single pin leave: Single 10-pin (10x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 45% (22/48)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-8 (5x).

Splits: 0% (0/8)

Average over 12 games: 174.00
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 179.25.

Overall, a continuation of Friday night's successes. It seems using Rob's techniques I've went from a mid-upper 160s bowler to a mid-upper 170s bowler. Still not at the 190 level I'm aiming for…but 10 pins in only 1-2 practice sessions is pretty darn good.

Aslan
04-01-2014, 07:05 PM
So...as a "props" to Rob M:

Since his lesson...NOT counting Sweeps because Vegas bowling alleys are evil and they use too much oil...

Since the lesson:

- My average is up from 166 to 174.
- My overall spare pick-up rate is up from about 40% to 54%.
- My strike rate is up from about 30% to 39%.
- Multi-pin spare pick-up rate is up from about 40% to about 46%.
- Single pin spare pick-up rate is up from about 61% to about 69%.
- Lifetime average up from 147 to 148.

Actual scores are still pretty close...because I'm still "learning" what I was taught. The 7 series prior to the changes I averaged a 506 series with scores ranging from 135-210. AFTER the changes, over 5 series I am averaging a 522 with scores ranging from 138-222.

But while I'm seeing statistical improvement (also why I like to keep score during practice)...I think the real advantage is going to come later as I:

1) Transition to synthetic lanes (will begin adding to center in late April through beginning of June) where my old speed dominant/high loft approach has failed me.
and
2) I graduate to an arsenal (later this year) where I'll be throwing a stronger, assymetric ball.

So far so good Rob M.!!! Looks like ya can teach an old dog new tricks!! Not at 190 yet....but I got 21 weeks until this league sweeps in Laughlin...and I plan to swing by Vegas for lesson #2...especially if MWhite, my tri-grip ball driller extraordinaire continues to be MIA....because the next closest tri-grip drillers are both in Vegas.

Mike White
04-02-2014, 12:21 AM
So...as a "props" to Rob M:

Since his lesson...NOT counting Sweeps because Vegas bowling alleys are evil and they use too much oil...

Since the lesson:

- My average is up from 166 to 174.
- My overall spare pick-up rate is up from about 40% to 54%.
- My strike rate is up from about 30% to 39%.
- Multi-pin spare pick-up rate is up from about 40% to about 46%.
- Single pin spare pick-up rate is up from about 61% to about 69%.
- Lifetime average up from 147 to 148.

Actual scores are still pretty close...because I'm still "learning" what I was taught. The 7 series prior to the changes I averaged a 506 series with scores ranging from 135-210. AFTER the changes, over 5 series I am averaging a 522 with scores ranging from 138-222.

But while I'm seeing statistical improvement (also why I like to keep score during practice)...I think the real advantage is going to come later as I:

1) Transition to synthetic lanes (will begin adding to center in late April through beginning of June) where my old speed dominant/high loft approach has failed me.
and
2) I graduate to an arsenal (later this year) where I'll be throwing a stronger, assymetric ball.

So far so good Rob M.!!! Looks like ya can teach an old dog new tricks!! Not at 190 yet....but I got 21 weeks until this league sweeps in Laughlin...and I plan to swing by Vegas for lesson #2...especially if MWhite, my tri-grip ball driller extraordinaire continues to be MIA....because the next closest tri-grip drillers are both in Vegas.

Not MIA, just very busy with other people getting ready for both Reno, and Nevada Sweeps.

Aslan
04-04-2014, 01:09 PM
Not MIA, just very busy with other people getting ready for both Reno, and Nevada Sweeps.

Good. I thought you were mad at me.

Thursday League: Pre-League practice: wood lanes/medium oil

420 Series: 156-137-127
Still trying to work on the items Rob M. taught me. Trying to use the more aggressive Rhythm, despite the lanes being more suited to a less aggressive coverstock because I'm trying to get used to letting the ball and lane interact with each other rather than loft it 15ft and hope I hit the pocket. Game 1 was okay. I left the 2-4-5 twice which is common when I don't get a good release and the ball hits the pocket too far right. Even worse in Game 2. 3 strikes, 3 right side (normal) leaves, and 3 disaster left side leaves indicitive of, again, not making it back to the pocket. Game 3 I struck 4 times, but didn't pick up ONE spare.

Thursday League: wood lanes/medium oil
439 Series: 156-139-144
:(
More of the same. Game 1 I didn't make ONE spare, and most of the leaves were the ball not making it back to the pocket. Game 2, more of the same. Game 3 was a little better, but I had a couple unmakeable splits to keep my scoreing down.

PinPal Stats (combined):
First Ball Average: 8.16 pins
Strikes: 30% (3 doubles and the rest singles)
Spares: 35% picked up
Single Pin spares: 58% (7/12)
Most common single pin leave: Single 10-pin (4x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 26% (8/31)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 2-4-5 (3x) and 6-10 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/5)

Average over 6 games: 143.17
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 150.00.

There it is. A LOT of red. Not a lot of green. :( I'm so far resisting the urge to just go back to the Slingshot and "chucking it" because I know I need to adopt a different style if I'm going to be successful on non-wood lanes and take my game to the next level...but nights like these don't help me be patient.

The biggest dilemma right now is; my lofting gets me my revs. My revs help get my symmetric balls back to the pocket. But as I am learning more of a "accurate roll" type of approach/release....the release is sort of a secondary or an afterthought. So even if I hit my target (or near it)...the ball just doesn't seem to move. Rob doesn't want me to "try and get revs"...so I'm trying to let the ball do the work...but same problem I have in golf...I have this building impatience with that damn ball...and I want to MAKE it do what I want it to do.

I have to keep going with the slow/roll/accuracy/point at the pins approach. It's tough, but it's early and it's necessary if I want to do well in Laughlin later this year. One guy we bowled against...who was a really good bowler...he was saying he bowled in Laughlin a couple weeks back and averaged 135 because the "lanes were too slick". All I could think was, "yup...been there done that." And thats the difficulty of playing in a wood house...a LOT of league bowlers carry 175-215 averages but then as soon as they bowl on synthetics...they can't figure out why they can't score higher than 165. It's the opposite problem MOST bowlers have...where they go into a low oil or wood situation and can't keep their ball right of the headpin. But, I think Monday practice, I need work on timing and over the weekend watch some old Earl Anthony videos. My timing was a mess last night...I'd get to the line and the ball would be way behind me. And I need to see how Earl released the ball back in the day. He had a very smooth and accurate delivery that might be worth emulating at this point instead of Walter Ray (which will cause me to chuck it like a horseshoe) of Chris Barnes/Mika (who have mastered a more modern release).

Aslan
04-08-2014, 03:14 AM
Monday Practice: Wood Lanes/Medium Oil

496 Series: 151-146-199
First 2 games I struggled with my spare shooting. I got a fair amount of strikes (3-4 per game); but couldn't run any together. Game 3 went much better. Other than a 2-4-5-7 that I chopped in the 1st frame, I was clean the rest of the way and even strung a few strikes together.

505 Series: 177-192-136
Spotty spare shooting in game 1 but finished strong. I noticed my timing was off. I was concentrating on slowing my speed, rolling it, trying to get some semblance of a release, and accuracy…but in all that mess lost sight of timing so in games 2 and 3 I focused on timing and accuracy. Game 2 was clean until a 5-7 split in the 9th so I figured maybe I was onto something with the whole "timing thing". But then, in game 3, 4-5 splits made me wonder if I needed to go back to the drawing board.

537 Series: 180-178-179
Pretty consistent huh? In game 1 I decided to emulate Earl Anthony. I have been watching a lot of his footage to see how to lay the ball down in an easier way (rather than "throwing" it). A couple mis-timed splits kept the score low, a 2-10 in the 5th and a 4-6 in the 10th. Missed a 4-7 in the 2nd frame of game 2 then ran into another 4-6 split in the 6th to ruin game 2. In game 3 I started to focus on form and accuracy. I figured if I could get my form right, that takes into account balance and timing. And accuracy is really the key difference between amateurs and pros…so if I can get those 2 things down, then it's just a matter of trying to develop a release. Well, in game 3 I was clean through 8 until I chopped a 6-10 in both the 9th and 10th frames.

580 Series: 175-238 (clean)-167
Game 1 was more of the same except I really tried to slow things down even more in terms of ball speed. AGAIN chopped a 6-10 in the 3rd frame and then chopped a 2-4-5-8 bucket in the 4th but was clean through the rest. Game 2 I caught fire!! My highest game ever and another clean game for the tally. I felt like a PRO!! I mean, I struck 7 times and the 4 times I didn't were single pin spares that I picked up!! And the great thing is, despite game 3 being kinda a letdown, I stayed clean in game 3 through the 7th until I missed a 4-7 in the 8th then again chopped a 2-4-5-8 bucket in the 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.62 pins
Strikes: 37% (1 5-bagger, 3 triples, 3 doubles, and the rest singles)
Spares: 61% picked up

Single Pin spares: 86% (25/29)
Most common single pin leave: Single 10-pin (8x)
Never left a single 1-pin nor 3-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 46% (22/47)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 2-4-5-8 bucket (4x).

Splits: 20% (2/10)

Average over 12 games: 176.50
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 179.92.

The GOOD: Highest game ever! A CLEAN game! A great single-pin pick-up percentage (86%)! Didn't need to revert back to "chucking it" in order to accomplish it!
The BAD: Still leaving way too many multiple pin spares. Was 0 for 3 in picking up the 6-10.
The UGLY: Still have no ability to stay behind the ball on the release. I'm trying to become a "transitional bowler", but trying to leave my hand behind the ball just makes it go end over end straight. Tried the new washout pick-up method, throwing straight at them from the left rather than hooking into them, and was 0 for whatever using that method.

Aslan
04-15-2014, 01:25 AM
Virtual Bowling Tour: Chapparal300 Lanes, Chino Hills CA.

413 Series: 144-134-135
Had a decent practice game (154). Was struggling all morning trying to get the ball to come back to the pocket though. When I missed, it seemed to miss right and go into the 3-pin. Then in game 1, it was spare shooting. I missed a single 2-pin and a single 3-pin…which I rarely would miss. Game 2 more of the same. Spare shooting slightly improved, but I couldn't strike. Game 3 I struck 3 times, but was leaving just atrocious leaves as I couldn't get my ball back to the pocket.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.78 pins
Strikes: 29% (3 doubles, and 6 singles)
Spares: 34% picked up

Single Pin spares: 43% (3/7)
Most common single pin leave: Single 2-pin (3x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 5-pin, 7-pin, 8-pin, 9-pin, nor 10-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 32% (7/22)
Most common multi-pin leaves: full rack and 6-10 (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 4 games: 141.75
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 149.75.

Aslan
04-15-2014, 02:25 AM
Monday Practice: wood lanes/low oil

Needed to get back in the groove after bowling in the Virtual Tour…got leagues coming up Thursday.

461 Series: 162-154-145
Nothing too exciting early on. Took me a few games to get back in the groove.

494 Series: 144-179-171
Only 3 open frames in Game 1, but only 1 strike. More of the same in Game 2, but struck a little more. More of the same in Game 3; only a couple open frames.

571 Series: 180-156-235 (clean)
Started playing inside as the lane oil started to break down. Started about 10-15 boards left and threw out over the 19-board. Started out clean through 5, had a turkey…but the last 2 frames were open so kinda messed that up. Game 2 also clean through 5 but finished with 3 splits in the last 5 frames. Even playing inside, I couldn't consistently keep the ball on the right side of the pins…so I switched to the Slingshot and played the 12-board. Game 3, X, /, X, /, /, X, X, X, X, X, / for my 3rd highest score ever. All with a $57 Slingshot playing 2nd arrow. Straighter is greater??

539 Series: 170-167-202
Games 1 and 2 were "meh"…"blah". Okay, but with a few opens to ruin things. Game 3 I was clean through 6, then chopped the 2-8 sleeper in the 7th; my only open frame.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.37 pins
Strikes: 36% (1 5-bagger, 1 turkey, 10 doubles, and the rest singles)
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 84% (16/19)
Most common single pin leave: Single 10-pin (5x)
Never left a single 1-pin nor 2-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 45% (27/59)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 3-6-10 (5x).

Splits: 18% (3/16)

Average over 12 games: 172.08
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 174.00.

Still struggling with the release. Trying to slow it down and concentrate on accuracy; but struggling trying to get revs with this new release. Also struggled more with the ball moving around too much. At the lower speed, rolling it…more chance for the ball to move around.

But, I was happy to have some success bowling inside and was happy that my back-up plan of using the slingshot up the 2nd arrow worked well.

I just really need to work on getting in my "groove" faster. It took me like 4 games just to get into my "groove"…which isn't very helpful during league play (or when competing in the Virtual Tour).

Aslan
04-19-2014, 12:28 AM
Thursday Pre-League Practice: wood lanes/low-moderate oil

439 Series: 140-142-157
Had trouble picking up spares early…kinda salvaged the 140 with a strong 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th. Very similar problems in Game 2. Just was "off" for some reason. The guy came by with the oil machine and I got a fresh oiled lane to work with in Game 3 and did a little better. Other than a few splits, no open frames. Wasn't striking much though so I was worried going into leagues.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.35 pins
Strikes: 19% (1 double and 4 singles)
Spares: 48% picked up

Single Pin spares: 75% (9/12)
Most common single pin leave: Single 7-pin (4x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 48% (12/25)

Splits: 0% (0/5)

Average over 3 games: 146.33
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 156.00.


Thursday League: wood lanes/low-medium oil

556 Series: 199-157-200
Game 1 was clean through 7 before missing a 3-10 split. Then got 6-7 split in the 10th to keep me under 200. Game 2 I was working on a Dutch 200 through 4 frames; but then again, a 3-9-10 split in the 5th. Missed a single-7 in the 7th then chopped a 1-3-6-9 in the 10th to leave me with a discouraging 157. In game 3, a spare in the 1st frame followed by a 4-bagger to start. Missed a 3-10 split again, this time in the 6th. Then chopped a 6-9-10 in the 9th for my 3rd open frame.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.87 pins
Strikes: 45% (1 4-bagger, 1 turkey, 1 double and 5 singles)
Spares: 58% picked up

Single Pin spares: 80% (4/5)
Most common single pin leave: Single 9-pin (2x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin, 8-pin, nor 10-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 50% (6/12)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 3 games: 185.33
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 188.33.

I was disappointed that despite a couple games near 200, I couldn't manage even 1 clean game. But I did meet my goal of 525+ series and am happy with the strike rate and single-pin spare pick-up rate. I actually played like a "bowler" tonight and thats a step in the right direction. After a tough week 1, then being off in week 2, I have now brought my average back to 166. And most importantly, our team had a great time and took 4 out of 4 points which puts at 6 won and 6 lost after 3 weeks. Pretty good for a team with 3/5 of the players having not bowled in the last decade.

Aslan
04-22-2014, 02:37 AM
Monday Practice: wood lanes/low-medium oil

485 Series: 174-186-125
Started out clean through 7 frames but missed a couple easy single-pin spares in the 8th and 10th. Game 2 I opened in the 1st frame then stayed clean until the 9th and 10th. Game 3 started off okay, 3 clean frames. But then I got 2 splits, and things fell apart after that.

539 Series: 188-171-180
Picked up 2 baby splits in game 1, only had one open frame in the 3rd with a 5-6-10 split I couldn't convert. Bad spare shooting in game 2. Stayed clean in frames 3 through 10 to salvage the 180 in game 3.

511 Series: 167-168-176
More intermittant spare shooting this series. The 4-bagger in game 3 helped to nudge that score a little higher.

457 Series: 112-208(clean)-137
Games 1 and 3 were abysmal. I was quite tired after 18 holes of golf and then 9 games of bowling. But in game 2 I managed to keep the ball around the headpin and collected another clean game. Woulda been higher than 208 but couldn't run many strikes together.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.58 pins
Strikes: 35% (1 4-bagger, 2 turkeys, 6 doubles, and the rest singles)
Spares: 48% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (17/28)
Most common single pin leaves: Single 5-pin and single 10-pin (6x each)
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 42% (22/52)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 2-4-5 (6x).

Splits: 12% (2/16)

Average over 12 games: 166.00
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 175.33.

Spare shooting, spare shooting, spare shooting. I have higher expectations of my single-pin spare shooting than 60%. Granted, I was tired after 3 games. I don't usually run or golf before bowling.

Aslan
04-25-2014, 02:15 AM
Thursday Pre-League Practice: wood lanes, low oil

204-179
Felt pretty good going into league play.

499 Series: 197-143-159
Really kinda pissed off right now. Game 1 felt good, but missed a single 10-pin in the 3rd, then got back to back splits in the 4th and 5th to ruin what otherwise woulda been a nice game. Abysmal spare shooting in game 2…and more of the same in game 3 pretty much ruined the night for me and cost our team 3 out of 4 points.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.24 pins
Strikes: 33% (1 4-bagger, 2 doubles and 3 singles)
Spares: 45% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (2/3)
Left a single 4-pin, 9-pin, and 10-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 41% (7/17)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 3-6-10 (4x).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 166.33
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 169.67.

I don't know, maybe its my impatience and higher expectations this season…but despite bowling my average….tonight felt like a disaster. I COULD NOT keep the ball on the right of the headpin. ALL NIGHT….it would stray over and hit the center and leave me with a split or multi-pin spare.

I started out in my usual spot…left foot on the board 3 boards right of center…targeting the 6-board. And as the night progressed…I slowly moved to the 7-board, 8-board, and finally the 9-board. But I never could get that ball to stay right of the headpin. I even tried to increase loft/ball speed…thinking that would make it go longer before breaking…but nope….increased speed causes it to not come back to the pocket and hit the 3-pin.

Just a struggle all night. Could I have jumped inside more…maybe played the 12-board like I did in practice?? Or maybe a ball change? I don't know. I can't blame it all on the lanes…I missed spare after spare after spare…and you can't do that if you want to carry a 190 average.

Just a disappointment.

Aslan
04-29-2014, 12:41 PM
Monday Practice: wood lanes/low oil

447 Series: 163-117-167
In Game 1...9 spares. Somehow my only open was a complete miss of the 5-9. So, bright side...spare shooting nearly perfect!! Not so much in game 2. In game 3 I was 3 splits (4-6-7, 4-6-9, 5-6) away from a clean game.

404 Series: 139-145-120
Blah. Some splits and a lot of bad spare shooting.

435 Series: 178-90-167
Game 1 I was okay. But in game 2 I was struggling trying to play inside with the Rhythm (more on this in another thread) so I made a rare "ball change" and took the Frantic out of semi-retirement. But the Frantic had the same problem inside as the Rhythm did...just not a big enough back end to come back to the pocket. So after exhausting games A (outside), B (2nd arrow), C (inside), D (ball change)...it was time to bring in my "E-game" and just throw the Slingshot up the 12-board...and hope that that works...since my "F-game" is to just throw my Grandpa's old urethane ball at the headpin and I didn't bring that ball with me. Game 3 went better...but missed a few very makeable spares.

500 Series: 181-137-152
In game 1, a couple makeable spares away from a clean game. More bad spare shooting in game 2. And a few frames of bad spare shooting away from a clean game in game 3.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.08 pins
Strikes: 19% (6 doubles and 13 singles)
Spares: 46% picked up

Single Pin spares: 56% (17/30)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (10x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 42% (29/69)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (9x).

Splits: 5% (1/17)

Average over 12 games: 146.33
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 156.33.

Just overall disappointing. I was really struggling to keep that Rhythm right of the head pin and it was SUCH a struggle that I think I'm gonna leave it in the bag for leagues this Thursday. As much as I really was looking forward for staying consistent with the 16lb weight...I need the Frantic for these lane conditions. I "could" have my Bullet Train drilled...which is my 16lb replacement for the Frantic...but I think the Frantic still has some games left on it and as long as it's not "too" detrimental to my approach/release to throw 2 different weights...for a couple months while I wait for the new synthetic lanes to get installed...I think thats what I'll do.

As Rob would say, "You can't outbowl a bad ball reaction." And even though I am not 100% on board with that...tonight felt like I was trying to use a hammer as a screwdriver.

Aslan
05-04-2014, 02:24 AM
Thursday League: wood lanes/low oil

Pre-League Practice: 194
Since I've recently switched back to the Frantic until synthetic lanes are completed….needed to give it one quick practice game. Things went pretty good. Missed a 5-6 split in the first frame then clean the rest of the way.

485 Series: 210-126-149
Started out as strong as I can remember. Got in on my first game of "poker hand" and won the pot for game 1!! I opened in the 2nd frame on a 6-10 which was disappointing. But it was all strikes except for a 9/ in the 4th and a 8/ in the 8th.

Then things stopped working. :mad: A 3-8 split in the 2nd frame. A washout in the 4th…another washout in the 5th. A 3-10 baby split in the 8th. Then 2 frames of bad spare shooting for a craptastic 126.

Figured with a strong game 3, maybe still get a clean game and hit my 525+ target. But nope. Couldn't keep the ball right of the headpin in the first 2 frames…then did okay but missed an easy 4-7 in the 7th and a single 10-pin in the 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.55 pins
Strikes: 38% (1 turkey, 1 double and 7 singles)
Spares: 36% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (3/5)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (2x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 5-pin, 7-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 28% (4/14)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 3-10, 4-7, and 5-9 (2x each).

Splits: 25% (1/4)

Average over 3 games: 161.67
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 169.33.

Gonna have to get more aggressive with the Frantic in practice on Monday. And maybe ball down to the Slingshot by the 3rd game or earlier. Even with these relatively low-hooking symmetric balls…on wood lanes…I just can't stay right of the headpin. And without asymmetric cores or a higher rev release…I can't play the extreme inside line to help compensate.

Aslan
05-06-2014, 12:38 PM
Virtual Bowling Tour: Month 2 (May)
Arlington Lanes, Riverside CA
Low-Medium Oil Synthetics

Practice Game: 138
Opened with a couple splits trying to find my line. Missed a couple single-pin spares (10 and 7). But sorta found my spots in the 6th through 9th frames.

557 Series: 211-165-181
Game 1 I missed a single 6-pin in the 5th frame to ruin what would have been a clean game. Game 2 I struck 5 times but only made one spare for a disappointing 2nd game. Game 3 was okay. Better spare shooting.

Much better than April. Should get me at least a couple points anyways.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.94 pins
Strikes: 48% (1 turkey, 4 doubles, and 5 singles)
Spares: 52% picked up

Single Pin spares: 50% (3/6)
Most common single pin leave: Single 10-pin (3x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 54% (6/11)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 5-9 (3x).

Splits: 50% (1/2)

Average over 3 games: 185.67
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 193.00.

Aslan
05-06-2014, 06:09 PM
Monday Practice: wood lanes/low-medium oil

4 games: 168-204-202-171
Was planning on doing 9 games before MWhite got to the house. I usually do 12 games on Mondays so I figured I'd do 9 and then 3 with him...but he got there slightly early and I was running slightly late...so it only worked out that I got 4 in.

Game 1 was clean except for 3 splits. Game 2 I opened in the first, split in the 2nd, then clean from there on out. Game 3 I opened in the 5th and then split in the 6th; but was clean otherwise. And Game 3 I split in the 3rd and opnened in the 8th; but otherwise clean. So I'm happy with that. I don't expect to have a clean game if splits are involved...and I really only opened a handful of times where splits weren't involved. All 4 games above my average. Pretty much was able to stay right around the 8-9 boards where I'm most comfortable. And spare shooting was very good.

4 Games: ASLAN VS. MWHITE WOOD LANE CHALLENGE!!!
Practice: 162
Barely finished above MWhite which was worrisome since I already had 4 games to dial in. MWhite didn't appear to be "ON"...but it looked like he was dialing in by the last couple frames of practice.

I agreed to bowl MWhite SCRATCH so there's no arguements about handicap...or we'd have potentially been there until closing time just trying to negotiate that. Plus, it is my HOME house and he DID drive a fair distance to get there...AND I had more practice time before he got there...so SCRATCH is certainly fair.

582 Series: 179-212 (clean)-191

Well, broke the 2nd Game curse on this one!!

I felt "on" from the start. Picked up a 3-10 baby split in the 1st frame which was like the 4th time I got that split so far that day. Didn't strike much in Game 1, but spare shooting was excellent and Mike was struggling early so it took some pressure off me. I had an early lead going into Game 2, but history has taught me MWhite tends to charge in games 2 and 3 so I wasn't "comfortable" yet. But I came out of the gate in Game 2 firing on all cylinders with a turkey. Started to waiver with some weird leaves the next 4 frames...but spare shooting was ON and I stayed clean (19th clean game).

By this point, I had moved to boards 10-11 so early in Game 3 I needed to ball down to the Slingshot to play the 12-board. There was no pressure at this point because I was well out in front of MWhite. He'd have needed a 300 game to get back into it if I just threw my average...so game 3 I was relaxed. With the exception of a 4-7-10 split in the 2nd frame....I was all strikes until a 4-6-7 split in the 7th followed by a 7-10 in the 8th. Only had to shoot one spare (that wasn't a split) and that was a single 6-pin in the 10th which I picked up easily.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.81 pins
Strikes: 38% (1 4-bagger, 3 turkeys, 4 doubles and 12 singles)
Spares: 68% picked up

Single Pin spares: 94% (18/19)
Most common single-pin leave: 4-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 51% (16/31)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 3-10 (5x).

Splits: 8% (1/12)

Average over 8 games: 186.12
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 187.50.

Spare shooting, spare shooting, spare shooting... When I do well, I have single pin spare shooting in the 60-95% range. When I do well...overall spare shooting is > 50%. When I do poorly....that is the not the case. In order to score in the 225-300 range, I'm going to need to figure out how to run some strikes together...but I can get darn close to my target of a 190 average this season if I can shoot spares like I did tonight.

Obviously, I'm thrilled that I ONCE AGAIN...defeated MWhite at yet another challenge...this time no handicap involved. : ) But, I also kinda felt bad for him because he drove a decent distance and I'm sure was disappointed that it didn't go nearly as planned for him. This partially a "challenge" but really just him wanting to bowl on wood lanes again before they go away. The house is about 50% changed over...so in the coming weeks I'll start getting my practice in on the new synthetics. Mike said they were definitely Brunswick...not sure how slick or oiled yet.

I'll let Mike give his rundown of the nightmarish defeat...I'm sure he agrees 100% with many of the SoCal bowlers that have said for quite some time that these wood lanes NEED TO GO.

Mike White
05-08-2014, 03:53 AM
The Coucourse, "Last Days of Wood" Challenge

I think lawn darts might have been closer to bowling than the condition of those lanes.

While the ball was rolling in the 1st 15 feet, you could literally feel the ball (with your feet) bouncing from divot to divot.

I only brought with me two urethane balls (highly polished) and a plastic ball.

All of those hooked too much, and when I tried to send it wide right, I found that I had been playing in the "heavy" oil.

The outside changed the ball from hooking brooklyn, to hitting the 4-7.

So about 5 frames in it was clear, this was a condition that demanded no hand (Aslan's wheel house)

I decided to attempt to out dead hand Aslan, but my hard equipment didn't want to roll, I left a boat load of 5-8-10, and 4-6 splits.

It's pretty clear why Aslan throws the ball the way he does. It's from adapting to those lanes. And it explains why he's screwed on synthetics.

Aslan, was there any part of the heads that didn't have patched, or oil soaked boards?

A while back Aslan said his "coach" at Concourse told him the way to play was to loft the ball past the arrows.

Many of us told him that was wrong. Well it's probably the best advice on THOSE lanes.

vdubtx
05-08-2014, 10:31 AM
That's all fine and good, but let's see those scores!!! Another defeat of the almighty Mike White!!!

Congrats Aslan!!!

Mike White
05-08-2014, 11:24 AM
That's all fine and good, but let's see those scores!!! Another defeat of the almighty Mike White!!!

Congrats Aslan!!!

I literally don't remember the scores, they were that bad.

Something like 3-4 (or more) splits per game, and maybe 1 or 2 crap strikes.

The only thing that resembled bowling was the makable spares.

As bad as Temecula was, it was infinitely better than Concourse.

Concourse may have put out an excellent oil pattern, but the wood was so bad I couldn't tell.

Aslan clearly had adapted to those conditions. He would loft the ball 15 feet, with next to no hand, into the drier part of the lane.
It would roll up to the oil line and set in the pocket. I believe he mostly used his frantic.

I tried to lay the ball down at 25, through 17 at the arrows, and the ball wouldn't go out past 10 before turning back to the nose.

That was with urethane, and plastic. Finally I decided to try and swing one way out. Thats when I discovered the dry area, which launched my ball back to the 4-7 area. Given the options I had, I knew my game was over. So I went in to chuck mode, which actually got worse.

vdubtx
05-08-2014, 11:44 AM
LOL, I am sure Aslan has all of the scores detailed in his journals.

MICHAEL
05-08-2014, 12:54 PM
That's all fine and good, but let's see those scores!!! Another defeat of the almighty Mike White!!!

Congrats Aslan!!!

Wow if I HEAR ONE more excuse from Mr White I think I will .... OOOO,,, God.... I think I am ,,,,, yes off to the rest room to BARF up a bunch of excuses I keep reading about his losses to Aslan The GREAT!!!

When the chips are down, Aslan finds a way to win, and does it with all humility, and honor!!

Aslan is such a nice guy, ( I know its hard to fricken believe!! He most have promised Mike that he would not post the scores.)

Maybe Mike offered him a NEW BOWLING BALL, to keep the scores secret, with the Tri-Grip thrown in at no extra cost!

Mike White
05-08-2014, 01:11 PM
Wow if I HEAR ONE more excuse from Mr White I think I will .... OOOO,,, God.... I think I am ,,,,, yes off to the rest room to BARF up a bunch of excuses I keep reading about his losses to Aslan The GREAT!!!

When the chips are down, Aslan finds a way to win, and does it with all humility, and honor!!

Aslan is such a nice guy, ( I know its hard to fricken believe!! He most have promised Mike that he would not post the scores.)

Maybe Mike offered him a NEW BOWLING BALL, to keep the scores secret, with the Tri-Grip thrown in at no extra cost!

Get your *** out to Anaheim before they remove the wood, and lets see if you can do any better?

I think my description of the games (many splits, few strikes) gave a pretty good idea what the final scores were.

MICHAEL
05-08-2014, 01:22 PM
Get your *** out to Anaheim before they remove the wood, and lets see if you can do any better?

I think my description of the games (many splits, few strikes) gave a pretty good idea what the final scores were.

Ouch.... hit a nerve???? WHAT were you scores, and did Aslan beat you?? Was he better at adjusting???
What WERE THE SCORES MIKE!! SIMPLE QUESTION...

Why not fly out here, and bowl me??? Maybe I can find a lane you can bowl on???? Na..... LOL

Mike White
05-08-2014, 01:36 PM
Ouch.... hit a nerve???? WHAT were you scores, and did Aslan beat you?? Was he better at adjusting???
What WERE THE SCORES MIKE!! SIMPLE QUESTION...

Why not fly out here, and bowl me??? Maybe I can find a lane you can bowl on???? Na..... LOL

I actually don't know the scores. After a few frames in the first game it became clear to me that we weren't bowling.

Aslan has pictures of the scores, I just hope he has pictures of the lanes also. The first 15 feet look like a battle zone.

Aslan
05-08-2014, 01:50 PM
LOL, I am sure Aslan has all of the scores detailed in his journals.

Yes, I have the scores documented and photographed for "posterity".

I didn't immediately post them because I was raised to be a "good winner" and wanted to give Mr. White the courtesy of providing his own assessment of the situation. And honestly, and I don't mean to rub it in or anything, but I felt "sorry" for him. I mean, Mike has a great release...better than I think I'll ever have. And he knows far more about bowling than I probably ever will. To see a guy like that...just unable to strike and in some cases unable to pick up spares...it was kinda sad. It was like watching a former great heavyweight fighter get knocked around by some "nobody".

But...the scores were:

Game 1: Aslan: 179, MWhite 124
I had a clean game except for a open in the 6th...a split. Only struck twice, but my spare shooting was dead on. Remember, I had 4.5 practice games on one of the lanes where as Mike only had one practice game on the pair. Mike struggled MIGHTILY in the first game. He only struck once, had 3 splits, and only picked up 3 spares. I've never seen his spare shooting THAT bad.

Game 2: Aslan 212, MWhite 145
Even with a 55-pin lead...from the experience in Temecula...I knew that Mike had the ability to come back. His ability to adapt quickly is what really sets him apart from a bowler like me. But, I started out with a turkey which gave me a 30-pin lead going into the 4th frame. At that point, I just kept it clean. Meanwhile, Mike's spare shooting had improved...but he left 4 splits and only struck twice (to my 5 times).

Game 3: Aslan 191, MWhite 139
Going into Game 3 all the pressure was off. I had a 122-pin lead which meant if I just bowled my average of 165...Mike would need a score in the 280-300 range to beat me. And when I struck in the 1st and he started out with a split (4-6-7-10)...I knew he was done. I'd have actually done better in Game 3 after balling down to the Slingshot, but had 3 splits of my own.

Now, that meant that I not only beat MWhite....SCRATCH...but beat him by over 200 pins.

My assessment is actually similar to his:
1) Yes, the lanes are different. This is a TESTAMENT to anyone out there that thinks "lanes are lanes". WOOD lanes behave NOTHING like synthetic lanes. There are a LOT of high average bowlers in that house...with 202-227 averages....that throw 23mph and loft it 10ft...throwing equipment no stronger than a Tropical Breeze. You CANNOT set the ball down with 400rpms and wait for it to slide, skid then turn. It won't slide...it will grab far too early...and you WILL miss left.

2) My assessment of Mike is...he either doesn't have the physical ability (due to injury) or isn't willing to change the "way" he throws to overcome conditions. He'll change balls...he's got like9 of them...but he wants to keep setting down early with high revs...even if the oil pattern isn't being condusive. Thats why they say you need to develop 3 lines and 3 speeds to compliment your arsenal. You "can" play those lanes inside with higher revs...but it's not easy. OR...you can do what the successful folks at those lanes do...loft it 10ft...or increase your speed. Mike seemed to take a different approach, which is to try and find a ball weak enough that he could throw it how he's most comfortable.

3) It wasn't "his night". Yes...the lanes are bad. Barry Asher heard I bowled at that house and mumbled under his breath that the lanes were ****. And...the lanes are 50% changed over as we speak...because they just weren't in good condition...and a changed was needed. BUT...BUT....in Game 3..MWhite only had 2 splits and missed a single-pin spare 3 times. Missing single pin spares is always on the bowler...you can't blame that on the lanes.

4) It WAS "my night". I shot 94% at single pin spare pick-ups. I've never picked up more than 80% in a series or session. I only had FOUR open frames and all 4 were splits!! I wasn't always "on"...and would first ball an occasional "5" or "6" or "7". But I would convert the spares. I think I was over 51% on multi-pin spares..usually I'm in the 30s.

So not only did Mike come into MY HOUSE...thinking he could take me down...but he did so on one of my best nights ever in a lot of ways (mainly spare shooting). So it was a "perfect storm" that he was faced with. As to Iceman's "critique" about the excuses:
1) Some of them were uniquely valid. I've TRIED to explain to people why I loft the way I do...and they can't seem to reconcile it with standard lanes. Mike saw first hand...I don't usually play on "standard lanes".
2) You have to sort of get to know Mike a little. He's just not the kinda guy that is going to ever admit someone is better than him. His knowledge base is so full of bowling factoids...that no matter what happens...he'll always have an excuse. And there WILL be validity in his excuses.

He noticed the lane pattern in Temecula...and it hurt him. He noticed how the lanes were behaving at Concourse...and it significantly hurt him. But....if Mike were a younger man...maybe more at the front end of his bowling career than the back end...I'd try to convince him to get more "adaptive". Like most bowlers...his house is his world. He doesn't like "change". Thus, he can't adapt to it. I've bowled at like 11 different centers in SoCal and once in Vegas...in only 8 months of bowling. Five months into bowling I tried my luck in a tournament. I "like" that challenge. I "like" that hurdle in front of me...it motivates me. I could never be like some of the bowlers in my Thursday and Friday leagues...that bowl in one house forvever...carrying 180+ averages...and never go to tournaments or anything other than sweeps their entire lives. I could never do that. I don't just want to be the best at my house...I want to be better than the people in my county, and my region...I want to be in a big tournament on the internet...and someday TV. I'll never be Chris Barnes or Walter Ray....but I won't be happy just being "that guy" that bowls Thursdays. I wanna at least me "THE GUY" that happens to bowl Thursdays.

I also have the sort of "bad" tendency to "bowl up" or "bowl down" to my competition. Had the same problem in Tennis and Golf. You pair me with a good person....my game elevates. You pair me with a beginner...I suck. I'll bowl with a buddy after work and he'll beat me 162-118. Then the next weekend I'll be bowling against a previous tournament champion and bowl 3 straight 200+ games. I want to make THEM beat me...not beat myself. I know I won't always win...but I want to at least prove I belong on the same stage.

So...I congratulate MWhite on making the trip. It was an interesting night for sure...one of the last wood lane houses finally going bye bye...and it was a good time. I wish it had been closer so it wasn't AS crushing a defeat...but it was what it was.

vdubtx
05-08-2014, 01:57 PM
OUCH!!! Seems Mike White isn't bowler he's cracked up to be. Even a good bowler would average 160 on such "tough" conditions.

Just ribbin' ya Mike White!!! :cool:

MICHAEL
05-08-2014, 02:05 PM
Very nice bowling, considering all the adjustments you made!!! ,,,, THANKS for the results!!!!!

Aslan
05-08-2014, 02:06 PM
Aslan, was there any part of the heads that didn't have patched, or oil soaked boards?
Not really. Thats why they're tearing them out.


A while back Aslan said his "coach" at Concourse told him the way to play was to loft the ball past the arrows.

Many of us told him that was wrong. Well it's probably the best advice on THOSE lanes.
SEE! People would tell me to set the ball down 6 inches in from the foul line and I'd think, "but that part of the lanes looks like somebody dropped a dirtbike...or spilled 3 cups of coffee and there's a dime's width crack between the 17th and 18th boards??"

And it didn't help that we probably were bowling on the 2 worst ones...the leagues usually bowl in the 30-40 lanes...."slightly" (but not much) better. I didn't have much choice...they were going to put me on the synthetics and I told them I needed wood lanes...and that was the only pair not being used by leagues. I had to "sweet talk" him just to let us use both because he was trying to keep the right lane closed for league courtesy.

Aslan
05-09-2014, 03:02 AM
Thursday Leagues: wood lanes/low oil

557 Series: 190-188 (clean)-179
The whole night was virtually the same. My spare shooting was very good and it had to be because I couldn't strike. Other than missing a 6-10 split in the 2nd frame of Game 1…I was clean. Was clean all the way through Game 2. Game 3 I missed on a baby split and a 4-6-7 and somehow missed a single 4-pin but struck out in the 9th and 10th to salvage a decent score.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.76 pins
Strikes: 32% (1 4-bagger, 1 double and 5 singles)
Spares: 78% picked up

Single Pin spares: 80% (8/10)
Most common single-pin leave: 6-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 76% (10/13)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 33% (1/3)

Average over 3 games: 185.67
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 189.67.

This was 1 pin higher than my previous best in this league so I was happy with my performance. Monday my spare shooting was very good and tonight it was even better. And since I couldn't figure out how to strike…I NEEDed my spare shooting to be above average.

I took some video and will post it this weekend. Having disk space issues on the laptop so I'm transferring some movie files to a flash drive as we speak.

Mike White
05-10-2014, 08:49 PM
OUCH!!! Seems Mike White isn't bowler he's cracked up to be. Even a good bowler would average 160 on such "tough" conditions.

Just ribbin' ya Mike White!!! :cool:

If you held a gun to my head and made me bowl a whole season on those lanes, I would probably find a way to average 180+.

But every week I would be checking to see if the gun had bullets in it.

Blacksox1
05-11-2014, 02:22 AM
Aslan drill that Asylum up and use it. It has only been out for a short time. Time to use the most recent, modern technology. Please do not store it in your closet. Only a doomsday prepper or maybe a hoarder would let it rot in the closet.

Mike White
05-11-2014, 02:44 AM
Aslan drill that Asylum up and use it. It has only been out for a short time. Time to use the most recent, modern technology. Please do not store it in your closet. Only a doomsday prepper or maybe a hoarder would let it rot in the closet.

With his wood lanes going away, he's going to have to focus on synthetic lanes, and less loft, more roll.

It will be a while before he develops a stable release and a specific PAP location.

Better to keep the "good" stuff on hold until it can be drilled for how he ends up throwing the ball.

Aslan
05-12-2014, 01:40 PM
But every week I would be checking to see if the gun had bullets in it.
Thats funny.


Aslan drill that Asylum up and use it. It has only been out for a short time. Time to use the most recent, modern technology. Please do not store it in your closet. Only a doomsday prepper or maybe a hoarder would let it rot in the closet.
But then...what about the 2011-2013 technology that is currently in the closet?? Will it not be even OLDER by the time it gets it's turn???

I ordered the Asylum in 15lb because I have a group of 15lbers and the Asylum would fill a very nice role in that arsenal. If I drill it NOW...it's really not that much different than my Frantic and I wouldn't be solving the problem of using both 15 AND 16lb balls at the same time. Replacing the Frantic with the 16lb Bullet Train makes more sense...and then save the Asylum for the 15lb arsenal.

Now...if it had been an assymetric core ball...with some slightly different specs...I actually would have got it at 16lbs and had it drilled up because it would fill a gap in the current arsenal...but it wasn't...and I certainly aint gonna complain about winning it...because it IS a ball I kinda wanted. Not as bad as I wanted the IQ Fusion or the Deranged....but certainly more than I would have wanted the Johnny Petraglia or Uproar or Rumble.

There IS a method to the madness...I promise.


With his wood lanes going away, he's going to have to focus on synthetic lanes, and less loft, more roll.

It will be a while before he develops a stable release and a specific PAP location.

Better to keep the "good" stuff on hold until it can be drilled for how he ends up throwing the ball.
Thats a good point.

Aslan
05-13-2014, 02:23 PM
Monday Practice: Low Oil Synthetics

Practiced on the new synthetic lanes at my home center! The wood lanes are about 60% replaced so I figured I might as well get a head start on getting used to the new surface!

680 Series: 184-242 (clean)-254 (clean)!!!
What can I say? The new lanes seemed to be very much like the wood lanes except the ball didn't take AS much of a drastic turn as got to the last 1/3 of the lane. I have a feeling they've left these new lanes as dry as possible so not to mess with the league players and other patrons that have established their game using the wood lanes. In Game 2, with the exception of leaving a 7-pin in the 3rd frame, I struck through 7. That WOULD have been my highest game EVER...except I immediately broke that record in Game 3 when I opened with 5 strikes then a spare, then a double, then a spare, then a double. Both the last 2 games were clean, my first ever multi-clean game in one series...and what ended up being my highest series to date of 680.

495 Series: 165-167-163
Game 1 was 5 splits. I tried to move inside, and that helped in Game 2, but I chopped a couple spare opportunities. Couldn't buy a strike in Game 3. As usual, moving inside with a symmetric ball...it just won't came back even with a solid coverstock and my low speed. Only struck once, in the 6th frame.

435 Series: 145-158-132
Tried to move even more inside, slow things down further...but still...it wasn't working. So, I balled down to the Frantic and tried to play a little inside, but the Frantic was even less aggressive in terms of coming back to the pocket. I tried to play more of a straight shot up the middle...but then in Game 3 I got 4 splits for my effort.

547 Series: 208-203-136
Was going to switch to the slingshot and play 2nd arrow, but thought I'd stick with the Frantic and play 2nd arrow and that solved the problem. Missed my mark in the 3rd frame of Game 1 and chopped the 1-3-6-10, but otherwise was clean and struck 7 times. More of the same in Game 2. Left a 3-7 in the 1st frame and missed an easy single 9-pin in the 9th...but otherwise clean and struck 6 times. In game 3 I had to start moving a little more inside...and went right back to having problems where the ball tended to not come back to the pocket. A couple splits and some bad spare shooting...and I probably was tired by that point (game 12).

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.67 pins
Strikes: 37% (1 5-bagger, 1 4-bagger, 3 turkeys, 9 doubles and 14 singles)
Spares: 58% picked up

Single Pin spares: 92% (24/26)
Most common single-pin leave: 6-pin and 10-pin (5x each).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 42% (22/52)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 2-4-5 (6x).
Did pick up a 1-2-8-10 throwing a back-up ball though!

Splits: 13% (2/15)

Average over 12 games: 179.75
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 181.50.

The evening went better than expected. The lanes seem slightly slicker, but more predictable. And they aren't so slick that my low rev style can't get a good angle into the pocket. I think high average bowlers from other centers are still gonna struggle with how much friction these lanes have...but it'll be predictable enough to make good adjustments and far more consistent lane to lane. Since the project is only 60% completed, I'll likely still be bowling on wood lanes in league play for at least the next couple weeks and even possibly until the middle/end of June. But it was a relief to perform as well as I did on the new lanes.

I abandoned the "straighter/less forward spine tilt" advice I got at the clinic Saturday. It was really messing up my accuracy and causing me to "toss" rather than "roll" the ball. Still something to think about as time goes on...but not right now. And I did slow the approach even further according to Rob's input. I can't get it Tony Reyes slow...otherwise I gotta totally re-do my timing or go to a 3-step approach (which I have had ZERO success with) or something.

Aslan
05-16-2014, 03:11 AM
Thursday League: low-medium oil synthetics

528 Series: 186-159-183
Game 1 was clean through 6, then I got a 4-7-9-10 split. Otherwise clean so I was okay with that effort. Game 2 I started to strike more but my spare shooting was an abortion. Hit right in frames 1 and 3 leaving difficult multi-pin spares (that I didn't pick up). Then in the 8th and 9th I missed a single 7-pin and then a single 10-pin. Game 3 I was clean through 6, then a 7-10 split followed by a 4-6-10. Almost picked up the 4-6-10.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.88 pins
Strikes: 36% (3 doubles and 6 singles)
Spares: 61% picked up

Single Pin spares: 78% (11/14)
Most common single-pin leave: 3-pin and 10-pin (3x each).
Never left a single 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 28% (2/7)

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 176.00
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 183.33.

Spare shooting wasn't "bad". But it wasn't "good". Strike rate wasn't "bad". But I couldn't run more than 2 together. Couple those factors with me simply having higher expectations and the night wasn't that great. It wasn't "bad"….I hit my target of a 525+ series, bowled above my average, and helped my team split 2 points while increasing my league average to 170. BUT…my expectations are higher. I want that 190 average! I want a 300 game! I want to make > 90% of single pin spares! I want a 600+ series every time! I want a 700 series!

I don't know what was "off" tonight. I was around my mark…didn't seem to miss the headpin much. Mostly played the 6-8 boards…staying just to the right of where most of the righties were playing. Was still going left a "little" too much though. Thought about balling down to the Frantic and playing the 13 board…but as usual seemed to wait too long to pull the trigger. I think I can play a little more inside than I did…maybe that'll get me a better angle to the pocket. Work in progress...

Aslan
05-23-2014, 03:04 AM
Thursday League: low-oil synthetics

547 Series: 176-206 (clean)-165

Game 1 was "okay" except I broke up the clean game with a missed single 10-pin in the 5th and then somehow managed to chop the 2-4 off a 2-4-5 3/4 bucket in the 6th. Other than that, a dutch 200 situation alternating spares and strikes. Game 2 was clean…but again, only managed a double once so the score was kinda "blah". Game 3 I chopped a 10 off a 6-10 in the 3rd then chopped the 10 off a 3-6-10 in the 6th. To add insult to injury, I left a 4-7-10 in the 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.94 pins
Strikes: 40% (2 doubles and 9 singles)
Spares: 73% picked up

Single Pin spares: 88% (8/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 4-pin and 10-pin (3x each).
Never left a single 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 60% (6/10)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 182.33
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 185.33.

I'm kinda torn. On the one hand, I'm happy because I'm seeing a HUGE improvement on my spare shooting, I met my goal of a 525+ series, had a clean game, and led my team to take all 4 points against the team currently in 1st place in our league.

On the other hand, like Chris Barnes said, "good spare shooting won't win you championships. But bad spare shooting will cost you championships." The emphasis for me is on the first part. I can't seem to strike consistently…and thus I can't score very high. I have to be "perfect" just to get in the 200s. And the better I get, the more upset I become with myself when I miss make-able spares.

I didn't get much practice this week. Had a family function on Monday, was sick on Tuesday and Wednesday. And in Game 3, I noticed one reason I wasn't having a great game was both timing and speed control. I was hitting my spots pretty well…but my speed was fluctuating a bit. I gotta keep working on my timing and making sure the speed doesn't vary shot to shot.

I played the outside all night. Targeted board 6. I pretty much had the outside to myself so I really didn't need to move much. By the end of Game 3 on one lane I had to move to the 7-board…minor adjustment…but no need to move much nor ball down tonight. 5 righties all playing the middle. 3 lefties. And one guy playing a big hook. So I had outside of the 9-board to myself.

Aslan
05-26-2014, 01:17 AM
Cosmic Bowling: low-medium oil synthetics

135-136-124-153

Tonight was just awful…just awful. Kid wanted to go to the bowling alley so I went and thought I could get a little practice in. Man, I couldn't figure out heads from tails.

No sense really even going through the stats. I tried using the Frantic, playing 13-board…a little inside (left foot on 25). But if I got out to 24-26…Frantic wouldn't come back and would miss right. If I moved into say 23…Frantic hit dead center and left me multi-pin spares. Just couldn't seem to find that angle into the pocket. Stayed around the headpin all night…but not the pocket.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.14 pins
Strikes: 18% (all singles)
Spares: 44% picked up

Single Pin spares: 63% (7/11)
Most common single-pin leave: 6-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 34% (8/23)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 1-2-4 (3x).

Splits: 20% (1/5)

Average over 4 games: 137.00
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 146.75.

Aslan
05-28-2014, 01:01 PM
Tuesday Night Practice: low-medium oil synthetics

After a craptastic performance open bowling Sunday I decided to try and get a couple nights of practice in before league night on Thursday.

445 Series: 141-177-127
Started out with the Frantic playing the 13-board with a slightly inside line but there appeared to be too much oil for that initially....much like what I experienced Sunday...so I balled UP to the Rhythm after game 1. Game 2 was a couple splits and a missed 6-10 from clean. Then Game 3 was a nightmare. 4 splits and 3 missed spares...don't even want to think what the score would have been had I not struck 4 times.

501 Series: 172-128-201
Game 1 I missed the single 4-pin TWICE...then a split in the 8th....other than that; okay. Game 2 more splits and bad spare shooting. After missing the single 10-pin in the first frame of Game 3 I recovered and was clean the rest of the way to salvage a decent score.

533 Series: 179-202-152
It was clear after the end of the last series I'd probably need to ball down to the Frantic; the 6-9 boards were getting too dry. Game 1 I was clean through 6 before chopping the 2-4-5 and then opening in the 10th with a 2-5-7 split. Game 2 was great; just a 1-2-4-10 washout in the 4th that kept it from being clean. Game 3 I struggled. A couple missed spares and a couple splits.

209-190
Tried to get in one more series before the end of the night but only managed to get in 2 games. Game 1 I was finally dialed in and was clean through 9 frames before leaving a 4-6-7-10. Game 2 I missed a single 10-pin in frame 2 and then left a 4-6-7 split in the 5th but otherwise was strong.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.72 pins
Strikes: 36% (5 turkeys, 6 doubles, and the rest singles)
Spares: 51% picked up

Single Pin spares: 75% (27/36)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (11x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 28% (11/38)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 2-4-5 (6x).

Splits: 0% (0/15)

Average over 11 games: 170.73
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 178.27.

Initially I tried to work on adding some "hand/release" to my stroke...but I found (as predicted) that it added loft and speed and decreased accuracy. I then experimented with changing ball placement...after watching some old Earl Anthony footage. But I found that at the end of the day...I was getting just as much hook throwing it softly with little "hand" as I was trying to add hand and get it out further down the lane.

As I ball downed to the Frantic, I was essentially playing the 13-board and just taking advantage of that "hold line" on the right side of the bulk of the oil. I was also able to use the Brunswick target spots down lane to see as my ball went down the lane where it needed to be. If I hit my target, which I was doing a good job of, I'd see the ball go just to the inside of that 10-board indicator and come back to between the 10-board and 15-board indicators and then a sort of straighter angle into the pocket.

The downside to the Earl Anthony/Don Carter style and the "straight at the pocket" style is pin carry. A lot of "light hits" leaving me single 10-pins, 6-pins, 3-pins, 4-pins, 5-pins, 7-pins, and 9-pins. And, of course, as conditions degrade...that straighter angle that misses the pocket left tends to leave splits. Missing right actually seemed to help me as it gave me a little more angle. I'm tempted to change from targeting the 13-board to targeting the 12-board...give me a little more angle...but I have to be careful with speed.

Hoping to continue experimenting with this tonight (more practice). Gotta work out some of these kinks...127 and 128 games are unacceptable at this point.

Aslan
05-30-2014, 01:33 AM
Thursday League: low-medium oil synthetics

566 Series: 154-179-233 (clean)

Game 1 I did pretty well through 6 frames; then a 6-7-10 split, then a 3-10 baby split, then a couple balls that didn't make it back to the pocket and left me with crap multi-pin spares. So that game was in the toilet.

Game 2 I started off chopping a 6-10…but was then clean through 7…until a 4-6 split in the 8th, a strike, and then I somehow left an 8-pin…which I couldn't pick up…probably because I've virtually never leave an 8-pin. Above my average…but not great…and the open in the 10th cost my team the win.

Game 3 was clean including a 5-bagger in the 6th through 9th. So, while it's disappointing that I couldn't strike out in the 10th and give me my highest score ever (258)…it was my highest score to date in the league and helped solidify the win and overall win giving us 3 of 4 points.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.81 pins
Strikes: 45% (5-bagger, a turkey, 2 doubles and 2 singles)
Spares: 50% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (4/6)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (2x).
Never left a single 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 40% (4/10)

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 188.67
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 196.33.

Not happy with spare shooting tonight. 50% isn't going to cut it and to think I could have averaged over 196 had I picked up a single 8-pin and both 10-pins rather than shooting 66% is very disheartening.

But, the team had fun and took 3 out of 4 points. AND…I did not only MEET my goal of 525+ but scored my highest league series EVER with a 566 and set my high single game score this season at 233. And this is 4 STRAIGHT weeks of 527+ series…averaging over 176 a week.

Had the outside to myself so I never needed to change my target more than a board or ball down.

Aslan
06-03-2014, 01:14 AM
Monday Practice: Low Oil Synthetics

559 Series: 174-177-208
The first 2 games were solid; just missed a few spares I should have picked up and a couple I couldn't. Game 3 was clean through 7, including a 4-bagger, but a 1-2-4-10 washout ended that in the 8th.

573 Series: 157-204-212
Bad spare shooting in game 4. Game 5 was better but I missed a single 10-pin in the 4th and a single 7-pin in the 7th to ruin it. Game 6 was a chopped 3-6 in the 4th and a missed single 6-pin in the 6th away from a clean game.

548 Series: 189-146-213
A few open frames in game 7 but I ended with a 4-bagger to salvage a decent score. Missed another single 10-pin then a 1-2-10…then a couple splits…didn't strike enough to salvage a decent score in game 8. Game 9 was a 4-10 split in the 4th away from being a clean game.

498 Series: 135-178-185
Game 10 was bad spare shooting and splits. More of the same in game 11. Game 12 was actually only an open frame in the 7th from being clean…unfortunately 6 of the remaining 9 frames were spares which kept the score down a bit.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.85 pins
Strikes: 40% (4 4-baggers, 2 turkeys, 7 doubles, and the rest singles)
Spares: 56% picked up

Single Pin spares: 70% (22/31)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (14x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 5-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 46% (19/41)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 4-7 (5x).

Splits: 11% (1/9)

Average over 12 games: 181.50
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 189.67.

Stayed out around the 6-7 boards the whole night. I wasn't as "on: as I wanted to be; but I think it was my release and speed being inconsistent rather than timing or accuracy. Hopefully in the upcoming tournament the conditions aren't going to be too "slick" and hopefully I'll be able to be a bit more consistent with my release/speed.

Aslan
06-08-2014, 02:38 AM
ABTA Tournament:
Irvine Lanes, Irvine, CA.
Heavy Oil Synthetics

Squad A: 430 Series: 129-136-165
In game 1; couldn't make a spare…lots of washouts. Made more spares in game 2 but only struck once and ended with a 7-10 in the 10th. Had a couple washouts in game 3, but otherwise was pretty solid on spare shooting. Only one strike though.

Squad B: 487 Series: 167-159-161
Started off game 3 with 2 washouts and a missed single-pin spare. Then did fairly well. Picked up a 4-9 split which was exciting. But I could not recover from the terrible start. In game 2 I started off with a couple strikes, but missed a single 6-pin and had an open frame every other frame after that which tends to lead to a not so good score. Game 3 wasn't much better. Bad spare shooting.

Squad C: 483 Series: 156-170-157
Game 1 was nothing special. Game 2 started off rough, but I recovered and got a turkey before opening again in the 8th. Then game 3 I couldn't strike and spare shooting was hit or miss.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.09 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 turkey, 3 doubles, and 16 singles)
Spares: 50% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (12/20)
Most common single pin leave: Single 3-pin and 10-pin (4x each)
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 45% (21/46)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 28% (2/7)

Average over 9 games: 155.56
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 164.56.

Write-up in the "first tournament" thread.

Amyers
06-08-2014, 08:11 AM
Aslan do you think the higher oil was part of your struggles not that these are terrible scores but they are lower than you hoped contributed your lower scoring? Was this on tournament on THS? I have beem condisdering trying this out myself especially since my handicap is higher in my leagues right now than in my opinion than my talent but all of the local handicap tournaments have been on sport pattern here lately and I know I'm. Not ready for that yet.

Aslan
06-10-2014, 03:10 AM
Monday Practice: Low-Medium Oil synthetics

490 Series: 136-165-189
Game 1 I had 4 splits. Game 2 I kept leaving multi-pin spares that weren't necessarily "makable". Then in game 3 things kinda came together. Game 3 was clean except for a chopped 3-6-10 in the 5th frame. Not a lot of strikes though (2). Mostly practiced my spare shooting.

579 Series: 188-174-217
Game 1 I was clean through 7 frames before opening in the last 3. Game 2 I had 2 opens and 2 splits but struck out in the 9th and 10th to salvage a decent score. Then in game 3 I started out with a 4-bagger…missed a single 2-pin in the 6th…chopped a 2-4-5 in the 9th…but struck 8 times to salvage a decent score.

553 Series: 221-170-162
In game 1 I opened with a split followed by another 4-bagger, a spare, a double, and then 2 spares. Would have been a clean game had it not been for the 2-5-7 split in the 1st frame. Game 2 was a couple missed spares and a split; so-so game. Game 3 started out clean through 4 frames, but then was hit or miss and opened in the 10th for a disappointing 3rd game.

483 Series: 132-173-178
Much like the first game of the evening; 4 splits. Game 2 was much better; somehow chopped a 1-2 in the 5th and then missed a single 10-pin in the 10th but otherwise was clean. Game 3 was more of the same; struck more but had 2 splits and again opened in the 10th by somehow chopping the 6-9.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.67 pins
Strikes: 38% (3 4-baggers, 1 turkey, 12 doubles, and 10 singles)
Spares: 51% picked up

Single Pin spares: 78% (18/23)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (9x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 5-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 39% (20/51)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (6x).

Splits: 12% (2/16)

Average over 12 games: 175.42
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 180.00.

Initially I was trying to work on getting more hand on the ball and increasing my revs. After failing miserably in heavy oil Saturday I figured I'd need to "help" my weaker equipment. I tried to hit up on the ball more and work on my follow through. Unfortunately, I found that the increased revs led to increased speed…which cancelled out the increased revs.

Mostly played the 8-board all evening. I tried to add more revs as I got out to board 26 (with my feet), but lost my accuracy. So the increased revs idea is still on hold. Perhaps next week I'll work on my slide. I'd like to develop a slide rather than a plant; maybe do less damage to my knee. But I didn't want to work on it while simultaneously working on my release/follow-through.

Aslan
06-12-2014, 03:46 AM
Wednesday VBT Tour
Fountain Bowl; Fountain Valley, CA
low-medium oil synthetics

I got there early due to traffic being lighter than expected and found out they might need to end open bowling earlier than originally expected so I bowled 4 games while waiting for Bunny to arrive. I figured, WORST CASE, if Bunny and I couldn't bowl…I'd at least have my scores.

Practice: 198
603 Series: 220-191-192
A truly great 4-game set. Practice I was clean except for a missed 3-8 in the 7th and a missed 6-10 in the 9th. Game 1 I was a missed 6-7 split in the 4th away from not only a clean game, but a 7-bagger to boot. In game 2 it was just 3 splits that held me back. And in game 3 it was just a washout in the 6th that kept me from a clean game. Even picked up a 5-7 in the 8th frame.

Bunny and I then tried to do our series (on different lanes):

Practice: 179
Series: 182 - DNF - DNF

Unfortunately, we couldn't even come close to completing our series so we're planning on going back next week to start over and do the entire 4 games. Both of us rolled above our VBT averages so it's not an attempt to get "better" scores. We'd have LOVED to finish the series tonight rather than making another special trip…but we were already 10 minutes past the time they allotted us so we had no choice. And it doesn't make any sense to come back and just do the last TWO games because then we won't get any practice beforehand.

As to the practice and the first game…practice was okay. Just chopped a few spares. First game everything went pretty well. Other than a chopped 1-3-6-8-10 in the 8th frame, it was clean. AND…I picked up a 4-9 split in the 10th which got me some cheers from the onlookers!

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.93 pins
Strikes: 48% (4 turkeys, 4 doubles, and 6 singles)
Spares: 62% picked up

Single Pin spares: 100% (9/9)
Most common single pin leave: Single 10-pin (3x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 4-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 44% (8/18)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 20% (1/5)

Average over 5 games: 196.00
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 196.00.

Aslan
06-13-2014, 12:12 AM
Thursday League: low-medium oil synthetics

575 Series: 256-171-148

Well, in game 1 I shot my best game ever!! I was rolling SO well…I started thinking maybe I HAD THE GIFT that Iceman speaks about!! Suddenly I had visions of a possible 300 game and 800 series!! Then…back down to Earth. : (

In game 1, I had a spare in frame 1, followed by a turkey, then a 7-10 split, then struck out; SEVEN in a row!! Most strikes I ever threw in a row!

In game 2, something happened in the first frame that I think screwed me up for the rest of the night. On my first ball, my slide foot stuck and I nearly fell over the foul line. It sort of "messed with me" and I changed the way I slid and planted, worried that it would happen again. I struck, then left 2 single 4-pins in frames 3 and 4 before a double. Then I left a 6-10, made the spare, then left a single 3-pin and somehow missed it. I struck in the 9th and then opened in the 10th by chopping a 3-6.

I figured if I recovered and threw a 300-game, I could still salvage an 800 series…but game 3 was even worse than game 2. In game 3, I left a few makable spares and chopped them. Add a big-4 split in there and it was a wonder how I managed to even score above a 125.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.09 pins
Strikes: 54% (7-bagger, a turkey, and a double)
Spares: 46% picked up

Single Pin spares: 83% (5/6)
Most common single-pin leave: 4-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, nor 10-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 22% (2/9)

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 191.67
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 195.67.

On the one hand, I'm encouraged that I was capable of throwing 7 strikes in a row and getting a 256. And yet another week of exceeding my 525 target AND averaging over 190; bringing my league average up another 2 points to 176.

On the other hand, NO clean games and 2 games BELOW my average. I seem to be getting better at single-pin spares, but worse at multiple pin spares.

????

Amyers
06-13-2014, 09:08 AM
Congratulations on the 256 Your closing in on my high (267). Multiple pin spares can be rough seems like I have periods where I can get them no problem and then I go through spell that I chop them.

Aslan
06-13-2014, 11:57 AM
Congratulations on the 256 Your closing in on my high (267). Multiple pin spares can be rough seems like I have periods where I can get them no problem and then I go through spell that I chop them.

Thanks man. I think you're the only one that reads this.

I'm the same way. One minute I make multi=pin spares and struggle with single pins...then it reverses. In fairness, since PinPal counts splits as multi-pin spares, I was actually 2 for 7 (29%) versus 2/9 (22%)...but still. And they weren't impossible washout kinds of spares. I mean, yes, a couple were. A 3-6-9-10 and a 1-2-8-10. But 5 of the multi-pin spare leaves were either a 6-10, 3-6, or 4-7 and those should be automatic at this point. :(

But....I gotta not get frustrated. At this point, given how fast my average is rising...I might have to worry that if I keep this up...I won't be able to compete in the classified (<180) division at the USBC Open next year!!

Amyers
06-13-2014, 12:17 PM
Thanks man. I think you're the only one that reads this.

I'm the same way. One minute I make multi=pin spares and struggle with single pins...then it reverses. In fairness, since PinPal counts splits as multi-pin spares, I was actually 2 for 7 (29%) versus 2/9 (22%)...but still. And they weren't impossible washout kinds of spares. I mean, yes, a couple were. A 3-6-9-10 and a 1-2-8-10. But 5 of the multi-pin spare leaves were either a 6-10, 3-6, or 4-7 and those should be automatic at this point. :(

But....I gotta not get frustrated. At this point, given how fast my average is rising...I might have to worry that if I keep this up...I won't be able to compete in the classified (<180) division at the USBC Open next year!!

It really needs to separate that out because a lot of splits the odds are so low it just skews the numbers. I am thinking of trying that pinpal thing out. Looks like good info. I enjoy reading the updates on how people are doing maybe I'm weird but it beets the crap out of doing my job ;)

Aslan
06-16-2014, 11:41 PM
Monday Practice: low-medium oil synthetics

594 Series: 193-205-196
Missed a 10-pin in the 3rd frame; otherwise clean through game 1. Missed a 6-7 split in the 4th and chopped a 3-6 in the 6th in game 2; but closed out with 5 strikes to salvage a score over 200. Game 3 I was clean through 9 then left a 1-2-8-10 washout in the 10th and chopped it.

499 Series: 151-166-182
Game 1 I was struggling so after 8 frames I balled down to the Frantic and tried to play the middle. In game 2 I missed another single 10-pin in the 3rd frame and then AGAIN chopped a 3-6; this time in the 9th frame. Otherwise, spare shooting was pretty good. Game 3 I was able to strike more (5x) but chopped a 1-2-8 and left a couple splits that kept the score down.

484 Series: 188-147-149
Game 1 I was clean through 8 frames before chopping a 4-5 split in the 9th. Then things started going downhill. Washouts and chops in game 2 and poor single-pin spare shooting in game 3.

440 Series: 170-147-123
By this time I was exhausted. Still was missing single-pin spares, but not as bad in game 1. Then washouts and splits in game 2. And then game 3 was a combination of splits, washouts, chops, and poor single-pin spare shooting…just embarrassing.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.43 pins
Strikes: 29% (1 5-bagger, 2 turkeys, 4 doubles, and 19 singles)
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (17/28)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (10x).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 61% (36/59)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10, 1-2-8, and 3-6 (5x each).

Splits: 0% (0/10)

Average over 12 games: 168.08
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 177.42.

Overall a disappointing practice. Not just because of the scores, because who cares about scores in practice? But;

1) I wanted to work on my release and posting…yet still can't manage to get revs without adding loft and losing accuracy. And with so little revs…I can't seem to move inside at all. Even just moving inside 6 boards and throwing over second arrow…playing what I'd call "the middle"…I'd either go through the center or washout.
2) I tried playing with speed and loft to see if I could maintain accuracy while messing with my release a bit…but it was a mixed bag of results.
3) Multi-pin spare shooting was better than I thought after looking at the numbers. But single-pin spare shooting was abysmal. And what was "weird" was, I made 70% of 10-pins…but struggled with single 7-pins and 4-pins…not my usual problem.

Fortunately (or unfortunately in terms of forced development), during league play over 3 games I rarely need to adjust too much and rarely ever need to "ball down"…so going to the Frantic is unlikely. And as you can see with the first series…playing the Rhythm over boards 8-10 worked fine up until the 8th frame of the 3rd game. And that was on drier than league conditions…so I should be back in my comfort zone for Thursday.

Also bummed that I haven't been able to get a 4-ball roller bag or 6-ball roller bag for a good deal on Ebay yet. I came close today. And I have my eye on a few more. But I really need to get a 4-ball roller. I plan to add 2 more balls to my arsenal later next month…and I plan to keep using the 3 I have on certain conditions. And even if I only used 3 balls…this carrying a ball and 2 more on my shoulder is for the birds. It's doing a number on my back and the bag is **** (poo) quality so the rings keep bending and it's starting to rip.

Oh well. VBT on Wednesday…hopefully that goes well. Then League play on Thursday.

Amyers
06-16-2014, 11:56 PM
Well sorry the scores were not for the better but the first series was pretty good. Over what time frame do you throw these games? I'm a big guy and Maybe a little older than you but I'm pretty sure if I bowled this many games straight I would be dead. Of course my center only has one functions air conditioner out of three so it's about 80 in there. I'm actually looking forward to going to Ashland for VBT. As long as your timing is good keep working with that release you will find something that works for you.

Aslan
06-17-2014, 12:27 PM
Over what time frame do you throw these games? I'm a big guy and Maybe a little older than you but I'm pretty sure if I bowled this many games straight I would be dead.

I think I got there after 3PM and left at about 5:45PM. So probably a little over 2 hours.

Generally the first 9 games don't bother me...and I'm usually even fine through about 11...but I have a bad sunburn and cuts on both my feet from going to the beach Sunday so last night I was kinda "done" after 9. I find that once I'm physically "done"...it's hard to score well and push through it.

manke
06-17-2014, 04:57 PM
Aslan do you always practice that fast? You should slow down and concentrate a little more and your scores would improve.

Amyers
06-17-2014, 07:12 PM
Aslan do you always practice that fast? You should slow down and concentrate a little more and your scores would improve.

Kind of agree here that's almost as fast as we bowl three games at my two per team league of course I'm sure your center isn't 80 degrees but still slow it down a little. You may think your not tired but I'm wondering if you are.

Aslan
06-19-2014, 01:03 AM
Wednesday VBT Tour
Fountain Bowl; Fountain Valley, CA
low-medium oil synthetics

Bunny and I tried this last week but got there too late. So this was attempt #2.

Practice: 187
558 Series: 153 - 187 - 218

Practice started out strong with a turkey; seemed to be dialed in but I could tell I was right on the edge of maybe needing to move a board inside. Was clean through 5 frames before getting a 6-7-10 split then missing a single 4-pin. Washed out in the 9th and struck out in the 10th.

In game 1, I only had a few opens, one was a split. But I only struck once. Game 2 was better, but I opened in the 1st and 10th frames. Game 3 was very, very good. I did open in the 4th, missing a 1-2-10 washout; but other than that…3 spares and 7 strikes!!

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.84 pins
Strikes: 38% (1 4-bagger, 3 doubles, and 2 singles)
Spares: 68% picked up

Single Pin spares: 81% (9/11)
Most common single pin leave: Single 10-pin (4x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 4-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 50% (4/8)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 6-10 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 186.00
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 192.00.

Bunny
06-19-2014, 12:27 PM
We had fun and weren't rushed. $2 games, such a deal!

Aslan's game has improved a lot. I can see that the lesson with Rob M. made a big difference.

And credit goes to Aslan too for putting in all those practice hours. It's definitely paid off!!

Aslan
06-19-2014, 01:14 PM
We had fun and weren't rushed. $2 games, such a deal!

Aslan's game has improved a lot. I can see that the lesson with Rob M. made a big difference.

And credit goes to Aslan too for putting in all those practice hours. It's definitely paid off!!

Your's has improved as well. Still not stringing along a ton of strikes, but much better spare shooting than last year. I used to hate when you pulled out that blue/white spare ball because it could go ANYWHERE...and then it seemed like once you missed...it would rattle ya...then another miss...then more rattled...etc... This time, even after a miss...dialed right back in. I didn't keep track of your spare shooting stats in my phone but I bet you were > 70% on spares, probably 85-90% on single pin spares.

The lesson with Rob was absolutely intrumental in my success. You'll notice that when I was kinda struggling...it was because I was getting AWAY FROM what he and I had developed. I started lofting, adding speed, adding hand, etc... rather than jsut roll the ball over my target...and thats when I was pulling it or pushing it. Once I stopped, settled myself down, and went back to the basics...trusting my mark...good things happened.

And also, Fountain Bowl really, really fits my game. I'd say 2nd only to my home center (Concourse) and just ahead of Arlington Lanes...it's the 2nd best place for me to bowl due to the dryness/low oil. When Bunny and I were teammates, that was an environment of heavy oil and I still, despite the lesson with Rob and 15-21 games of practice a week, struggle with that enviornment. Thats my next big challenge, how to adapt to heavy oil so I can be succesful in tournaments, in Vegas, and in Laughlin.

Aslan
06-20-2014, 01:46 AM
Thursday League: low oil synthetics

480 Series: 152-186 (clean)-142

Started out okay. A 4-9 split in the first frame, then a 3-9-10 split in the 6th. The only makable spare I missed was in the 10th when I missed a 1-2-4-10 washout. Only 1 strike though.

In game 2 I started out in SPECTACULAR fashion by picking up a 4-6 split! Only managed to strike twice, but put on quite a show going clean through 10 and winning the point for my team.

In game 3, everything fell apart. After being perfect on single-pin spares through 2 games, I missed the single 6-pin in the 2nd frame and then again in the 5th frame. I then chopped a 1-3-6-9 in the 6th, then missed 2 straight single 10-pins. Just a disaster. I finished strong in the 9th and 10th to salvage 3 points out of 4, but the game itself was lost and my goal of a 525+ series and no more series under 500 was not realized.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.38 pins
Strikes: 15% (all singles)
Spares: 70% picked up

Single Pin spares: 71% (10/14)
Most common single-pin leave: 6-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1, 2, 5, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 69% (9/13)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (3x).

Splits: 33% (1/3)

Average over 3 games: 160.00
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 172.67.

The whole night I was struggling to stay right of the headpin. After game 1, I moved from the 7-board to the 8-board and eventually in game 3 was at the 9-board and finally the 10-board…but was still hooking way too much. It was even affecting my spare shooting as 3 of the 4 missed single-pin spares were to the left by inches as even the Slingshot was hooking a bit more than usual.

Looking at it negatively; my average fell 2 points, our team didn't take all 4 points, my strike rate was embarrassing, and I bowled a very disappointing 480 series.

Looking at it positively, I bowled another clean game, almost single-handedly won our team one of the 3 points, and I picked up a 4-6 split!!

Amyers
06-20-2014, 10:41 AM
Thursday League: low oil synthetics

480 Series: 152-186 (clean)-142

Started out okay. A 4-9 split in the first frame, then a 3-9-10 split in the 6th. The only makable spare I missed was in the 10th when I missed a 1-2-4-10 washout. Only 1 strike though.

In game 2 I started out in SPECTACULAR fashion by picking up a 4-6 split! Only managed to strike twice, but put on quite a show going clean through 10 and winning the point for my team.

In game 3, everything fell apart. After being perfect on single-pin spares through 2 games, I missed the single 6-pin in the 2nd frame and then again in the 5th frame. I then chopped a 1-3-6-9 in the 6th, then missed 2 straight single 10-pins. Just a disaster. I finished strong in the 9th and 10th to salvage 3 points out of 4, but the game itself was lost and my goal of a 525+ series and no more series under 500 was not realized.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.38 pins
Strikes: 15% (all singles)
Spares: 70% picked up

Single Pin spares: 71% (10/14)
Most common single-pin leave: 6-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1, 2, 5, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 69% (9/13)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (3x).

Splits: 33% (1/3)

Average over 3 games: 160.00
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 172.67.

The whole night I was struggling to stay right of the headpin. After game 1, I moved from the 7-board to the 8-board and eventually in game 3 was at the 9-board and finally the 10-board…but was still hooking way too much. It was even affecting my spare shooting as 3 of the 4 missed single-pin spares were to the left by inches as even the Slingshot was hooking a bit more than usual.

Looking at it negatively; my average fell 2 points, our team didn't take all 4 points, my strike rate was embarrassing, and I bowled a very disappointing 480 series.

Looking at it positively, I bowled another clean game, almost single-handedly won our team one of the 3 points, and I picked up a 4-6 split!!

Don't feel too bad about that your multi-pin splits were really good and you threw less splits than usual. which is kind of strange for a night your hooking more. Aslan were you adjusting in with your feet also or just changing your target down the lanes?

Aslan
06-20-2014, 02:13 PM
Don't feel too bad about that your multi-pin splits were really good and you threw less splits than usual. which is kind of strange for a night your hooking more. Aslan were you adjusting in with your feet also or just changing your target down the lanes?

My "system" is always under development...but the current version is;

- I start out with my left foot on 19 (which I call R1 because it's one board right (R) of center. I start targeting board 7 (which I call T (for target) 7).
- I then move left with my left foot 1-2 boards if my ball is starting to react too much.
- After moving my left foot 3 boards left; I move the left foot back 2 boards right and move the target 1 board left. So it looks like this (for one lane):

Game 1; Frame 1: T7; R3 (had to move right initially)
Game 1; Frame 3: T7; R1
Game 1; Frame 5 & 7; T7; L1
Game 1; Frame 9; T7; L2
Game 2; Frame 2; T8; C
Game 2; Frame 4: T8;L1
Game 2; Frame 6 & 8; T8; L2
Game 2: Frame 10; T9; L1
Game 3; Frame 1; T9; L2.5
Game 3; Frame 3 & 5; T9; L4
Game 3; Frame 7; T10; L3
Game 3; Frame 10; T10; L4

So on that one lane, over the course of 3 games, I moved my target 3 boards left (from 7 to 10) and my feet 5 boards left (19 to 24). Had I gotten my feet to board 25, that is usually where I ball down. On a good night...especially going up against a lot of lefties...I might have my target only move a board left over 3 games and my feet only 1-2 boards. But on a "bad" night....where I'm playing a lot of other righties and some that like the outside line (like me)...then I'm constantly hitting left and usually by the middle of the 3rd game I have to ball down.

I also can sometimes add speed and/or loft to tweak the ball track a little...get it to go a little farther before moving...but I try not to do this too much so I can avoid re-developing bad habits. And the other downside to me throwing harder is I tend to impart more revs on the ball, which counteracts the increase in speed. And since I tend to "plant" rather than slide...making my approach faster isn't really helpful.

I think one reason this happened was...the other team had 2-3 righties messing with my line AND...both teams took full advantage of the pre-game practice. Normally teams throw 3-4 balls and then kinda go sit down and wait for things to start. This team was throwing ball after ball after ball during practice and I think that moved the oil around a bit.

Aslan
06-20-2014, 02:28 PM
Also realize, the system changes for heavier oil. This system works for oil patterns with a very dry outside area.

For heavier oil and flatter patterns, I have to adjust the target left and the starting boards for my feet right to straighten out my shot...because there is no dry area outside and the ball typically can't make the turn.

But yeah, the movement on those lanes last night...wow...I hadn't seen that since the wood lanes went away. I mean, with my very low rev rate...throwing the ball out over the 9-board from essentially center...the ball actually hooked so far left of the headpin that it didn't even make contact with the headpin.

Amyers
06-20-2014, 03:32 PM
My "system" is always under development...but the current version is;

- I start out with my left foot on 19 (which I call R1 because it's one board right (R) of center. I start targeting board 7 (which I call T (for target) 7).
- I then move left with my left foot 1-2 boards if my ball is starting to react too much.
- After moving my left foot 3 boards left; I move the left foot back 2 boards right and move the target 1 board left. So it looks like this (for one lane):

Game 1; Frame 1: T7; R3 (had to move right initially)
Game 1; Frame 3: T7; R1
Game 1; Frame 5 & 7; T7; L1
Game 1; Frame 9; T7; L2
Game 2; Frame 2; T8; C
Game 2; Frame 4: T8;L1
Game 2; Frame 6 & 8; T8; L2
Game 2: Frame 10; T9; L1
Game 3; Frame 1; T9; L2.5
Game 3; Frame 3 & 5; T9; L4
Game 3; Frame 7; T10; L3
Game 3; Frame 10; T10; L4

So on that one lane, over the course of 3 games, I moved my target 3 boards left (from 7 to 10) and my feet 5 boards left (19 to 24). Had I gotten my feet to board 25, that is usually where I ball down. On a good night...especially going up against a lot of lefties...I might have my target only move a board left over 3 games and my feet only 1-2 boards. But on a "bad" night....where I'm playing a lot of other righties and some that like the outside line (like me)...then I'm constantly hitting left and usually by the middle of the 3rd game I have to ball down.

I also can sometimes add speed and/or loft to tweak the ball track a little...get it to go a little farther before moving...but I try not to do this too much so I can avoid re-developing bad habits. And the other downside to me throwing harder is I tend to impart more revs on the ball, which counteracts the increase in speed. And since I tend to "plant" rather than slide...making my approach faster isn't really helpful.

I think one reason this happened was...the other team had 2-3 righties messing with my line AND...both teams took full advantage of the pre-game practice. Normally teams throw 3-4 balls and then kinda go sit down and wait for things to start. This team was throwing ball after ball after ball during practice and I think that moved the oil around a bit.

I can tell you have thought a lot about this. I wonder what would have happened if you had left your feet at 24 and through it at 15 instead of ten. I play farther inside than you do normally I usually start at 12 or 13 but I can move out to 5-10 if I have two but when I have this problem I generally move my target out over 15 or even a little farther in. I'm not talking about the big looping hook keep it pretty straight on your line no father than 5 boards outside the pocket at break point and let the dry at the end just snap it back into the pocket. If you run into those conditions again try it some time. May not work with your lower revs but it might. Sucks when you have one of those nights where you really don't feel like you match up and it gets in your head or at least it does mine.

Aslan
06-20-2014, 04:56 PM
I can tell you have thought a lot about this. I wonder what would have happened if you had left your feet at 24 and through it at 15 instead of ten. I play farther inside than you do normally I usually start at 12 or 13 but I can move out to 5-10 if I have two but when I have this problem I generally move my target out over 15 or even a little farther in. I'm not talking about the big looping hook keep it pretty straight on your line no father than 5 boards outside the pocket at break point and let the dry at the end just snap it back into the pocket. If you run into those conditions again try it some time. May not work with your lower revs but it might.

Generally if I'm targeting 15, thats the beginning of what I would call my "inside game"...and my left foot would be at about board 28 (L8). It's sort of my "Plan C" if it's too dry to play the Rhythm outside and too dry to use the Frantic up boards 11-12. Unfortunately, once I get inside of about 13, thats when my arsenal limitations become a problem. The Rhythm will want to hook as soon as it can which is often too soon. And the Frantic doesn't have the snap at 130-230 rpms to make it back once it skids too far out.

And doing a straight shot up the 15 is too far inside for even my Slingshot. As a "Plan D" I will use the Slingshot with my left foot on 19 and just throw it straight up the 12-board...so even one of the weakest polished reactives at my speed on those lanes will hook 8 boards.


Sucks when you have one of those nights where you really don't feel like you match up and it gets in your head or at least it does mine.

It wasn't so bad when I was making my spares. I mean, I almost single-handedly beat the other team with my clean 186. And picked up a 4-6 to boot! But in game 3, not only couldn't I strike...but the lanes were so damn dry at that point that the Slingshot was moving too much on right side spare leaves. Had I noticed it earlier, I'd have flattened my release and thrown a totally straight ball...but I didn't see the movement until late in the game. But yeah, 3 of the 4 single pin misses were about 2 inches to the left of the pin. And the only other single-pin miss was me trying to over-compensate for the previous 3 misses and I threw the damn thing in the gutter.

Aslan
06-21-2014, 01:21 AM
Friday League: low-medium oil synthetics

This is the league I sub in occasionally and they asked me to sub tonight. It's the league I was in last season.

485 Series: 133-178-174

Something was off from the start tonight. The lanes were slicker than usual so I had to move quite a bit right in hopes of finding any dry area. Pretty soon I was out in the 5-6 board area which is not where I like to be…too close to the gutters. But, anywhere near 2nd arrow and the ball wasn't moving. Not just for me, the other guy that bowls a similar style and the big hook guy on our team…they were having the same difficulties. Very strange for these lanes which LAST NIGHT I couldn't stay on the right side of the headpin to save my life!

Game 1 was abysmal. Not just for me…that 133 was the highest score for either team!! It wasn't as bad as it looks on paper…I mean, 2 un-makeable splits…and 3 multi-pin spares that I chopped.

Game 2 I was a 6-7 split in the 3rd frame away from a clean game. But only struck twice. Game 3, more of the same, I was a -, 9 away from a clean game and the only reason I guttered on the first ball was my thumb stuck and the ball almost carried me over the foul line. Other than that, clean game….but again, only two strikes. : (

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.81 pins
Strikes: 18% (all singles)
Spares: 70% picked up

Single Pin spares: 100% (5/5)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 63% (12/19)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2-4 (3x).

Splits: 40% (2/5)

Average over 3 games: 161.67
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: N/A.

Again, mixed bag of emotions. I'm glad I helped the team to 3 points, especially considering they were in last place and lost all 4 points to this team last week. I'm happy I was 100% on single-pin spares, my overall spare rate is once again at 70%, and I did a good job of picking up splits (thanks to the 3-10). And, if you take out the 1st game, the last 2 were at or above my average.

But, obviously, again disappointed about the scores…< 500 series again…strike rate abysmal at < 20%. I tried to add some hand…still unable to do so and maintain accuracy.

Nice to get in a second night of bowling though. I might miss my practice time next week because I have to go to Cleveland for a couple days for work. So it was nice to do the VBT Wednesday and bowl again on Friday.

fortheloveofbowling
06-21-2014, 04:44 PM
Aslan,
I appreciate your love of the game and i wish we had a million more people with the desire to learn this game. If you don't mind i would like to give you a couple of ideas to work on the next time you practice. First grab a 8lb ball and do the 1 step drill with your thumb out. This will put your wrist in the correct position to generate hook. Just swing the ball out and when it gets to the height of your backswing take 1 step at the line. Do this for a whole game just throwing at the middle of the lane. Then do the 1 step drill with your ball and regular grip and keep in mind the feeling in your wrist from the 8lb ball game. Don't use the wrist brace because that is probably hindering your ability to put the wrist in a strong position. During these 2 games just try to stay behind the ball until release which is why i want you to start with the 8lb ball. Your spine tilt looks pretty good at the line and these 2 drills should help that as well. Also, try to keep your trail leg on the floor at release and when it sweeps behind you, that will keep you from falling off to the right. I bet you will see a huge improvement in your ball motion. I hope you don't think i'm trying to teel the world how to bowl, i just see someone with a love of the game that may need some help. Feel free to disregard this message.

Aslan
06-21-2014, 06:47 PM
Aslan,
I appreciate your love of the game and i wish we had a million more people with the desire to learn this game.
I don't just desire to learn it, I desire to one day dominate it and be the best bowler in the history of the sport. Granted, I am not currently on the fast track to that end.


and do the 1 step drill with your thumb out.
Define "thumb out". Pointed outwards? Which way is outwards? Or do you mean completely out of the ball?


This will put your wrist in the correct position to generate hook. Just swing the ball out and when it gets to the height of your backswing take 1 step at the line. Do this for a whole game just throwing at the middle of the lane. Then do the 1 step drill with your ball and regular grip and keep in mind the feeling in your wrist from the 8lb ball game.
Interesting. I shall try that.


Don't use the wrist brace because that is probably hindering your ability to put the wrist in a strong position. During these 2 games just try to stay behind the ball until release which is why i want you to start with the 8lb ball.
I'll try it, but realize the reason for the wrist support being re-introduced to my game (I used it in August 2013, lost it, stopped using it September 2013, then started using it again in October 2013) was when trying to keep my hand behind the ball…I tend to release the ball with my hand behind the ball…which tends to make it tool end over end over the thumbhole; straight as an arrow. Part of that was the tendency to collapse/bend my wrist "back"…which it turns out makes it nearly impossible to hook a ball.


Your spine tilt looks pretty good at the line and these 2 drills should help that as well. Also, try to keep your trail leg on the floor at release and when it sweeps behind you, that will keep you from falling off to the right. I bet you will see a huge improvement in your ball motion.
I'll give it a try. I've sort of stopped working on the balance thing as I pay more attention to my speed, knee bend, spine tilt, and accuracy. Release, follow-through, and balance I've sort of set aside since I can only concentrate on so many things at a time. I was planning on working on my release and rev rate some more when I see Rob for lesson #2.


I hope you don't think i'm trying to teel the world how to bowl, i just see someone with a love of the game that may need some help. Feel free to disregard this message.

1) As long as you don't tell the world to bowl 2-handed; I'm good.
2) Help may not always be a good fit for my game; but I'm willing to listen and try just about anything to continue to get better. Thanks!

fortheloveofbowling
06-21-2014, 07:11 PM
Thumb completely out of the ball. When you try the 8lb ball first it will be impossible to not have the wrist cupped in the correct position because you will drop the ball if not. Just stay behind it release and follow through at least shoulder height. On the balance, i think the approach and balance is the most important thing in bowling. It affects consistency in every aspect of the game. Good luck to you.

fortheloveofbowling
06-21-2014, 08:16 PM
Also, remember on the release and follow through, keep the elbow in. At the height and completion of follow through look at your thumb, it should be at 1:00 o'clock-2:00 o'clock. A good way to perfect this is to get a softball and practice at home. Put the softball in your palm with your fingers slightly bent like they were in the ball and don't touch with your thumb. Toss it straight up and catch, this is your wrist position before release. Then without using your thumb keep in your palm and try to rotate it keeping your elbow near your body. Look at your thumb after tossing it up, it should be at 1-2 o'clock. This is the correct release. Practice that over and over.

Aslan
06-21-2014, 10:15 PM
Those are two very good ideas.

You're right, I normally have trouble "cupping" the wrist and taking the thumb out won't allow me to break my wrist.

And, I've struggled with the softball drill (versus the football drill) but by keeping the elbow in…it's much harder to over-rotate.

Obviously approach/timing/release/balance are important and crucial to repeatability…but I'd say the most important is accuracy. I've seen people with perfect USBC sanctioned swings/releases/balance…but if they can't hit a 2-3 board area…you can't hit the pocket nor make the adjustments. Same thing with high rev releases. 2-handed and thumbless are great and fun to watch…and if you hit the pocket you get carry…but if you can't hit a quarter sized spot on the lane consistently…it's nothing but a gimmick.

Those are my thoughts anyway. But I'll try that drill next time I practice. Work on keeping my elbow in while doing it. Eventually, no matter how accurate I become…I MUST develop more revs. I can't compete at the tournament level or in heavy oil without more revs. And while I love that my spare game has improved…15-20% strike rate is not gonna get me to a 300-game, 800-series, nor even a 193 average.

fortheloveofbowling
06-21-2014, 10:47 PM
What you have to remember about the approach and accuracy is that you can hit 2nd arrow 2 times in arrow but if you slide in 2 different spots your ball ends up in 2 different spots down lane. Creating area by getting your feet in the right spot and playing the correct break point is the key to scoring. I read an article many years ago and brian voss was quoted as saying the first thing he does is look for a place to play where he can miss his target and get to the pocket. Coming from one of the greatest shot makers in the history of the game that really told me alot.

Aslan
06-21-2014, 11:24 PM
but if you slide in 2 different spots your ball ends up in 2 different spots down lane.
Agreed. You definitely want to walk a straight line on your strike shot to keep the ball not only hitting the target but hitting the target in the same direction.

Amyers
06-21-2014, 11:46 PM
Agreed. You definitely want to walk a straight line on your strike shot to keep the ball not only hitting the target but hitting the target in the same direction.

I know I struggle with this when I'm playing inside the third arrow. For some reason I tend to want to square myself when I try to play those really deep lines

fortheloveofbowling
06-22-2014, 12:16 AM
Amyers, When playing inside try to move your right foot back a little more in your stance to open up your hips. Also, to clear your hips out of the way when playing left to right you have to actually walk a little left.

Amyers
06-22-2014, 12:54 AM
Amyers, When playing inside try to move your right foot back a little more in your stance to open up your hips. Also, to clear your hips out of the way when playing left to right you have to actually walk a little left.

I actually do line up with my right foot behind my left which is a little farther than most recommend. I had not thought of actual walking to the left. Makes since I've always wondered how those guys you see in videos throw that shot across the 4th an 5th arrows and get that angle out to play across. That makes sense of course if I try it I'll probably eat a ball return.

Aslan
06-27-2014, 02:48 PM
Wednesday Practice: low-medium oil synthetics

I was in Cleveland Monday and Tuesday so I missed my practice day. Wanted to get in at least a little practice before league night (Thursday). I started out trying the recent advice on trying to bowl thumbless and what not. Lets just say, that didn't really work out too well. I mean, yeah, with a 7lb house ball and no thumb...I could hook the entire lane. But I may as well have closed my eyes given my accuracy. And it didn't seem to help my regular game (see scores) and actually seemed initially to hurt the scores as I had to get used to a much heavier ball, using my thumb again, and not trying to generate massive hook. But...it was to try.

445 Series: 115-149-181
Opened with a - / - (0). Couldn't get used to the 7lb to 16lb transition that quickly. Then just abysmal nonsense as I continued to adjust. In game 2 I just kept leaving single-pin spares (5) and was only 2/5 at picking them up for some reason. Game 3 I was back in my groove, clean through 5 frames, striking well...but then AGAIN...missed 2 single-pin spares in a row and finished badly.

568 Series: 193-177-198
Other than a 6-7-10 split in the 5th, I was clean until AGAIN missing a single-pin spare in the 10th! At least I made 2 that game. Game 2 I balled down to the Frantic and played more up the middle. The lanes just were getting too dry for the Rhythm up the outside. Game 2, same result, clean through 8 but with 7 spares and only 1 strike. Then AGAIN, missed a single-pin spare in the 9th. Went 3 for 4 on single-pin spares that game...but geez...killin me!! In game 3, I was totally clean except for chopping a 1-2-4-8 in the 6th. 4 for 4 on single pin spares which gave me a sigh of relief.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.50 pins
Strikes: 26% (3 turkeys and 8 singles)
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 63% (12/19)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (8x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 58% (14/24)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 and 1-2-8 (4x each).

Splits: 0% (0/5)

Average over 6 games: 168.83
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 181.17.

Normally I practice 12 games, but this was bowling "cosmic style" so I wasn't getting much out of it and I was tired. I went to a target range earlier in the day and then a 1-hour dance class with a friend...so I was kinda "pooped"...so I only bowled 6 games.

ftlob's advice on the thumbless 1-step was interesting and fun...but I think I'll stick with Rob's advice on not "adding revs" at this point. For some reason, when I try to add revs, I add speed and loft as WELL AS revs. So the speed and loft counteract the revs...and all that happens is my accuracy suffers.

Stats were similar to last week's practice...almost oddly identical. I guess thats a negative that I haven't improved much last week. :( i did throw a couple 95 games thumbless with a 7lb and 9lb house ball though. Coulda done even better had I also used a spare ball. So, if I ever give up on bowling the "right" way...at least I know there are options!

Aslan
06-27-2014, 03:32 PM
Thursday Pre-League Practice: low-oil synthetics

677 Series (4 games): 184-148-193-152
Game 1 I was a 4-6-7 split in the 7th away from a clean game. Game 2 I had 3 splits. Game 3 I was clean through 9 until I chopped a 4-5 split in the 10th. And in game 4 I just kinda fell apart with 2 splits and 2 washouts I couldn't convert.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.67 pins
Strikes: 28% (2 doubles and 8 singles)
Spares: 62% picked up

Single Pin spares: 92% (12/13)
Most common single-pin leaves: 4-pin and 10-pin (4x each).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 37% (6/16)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 4-7 and 2-4-10 (2x each).

Splits: 11% (1/9)

Average over 4 games: 169.25
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 172.25.

Overall similar stats to last night's practice...the only difference being the better single-pin spare pick-up % and lower multi-pin spare pick-up %. Decided not to bowl the last 2 games (of 6) just because I was kinda tired and leagues were starting shortly. But I felt pretty good going into leagues.

Aslan
06-27-2014, 03:46 PM
Thursday League: medium oil

494 Series: 168-154-172
Game 1, a couple spares I shouldn't have missed and only 2 strikes. Game 2 I split FOUR times...then opened on the 10th for a miserable 154. Then in game 3 I only converted 3 of 7 spare attempts...none of them splits...and only scored as high as I did because I struck out in the 9th and 10th and was clean in frames 6 through 10.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.67 pins
Strikes: 36% (1 4-bagger, 2 doubles, 4 singles)
Spares: 45% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (6/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1, 2, 3, 8, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 27% (3/11)
Most common multi-pin leave: 3-6-7-10 split (2x).

Splits: 20% (1/5)

Average over 3 games: 164.67
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 174.33.

Gotta make spares. I'd have bowled my average had I picked up my single-pin spares and it's frankly unacceptable to miss them at this point. Not sure why I didn't strike more...seemed like I'd hit the pocket well on shots and leave a 10-pin or a 5-pin or a 4-pin...or even a 5-9 or 6-10. The accuracy wasn't perfect and I was sometimes catching myseslf adding some hand and some loft...trying to get a little more revs...but for how many times I hit the headpin/pocket...just disappointing that I can't get that strike rate up a bit more.

Amyers
06-28-2014, 12:00 AM
Wednesday Practice: low-medium oil

ftlob's advice on the thumbless 1-step was interesting and fun...but I think I'll stick with Rob's advice on not "adding revs" at this point. For some reason, when I try to add revs, I add speed and loft as WELL AS revs. So the speed and loft counteract the revs...and all that happens is my accuracy suffers.



Aslan I am not advocating this particular drill or necessarily adding revs in the short term but if I was going to try a practice technique I wouldn't give up on it so quickly nothing is going to fix you rev problem without costing accuracy in the short term.

I wasn't in here before when Rob gave you that advice but from reading the old posts I believe it was right at the time but I've said it before your getting close to as far as your current style will let you go. You can only score so well with a 23% strike percentage. I'm not saying it's today to change. Throwing the ball in the pocket is only going to take you so far.

fortheloveofbowling
06-28-2014, 01:37 AM
Aslan, Look at your videos closely and pause them when the ball is passing your ankle. When you lost it so much its because the release is really late and the thumb and fingers are coming out at the same time. That is going to cause you to overly loft the ball, look where your thumb is pointing. On the other shots where you lay the ball down earlier you can clearly see the thumb out first and you hand behind the ball. The thing that is keeping you from end of the lane motion is your wrist position. Again, pause at your ankle and you will see the wrist pointing straight down. Get that hand under the ball at release and you are there. Use those videos, they are very valuable to you. Keep working on it, you are close man.

Aslan
06-28-2014, 03:05 AM
Aslan I am not advocating this particular drill or necessarily adding revs in the short term but if I was going to try a practice technique I wouldn't give up on it so quickly nothing is going to fix you rev problem without costing accuracy in the short term.
I think the dilemma I am having is, I certainly can add revs. I mean, I threw that plastic ball and got it to hook 30 boards. I CAN get revs. But the cost of accuracy is not something I think we should downplay. That is why I don't advocate thumbless bowling or 2-handed bowling. Yes, there's an opportunity for increased angle and pin carry…but for most bowlers that go down that road…not named Belmonte…they suffer a great deal in consistency and the ability to make spares.


I wasn't in here before when Rob gave you that advice but from reading the old posts I believe it was right at the time but I've said it before your getting close to as far as your current style will let you go. You can only score so well with a 23% strike percentage. I'm not saying it's today to change. Throwing the ball in the pocket is only going to take you so far.
This may be true. I'll be posting some scores here in a minute that might illustrate this further. And yes, the next step is certainly RELEASE and how to develop a more inside game and get more movement on heavy oil. I agree 100%. I just have to figure out how to generate more revs without an increase in speed and loft. The loft is killing the ball energy and the speed is counteracting the increased revs. Thats the next step in my evolution of my game…how to iron that out.


Aslan, Look at your videos closely and pause them when the ball is passing your ankle. When you lost it so much its because the release is really late and the thumb and fingers are coming out at the same time. That is going to cause you to overly loft the ball, look where your thumb is pointing. On the other shots where you lay the ball down earlier you can clearly see the thumb out first and you hand behind the ball. The thing that is keeping you from end of the lane motion is your wrist position. Again, pause at your ankle and you will see the wrist pointing straight down. Get that hand under the ball at release and you are there. Use those videos, they are very valuable to you. Keep working on it, you are close man.
I will continue to work on it. Maybe that is the key…getting under versus behind. I'll continue to work on it and try to take another set of videos next week.

One thing that is fair to mention though…I pattern my approach and release after Earl Anthony…with a little WRW mixed in. If you watch Earl Anthony bowl, and focus on his hand at the release point…I think you'll see a similarity.

1) His timing appears late. He gets to the line and then brings the ball through…kind've like what I tend to do.
2) You'll notice his hand position is more like a suitcase release than a modern release…same with WRW.

Now, perhaps I can move away from that style once I'm able to generate more revs…and I'll keep working on the "under the ball/elbow in" stuff. Just realize when you see my approach/release that some of the style is intentional. Earl and WRW are the best bowlers in the history of the sport. While equipment has changed…the bottom line is bowling is still primarily about accuracy and repeatability.

But yes…as you'll see in my scores tonight…I MUST compliment my new spare shooting ability with a higher strike % or league night becomes very, very difficult. I just bowled a 551 series and only struck 7 times. Thats a 21% strike rate. While I'm proud that most bowlers today wouldn't score near as well with a strike rate that low….relying on spare shooting…I am also frustrated (and tired)…having to throw the ball an extra 19-20 times.

Aslan
06-28-2014, 03:37 AM
Friday League Night (substitute): low-medium oil synthetics

551 Series: 168-193-190 (clean)
Game 1 was solid. I left a 6-7 split in the 2nd and a 1-7 spare in the 5th. Other than that, a clean game. BUT…I only struck ONCE. In game 2, I was clean through 9 frames before throwing a gutter ball on the first ball in the 10th and only managing to pick up 9 pins on the second ball for my only open. Game 3 was clean…but only 2 strikes.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.66 pins
Strikes: 21% (1 double and 5 singles)
Spares: 86% picked up

Single Pin spares: 100% (15/15)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 62% (5/8)
Most common multi-pin leave: 3-6 and 6-10 split (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 183.67.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: N/A.

So there it is….a better night than last night, took 4 points, moved the team up a position, had a good time, bowled another clean game, met my goal of 525+, put on a spare shooting clinic, including 100% of 15 single-pin spare leaves.

Bad news? Well, I struck the equivalent of once every 5 shots…which makes for a LONG night and doesn't get me very close to my first 300-game. And, quite frankly, I got "lucky". 8 multi-pin spare leaves and only ONE split…even though the 1-7 might as well have been a split for all intensive purposes.

I was hammering the headpin all night…a lot of seemingly nice pocket hits…just couldn't knock them all down. I seemed to have more success striking when I went Brooklyn…I'd say 1/2 to 2/3 of the strikes were Brooklyn. But it also came at a price. If I hit the pocket and didn't strike, it was a single-pin spare. If I didn't knock them all down going Brooklyn, it was usually a multi-pin leave (5-9, 6-10, 3-10).

Amyers
06-28-2014, 10:31 AM
Friday League Night (substitute): low-medium oil synthetics

551 Series: 168-193-190 (clean)
Game 1 was solid. I left a 6-7 split in the 2nd and a 1-7 spare in the 5th. Other than that, a clean game. BUT…I only struck ONCE. In game 2, I was clean through 9 frames before throwing a gutter ball on the first ball in the 10th and only managing to pick up 9 pins on the second ball for my only open. Game 3 was clean…but only 2 strikes.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.66 pins
Strikes: 21% (1 double and 5 singles)
Spares: 86% picked up

Single Pin spares: 100% (15/15)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 62% (5/8)
Most common multi-pin leave: 3-6 and 6-10 split (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 183.67.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: N/A.

So there it is….a better night than last night, took 4 points, moved the team up a position, had a good time, bowled another clean game, met my goal of 525+, put on a spare shooting clinic, including 100% of 15 single-pin spare leaves.

Bad news? Well, I struck the equivalent of once every 5 shots…which makes for a LONG night and doesn't get me very close to my first 300-game. And, quite frankly, I got "lucky". 8 multi-pin spare leaves and only ONE split…even though the 1-7 might as well have been a split for all intensive purposes.

I was hammering the headpin all night…a lot of seemingly nice pocket hits…just couldn't knock them all down. I seemed to have more success striking when I went Brooklyn…I'd say 1/2 to 2/3 of the strikes were Brooklyn. But it also came at a price. If I hit the pocket and didn't strike, it was a single-pin spare. If I didn't knock them all down going Brooklyn, it was usually a multi-pin leave (5-9, 6-10, 3-10).

This is exactly what I've been talking about at this point as far as spare shooting goes your better than me. Just straight up I don't go 15 for 15 on single pins I should but I don't. I have gOod games and bad ones with it but at the end of the day a match between us would be close and I very well might win because I strike more than you do. There's a solution there somewhere for you.

Amyers
06-28-2014, 11:29 AM
The thing that is keeping you from end of the lane motion is your wrist position. Again, pause at your ankle and you will see the wrist pointing straight down. Get that hand under the ball at release and you are there. Use those videos, they are very valuable to you. Keep working on it, you are close man.

I noticed that last night the guys we were bowling against who are very good they were not behind the ball they were underneath the ball. If I can going to practice today thought I might experiment with it some.

Aslan
06-28-2014, 11:32 PM
This is exactly what I've been talking about at this point as far as spare shooting goes your better than me. Just straight up I don't go 15 for 15 on single pins I should but I don't. I have gOod games and bad ones with it but at the end of the day a match between us would be close and I very well might win because I strike more than you do. There's a solution there somewhere for you.

Well, in fairness, I rarely go 100%. I'm presently a 70% single-pin spare shooter according to the stats.

But, as to a match between us…I'd likely win, since;
A) If it occurred on wood lanes, I'm used to them. Remember, on wood lanes, I beat the mighty MWhite.
B) If it were on heavier oil synthetics, you'd struggle more than me since I try to play on as many different conditions/houses as possible.
C) In straight up competition against fellow BBoarders; I am undefeated.


I noticed that last night the guys we were bowling against who are very good they were not behind the ball they were underneath the ball. If I can going to practice today thought I might experiment with it some.

The only "pause" I have is seen in these slow motion videos of the best bowler alive. I don't see hand under the ball.

Still gonna give it a shot though…always looking for little things that can help.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAQj2H1u25U

Aslan
06-28-2014, 11:33 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVbClQwDASM

Amyers
06-28-2014, 11:46 PM
Well, in fairness, I rarely go 100%. I'm presently a 70% single-pin spare shooter according to the stats.

But, as to a match between us…I'd likely win, since;
A) If it occurred on wood lanes, I'm used to them. Remember, on wood lanes, I beat the mighty MWhite.
B) If it were on heavier oil synthetics, you'd struggle more than me since I try to play on as many different conditions/houses as possible.
C) In straight up competition against fellow BBoarders; I am [U]undefeated


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAQj2H1u25U

Now wait a second

A. I bowl all of my leagues on wood now my wood is in good shape (not sure if your wood was really that bad or mike was looking for excuses) but even then I can loft if necessary.

B. I play on different houses also I don't have 50 to choose from like you do but I have thrown on synthetics I personally don't see much difference than my houses wood except they score higher which I've always thought was due to newer pins and backs not sure just better pin action. As far as heavy oil goes it's a wash with my current ball I'm just going to be throwing it in the pocket same as you would even out the rev differences between us but I still hit harder than you.

C. Unfortunately not any BBoarders here close to have that match but would love to give it a try. I'm sure some of you could stomp me but like you I tend to bowl up to my competition.

All in all not saying I would win just that even though your more accurate than me I would have a even chance of beating you.

fortheloveofbowling
06-29-2014, 12:57 AM
Amyers, What i mean by under the ball is not breaking your wrist at release. Just like if you hold the ball in the palm of your hand. Also, by doing that you will be staying behind the ball until the thumb comes out and then rotate with the fingers.

fortheloveofbowling
06-29-2014, 01:17 AM
Let me clarify some more. If you just pick up the ball and hold it in your hand that is how it should look when it passes your ankle and the thumb begins to come out. That is both staying behind and under it. The walter ray clip shows that even after he has thrown it. You see the way his hand is still straight? That is because the majority of the time is comes straight up the back of the ball to play straight and control down lane motion. A guy like pete weber on the other hand has a much higher axis tilt and tends to get on the side of the ball much more but still stays behind and under the ball just not as long.

Aslan
06-29-2014, 04:16 AM
Let me clarify some more. If you just pick up the ball and hold it in your hand that is how it should look when it passes your ankle and the thumb begins to come out. That is both staying behind and under it. The walter ray clip shows that even after he has thrown it. You see the way his hand is still straight? That is because the majority of the time is comes straight up the back of the ball to play straight and control down lane motion. A guy like pete weber on the other hand has a much higher axis tilt and tends to get on the side of the ball much more but still stays behind and under the ball just not as long.

I "think" I understand what you're saying. You're just saying that when your ball gets to the release point your wrist should be "cupped"…to some degree. Correct?? I thought I pretty much solved the breaking of the wrist on release by wearing the wrist positioner. But maybe not. I tried to look at the videos and my problem might be just moving my hand up the side of the ball too soon…but, we'll see. Something to focus on anyways. Thanks.

fortheloveofbowling
06-29-2014, 12:07 PM
Yes sir, that is what i was trying to convey. You are correct about getting up the side and over the top to soon. Good luck to you.

Aslan
07-03-2014, 04:37 AM
Wednesday Practice: low oil synthetics

507 Series: 182-175-150
Game 1 I started out with a 4-bagger but then the new higher speed/rev release started giving me problems. Ended up with a 4-7-10 in the 6th, followed by 2 washouts. Game 2 was actually better, clean through 6 before leaving a Big Four. 4-7-10 in the 10th squashed the score. Game 3 my spare shooting fell apart.

519 Series: 165-169-185
Game 1 I opened with a washout. Then somehow missed 2 straight 6-10s in the 6th and 7th…so that game was lackluster. Game 2 I had a couple splits and missed a single 4-pin. Game 3 I balled down to the Frantic and despite a couple open frames, did a little better.

177-139
I messed around in a game throwing thumbless and then high loft/speed…just trying to mess with getting some more revs. Then I settled down and threw the 177. I was experimenting with a more inside line, standing at about board 30 and throwing over center. Other than a 4-10 split in the 2nd, I was clean…but only 2 strikes. Just couldn't get carry playing that middle line. The final game my spare shooting was abysmal. I was trying to slow things down and add hand…but I just left a lot of spare opportunities and for some reason struggled picking them up.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.54 pins
Strikes: 31% (4-bagger, 3 turkeys, 1 double and 12 singles)
Spares: 53% picked up

Single Pin spares: 55% (30/56)
Most common single-pin leaves: 4-pin (7x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 52% (20/38)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 4-7 (9x).

Splits: 0% (0/9)

Average over 8 games: 167.75.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 178.88.

Struggled with the new release. Couldn't get the revs without adding too much speed. Struggled with the 4-pin. Nearly 1/3 of my leaves were either single 4-pin or 4-7…which if I can figure out the pin action…means I'm coming into the pocket too far behind the headpin…knocking it and the 2-pin out to the side rather than into the 4 and 7 pins.

Amyers
07-03-2014, 07:32 AM
Wednesday Practice: low oil synthetics

507 Series: 182-175-150
Game 1 I started out with a 4-bagger but then the new higher speed/rev release started giving me problems. Ended up with a 4-7-10 in the 6th, followed by 2 washouts. Game 2 was actually better, clean through 6 before leaving a Big Four. 4-7-10 in the 10th squashed the score. Game 3 my spare shooting fell apart.

519 Series: 165-169-185
Game 1 I opened with a washout. Then somehow missed 2 straight 6-10s in the 6th and 7th…so that game was lackluster. Game 2 I had a couple splits and missed a single 4-pin. Game 3 I balled down to the Frantic and despite a couple open frames, did a little better.

177-139
I messed around in a game throwing thumbless and then high loft/speed…just trying to mess with getting some more revs. Then I settled down and threw the 177. I was experimenting with a more inside line, standing at about board 30 and throwing over center. Other than a 4-10 split in the 2nd, I was clean…but only 2 strikes. Just couldn't get carry playing that middle line. The final game my spare shooting was abysmal. I was trying to slow things down and add hand…but I just left a lot of spare opportunities and for some reason struggled picking them up.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.54 pins
Strikes: 31% (4-bagger, 3 turkeys, 1 double and 12 singles)
Spares: 53% picked up

Single Pin spares: 55% (30/56)
Most common single-pin leaves: 4-pin (7x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 52% (20/38)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 4-7 (9x).

Splits: 0% (0/9)

Average over 8 games: 167.75.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 178.88.

Struggled with the new release. Couldn't get the revs without adding too much speed. Struggled with the 4-pin. Nearly 1/3 of my leaves were either single 4-pin or 4-7…which if I can figure out the pin action…means I'm coming into the pocket too far behind the headpin…knocking it and the 2-pin out to the side rather than into the 4 and 7 pins.

Aslan with the new release when you said you were picking up speed were you increasing the loft also like before or have you found a solution for that? I know one place here you mentioned increasing the loft separately wasn't sure if you were working on something new or just going back to your old release.

Increasing speed isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as you can get additional revs enough to make it work. Do you think switching between the releases was effecting you spare shooting or just a bad night for it.

Hampe
07-03-2014, 09:07 AM
Well like I've said a bunch of times, I'm no coach or anything, but if you're adding speed along with revs, could it be that you start to accelerate through the ball too early? Instead of accelerating at the last minute when the ball is coming off your hand, you might be starting too early while it's still on the downswing. I've seen some people around here have that problem.

Aslan
07-03-2014, 02:20 PM
Well like I've said a bunch of times, I'm no coach or anything, but if you're adding speed along with revs, could it be that you start to accelerate through the ball too early? Instead of accelerating at the last minute when the ball is coming off your hand, you might be starting too early while it's still on the downswing. I've seen some people around here have that problem.


Aslan with the new release when you said you were picking up speed were you increasing the loft also like before or have you found a solution for that? I know one place here you mentioned increasing the loft separately wasn't sure if you were working on something new or just going back to your old release.

Increasing speed isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as you can get additional revs enough to make it work. Do you think switching between the releases was effecting you spare shooting or just a bad night for it.

I think Hampe is sort of correct in his assessment....to clarify...when I try to add hand/revs...it involves either bringing my hand through the ball and/or up the side of the ball. Since the hand won't naturally do that (due to Physics)...I have to apply some level of Force to "push" my hand through the ball and/or up the side.

I've found that when trying to "push" that hand up the side...the fingers naturally lift the ball up...so I get more revs...but more loft.

I've tried to combat that by adding forward spine tilt so that I'm adding more revs toward the pins rather than up the side (toward the ceiling)...but the new way, while controlling the loft/lift, still adds speed to the ball.

So, the result, is if I go up the side...I can generate a great deal of revs...and limit the speed (to some extent)...but I loft the ball 12-20ft (not an exaggeration) which on slicker conditions doesn't give the ball enough time to react to the lanes and it doesn't make it back to the pocket. If I try to go through the ball...and release more towards the pins...the loft is more controllable...but the speed increases so much that the ball still does not have enough time to get back to the pocket. And this is true both in a normal release as well as my back-up ball release...my back-up ball actually looks and feels like a more modern release...but I can't control the speed.

To add revs but not increase speed...seems to take a mastery of a quick flip of the wrist...so quick that your fingers simply move from behind to the side...with no effect on the ball's lift nor putting any force into the ball from behind...and I haven't been able to do that.

I'll make some videos during league bowling tonight. But yeah, the release still needs a LOT of work.

And yes, I think the spare problems were a combination of me playing with my release and also the dryness of the lanes. In extremely dry conditions, my spare ball (reactive resin not plastic) tends to move slightly. So I have to make little adjustments for that. Also, it was "cosmic bowling" conditions...which tends to hurt my spare game since the boards are harder to see in the dark.

Aslan
07-04-2014, 05:14 PM
Thursday Pre-League Practice: low oil synthetics

633 Series: 145-176-165-147
The first game I had a couple splits and some sub-par spare shooting. In game 2, I was clean through 7 before missing a single 7-pin. But, I only struck once the entire game. In game 3 I balled down to the Frantic. I had a split in the 1st frame, then missed a single 10-pin and single 3-pin. In game 4, I had 3 splits so the score was worse than how I actually bowled.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.48 pins
Strikes: 19% (8 singles)
Spares: 63% picked up

Single Pin spares: 69% (21/33)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (6x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 60% (12/20)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 4-7 (4x).

Splits: 0% (0/6)

Average over 4 games: 158.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 169.25.

Yet again, my spare shooting and fundamentals were strong, but my strike rate was abysmal. I continue to leave a LOT of 4-pins and 4-7s. I'm obviously either coming in too sharp and getting behind the headpin, pushing the 1 and 2 pins to the side rather than into the 4-pin…OR…and more likely…I'm coming in to light and not getting enough of the headpin…causing it to go more sideways than diagonally.

Amyers
07-04-2014, 05:26 PM
Thursday Pre-League Practice: low oil synthetics

633 Series: 145-176-165-147
The first game I had a couple splits and some sub-par spare shooting. In game 2, I was clean through 7 before missing a single 7-pin. But, I only struck once the entire game. In game 3 I balled down to the Frantic. I had a split in the 1st frame, then missed a single 10-pin and single 3-pin. In game 4, I had 3 splits so the score was worse than how I actually bowled.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.48 pins
Strikes: 19% (8 singles)
Spares: 63% picked up

Single Pin spares: 69% (21/33)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (6x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 60% (12/20)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 4-7 (4x).

Splits: 0% (0/6)

Average over 4 games: 158.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 169.25.

Yet again, my spare shooting and fundamentals were strong, but my strike rate was abysmal. I continue to leave a LOT of 4-pins and 4-7s. I'm obviously either coming in too sharp and getting behind the headpin, pushing the 1 and 2 pins to the side rather than into the 4-pin…OR…and more likely…I'm coming in to light and not getting enough of the headpin…causing it to go more sideways than diagonally.

My guess would be you are coming in light but even then I don't leave many 4 pins maybe both light and behind that's almost what it would take to leave it on a consistent basis. Usually if I'm going in behind the pin I move my feet right and my target left a little and it fixes that for me but with both I'm thinking you need to move your line a decent amount.

Aslan
07-04-2014, 05:32 PM
Thursday League: medium oil synthetics

456 Series: 161-136-159
Horrible. First game was clean but for a split in the 4th frame and a missed single 9-pin in the 5th. But only 1 strike to show for it. Game 2 started out fine, clean through 4 frames…but then horrible spare shooting to finish. Game 3 was clean except for 2 splits and a missed single 10-pin in the 6th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.09 pins
Strikes: 15% (5 singles)
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 70% (7/10)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (5x).
Never left a single 3-pin, 4-pin, 5-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 53% (8/15)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 4-7 and 6-9-10 (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 3 games: 152.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 163.00.

This problem will continue until I can find a way to strike. Having to be perfect on spare shooting in order to bowl in the 170s to 190s is a terribly difficult way to bowl. We took 2 of 4 points, but thats only a minor consolation. My 136 game probably cost us taking 3-4.

I'll be posting videos sometime this weekend.

Amyers
07-04-2014, 05:40 PM
Thursday League: medium oil synthetics

456 Series: 161-136-159
Horrible. First game was clean but for a split in the 4th frame and a missed single 9-pin in the 5th. But only 1 strike to show for it. Game 2 started out fine, clean through 4 frames…but then horrible spare shooting to finish. Game 3 was clean except for 2 splits and a missed single 10-pin in the 6th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.09 pins
Strikes: 15% (5 singles)
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 70% (7/10)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (5x).
Never left a single 3-pin, 4-pin, 5-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 53% (8/15)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 4-7 and 6-9-10 (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 3 games: 152.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 163.00.

This problem will continue until I can find a way to strike. Having to be perfect on spare shooting in order to bowl in the 170s to 190s is a terribly difficult way to bowl. We took 2 of 4 points, but thats only a minor consolation. My 136 game probably cost us taking 3-4.

I'll be posting videos sometime this weekend.

Sometimes it doesn't matter what you do it's just not right. We all have those series I know your a good spare shooter if your having issues with both odds are it was an off night or your frustrating yourself over the lack of strikes and maybe trying too hard. I get told that a lot. Usually when it happens either I tense up or start moving my feet too quickly. Give it a day or two go back and practice and make sure to keep those feet slow.

Aslan
07-07-2014, 11:59 PM
Monday VBT Tour
Forest Lanes; Lake Forest, CA
low oil synthetics

I decided to join Bunny and bowl in Lake Forest since it's always better to have a bowling buddy AND I avoid a -10-pin per game penalty bowling at AMF Carter…where I don't bowl well. : )

Practice: 209

Managed to find my strike ball and strung together a 4-bagger. Only open frame was a 6-7 split in the 10th. So I was feeling pretty good about these conditions going into the match. Unfortunately, I was also worried because the lanes were QUITE dry and I was already moved very far left…almost on the verge of balling down.

526 Series: 180 - 168 - 178

The first game I was clean through 6; but only struck once. I then chopped a 3-9 sleeper (I HATE sleepers!) in the 7th. Then finished it out clean. Game 2 "would" have been clean except for a 6-7-10 split in the 5th and 4-7-10 split in the 6th. In game 3 I was clean except for single 10-pins in the 4th and 7th. The lanes had a weird ultra-dry area around the 2-board that was making my Slingshot "bounce" off the 2-board. But again, only a couple strikes.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.79 pins
Strikes: 24% (2 doubles and 4 singles)
Spares: 72% picked up

Single Pin spares: 81% (9/11)
Most common single pin leave: Single 10-pin (4x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 5-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 63% (7/11)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 4-7 (3x).

Splits: 33% (1/3)

Average over 3 games: 175.33
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 183.00.

The lack of ability to strike really held me back. Fortunately my spare pick-up rate kept me in contention.

Amyers
07-08-2014, 12:32 AM
Monday VBT Tour
Forest Lanes; Lake Forest, CA
low oil synthetics

I decided to join Bunny and bowl in Lake Forest since it's always better to have a bowling buddy AND I avoid a -10-pin per game penalty bowling at AMF Carter…where I don't bowl well. : )

Practice: 209
XXX Series: - - -

Managed to find my strike ball and strung together a 4-bagger. Only open frame was a 6-7 split in the 10th. So I was feeling pretty good about these conditions going into the match. Unfortunately, I was also worried because the lanes were QUITE dry and I was already moved very far left…almost on the verge of balling down.

PinPal Stats:

Scores and stats to be displayed once Amyers bowls and scores are posted.

Me vs. the lion man. Did he mane up after that high practice round or fall like humpy dumpty. I haven't bowled at galaxy lanes since juniors state championships in what year I don't remember. I believe my team was fourth that year. I'm waiting on the arrival of the asylum to bowl my games. Will the arrival of my new ball spell aslan's doom only time will tell.

Aslan
07-08-2014, 01:44 AM
Monday Practice: low-oil synthetics

Was focusing on primarily TWO things: Slowing down my feet and keeping my hand behind the ball longer.

517 Series: 141-186-190
Well, after game 1…I was about to give up completely on this whole "behind the ball" nonsense. I couldn't hit my mark at all and had 4 open frames to show for it. Game 2 was better…and I started to strike a little. Game 3 was clean except for a chopped 3-10 split in the 6th. Some strikes…more than I have been, but not as much as I had hoped.

532 Series: 133-210-189
Again, after Game 1…I was mumbling some "not nice" words regarding the hand behind the ball advice…as my accuracy was abysmal. I struck a few times and picked up a couple spares…but 3 splits and 2 opens ruined the game. Game 2 was clean through 7 until I chopped a 2-5. I finished with a couple spares for a very good 210. Game 3 was better than the score indicates. I opened with a 4-9 split but then was clean. But, not a ton of strikes…so I was still hesitant about this new approach. But the slowing down of the steps seemed to be helping…even more so than the wrist position.

507 Series: 165-166-176
I was pretty tired at this point so I lost a lot of "zip" off the release. In game 1, struggled with accuracy…a few opens…only a few strikes. Game 2, more of the same…a couple opens, a split, only a few strikes. Same thing with Game 3. No opens, but 2 splits and only a few strikes.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.40 pins
Strikes: 32% (2 turkeys, 7 doubles and 11 singles)
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 91% (21/23)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin (7x).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 2-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 42% (16/38)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 and 6-7 split (3x each).

Splits: 0% (0/9)

Average over 9 games: 172.89.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 174.78.

Didn't see a lot of difference keeping my hand behind the ball. I mean, it was faster, hit the pins harder, and went straighter with more revs…which is what I'd expect. But I struggled with timing and accuracy…pulled a lot of shots trying to "throw" it.

I did see some positive results from concentrating on slowing the feet down. Hard to do since it's sort of a natural thing…so I have to really, really concentrate on it. And by slowing it down, it also messed with my timing. I had to intentionally lengthen the backswing to make up for the slower approach to the line.

So, jury is still out. I think I'll continue to work on the feet and slowing things down…try to get the timing synced up. Then I'll see where I'm at and whether I can incorporate the new release or not. I think way too much and can only incorporate one new thing at a time.

fortheloveofbowling
07-09-2014, 04:18 PM
Hey aslan, how far from the arizona border are you?

Aslan
07-09-2014, 04:44 PM
Hey aslan, how far from the arizona border are you?

3 hours from Blythe. 4 hours from Yuma. 4 hours from Needles. In good traffic...which is rare.

fortheloveofbowling
07-09-2014, 04:56 PM
I live about 3 1/2 hours from blythe. Maybe i will get involved next time with the virtual tour and we can bowl in blythe sometime.

Aslan
07-09-2014, 06:51 PM
I live about 3 1/2 hours from blythe. Maybe i will get involved next time with the virtual tour and we can bowl in blythe sometime.

Absolutely!

MICHAEL
07-09-2014, 08:51 PM
3 hours from Blythe. 4 hours from Yuma. 4 hours from Needles. In good traffic...which is rare.


Needles... (:) I remember when we lived in Modesto Ca, My wife had a business trip to Texas,,, she ran out of gas in the middle of the desert Needles, in august, in a FRICKEN PRIUS!!! A PRIUS!! 50 miles per gallon car!! Gas stations can be pretty good distance apart... she got help! We have road side assistance, she got 5 gallons of gas, which got her to her destination, Fort Worth. She was getting unbelievable mileage out of that car. many times right at 60 mpg! We have had 3 of them.... Today we got 77.2 on a short tip from the store.... Great cars, now made in America!

tccstudent
07-09-2014, 10:08 PM
Needles... (:) I remember when we lived in Modesto Ca, My wife had a business trip to Texas,,, she ran out of gas in the middle of the desert Needles, in august, in a FRICKEN PRIUS!!! A PRIUS!! 50 miles per gallon car!! Gas stations can be pretty good distance apart... she got help! We have road side assistance, she got 5 gallons of gas, which got her to her destination, Fort Worth. She was getting unbelievable mileage out of that car. many times right at 60 mpg! We have had 3 of them.... Today we got 77.2 on a short tip from the store.... Great cars, now made in America!

I do not believe that at all there is no way she went from Needles to Ft Worth on 5 gallons that would be over 250mpg

Aslan
07-10-2014, 06:53 PM
I do not believe that at all there is no way she went from Needles to Ft Worth on 5 gallons that would be over 250mpg

Yeah...but you're not taking into account how gifted the car was.

Geesh. Have you guys learned NOTHING yet on this site!!

I dislike PRiusis. I bought one for my wife...soon to be ex-wife...and it had a rather annoying flaw that if you left it on, but didn't actually drive...it would run the battery quickly down to zero. And since, the battery is needed (at least somewhat) to operate the car...well, you're screwed. This is usually not an issue for those of us now on the sunny west coast. But as those in the frigid north will tell you...often times in the winter, one will start their car and let it run before actually driving to work. Thats called "letting it warm up"...and it defrosts the windows, etc... Many people in the North have automatic car starters so they can start their car without even going outside. Well, we did that one morning...back in my Michigan (state Mudpuppy loves) days...as I shoveled snow out from under it so I could actually get out of the driveway (joy)...and when I was done....car died and wouldn't start...I had drained the battery.

Thats not nearly my only horrible Michigan/snow/cold/driving/car story....I have amassed many, many, many reasons not to live there anymore. But the one that stands out...is when it turned - 70F where I went to college...and like an idiot....I walked out to my car (wind at my back so my face wouldn't freeze)...and when I opened the door...it was SO cold...that the speaker wires inside the door snapped. I tried to start it, but it wouldn't turn over. I walked BACK to my dorm (backwards, wind always at your back)...called my dad...and he said to take baking soda and water and with a brush, clean the contacts on the battery. So I followed this advice and by the time I got to the car, the baking soda and water in my bucket had frozen solid...so I walked BACK to my dorm room and decided not to go out.

True stories.

Aslan
07-11-2014, 02:12 AM
Thursday League: medium oil synthetics

457 Series: 163-149-145
Got to the league night too late to practice so I kinda went in blind…lanes were slicker than usual…so first frame I left a 1-2-10 washout. Missed a single 5-pin in the 5th then chopped a 2-5 in the 6th. Game 2, just bad spare shooting. Missed a 6-10, a single 9-pin, and a single 6-pin. Game 3 I felt like I was actually doing better, but I threw a first ball in the gutter in the 4th and only got 9 that frame. Then 3 splits…not much I can do there. :(

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.41 pins
Strikes: 31% (1 double and 8 singles)
Spares: 42% picked up

Single Pin spares: 50% (3/6)
Most common single-pin leave: 5-pin (2x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 7-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 40% (6/15)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 3-6 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 3 games: 152.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 162.33.

Stats were different tonight. Twice as many strikes…but my spare shooting was off a bit. I tried to keep working on slowing down my approach…which was causing me some problems with my timing.

Really embarrassing though. One of the new bowlers actually beat my scratch series…which is a first. I mean, sometimes they go on a good run and I've had a beginner beat me one GAME…but never a series. After the match, the only decent player on the other team came over to shake hands and when I tried to shake his hand he said, "I'm not shaking your hand. You obviously weren't trying because I know you're a better bowler than that." Not sure if that was a compliment or a put down. I mean, I guess on the one hand he was saying that he can tell from my approach and posting that I'm a better bowler. On the other hand, maybe he just saw that a guy with a 171 average just tanked and figured I did it on purpose. :confused:

Good news? The team had fun and we took 4 points so we're in the 2nd -7th place range. And I DID strike more this time (31% versus 15%). Not sure why I missed easy spares tonight. I didn't drink too much. I "felt" good. But thats 4 sub-500 series in a row. I know I shouldn't give up…but I think it's time to figure out whats going wrong. Maybe I'll hit the clinic Saturday if it's going on. If not, maybe get a lesson or something.

Hampe
07-11-2014, 03:56 AM
On the other hand, maybe he just saw that a guy with a 171 average just tanked and figured I did it on purpose. :confused:No doubt that's exactly what he thought. That's another downside of all the sandbagging going on nowadays.....anytime you have a bad night you're going to get accused of it even if you're innocent. At least YOU know you didn't cheat, that's the most important thing.


Not sure why I missed easy spares tonight. I didn't drink too much. I "felt" good. But thats 4 sub-500 series in a row. I know I shouldn't give up…but I think it's time to figure out whats going wrong. Maybe I'll hit the clinic Saturday if it's going on. If not, maybe get a lesson or something.Don't beat yourself up dude......4 series is a terribly small sample size. There are slumps in bowling just like every other sport. Plus, you're still working on your game....it's going to take a while to get to where you want to be, and the progress to that point won't be linear either :).

3 seasons ago I averaged 171 and had my first 2 600 series in league....I thought the next year I'd get up to about 180-185. But I didn't....I only averaged 173 and had ZERO 600 series which really made me worry. I didn't give up, I kept working with my coach, kept practicing the stuff I needed to practice, and this season I averaged 199 and had 11 600 series. The point is, if you keep working it WILL happen....it might not be when you expect or want it to, but it will. Just be patient and don't give up!

MICHAEL
07-11-2014, 07:58 AM
[QUOTE=Aslan;110631]Thursday League: medium oil synthetics

457 Series: 163-149-145
Got to the league night too late to practice so I kinda went in blind…lanes were slicker than usual…so first frame I left a 1-2-10 washout. Missed a single 5-pin in the 5th then chopped a 2-5 in the 6th. Game 2, just bad spare shooting. Missed a 6-10, a single 9-pin, and a single 6-pin. Game 3 I felt like I was actually doing better, but I threw a first ball in the gutter in the 4th and only got 9 that frame. Then 3 splits…not much I can do there. :(

Every dog has its day grasshopper, or should I say LION! Hang-In-There-Buddy,,, Even Iceman has crappie days!! (:) Hampe gave some encouraging information about his journey! Maybe I KID you, but I do have confidence in your Gift! Keep at, and prove Iceman right!!

Nice job Hampe!!

Amyers
07-11-2014, 08:52 AM
Thursday League: medium oil synthetics

457 Series: 163-149-145
Got to the league night too late to practice so I kinda went in blind…lanes were slicker than usual…so first frame I left a 1-2-10 washout. Missed a single 5-pin in the 5th then chopped a 2-5 in the 6th. Game 2, just bad spare shooting. Missed a 6-10, a single 9-pin, and a single 6-pin. Game 3 I felt like I was actually doing better, but I threw a first ball in the gutter in the 4th and only got 9 that frame. Then 3 splits…not much I can do there. :(



Hang in there bud we are all up and down especially when working on stuff in our game

Aslan
07-11-2014, 12:41 PM
No doubt that's exactly what he thought. That's another downside of all the sandbagging going on nowadays.....anytime you have a bad night you're going to get accused of it even if you're innocent. At least YOU know you didn't cheat, that's the most important thing.

Again, I'm not a tough guy like Iceman nor do I have a quick temper by any stretch of the imagination...but I would think calling someone a cheater...who is twice your size and who you don't know at all...maybe I'm "old skool"...but thats dangerous. 120 years ago, calling someone a cheater usually involved in someone getting shot. All I can "think" is either he didn't mean to be offensive OR he knew that 1 of the 3 other guys on his team (who was built like a linebacker) would back him up...or he just figured I was too much of an "old man" to react badly. AND...it's even more insulting coming from HIM...THEIR team's best bowler (162 average) who ALSO SUCKED that night. Again, I'm not trying to be Mr. Macho or anything...but as a poker player...calling someone a "cheater" is at "best" "frowned upon".

But thanks everyone for the well wishes. Obviously I'm not going to quit over the last 4 weeks...and I did have a couple excuses last night:
1) Arrived late, no practice time to find my strike line.
2) I'm still working on slowing my feet down and it completely (COMPLETELY) screwed up my timing. At one point I almost fell. Another time I twisted my knee. One time I hit the floor with the ball in the downswing...musta got too low. I mean, when you're swinging a 16lb ball...and you're not at the line when it's time to release it...bad things tend to happen.

But thats not much of an excuse for the spare shooting. I can't miss single 5-pins, 6-pins, and 6-10s...I shouldn't be missing those...EVER.

fortheloveofbowling
07-12-2014, 01:26 AM
Hang in there, you will find that there will be many times in your bowling lifetime where you hit a wall. It might be now and maybe again when you get to 180 or 190 and maybe again at 200. But this happens to everyone as they try to improve. Good luck.

Aslan
07-13-2014, 06:38 PM
Sunday Morning Sport/Scratch League: Brunswick Classic Lanes
Sport Pattern: PBA Shark

568 Series: 137-167-115-149

Ughh!

This was first time playing a true sport pattern. I researched the pattern on the internet and needed to move into the 11-board since anything 1-10 would miss. I started out clean through 4…but not really any room for error. A few misses as much as 1 board right led to gutters and washouts. I eventually moved left 1 board to the 12-board, Game 2 I only had a couple opens. Game 3 I had 2 opens and 4 splits, so that was a lost cause. Game 4 I was clean except for frames 5 and 6.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.61 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 double and 9 singles)
Spares: 50% picked up

Single Pin spares: 87% (7/8)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin, 7-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 36% (8/22)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 4-7, 1-2, 1-2-8, and 1-2-4-7 (2x each).

Splits: 20% (1/5)

Average over 4 games: 142.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 143.75.

Not horrible" for my first time on a PBA pattern. Disappointed in the strike rate, some of the really bad leaves, and the 2 low scores. But I'm encouraged by the rebound of the single-pin spare shooting. And I just have to keep reminding myself that this is a 6-week thing, just for the experience and fun more than anything. If Bunny hadn't asked me to play and fill out the trio…I'd have probably never even considered trying it. But it was fun…like golf…frustrating but fun!

Amyers
07-13-2014, 09:54 PM
Sunday Morning Sport/Scratch League: Brunswick Classic Lanes
Sport Pattern: PBA Shark

568 Series: 137-167-115-149

Ughh!

Not horrible" for my first time on a PBA pattern. Disappointed in the strike rate, some of the really bad leaves, and the 2 low scores. But I'm encouraged by the rebound of the single-pin spare shooting. And I just have to keep reminding myself that this is a 6-week thing, just for the experience and fun more than anything. If Bunny hadn't asked me to play and fill out the trio…I'd have probably never even considered trying it. But it was fun…like golf…frustrating but fun!

I have been going over and bowling the next day after the PBA leagues at my house to try them out I've bowled on cheetah, badger, shark, and viper. From what I can tell you will like the shorter patterns the longer ones not so much.

Best advice I can give you read what it says about how to play the pattern but don't take it as gospel if your game is to play a certain way try your game first if it doesn't work in practice quickly start moving in the direction they said I've found I can out think myself by trying what it says to do instead of playing my A game. Sometimes it work sometimes it doesn't.

Bunny
07-14-2014, 12:12 PM
Sunday Morning Sport/Scratch League: Brunswick Classic Lanes
Sport Pattern: PBA Shark

568 Series: 137-167-115-149

Ughh!

This was first time playing a true sport pattern. I researched the pattern on the internet and needed to move into the 11-board since anything 1-10 would miss. I started out clean through 4…but not really any room for error. A few misses as much as 1 board right led to gutters and washouts. I eventually moved left 1 board to the 12-board, Game 2 I only had a couple opens. Game 3 I had 2 opens and 4 splits, so that was a lost cause. Game 4 I was clean except for frames 5 and 6.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.61 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 double and 9 singles)
Spares: 50% picked up

Single Pin spares: 87% (7/8)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin, 7-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 36% (8/22)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 4-7, 1-2, 1-2-8, and 1-2-4-7 (2x each).

Splits: 20% (1/5)

Average over 4 games: 142.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 143.75.

Not horrible" for my first time on a PBA pattern. Disappointed in the strike rate, some of the really bad leaves, and the 2 low scores. But I'm encouraged by the rebound of the single-pin spare shooting. And I just have to keep reminding myself that this is a 6-week thing, just for the experience and fun more than anything. If Bunny hadn't asked me to play and fill out the trio…I'd have probably never even considered trying it. But it was fun…like golf…frustrating but fun!



You did good. That was a super tough pattern. Even tougher than a couple of weeks ago on the same pattern. Hardly anyone was stringing a bunch of strikes. And there's some really good bowlers there. (Funny how it was pretty empty though. It seemed like 1/2 the teams weren't there. Did Shark scare them away? Dunt, dunt. Dunt, dunt, dunt, dunt. Sissies!)

We enjoyed having you. You completely cracked me up a few times. Hubby liked that you were keeping notes. That's his thing right now too. He was a single digit handicap golfer so knows the importance of the mental game. That's what separates athletes and competitors at higher levels. They all have the strokes, shots and technique (whether it's God given or learned.) It's choosing the right shot with the right equipment at the right time, and executing that shot.

He said the same thing about PBAE league that it's challenging but still fun! :cool:

Aslan
07-14-2014, 01:09 PM
Hubby liked that you were keeping notes.

Great minds think alike!

My only worry about the notes is sometimes people get annoyed that is "slows things down". I don't write "notes" like a diary or anything. I simply change a "1" to a "2" or something like that. And I HAVE to do that because I can't remember on alternating lanes where I stood and what I was targeting. Usually it's similar....so if I forget to write it down, no bigee. But my memory isn't great and if I don't write stuff down...I'll forget. I'm trying to break the habit of using Pinpal in between shots...and I can usually remember what spare I left (because I just shot at it)...but it's become a "habit"...a "routine" so to speak.

It WAS hard! I was amazed at how many times I saw people leave the 2-4-8!! The ball was just not making it back...and if you tried to go straight at it...a miss a little right could leave the 2-4-8 and a miss a little left would get you a split. We actually were fortunate on a lot of shots because they looked like they were going to be ugly splits...but a messenger would knock over the 7-pin or 10-pin. So much easier shooting at a 6-10 or a 1-2 rather than a 6-7-10 or a 1-2-10!

Shark again next week! (I think) so it'll be interesting!

Aslan
07-15-2014, 02:25 AM
Monday Practice: low oil synthetics

574 Series: 179-197-198 (clean)
Game 1 was clean except for a 4-6-7 split in the 7th. Game 2 was clean except for a 2-4-10 washout in the 4th. Game 3 was a spare shooting marathon with spares in every frame 1 through 9 and then I struck out in the 10th.

543 Series: 148-209-186
Game 4, my nemesis returned to mock me as I missed 3 single 10-pins. Game 5 was clean except for a weird 1-2-8-10 leave in the 6th. Game 6 was clean except for a missed single 8-pin.

592 Series: 178-221-193
Game 7 was another spare shooting marathon but I left a 4-10 in the 2nd and a 6-7 in the 7th. Game 8 was clean except for a chopped 3-6-10 in the 7th. And Game 9 I switched to the Frantic and was clean except for a missed single 10-pin in the 9th.

524 Series: 163-196-165
Game 10 was ruined by 4 missed single pins. Game 11 was better, but a couple opens. Game 12 was better, but a split in the 2nd, a missed single 10-pin in the 8th, and I only struck once the entire game.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.89 pins
Strikes: 35% (1 4-bagger, 5 turkeys, 6 doubles and 17 singles)
Spares: 74% picked up

Single Pin spares: 76% (36/47)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (13x).
Never left a single 1-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 70% (24/34)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 and 4-7 split (5x each).

Splits: 14% (1/7)

Average over 12 games: 186.08.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 195.83.

On the one hand, I was disappointed in the missed single-pin spares. I have been trying very hard to keep that in the 80-100% range. But once the lanes dried out more, the Slingshot started to hook "just a tiny bit" and it was throwing my targeting off a little.

On the other hand, Most of these games were virtually clean. My multiple pin spare shooting was improved. And I did better than last time I practiced.

Didn't work on much…just trying to keep my footwork slower and perfect my release.