Worst advice you've ever gotten

[mc_runner]

I don't think I've seen a thread about this, thought it would be a fun topic.

We all started from zero, and most of us had to learn somehow. Whether it be watching others, asking, or taking lessons, some advice is... just bad. It's fine if you realize it's bad but especially for a beginner sometimes you just don't know.

I can't remember what his actual recommendation that he actually gave me but last summer a guy who ends on the wrong foot (slides on his right foot, as a righty) was giving some unsolicited advice about my backswing. Well intentioned but I don't think I'd be putting much stock in form from him :p

[hoku41205]

I think the worst advise I ever got was from my college coach...and pretty much everything he ever said to me. Before I started bowling for him I averaged high 180's, which for female high schooler who didn't take the game THat seriously, wasn't too shabby. I had hand...and a lot of it...and I knew how to swing the ball out...not something a lot of females around here knew how to do. When I got to practice, he changed everything in my game...(being a coach my self I've learned that is the one think you do not do) my hand position, the amount of revs I put on the ball, and told me I was never allowed to swing it out...if I did I'd be taken out; because women don't bowl that way. Needless to say my average dropped 30-40 pins and never rebounded until I quit the team senior year and went back to my old coach to practically relearn everything.

[MiggityMatt]

MC, I know what you're saying but he could have a medical reason for finishing on his right leg as a right handed bowler.

Hoku, your college coach sounds like a pig. Girls don't bowl that way? Smh... glad to hear you got your game back.

As far as the worst bowling advice I've ever received? I honestly can't recall any.

[ALazySavage]

The worst advice that I have ever received was in regards to ball choice. I was in a tournament and we were bowling on a low volume pattern so people were having trouble getting through the fronts. This caused me to throw my old Faball Blue Hammer with the knowledge that it had the best chance to getting through the fronts cleanly. My teammate began telling me that I needed to make a ball change because I wasn't getting enough angle, granted when they told me my ball was lacking angle it was still the first game and through seven frames I had gone 9/ and then sheet. Through the six games on that pattern I finished with mid 700s in both the singles and doubles squads, but they kept insisting that my ball wasn't getting enough angle and trying to convince me to make a ball change.

[mc_runner]

I hear ya Matt. Wasn't the best example but best I could personally come up with! I've seen some other people just getting brutal advice especially in open bowling (like, "stop at the line and aim, then throw!" to an adult).

Hoku I completely agree that your coach sounds like a pig. There are always some bad ones out there.

[RobLV1]

Last year I witnessed a "coach" trying to help a bowler in one of the almost-scratch senior leagues in which I bowl. The "coach" looked very official, carrying a tablet and wearing an official looking baseball cap while he was "coaching." I happened to be warming up for league on the next pair of lanes, so I could hear what was being said. He was focusing on the bowlers' release to try to get him more revs. The problem was that the bowlers timing was so late as a result of holding the ball until he was 2 1/2 steps from the line, that there was no way for him to get any power on the ball. Later the "coach" said something to me, so I asked him when he is due to re-certify. He asked what I meant. I told him that I was talking about the USBC Coaching Certification Program. He replied, "Oh, I didn't do that. I don't charge for lessons, so I really don't need to." I guess you get what you pay for, or don't pay for, as the case may be!

[Shaneshu87]

wowskers rob lol i don't think i've ever gotten terrible advice, i was a self taught bowler and just tried to look like the pros on tv lol. i think the worst applied advice ever received was when i went to a training seminar in chicago, that was led by Belmo, it was called "The Next Revolution" and he was teaching people how to throw two handed, it was great advice, i could just never apply the form well and i always end up on top of the ball, still cannot figure it out lol

[RobLV1]

Shane: It all depends on where you want to be. Your method of learning to bowl by "trying to look like the pros on TV," has gotten you to where you are today. Do you want to go further? Going to Belmo's two handed seminar was a whim unless you were serious about learning to bowl two-handed. What I've trying to say is that without at least a little formal coaching, you can't tell if the advice you've gotten is good or bad. Oftentimes advice seems good because it provides a band-aid to a problem, but later comes back to bite you in the butt, and you don't even realize that it has ended up causing more problems than it has fixed.

[Shaneshu87]

Shane: It all depends on where you want to be. Your method of learning to bowl by "trying to look like the pros on TV," has gotten you to where you are today. Do you want to go further? Going to Belmo's two handed seminar was a whim unless you were serious about learning to bowl two-handed. What I've trying to say is that without at least a little formal coaching, you can't tell if the advice you've gotten is good or bad. Oftentimes advice seems good because it provides a band-aid to a problem, but later comes back to bite you in the butt, and you don't even realize that it has ended up causing more problems than it has fixed.

agreed, and i did go to Belmo's seminar with the hopes of learning how to bowl two handed, but there were 150 people there and belmo + one gold coach and only 2 hours times. if there was more time or maybe more one-one i think i would have been successful with the two handed approach. i have watched countless hours of pro's on youtube from everything from approach to release. i picked chris barnes and i feel pretty confident in the way i bowl, will i ever be a pro? probably not. but with the limited amount of certified coaching in my area, 4 hours away at best, i made due with what i had access too, and i feel like i've done pretty well.

[Joker]

worst advice: don't drop your shoulder

[rv driver]

Last year I witnessed a "coach" trying to help a bowler in one of the almost-scratch senior leagues in which I bowl. The "coach" looked very official, carrying a tablet and wearing an official looking baseball cap while he was "coaching." I happened to be warming up for league on the next pair of lanes, so I could hear what was being said. He was focusing on the bowlers' release to try to get him more revs. The problem was that the bowlers timing was so late as a result of holding the ball until he was 2 1/2 steps from the line, that there was no way for him to get any power on the ball. Later the "coach" said something to me, so I asked him when he is due to re-certify. He asked what I meant. I told him that I was talking about the USBC Coaching Certification Program. He replied, "Oh, I didn't do that. I don't charge for lessons, so I really don't need to." I guess you get what you pay for, or don't pay for, as the case may be!
IOW: "I'm not a real coach, but I play one on TV..."