how long have you been bowling before your first 300?

[Shaneshu87]

any more, i run in to kids, who are still in youth leagues get upset because they threw a 200+ and not a 300. it makes me sad that these kids are the future of the sport, and they learn directly from us since we are their peers. don't get me wrong when i throw a 279 i think "dang i could've done better" but not "man i just threw a great game" even though every bowler in the house is shaking your hand and telling you "great game" we just blow it off and think "i should've had a 300" and we get angry about it. we live in an instant gratification world, where we think we should be the best at something as soon as we pick it up, we all know bowling is not that way. so to put things into perspective, how long have you been bowling before your first 300?

[Mike White]

any more, i run in to kids, who are still in youth leagues get upset because they threw a 200+ and not a 300. it makes me sad that these kids are the future of the sport, and they learn directly from us since we are their peers. don't get me wrong when i throw a 279 i think "dang i could've done better" but not "man i just threw a great game" even though every bowler in the house is shaking your hand and telling you "great game" we just blow it off and think "i should've had a 300" and we get angry about it. we live in an instant gratification world, where we think we should be the best at something as soon as we pick it up, we all know bowling is not that way. so to put things into perspective, how long have you been bowling before your first 300?

I started bowling in the 70's (I think about 10-12 years of age) and I shot my first league 300 in 1990.

That was after about 30+ league games of 279.

Outside of league (pot games during the 80's) where we made the lanes as walled up as we would find in scratch tourneys in Orange County, I would shoot 1 or 2 per month, out of about 40 games per week on that condition.

As walled up as we made them back then, I still think todays legal conditions provide more help to the bowler. The ball grabs the lane harder, and the oil holds the ball back better.

[jnv32185]

Still working on getting my first 300. I probably would have had at least one if I did not stop bowling for about the last 15 years.

[bubba809]

Been bowling consistently for 29 years.

On May 8th, 2008 I shot my only 300. So basically, I bowled 23 years before my 300.

[bubba809]

any more, i run in to kids, who are still in youth leagues get upset because they threw a 200+ and not a 300. it makes me sad that these kids are the future of the sport, and they learn directly from us since we are their peers. don't get me wrong when i throw a 279 i think "dang i could've done better" but not "man i just threw a great game" even though every bowler in the house is shaking your hand and telling you "great game" we just blow it off and think "i should've had a 300" and we get angry about it. we live in an instant gratification world, where we think we should be the best at something as soon as we pick it up, we all know bowling is not that way. so to put things into perspective, how long have you been bowling before your first 300?






You never answered your own question Shaneshu87.

[mc_runner]

Been bowling 8 years, still waiting. Bunch of 275+ games, but furthest I've gotten is to the 10th frame.

[Perrin]

Started bowling in late 90's 98 I think....

took a break from 2002 till 2009

Just bowled my first league 300 in a summer league this year.... and before you go looking me up.. no it's not on bowl.com it was in an unsanctioned equipment league.

[MICHAEL]

I started bowing at the ripe age of 62,,, one small non sanctioned senior league on Mondays at 1pm. I found out that first year that I seemed to have a gift to bowling,,, I held first place in all scratch catagories, including 290 first year, 298, the second year,,, had a 750 and 700 for high series scratch.
It was then that several of the seniors said that I should go bowl sanctioned leagues. My reply was, SANCTIONED????

The rest is history,,, had my first two 300, this last season,,, the second one I am most proud of almost had two 300s and a 800!

First game 300, then a 216,,,, then the third game 8 strikes in a role, and a ringing 10 pin,,, for 264, =780,,,

I know the second game looks lame, but I was hitting the pocket but had terrible carry that game!

So including my two years on the seniors non sanctioned league, it took my I believe 3 years to ring the bell and get my first one!

What was cool about my second 300, was that my brother and oldest son were there to see it! My brother had just stopped by to visit, and my son new to bowling and his first year was on my team! Pretty cool

Almost two in one night, 20 pins form a 800. Were the lanes easy that night?? NO,,, it was a high roller league with 3 of my teammates with 220 or above averages as I remember it, our anchor had a terrible night,,, last game being well under 200. It was just my night!

Hang in there, and think you CAN, and you just might do it!! NEVER THINK ANYTHING but positive thoughts when stringing strikes together!
I posted in another thread the score sheets, as proof.... lOL,,,,

this is a link to my first 300,,, second one was my favorite!!http://www.bowlingboards.com/threads/14262-Michael-bowls-a-300!!!!!/page8

[Shaneshu87]

I have been bowling since I was 5, I am now 27, I have had several 279's and even a 297, but I have never bowled a sanctioned 300. In a non sanctioned scratch tournament I shot 852 with two 300's. And I have shot several in practice. I feel that this year will bring my first sanctioned 300 so I can be finally be legit lol. I'm just sick and tired of the "instant gratification" thought process, that was the purpose of this post, if your new to bowling, don't think just because you have the best ball on the market your going to bowl a 300, just know that while it's not impossible, this achievement usually comes after years of practice and experience.

[Shaneshu87]

Ice man is a freak of nature! Hahaha

[MICHAEL]

Ice man is a freak of nature! Hahaha

I've been called worse things,,,,, thanks Shaneshu!!! ICEMAN like the title!!!

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/igloo_zps04ac58b0.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/igloo_zps04ac58b0.jpg.html)

[Hampe]

I've been bowling for about 7 years now (about 4 seriously with coaching/practice) and I've yet to get a 300. I feel like I'm at the point where any time I go bowling it could happen, so I generally don't fixate on it.

It is also something you have to relativize though, since not all bowling centers are created equal. I've played in centers/on patterns in the French speaking part of Switzerland where I'm 100% sure if I played a whole season there I'd have at least 1 300 if not more. The two leagues I play at here, one of them hasn't had a 300 for 2.5 years (mostly due to poorly maintained lanes) and the other (that uses a sport shot ratio of oil) hasn't had a 300 since I joined 4 years ago.

I'm not saying Iceman isn't naturally gifted, there's no doubt about that :). But if I recall correctly, his two 300 games were in a league where guys were rolling 300s every week. Something tells me the center he was playing at was closer to the one I played at down in the french part of Switzlerand than the ones that I'm playing at here.

That's to me the main reason to not worry about it too much. But it does get annoying that that's the first question you always get from non-bowlers when they find out you bowl competitively.

[MICHAEL]

I've been bowling for about 7 years now (about 4 seriously with coaching/practice) and I've yet to get a 300. I feel like I'm at the point where any time I go bowling it could happen, so I generally don't fixate on it.

It is also something you have to relativize though, since not all bowling centers are created equal. I've played in centers/on patterns in the French speaking part of Switzerland where I'm 100% sure if I played a whole season there I'd have at least 1 300 if not more. The two leagues I play at here, one of them hasn't had a 300 for 2.5 years (mostly due to poorly maintained lanes) and the other (that uses a sport shot ratio of oil) hasn't had a 300 since I joined 4 years ago.

I'm not saying Iceman isn't naturally gifted, there's no doubt about that :). But if I recall correctly, his two 300 games were in a league where guys were rolling 300s every week. Something tells me the center he was playing at was closer to the one I played at down in the french part of Switzlerand than the ones that I'm playing at here.

That's to me the main reason to not worry about it too much. But it does get annoying that that's the first question you always get from non-bowlers when they find out you bowl competitively.

Not exactly Hampe,,, My first one was with my wife on a two person team, it was the Big 22 league that AMF has each year. the second one 6 months later was on a 5 person league, with SOME good bowlers, and many average ones, but 10 people on the lanes eating it up!
If I could pass on anything as to why I have been so successful, even in my first year 4 years ago Seniors non sanctioned league where I had
a 298, and the folling year a 290 high game and even a trophy for that leage for high series, 750 and 724 it would be

ICEMAN sleeps in a deep Freeze every night, but before going to the locker, I have a 100 proof Yukon Jack shot!

Ok,,, the truth,,,, your fundamentals have to be right, or close to it, but FOCUS,,, FOCUS,,, FOCUS! The same skills that kept me alive for 30 years putting up Iron, building, towers, bridges, ect ect... that and Balance!

[Hampe]

Sure Iceman....of course I don't mean to try and take anything away from your 300s. Now matter if the conditions were easy or not....you still got it done, my friend!

Even if my first 300 happens on the easiest pattern I ever played on, you can bet I'll be damn proud and posting it on facebook within 5 minutes :D

You know what....maybe it's not too late for me! I'm going to go look up iron worker apprenticeships here in Switzerland! That might be the final missing ingredient!

[MICHAEL]

Sure Iceman....of course I don't mean to try and take anything away from your 300s. Now matter if the conditions were easy or not....you still got it done, my friend!

Even if my first 300 happens on the easiest pattern I ever played on, you can bet I'll be damn proud and posting it on facebook within 5 minutes :D

You know what....maybe it's not too late for me! I'm going to go look up iron worker apprenticeships here in Switzerland! That might be the final missing ingredient!

LOL,, not sure I would go that far Hampe... LOL, a very dangerous profession! I lost many good friends, and even students I had taught while teaching in the apprenticeship program. Many times through NO FAULT of their own. Putting up Iron is a dangerous business.

I would recommended that you take up gymnastics,,, as a better alternative! Waking the Balance beam, and doing routines on that block of wood, just might be a safe alternative. For sure it would help with Focus, concentration, and balance! Maybe wear your bowling shoes while doing your routines... Hey ICEMAN might have something here!!!

A new training tool for bowlers, to get that elusive 300 game!!! "The Bowling Beam 300"! I like that name!!

[Shaneshu87]

I've been bowling for about 7 years now (about 4 seriously with coaching/practice) and I've yet to get a 300. I feel like I'm at the point where any time I go bowling it could happen, so I generally don't fixate on it.

The two leagues I play at here, one of them hasn't had a 300 for 2.5 years (mostly due to poorly maintained lanes) and the other (that uses a sport shot ratio of oil) hasn't had a 300 since I joined 4 years ago.



the house i shoot at hasn't see a 300 in 3 years, or an 800 in 15 years! this house has only ever seen 4 300's and 1 800 in this alley's 62 year history. i aim to break both of those barriers this season! i currently average 195 in this house and that is the highest average in that house, which by today's standards is pretty sad i guess lol

[MICHAEL]

the house i shoot at hasn't see a 300 in 3 years, or an 800 in 15 years! this house has only ever seen 4 300's and 1 800 in this alley's 62 year history. i aim to break both of those barriers this season! i currently average 195 in this house and that is the highest average in that house, which by today's standards is pretty sad i guess lol

In spite of what Mike White might thing about NOW days, and bowling,,,, there are a NUMBER of tough houses out there for what ever reason!
All of my 300s have been on notoriously difficult, lanes! Certified Tough by the USBC!!!

Those WOOD lanes in Plattsburg are tough,,, I HOPE AND PRAY that Mike makes the trip,,, I can't wait to see him bowl a house pattern here!
My bet still stands,,, bowl a 200 average for your tournament and I will give you 1000,00 Big Bucks!!!

EASY,,,,, lol,,,, We will put down a house pattern and you show ME,,, ICEMAN, and my Farm buddies that grew up on those wood lanes, how to play them!

Bring MEDICATION,,,, after your first game you might need to be medicated!!!! Depression! You want a challenge.... start saving your fricken money!!!!

Action is much better then WORDS!!

Mike, maybe you and Aslan could ride out together on his motorcycle???? LIKE THE ICEMAN DID!!! Only I had my wife on the back pulling a trailer!!

[YODA]

I have been bowling off and on since I was 15 (so roughly 15 years), and I have yet to bowl a 300.... I am sure I will one day, and cant wait for it, but I just enjoy bowling :)

[MICHAEL]

I have been bowling off and on since I was 15 (so roughly 15 years), and I have yet to bowl a 300.... I am sure I will one day, and cant wait for it, but I just enjoy bowling :)

It can happen when you least expect it!! But when you step up to the lane, at the beginning of each game, say to yourself, this is going to be a 300!!,,, if you leave a ringing 10 pin,,, then say,,, OK,,, I will settle for a 290,,,, and take each and every frame, ONE at a TIME!

Hey I almost did it agin last week, with that posted 280... ONE FRAME away! Think POSITVE,,,, FOUCS!! GOOD LUCK!!

[YODA]

It can happen when you least expect it!! But when you step up to the lane, at the beginning of each game, say to yourself, this is going to be a 300!!,,, if you leave a ringing 10 pin,,, then say,,, OK,,, I will settle for a 290,,,, and take each and every frame, ONE at a TIME!

Hey I almost did it agin last week, with that posted 280... ONE FRAME away! Think POSITVE,,,, FOUCS!! GOOD LUCK!!


Yeah, what really sucks is when you say that then leave a 7-10 :( but like I said I bowl for fun... And I will take a 290 any day:) Havent bowled one of those in a long time.

[Amyers]

I bowled from the time I was 9 until I was 19 and then started back a little over a year ago. Can't say that I've really been that close yet I've been in the 260's 3 or 4 times lot's of 250's

[Shaneshu87]

In spite of what Mike White might thing about NOW days, and bowling,,,, there are a NUMBER of tough houses out there for what ever reason!
All of my 300s have been on notoriously difficult, lanes! Certified Tough by the USBC!!!

Those WOOD lanes in Plattsburg are tough,,, I HOPE AND PRAY that Mike makes the trip,,, I can't wait to see him bowl a house pattern here!
My bet still stands,,, bowl a 200 average for your tournament and I will give you 1000,00 Big Bucks!!!

EASY,,,,, lol,,,, We will put down a house pattern and you show ME,,, ICEMAN, and my Farm buddies that grew up on those wood lanes, how to play them!

Bring MEDICATION,,,, after your first game you might need to be medicated!!!! Depression! You want a challenge.... start saving your fricken money!!!!

Action is much better then WORDS!!

Mike, maybe you and Aslan could ride out together on his motorcycle???? LIKE THE ICEMAN DID!!! Only I had my wife on the back pulling a trailer!!

the house im referring too is also wood lane. i love it when guys with hot hands try to bowl on these lanes, it's like they suddenly forgot how to bowl! it is quite a spectacle.

[Mike White]

the house im referring too is also wood lane. i love it when guys with hot hands try to bowl on these lanes, it's like they suddenly forgot how to bowl! it is quite a spectacle.

It doesn't have to be a change to wood.

If you change to a different oil pattern, such as the USBC White pattern, they can come unglued.

Imagine if the pattern was actually difficult. Oh my, call a paramedic.

[Mike White]

If I could pass on anything as to why I have been so successful, even in my first year 4 years ago Seniors non sanctioned league where I had a 298, and the folling year a 290 high game and even a trophy for that leage for high series, 750 and 724 it would be


Because you didn't start bowling until the integrity of the sport had been thrown out the window.

Every record that had stood the test of time, has been obliterated since 1998.

The 5 man team series bowled in the 1950's was still the record in the late 1990's.

That was bowled by 5 professionals.

Now that gets beat by house bowlers.

In the 1930's Allie Brant shot 886. That stood until the 1990's when someone shot a sanctioned 899.

I think one of the few records that has survived from the 50's is the number of consecutive clean games. 66.

I'm not sure they truly mean clean as in no opens.

At one time, not picking up a split was considered different than missing a 10 pin.

[striker12]

I shot my 1st 300 game back in 2010 on my 2nd year of bowling at the end of the season that 300 I shot what about 12 different lines I was not consistent,

now I just need to fix my bowling balls and get my thumb fixed in my rumble its too big thumb keeps falling out or making me squeeze the ball causing me to pull to push the ball.

[J Anderson]

Started bowling in 1975 on a team with an unwritten rule of no practice allowed outside of the warm-up prior to league. Didn't really take the game seriously until 2008 when I switched hands. Still waiting for 300 #1. Last game tonight I had the front 7. Closest I've come so far. All the 270+ games that I've shot, the spare has come before the fifth frame.