Mini Bowling for Practice?

[J Daisy]

Recently I picked up a mini bowling set for $2 in Christmas clearance. The pins are cheap plastic and hollow, 3.25 inches tall, and there's only six of them. The ball is made of somewhat hard rubber, about 1.5 inches tall, and weighs 1.77 ounces. I've been playing around with this set in my spare time, setting up the pins across the room (12.7 feet of lane with extra room to approach) and treating it as though it's an actual lane.

It's harmless fun, but beyond that, I'm wondering if using it as practice can help me improve things like stance, approach, aim, etc. What do you think? Do other people here use mini bowling as practice? Is the idea a sound one?

[bowl1820]

Is the idea a sound one?

NO, Basically your just rolling a big rubber marble across the floor, if anything it would probably promote some bad habits.

There are better at home practice drills, Doing a little research in the forum and Google and youtube will reveal them.


Example:
This has been around for years as a way to practice release, just rolling your ball into the couch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AquYnQheiM

[bowl1820]

Example: Release and Finish Drills To Do At Home | USBC Bowling Academy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFqLgToMRlo

[J Daisy]

Thanks for the videos. I just figured I'd get y'all's opinions; I'm mainly just mini bowling for fun, anyway. I was wondering if I could use it for practice, but even if I could, it would just be a side-benefit anyway, haha. The main goal is fun.

[boatman37]

I agree. No benefit at all and maybe even hurt your game. But 'A' for thinking outside the box.

[J Daisy]

I agree. No benefit at all and maybe even hurt your game. But 'A' for thinking outside the box.

Haha, thanks. :)

[bowl1820]

Forgot to add the caveat "If really what to learn to or improve your bowling, You should look into getting a certified coach. "

[J Daisy]

Forgot to add the caveat "If really what to learn to or improve your bowling, You should look into getting a certified coach. "

Thank you, but I've been told that before. I am not going to, at least not right now. I want to improve, but I don't plan on ever going pro or making money off the hobby, so I need to limit the amount of money I put into it. It already costs a very minimum of $20 for 3 games and the gas to drive there and back, not counting anything extra. Multiply that by every week, and it adds up. I don't feel right about splurging the large amount of money it takes for a coach. I know I might improve with a coach, but for me it's only a fun hobby, and if you put that much money into something it ceases to be fun.

I didn't think I needed to get into all that, but ever since I joined several members have really been on me about getting a coach. I really don't mean to be rude, as I think you mean well, but sometimes it is just not in the budget. At least, not for me.

[bowl1820]

Forgot to add the caveat "If really what to learn to or improve your bowling, You should look into getting a certified coach. "


I didn't think I needed to get into all that, but ever since I joined several members have really been on me about getting a coach. I really don't mean to be rude, as I think you mean well, but sometimes it is just not in the budget. At least, not for me.

Don't worry I don't think your being rude, I understand the strain on the budget and time getting coaching can be. The caveat was just a rubber stamp post to give options and cover the bases.

[J Daisy]

Don't worry I don't think your being rude, I understand the strain on the budget and time getting coaching can be. The caveat was just a rubber stamp post to give options and cover the bases.

Thank you for understanding. :)

It just seems everybody has been pushing me to get a coach, even after I said I couldn't. I guess I'm just getting a little tired of it, y'know? I didn't think I needed to explain myself.

[bowl1820]

It just seems everybody has been pushing me to get a coach, even after I said I couldn't.
Well you just got to realize you see the suggestion so much because The number of people on the bowling forums have dropped over the years and a big part of the ones left are the ones who are long time dedicated bowlers and/or coaches themselves.

So they tend to always include the suggestion to get coaching because it can give you more direct targeted help than you might be able to get from a online source, Plus it helps to promote coaching. So it's just become kind of a "matter of form" to include suggesting someone get a coach, So there's no reason to feel pushed.


I guess I'm just getting a little tired of it, y'know?.

Certainly, I've been on the bowling forums for IDK 30 years now and I myself at one point got sick of seeing the "You need to get a coach...." reply given to people for even the simplest of questions. (I've even seen it drive newcomers off the boards, They ask a simple question and that's the only response they got and they didn't come back.)

Just to note: I think coaching is a valuable resource and if a player has the means to avail themselves of it they should, Even if it's a small one day bowling camp. It can help you in ways you may never have guessed.

But if you can't don't feel bad, Many can't. Use the resources you have available, Talk to the pro in the shop, other players, the internet (Youtube, Forums like this one etc.) just double check the information.

[J Daisy]

Well you just got to realize you see the suggestion so much because The number of people on the bowling forums have dropped over the years and a big part of the ones left are the ones who are long time dedicated bowlers and/or coaches themselves.

So they tend to always include the suggestion to get coaching because it can give you more direct targeted help than you might be able to get from a online source, Plus it helps to promote coaching. So it's just become kind of a "matter of form" to include suggesting someone get a coach, So there's no reason to feel pushed.

Certainly, I've been on the bowling forums for IDK 30 years now and I myself at one point got sick of seeing the "You need to get a coach...." reply given to people for even the simplest of questions. (I've even seen it drive newcomers off the boards, They ask a simple question and that's the only response they got and they didn't come back.)

Just to note: I think coaching is a valuable resource and if a player has the means to avail themselves of it they should, Even if it's a small one day bowling camp. It can help you in ways you may never have guessed.

But if you can't don't feel bad, Many can't. Use the resources you have available, Talk to the pro in the shop, other players, the internet (Youtube, Forums like this one etc.) just double check the information.

Thank you for all the help. I've never heard of “one day bowling camp”... Hmm, thanks, I may have to look into that!

I have tried getting help from several of the high-score holders at my bowling alley, and they have been able to assist me a lot. I think that practice and building muscle memory for what works may be what I need most of all right now. That, and to get my reactive ball drilled and start using it.

[bowl1820]

Thank you for all the help. I've never heard of “one day bowling camp”... Hmm, thanks, I may have to look into that!


Yeah a lot of houses have bowling camps/clinics etc. They are usually one day group coaching sessions with a coach or Pro and are usually pretty cheap.

They are not like a full one on one coaching session, but the coach will come around give each bowler some type of tips etc.

Another thing to watch out for are Demo days, During demo days, they bring in several models of balls, in several different weights for people to try out.

The demo balls are drilled with several different spans (they might not be a perfect fit ,but should be close.) and use interchangeable thumb and finger grips in the hole.

So when you come in you get fitted for your grips, you pick out the ball you want to try, with a span close to yours. Put the grips in and try it, when your done. You take it back, take the grips out and try another one.

[J Daisy]

Yeah a lot of houses have bowling camps/clinics etc. They are usually one day group coaching sessions with a coach or Pro and are usually pretty cheap.

They are not like a full one on one coaching session, but the coach will come around give each bowler some type of tips etc.

Another thing to watch out for are Demo days, During demo days, they bring in several models of balls, in several different weights for people to try out.

The demo balls are drilled with several different spans (they might not be a perfect fit ,but should be close.) and use interchangeable thumb and finger grips in the hole.

So when you come in you get fitted for your grips, you pick out the ball you want to try, with a span close to yours. Put the grips in and try it, when your done. You take it back, take the grips out and try another one.

I know my bowling alley does demo days, but I never knew what it was. Is it open to anybody? Is it expensive?

[bowl1820]

I know my bowling alley does demo days, but I never knew what it was. Is it open to anybody? Is it expensive?

Demo days are usually open to anyone, the cost can vary. We had a 900 Global Demo a few months back, The cost was $10 which if you purchase a ball within 30 days $10 will be taken off price of the ball.

The ProShop here hosted a Motiv Test Drive, it was $20 plus you got $20 off any Motiv ball purchased before a certain date and if you signed up early you got a Tshirt.

[J Daisy]

Demo days are usually open to anyone, the cost can vary. We had a 900 Global Demo a few months back, The cost was $10 which if you purchase a ball within 30 days $10 will be taken off price of the ball.

The ProShop here hosted a Motiv Test Drive, it was $20 plus you got $20 off any Motiv ball purchased before a certain date and if you signed up early you got a Tshirt.

Sounds really neat. I'm going to look into when the next time my bowling alley has a demo day. It sounds like a great opportunity to see how throwing a heavier ball or a ball with fingertips feels. Never used fingertips before.

[Amyers]

Demo days are good for experiments like that. Do be aware at most Demo days I've been to locally the ball/weight selection is somewhat limited. It's not hard to find a 15 lbs. in a the right size 14 lbs. a little less selection trying to find below that will be difficult. Maybe the selection is larger in other areas but here if your looking a 13 lbs. small you'll be lucky if they have one and you may find that you have to try a 12lbs or 14lbs. Just trying to make sure you understand before you get there

[J Daisy]

Demo days are good for experiments like that. Do be aware at most Demo days I've been to locally the ball/weight selection is somewhat limited. It's not hard to find a 15 lbs. in a the right size 14 lbs. a little less selection trying to find below that will be difficult. Maybe the selection is larger in other areas but here if your looking a 13 lbs. small you'll be lucky if they have one and you may find that you have to try a 12lbs or 14lbs. Just trying to make sure you understand before you get there

Thanks for the tips. I think I'd still like to give it a try, just to see what it's like. :-)