A few practice games tonight after summer off

[boatman37]

So had our league meeting tonight so I went in a little early and bowled a couple of games. First time touching a ball since about early May. First game was tough. Tried the Uppercut and kept going through the nose and splitting. 10 board was pretty dry. Moved in a little but no better. Tried to ball down with the Igniter but still going through the nose. First game 139...ugh. Second game went back to the Uppercut and picked up my speed a little and back at the 10 board. Started out at about 15.6 MPH-ish. Second game was closer to about 16.1. Started with 2 strikes, then missed a 4-7 slightly inside, then covered a 2-4-7 then threw the next 6 then had to cover the 7 pin in the fill for a 243. Not bad. I can live with that. Talked to the guy at the counter, who bowls with us, and he said those lanes hadn't been oiled since the night before before the summer league bowled so that explains the dry conditions. It's a 40 lane house and the lights were off from 25-40 and 1-24 was full of recreational bowlers so he put me on 26. Guessing they weren't planning on having that many people there and hadn't planned on using those lanes at the far end.

I still don't have a team. Everyone quit and I'm the only one left so they are going to find a team needing a bowler. We have a bunch of teams with 7 or more on the roster and they alternate. I only bowl 1 night a week and want to bowl every week, or at least almost every week. It is nice having a sub if you have an emergency but there are a couple of teams with 9 or 10 bowlers and you only get to bowl once every 2 or 3 weeks. I specified at the meeting that I wan to bowl full-time so hopefully it works out.

[Aslan]

Aslan's Bowling Pet Peeve #1

What's the point of practicing when the bowling ball movement is 70% dependent on reaction to oil conditions and the center isn't going to put down conditions you're likely to see when you bowl on league night? It's like practicing free throws with the basket at 7.5 feet or practicing field goal kicking from the sidelines.

I mean, you may as well just practice spare shooting or physical aspects of your game and go home...because you could score 120 or 300 and it means the same thing on a random Saturday at a bowling center. And people wonder why it's not an Olympic sport?

[boatman37]

Aslan's Bowling Pet Peeve #1

What's the point of practicing when the bowling ball movement is 70% dependent on reaction to oil conditions and the center isn't going to put down conditions you're likely to see when you bowl on league night? It's like practicing free throws with the basket at 7.5 feet or practicing field goal kicking from the sidelines.

I mean, you may as well just practice spare shooting or physical aspects of your game and go home...because you could score 120 or 300 and it means the same thing on a random Saturday at a bowling center. And people wonder why it's not an Olympic sport?

The idea was more for my mechanics. Wasn't concerned with score but was happy I was able to adapt to the dry conditions. That has been a struggle for me. But like I said, my focus was just to get the feel of my approach, timing, etc after a summer off

[Phonetek]

Aslan's Bowling Pet Peeve #1

What's the point of practicing when the bowling ball movement is 70% dependent on reaction to oil conditions and the center isn't going to put down conditions you're likely to see when you bowl on league night? It's like practicing free throws with the basket at 7.5 feet or practicing field goal kicking from the sidelines.

I mean, you may as well just practice spare shooting or physical aspects of your game and go home...because you could score 120 or 300 and it means the same thing on a random Saturday at a bowling center. And people wonder why it's not an Olympic sport?

You sound like my kid. You guys miss the point of what practice is for. The point of practice is to practice, not shoot for high scores. Practice is to work out whatever kinks you have in your game. Things like release, aspects of your approach, shooting 10 pins or whatever. Or simply like Boatman basically said, just to get out there after a long break. Knowing Boatman for a some time now, I know he's not practicing shooting for 300's and throwing a hissy fit when he doesn't. Often times I just shut the scoring monitor off because IT'S PRACTICE not a PBA match! Lane conditions are moot and score is moot. Once my kid gets that into his head he'll have more effective practice sessions.

If lane conditions are that important then it's not difficult to ask the counter or call the center and ask when they oil before you go. Fortunately we oil daily or twice if need be, so I don't have to deal with things like this. I know that doesn't hold true for most centers around here. Given what I see here, not even around the country. We have real wood not synthetic so we have to oil for the reason is designed for, to protect the lanes. Not simply to make the bowlers happy.

Besides, during most leagues everyone is throwing oil sucking sponges down the lane anyway so you might as well learn to adapt to dry lanes. I don't know about anyone else but I've built my arsenal around the shape of arc of what I am comfortable bowling with.

I CAN bowl bowl with that big hockey stick arc but I don't prefer it. I don't care much for splits, wash outs and weird spare conversions if I miss my mark, so I avoid that game when possible. Yeah it looks impressive when you throw strikes but more often than not it leads to trouble. I have no need for a pro performance, high flare, 500 grit asymmetrical oil sucker very often. Therefore, my arsenal is put together to have more of a smooth arc. When my heavy oil ball starts doing the hockey sticks I switch to the next one down. Unless I see urethane on the rack then I start with weaker balls vs strongest. I know carry down will be an issue.

On bone dry conditions I have a low performance reactive with a symmetrical core that still provides me that nice smooth arc I prefer. It doesn't lose energy 10 feet before it hits the pins. So far with what I have, I haven't had to resort to my spare ball for strike shots.

I'm guessing the common mistake people are making when they build an arsenal they base it off of "What can give me the biggest hook?" vs "What can keep me in the game the longest?"
As the pro's often say, "Straighter is greater." and that's what you need to keep in mind building an arsenal. Otherwise, I hope gutter chucking is something you're good at.

[Ryster]

To Aslan's point, it is hard to practice things like release, approach, timing, etc. when you don't know if it is your mechanics that are causing an issue or the lane condition. The lane condition could be garbage, which in turn causes you to reinforce bad habits trying to subconsciously compensate your mechanics to accommodate the lane. Or, the lane condition is fine, but you are having a bad day and don't realize it is you and not the lane.

I rarely go in and open bowl anymore despite having unlimited free bowling for the entire summer. It is pointless. Between the inconsistent lane conditions and the inconsiderate open bowlers, it just isn't productive or enjoyable. The lanes are freshly oiled prior to the start of our league. At least then I know that if I am not getting the reaction I want in warm-ups, it is more than likely something I am doing as opposed to the actual shot (or lack thereof.) That gives me 10 minutes to get it figured out.

[Aslan]

Again...you're making the case that it's okay to practice shooting free throws at a 7ft basket and kick field goals from the sidelines.

Why?

Because; "hey...you're just going through the motions man! You're just trying to get your arc right...just trying to work on your follow-through. It don't matter if the ball goes in the basket or not...it's not about scoring. You're just getting out there and just getting loose."

And, "who cares where you kick the ball from or if it goes through the uprights? You're just kicking the ball....you don't even need uprights in practice...just "imagine" uprights. It's just practice. It's all about leg extension and footwork and follow-through. You aim for the pole...doesn't matter if you're kicking it from the center of the field or the side of the field."

See...we can make excuses in every sport for changing conditions in practice and saying, "it doesn't matter...it's just practice." And maybe it doesn't. You want to practice curling by rolling a basketball in a parking lot and running ahead of it with standard brooms...maybe that is the same thing. I dunno. You want to practice your dart game by throwing darts at a board that is 2 feet higher up on the wall? Go ahead. Maybe it won't matter.

But bowling isn't just about physical ability. FAR FROM IT. I WISH IT WERE. Bowling has become 70% ability and 25% equipment. That MEANS...you can go practice your approach, release, timing, spare shooting...all those physical things. BUT...when you show up on league night...25% of your game is missing.

And I see this ALL SEASON. Guys with 190-200 averages...guys in the state bowling hall of fame...who have all the physical bowling skills in the world...but they can't explain why their ball isn't doing something or why it is doing something. They make ball changes for odd reasons or no reason at all. They buy bowling balls for color or smell or brand loyalty or because their PSO recommended it because the PSO liked it.

And those bowlers...they can't work on that 25%...on burnt conditions. They can't. It's not possible. It's not possible to determine where on a lane a ball is going to transition from one phase to another on burnt conditions. It's not possible to determine what board is the best starting board for a given ball that you've never thrown before...or a ball that you're trying at a new surface...on burnt conditions. It's not possible to compare the ball reactions of two balls...to see what the relationship is between two balls in your arsenal.

And, bowling centers really argue this at their own peril. They are essentially arguing that you don't need to bowl...in order to practice bowling. If you don't need "league conditions, then you don't need "bowling conditions". Why bowl? Why not just "Wii bowl?" Why even do that? Why not just "imagine you're bowling?" Just walk in your living room and go through the motions...just visualize that you're bowling. It's all the same thing. Reality is over-rated.

Someday in the future...1 of 4 things will cure this (in no order of likelihood):

a) Bowling will cease to exist.

b) Physical bowling will give way to video bowling.

c) Lanes will automatically re-oil prior to the start of someone starting to bowl. (Imagine a robotic oiler that comes out from under the pin deck and cleans/oils the lane surface as the new bowlers enter their names in the scoring computer...then disappears under the pin deck).

d) There will come a time when oiling will no longer be necessary as lanes will be made of a material that will no longer need it.

Now, if I were a betting man...I'd give a sizable edge to 'A'. Given the rapid decline of bowling in the last 40 years...I think thats the logical front-runner. I think 'D' is a distant 2nd...with 'C' not too far behind it in 3rd. I gotta think the technology for 'D' and 'C' already exists...it's just a matter of making it cost effective.

[boatman37]

Think of it this way...usually when I/we show up for practice we have fresh lanes and are often the only one on that lane so even after 4 or 5 games you still don't get the same effect of league night after 2.5 games so essentially you never get to practice in those conditions. When I got there I had no idea they hadn't been oiled but after a few frames realized they were pretty dry. Wasn't till I was done and went up to pay and I mentioned it to the guy at the counter he said they hadn't been oiled since before leagues the night before. I typically do pretty good on fresh and pretty good in the 3rd game. It's that transition I struggle with usually. Last night I had the luxury of trying different things on a burned lane without having to worry about it costing us a game. Was it extreme? No, similar to a 3rd game on league night. But I was focused more on my mechanics and whatever happened happened. Just turns out I adapted pretty well. My form felt good, release felt good, timing felt good, was able to keep my balance at the line which is another thing I struggle with alot. So in my mind it was better than me showing up with a fresh lane. I know how to bowl on fresh. What I need is more practice on dry and processing that transition quicker.

[Phonetek]

Again...you're making the case that it's okay to practice shooting free throws at a 7ft basket and kick field goals from the sidelines.

Why?

Because; "hey...you're just going through the motions man! You're just trying to get your arc right...just trying to work on your follow-through. It don't matter if the ball goes in the basket or not...it's not about scoring. You're just getting out there and just getting loose."

And, "who cares where you kick the ball from or if it goes through the uprights? You're just kicking the ball....you don't even need uprights in practice...just "imagine" uprights. It's just practice. It's all about leg extension and footwork and follow-through. You aim for the pole...doesn't matter if you're kicking it from the center of the field or the side of the field."

See...we can make excuses in every sport for changing conditions in practice and saying, "it doesn't matter...it's just practice." And maybe it doesn't. You want to practice curling by rolling a basketball in a parking lot and running ahead of it with standard brooms...maybe that is the same thing. I dunno. You want to practice your dart game by throwing darts at a board that is 2 feet higher up on the wall? Go ahead. Maybe it won't matter.

But bowling isn't just about physical ability. FAR FROM IT. I WISH IT WERE. Bowling has become 70% ability and 25% equipment. That MEANS...you can go practice your approach, release, timing, spare shooting...all those physical things. BUT...when you show up on league night...25% of your game is missing.

And I see this ALL SEASON. Guys with 190-200 averages...guys in the state bowling hall of fame...who have all the physical bowling skills in the world...but they can't explain why their ball isn't doing something or why it is doing something. They make ball changes for odd reasons or no reason at all. They buy bowling balls for color or smell or brand loyalty or because their PSO recommended it because the PSO liked it.

And those bowlers...they can't work on that 25%...on burnt conditions. They can't. It's not possible. It's not possible to determine where on a lane a ball is going to transition from one phase to another on burnt conditions. It's not possible to determine what board is the best starting board for a given ball that you've never thrown before...or a ball that you're trying at a new surface...on burnt conditions. It's not possible to compare the ball reactions of two balls...to see what the relationship is between two balls in your arsenal.

And, bowling centers really argue this at their own peril. They are essentially arguing that you don't need to bowl...in order to practice bowling. If you don't need "league conditions, then you don't need "bowling conditions". Why bowl? Why not just "Wii bowl?" Why even do that? Why not just "imagine you're bowling?" Just walk in your living room and go through the motions...just visualize that you're bowling. It's all the same thing. Reality is over-rated.

Someday in the future...1 of 4 things will cure this (in no order of likelihood):

a) Bowling will cease to exist.

b) Physical bowling will give way to video bowling.

c) Lanes will automatically re-oil prior to the start of someone starting to bowl. (Imagine a robotic oiler that comes out from under the pin deck and cleans/oils the lane surface as the new bowlers enter their names in the scoring computer...then disappears under the pin deck).

d) There will come a time when oiling will no longer be necessary as lanes will be made of a material that will no longer need it.

Now, if I were a betting man...I'd give a sizable edge to 'A'. Given the rapid decline of bowling in the last 40 years...I think thats the logical front-runner. I think 'D' is a distant 2nd...with 'C' not too far behind it in 3rd. I gotta think the technology for 'D' and 'C' already exists...it's just a matter of making it cost effective.

Okay

[SRB57]

I went to practice for the second time of the summer. The lanes had not been oiled since the day before and some open play on them. Just wanted to make sure my timing and release was good and nothing hurt. Wasn't bowling for score but averaged 220 for 5 games with 3 different balls and only had 2 opens 4-9 split and 7 pin. late in the 5th game. I will be going at least once a week now until the season starts. I felt good and should be good for the season. Steve

[boomer]

Again...you're making the case that it's okay to practice shooting free throws at a 7ft basket and kick field goals from the sidelines.

..... Too long to quote, LOL

OK, I don't agree with the details of your post - but only the details.

Here's the thing about how I see nearly everyone practice - they bowl. They score. There is no deliberation in their "practice" - it's play, not practice. Practice is deliberate. Play is not.

And that's the problem.

Not the lane conditions. Not the height of the basket (did you think that Stephen Curry's hoop when he was growing up and practicing was regulation height? LOL) or the distance between the uprights (or even if they are there - I place kicked in college. We practiced JUST elevation quite a bit. Angle is a LOT of the technique.) - it's the mindset of the bowler.

*Do you think you would get a strike with a one-step drill? You shouldn't - you can't generate enough ball speed without really screwing up the drill. It's about feel.
*One of my favorite drills is the dice-game. Roll a 6-sided die - roll a 1, hit the 7. 2, hit the 4. 3, hit the 2 and so on, going left to right. Completely random - you get a "point" for each time you do it (and be honest even if there isn't that pin there) - should be no strikes. (oh, and nothing for the head-pin or 5, 8 or 9) It's a drill to reinforce spares.
*My father-in-law's favorite is low-ball. First ball, 10 pin; second ball 7. Gutter gets a strike (or spare if it's the second ball)

*I also like the drill where you use a single ball and bowl to get two strikes from each arrow (within reason) - starting at the first arrow, then second, then third, etc. I can barely loft the gutter and I'm not comfortable with it - but I've gotten a LOT more comfortable between 3rd and 4th arrow. This is harder on a burnt condition, obviously. . . but it's not about SCORE, it's about execution and DELIBERATION.

All of these are.

If bowlers would practice with deliberation, with thought, and without worrying about score, they would PRACTICE. Slow down. Post. Balance. Rhythm. Flow. Reach to your target. Did your ball go where you wanted? What happened? Have your partner WATCH so they can provide feedback - video if you have to (and get comfortable with it). If they (and I) would do this, they'd (we'd) get better.


The problem is not the lanes or lane conditions. It's the mindset of the bowler.



(btw - we practiced kicking from the center of the field, WAAAY outside my range, because it was muddy and often frozen so very difficult. We didn't practice with a holder, just a T and one of those tripod holders. We also practiced at PAT range for elevation. We practiced from each hash to get "straight" out of our heads - line up to the left, line up to the right. Much of the time we didn't care where the ball went - we cared about form; we cared about footing; we cared about angles. You get that stuff right and the ball's going to go. My problem was distance - I did more punting - I had several second hang time so we could almost always surround the returner as he was catching the ball. . . heh heh heh)


(btw - I think C is a cool option. We already have robotic lane conditioners (not at my center, unfortunately - OOOOLD machines. . . but at a Bowlero nearby, yep) that require little to no supervision (theoretically) - that could happen. Maybe not 1 per lane but . . . hmmmmmmmm)

[Aslan]

@boomer

See...I don't disagree with your concept...if you're practicing for a purpose...you don't NEED oil.

I USUALLY practice spare shooting...because I SUCK at shooting spares. Do I CARE if they oiled the lanes today, yesterday, last month? Nope. Couldn't care less. Don't give a flying rat's poo. It doesn't affect what I'm practicing. I'm there to throw my spare ball straight at a target. If I miss...it's because I'm doing something wrong...not because of the oil.

AND...if I'm there to practice my footwork...or my slide...I probably don't even need to rent the lane...ot throw a ball. I can just put my shoes on and go practice taking steps and sliding.

But...whether a ball carries a 10-pin...is THE MYSTERY OF BOWLING. Nobody can explain why it does or does not occur. Somewhere on a lonely mountain top in Tibet...there's an old man with a long beard and he doesn't even know why. Don't get me wrong...there's all kinds of theories! Every bowling ball company will claim "if you just buy THEIR ball...you'll carry those 10-pins!" Coaches will talk about creating angle...other coaches will talk about retaining ball energy...and some coaches will conflict what the other coach says. One will say ya need to throw harder and the other throw softer and one will say move right and the other move left.

At the end of the day...the 10-pin still stands. It mocks you. It laughs in your face. It knows...that even if you're a good spare shooter...it doesn't matter. Because in today's game...if it stands...you lose. Convert it, don't convert it...it doesn't matter. If you can't run strikes together, you're nothing.

So, how do you "practice" to get you ball to convert 10-pins? How do you throw that ball and watch it move on the lane...and watch it go from one phase to another...and watch as it moves through the pin deck...and see the deflection or the lack of deflection...and where it exits...and the axis tilt and the axis rotation? How do you see all that...and COMPARE IT...to what you are going to see come Thursday or Tuesday...when it MATTERS...if you're bowling in your neighbor's shed, on a 60ft tarp that he set up on some plywood that his cousin Earl found out back in the woods?

This is a game of inches. A game of physics. A game of terminology and science that 99.997% of the people playing it don't even understand...and we don't even have the ability to walk into a center...the 4% of us devoted enough to spend the time and money to "practice"...to walk in to a center and have lane conditions similar to what we'd see on the night we bowl. It's "too much to ask". It's "too expensive". It's "not necessary".

It costs about 65 cents worth of oil to oil a THS on a pair. It takes 5 minutes...maybe 10 to get the machine and put it away....so thats another $2.50 in labor. I'd GLADLY round it up and pay $4.00 for a freshly oiled pair.

This is another reason I advocate coaching over practice.

1. Coaches usually get freshly oiled lanes to give lessons on...at least most of my lessons have.
2. If you're going to "practice" on burnt conditions and practice "physical" stuff...don't bother. Save the money and invest in training aids you can use at home. There are some quality training aids that can help with your swing and you don't need to wast money with renting lanes and throwing your balls at a center. Just clear out a spot in your basement or dining room. Put your money to better use and buy a training DVD, get a tripod and video camera and don't bother with the lanes at all. If you're working on things that happen prior to the foul line...all you need is a slippery surface and a piece of tape.

[Aslan]

(btw - I think C is a cool option. We already have robotic lane conditioners (not at my center, unfortunately - OOOOLD machines. . . but at a Bowlero nearby, yep) that require little to no supervision (theoretically) - that could happen. Maybe not 1 per lane but . . . hmmmmmmmm)

Another possibility, is one robotic oil machine that travels horizontally beneath the pin decks...the entire length of the center. So, it would 'pop up', clean the lane, go under the pin deck, move to the next lane, 'pop up', clean the lane, go under the pin deck, move to the next lane, etc...

Technologically, it's not very sophisticated. The oiling machine would just need wheels like on a suitcase...that allow it to travel in two directions. It wouldn't slow down the oiling process...of matter of fact, it would speed it up...because you wouldn't have to wait for the person to go get the oil machine from "the back" or wherever it's kept. And it frees up space because the oil machine is kept beneath the lanes.

Like a wireless printer, it would alert you when the oil level is low and it would come to the front of whatever lane it was on to be filled.

The biggest advantage is that it could resurface lanes prior to any pair being bowled on by simply the counter pressing a button at the desk. So, if I were to go to the desk and say I was there to practice and would like a THS shot applied...they'd just put be on 17 and 18 and hit the button. The oil machine would travel beneath the lanes to 17/18, pop up, oil the pair, then go back down below the pin deck.

You could even specify whatever pattern you wanted. I could specify the USBC White pattern and it could apply that.

And when leagues were about to start, the desk would simply order the machine to start oiling lanes 1 through 24...but the machine would know that 17 and 18 were still in use so it would skip that pair and alert the desk that all lanes are oiled except 17 and 18. Once 17 and 18 games are completed...the machine would immediately go to those lanes and oil them for league play for the pattern specified for that league.

The initial cost would be a little higher for the machine and software. Much higher for the lanes to install the hydraulics and track underneath. And, obviously there would be upkeep. And, you'd still need a back-up machine should the robot 'break' or 'get stuck' somewhere.

The BIGGEST problem with the concept is making sure that the pin deck is flush with the lane. You'd almost have to extend the lane and have the machine pop up from where the pins fall in the back...otherwise you'd have to make sure that the place where the lane meets the 'trap door' where the oil machine comes out is completely and perfectly flush...otherwise you'd mess with the integrity of the game because the ball would hit the lip right at the point before it hits the pocket.

[Phonetek]

You know... Instead of whining about practicing on dry lanes if it means that much to you. There is a100% solution for that you can literally do anywhere you are at any moment....

Call the bowling center and say "Hi, could you tell me about what time and day that you oil your lanes?" When they answer you then say "Okay thanks... may I schedule a lane reservation for that day and time? Great thanks, I'll see you then. Have a nice day!"

TADA! Now you can practice both your 75% ability and 25% equipment and be 100% ready. Problem solved. See... That wasn't so hard was it? Of course that will do nothing to help you do better on dry lanes if the challenge should ever present itself during competition. Of course that never happens.

[Phonetek]

Oh and before I hear the tired argument that they only oil before certified play, let me tell you how it really works in the real world.

Again, oil is to protect the lanes NOT to satisfy bowlers needs. However a constant barrage of house balls going down constant during open play as we all know creates carry down. That carry down gets all over the pin decks. Oily pin decks cause pins to slide more across the deck instead of falling.

Pins that slide out of spot causes "Out of ranges". Those out of ranges become very frequent. Also, that oil gets dragged into the carpet, the balls get covered in it. The balls get stuck slipping in the ball lift, not coming back. Both of those things annoy the crap out of mechanics when they become a constant thing. I know I don't like my mechanic annoyed so there is one solution. TO OIL!

It doesn't matter what time of day or what is on the schedule league, tournament, a kids birthday party or whatever. I don't want my mechanic running his butt off taking out of range calls, and balls getting stuck in the lift getting him angry. You HAVE to oil.

No mechanic is going to tolerate that for very long if the center is trying to cut costs by not oiling. Good mechanics are so difficult to find. So yeah, as an open bowlers you may think the lanes get oiled once a week or go all summer without it blah blah blah whatever. You're wrong or you have an extremely poorly run center.
Unless your center is so dead that two people bowl a day then sure you can go without oiling longer. You can't just not oil or only do it only for certified play unless you have it at least twice a day.

Yes there are centers that will oil specifically for one person. Those centers likely have the remote control automatic machines. Good for them and good for you bowlers that can enjoy that luxury. They aren't all that common just yet. I know at my center there is no way we would do it.

We're not dragging out the heavy machine, unwinding a 200ft cord oiling one lane, rerolling the cord, emptying the waste in the machine, cleaning the squeegy on the bottom, topping off the fluids, dragging it back in place to put it away because of one guy whining that his practice needs to be a 100% fulfilling and to make $10 off his games. That's a fantasy! And that folks is how it works in the real world and how it should work.

[Cdolcejr]

Just a random thought after first night of league concerning practice (or the lack thereof).

Couple of guys showed up to league not having bowled since May, not even to practice. They are both serious bowlers and get angry when they don't shoot well. Needless to say, they both struggled and blamed it on their mechanics. They thought they were just going to walk in after not throwing a shot in around 4 months and bowl great. That is astonishing to me. I've never gone into any league without at least one practice session, and I bowl summer leagues too.

[Phonetek]

Just a random thought after first night of league concerning practice (or the lack thereof).

Couple of guys showed up to league not having bowled since May, not even to practice. They are both serious bowlers and get angry when they don't shoot well. Needless to say, they both struggled and blamed it on their mechanics. They thought they were just going to walk in after not throwing a shot in around 4 months and bowl great. That is astonishing to me. I've never gone into any league without at least one practice session, and I bowl summer leagues too.

Meh… no need to blame the mechanics, just blame Covid. It works for everything else and it’s just as true. Gas prices are high? Covid. Your favorite sporting event got rained out? Covid. Lane 3 keeps breaking down? Covid. So they bowl poorly after a long summer off? Why not? Heck with it… Covid. LOL It takes the blame off of everyone including the ones complaining. It’s the perfect excuse for everything and people believe it. Tell them to use that one next time, it’s free and they won’t sound like jerks

[boomer]

LOL - not THE mechanics . . . THEIR mechanics (which is good, that's what they should blame)

[Phonetek]

LOL - not THE mechanics . . . THEIR mechanics (which is good, that's what they should blame)

In having no evidence to the contrary in this case I’m forced to give the benefit of doubt. =)

[J Anderson]

LOL - not THE mechanics . . . THEIR mechanics (which is good, that's what they should blame)

I don’t know. We love to blame everything on the youngest mechanic at our bowling center, especially in the sport league😉. Well maybe not everything. About half the complaints target the owner. Over the summer a lot of bowlers were under performing and looking for some one or something to blame. It can’t be us, can it Pogo?