Question from newbie

[jffdvs]

I am 50 years old. When I was in my 20's I bowled on several leagues and had my own ball and shoes. I haven't bowled in over 25 years and somewhere along the way my ball and shoes were thrown out. I traveled out of town for Christmas to visit a sister. She hasn't bowled in at least as long as me; and when I was there she mentioned that she had been thinking about trying it again. I said that I had been thinking the same thing so we went to an alley and rented shoes and found house balls. I went up to throw a practice ball and almost fell on my face - my shoes stuck to the floor like they were wet. I looked at them and they had rubber heels. I went to the desk and the women told me that all the shoes were like that and I was supposed to slide on my toes. I am to old to learn a new motion so we just left. The next day we tried a different alley and it was the same.

So did something change when I was gone? Is everyone bowling with rubber souls? If so, what is the point of wearing bowling shoes? I might as well bowl in my sneakers!

[JAnderson]

One of the changes over the last 25 years has been a migration from wood approaches to synthetic approaches. The new synthetic approaches are more sensitive to moisture, humidity, and dirt. If not cared for, they become quite "sticky" compared to the wood approaches, even poorly maintained ones.

The good news is that bowling shoe technology has also evolved. Many brands of bowling shoes feature changeable soles and heels made of different materials that allow you to adjust how much you want to brake or slide. Even basic shoes without interchangeable soles and heels can be adjusted/supplemented with different types of slide socks. These go on over your bowling shoe to allow for more slide on the sole, heel, or both.

Your local pro shop should be able to help out.

[JAnderson]

Almost forgot - welcome to the site and welcome back to bowling :)

[bowl1820]

So did something change when I was gone? Is everyone bowling with rubber souls? If so, what is the point of wearing bowling shoes? I might as well bowl in my sneakers!

The basic bowling shoes have a universal sole, most have a leather slide sole and a hard "rubber like" heel but not all. That can be used by either left or right handed bowlers.

While the house shoes might not have been great. If you havent bowled in a long time. I'll guess your form is off some and you were placing all your weight on your heel when you tried to slide. If that was the case you would come to a dead stop when you tried to slide.

Now you dont slide on "your toes" the majority of your weight is on the ball of your foot, thats where the slide sole does its work. Now when you transfer your weight back toward the heel (like by leaning back a little to much), it acts as a brake and you can come to a dead stop.

You might take a look at this thread also

click here "sticking at the foul line" (http://www.bowlingboards.com/showthread.php?t=5271)

[forhuskers]

One of the changes over the last 25 years has been a migration from wood approaches to synthetic approaches. The new synthetic approaches are more sensitive to moisture, humidity, and dirt. If not cared for, they become quite "sticky" compared to the wood approaches, even poorly maintained ones.

The good news is that bowling shoe technology has also evolved. Many brands of bowling shoes feature changeable soles and heels made of different materials that allow you to adjust how much you want to brake or slide. Even basic shoes without interchangeable soles and heels can be adjusted/supplemented with different types of slide socks. These go on over your bowling shoe to allow for more slide on the sole, heel, or both.

Your local pro shop should be able to help out.

Kind of an older thread, but it matches my current problem. Can anyone tell me where to find something to cover a rubber heel to keep me from coming to an immediate stop?