Versatile Bowler

[bowler34]

What would you consider a versatile bowler. Would being able to play from the gutter to the 5 arrow with the same ball be it.
I ask because as a fairly new bowler I don't have an answer to that question. What is a versatile bowler?

[bowl1820]

What would you consider a versatile bowler. Would being able to play from the gutter to the 5 arrow with the same ball be it.
I ask because as a fairly new bowler I don't have an answer to that question. What is a versatile bowler?

Versatility? Being able to play different angles is part of it, but not all. There are other thing's like:
Having a good "B" game when the "A" game isn't working.
Being able to use different styles, releases as needed.
Knowing how to read the lanes and line up quickly.
Knowing your equipment and how to apply that to the game.

Just a few.

[J Anderson]

What would you consider a versatile bowler. Would being able to play from the gutter to the 5 arrow with the same ball be it.
I ask because as a fairly new bowler I don't have an answer to that question. What is a versatile bowler?

I think its being able to adjust your game to the conditions, whether you change hand positions, speed, equipment or anything else. Generally speaking, we don't teach versatility, especially to new bowlers. As a beginner, You want to establish good habits by doing everything the same on each shot. When you get to the point where you think you could do it in your sleep then you should think about trying different releases, speeds, angles, etc.

On the whole, Our society doesn't place much value on versatility. No matter what the field, we look for experts and specialists. The general practitioner who has to deal with the whole patient earns far less than the cardiologist or the plastic surgeon. Remodeling contractors are advised find one or two kinds of jobs that they can learn to do well and specialize in those so they can make more money.

As bowlers some of us have become the experts at our local lanes, and we we leave those friendly confines, we come back with a ton of excuses about how bad the other lanes were. We reach a comfortable level of proficiency, and then stop learning.

[bowler34]

Thanks guys for the respones. I was just trying to see if I was on the right track. By fairly new bowler I mean only 2 and a half years or so.
I've learned fast I have developed an A and B game and can play from the gutter to the 5 arrow. I play at all my local house which is about 6 and avg, from 205 to 220 between them.
Just trying to see if there is anything I was missing. I also do sport leagues because the conditions are harder.

[mojojojo]

as chris barnes once said, "you need to be good at everything, or be better at doing one thing than everybody else."

[Grimthrow]

as chris barnes once said, "you need to be good at everything, or be better at doing one thing than everybody else."
I don't think I agree with Barnes on the second part. You can't just be good at one oil pattern or JUST be a good spare bowler in order to be great.

Being versatile to me is being able to bowl on all lane conditions and patterns, and being able to switch it up when something isn't working.

[billf]

I consider myself versatile. I use several releases, balls, speeds and play from the two board to well over the left gutter cap. I have been bowling only 5 years and my average hasn't gone up as high as others I bowl with (at our house), however, my average is the same wherever I bowl including sport shorts. My brain is there now just waiting for my physical ability to catch up lol