Getting that First 300 Game Under My Belt

[blong4133]

Just curious how long those of you have a 300 game had been bowling before getting it.

I've been bowling basically my entire life (about 21 years) and have yet to get that elusive 300 game.

I get frustrated because I've been so close a lot of times, but I always lose it on a good shot (or at least what I thought was a good shot) that leaves a 10, or even a split a couple of times. There has been a couple of times when I was in my late teens where I had one going but would come over on the ball and not around it, which ended up not even hitting the pocket. But in all, I've probably had a legit 300 game going about 8 or 9 times and still nothing (not necessarily sanctioned 300's...I've had a couple going in practice games as well).

To add to it, a kid that I used to bowl with in juniors asked me how many 300's I've bowled, and I said none because I had taken a year or two off because of law school. Then he told me that he has 2, which for some reason made me mad. Probably because I don't view him as a very good bowler. He throws a ton of gutter balls, misses easy spares more than he makes them...etc. I pride myself on my consistency. I don't miss my mark very often, and once i find it, I usually have the ball in the pocket every ball. But it just seems like I get at least one bad break (and they're probably my fault) every time I'm going for that 300. For example, last week I started my second game with 8 straight, then in the 9th I left a pocket 7-10.

I just want that first one. I feel like if I can get it, then more will follow. But getting that first one is driving me nuts.

[ursus]

I do't think that getting the 300 game is the end all be all of bowling. A great average will probably get you a lot further in your bowling career than an occasional 300 game ever will. Consistency is one of the things every bowler strives for and if you have that then you have a blessing. Eventually it will come.

[billf]

I feel your pain. I have bowled several non-sanctioned league 300 games but not in two years now. It was four years of bowling year round before the first one but I didn't start until I was around 36. The past 8 months of so I have been coaching my ex-brother-in-law. He was a classic chicken winger. He still has a long way to go but does have TWO 300 games this summer. The fact he is using high end balls, has poor balance and such gets under my skin. It's not him personally just the fact that he really isn't good enough to score like that. His second this summer was this past Tuesday. I had to enter all the scores manually, shot by shot so I saw every hit. He had SEVEN brooklyn strikes. I mean, WTF. I hit the pocket in the 10th and was rewarded with a 7-10.

[backahead]

I feel your pain. I have bowled several non-sanctioned league 300 games but not in two years now. It was four years of bowling year round before the first one but I didn't start until I was around 36. The past 8 months of so I have been coaching my ex-brother-in-law. He was a classic chicken winger. He still has a long way to go but does have TWO 300 games this summer. The fact he is using high end balls, has poor balance and such gets under my skin. It's not him personally just the fact that he really isn't good enough to score like that. His second this summer was this past Tuesday. I had to enter all the scores manually, shot by shot so I saw every hit. He had SEVEN brooklyn strikes. I mean, WTF. I hit the pocket in the 10th and was rewarded with a 7-10.

If it's any consolation I am similar to your ex bro in law and haven't broken 200 yet :) And I didn't want to buy the vivid, my buddy used the jeti mind trick on me.

[The German Shepherd]

I bowled from 1967 to 1980 before I threw my first 300 and I threw my last 300 in 1994. I took a 17 year hiatus and thought I had another one this past May but left a ringing 10 pin on my last ball and ended with a 299. The deal is that I never start thinking 300 until the game is nearly over. As long as you start thinking 300
early in the game, you will get tight. Stop thinking about it and some day you will be standing up there in the 10th frame and you will realize you have thrown your first ten...then you can get nervous...;)

Jay

[J Anderson]

My friend Jeff had his PBA card long before he rolled a 300. He was a bit miffed because no one congratulated him on it. They all thought he must have a whole drawer full of 300 rings!

[Hot_pocket]

ive been bowling since i was 2 im now 21 with 3 sanctioned 300's and no 800 those are harder to achieve and ive come close but no luck. i have plenty of 279's and one 299. dont worry it will come .i had enough luck to bowl my 3rd 300 on my 21st birthday in league. Just stay confident and you will be good.

[austin]

Myself I have also not had that elusive "perfect". Best was a couple years ago had 289. I also have thrown 12 in a row only once, over 2 games. For me it is just the head game which I do not have. Keep thinking about the end result rather than staying in the moment. Been bowling nearly 20 years now. :(

[TheSheibs]

I've been bowling a long time but took a ten year break to serve our country. I've gotten more 200+ games now than before and I am not worried about it. I know that one day I will get that illusive 300 game. Just be patient and try your best every time you bowl. It will happen for you just like it will happen for me one of these days.

[CrimsonEncounter]

I've never bowled one, I got close in a no tap league (248 with a T-Zone), and then in a practice game I bowled a 221 started with 5 strikes and then got a lil over-confident.

[got_a_300]

I bowled my first non-sanctioned 300 game at the age of 15 in 1965
and was told that was the best score you could get in bowling so I
thought to myself if that was the best and I already did it then there
was no need in me bowling anymore.

Ok now fast forward 15 years when I'm 30 and I get interested in the
sport of bowling again. Well in the next 10 years I had a huge amount
of non-sanctioned 299 - 300 games and a bunch of 279, 289, 290 games
then 2 years later I had myself a sanctioned 299 game and just guess which
pin I hung............. yep you are correct I hung the 10 pin.

Then about four months later I walk in and shoot a 300 first game and
follow that up with a 277 game and then a 211 game for a sanctioned
788 series. Over the years if all of my 299 and 300 game had just been
sanctioned I would hold the association record for 299 and 300 games
with I believe it is 38 non-sanctioned 299 games and 43 non-sanctioned
300 games.

[Mike White]

If it's any consolation I am similar to your ex bro in law and haven't broken 200 yet :) And I didn't want to buy the vivid, my buddy used the jeti mind trick on me.

Hey dude, +1 for the Star Wars reference. But -3 for getting it wrong. It's the Jedi Mind Trick.

[blong4133]

I've been bowling a long time but took a ten year break to serve our country. I've gotten more 200+ games now than before and I am not worried about it. I know that one day I will get that illusive 300 game. Just be patient and try your best every time you bowl. It will happen for you just like it will happen for me one of these days.

Thank you for your service!

While I still didn't get my 300 last week, I did get my first 800 series with an 810.

Had a 276, 277, 257. First game, started with the big 4, then threw 11 strikes. Second game, started with the 6-7-10 then 11 strikes. Third game I had three balls that didn't strike. So in 3 games, I threw 5 balls that did not strike. I'll take that I suppose...lol

[billf]

Very nice series. I'm envious.

[got_a_300]

Had a 276, 277, 257. So in 3 games, I threw 5 balls that did not strike. I'll take that I suppose...lol

Yeah I guess I'd probably be tempted take those games and that series myself if I could get them regularly. LOL!!!!

[backahead]

Hey dude, +1 for the Star Wars reference. But -3 for getting it wrong. It's the Jedi Mind Trick.

I know, I'm sorry :) I noticed the mistake after I posted, but I was never a star wars fan so I chose not to fix it.

I bowled a 207 on my last game tonight though! First time above 200. Hopefully I can recreate that on league night Tuesday. I'm starting to feel a bit of consistency with my approach and delivery. Left shoulder and hand position made the difference for me tonight.

[billf]

Glad to hear it (balance arm position helped). Congratulations! Many more to come.

[backahead]

Glad to hear it (balance arm position helped). Congratulations! Many more to come.

Thanks Bill. I've read a lot of your posts. I'm pretty pysched and I can't wait to bowl tomorrow.

[backahead]

6 games tonight, high score 153. I thought for sure I could repeat 200+.

[billf]

It's alright. A half step back every now and then is ok when you know a full step or two forward is coming.

[martin]

Thank you for your service!

While I still didn't get my 300 last week, I did get my first 800 series with an 810.

Had a 276, 277, 257. First game, started with the big 4, then threw 11 strikes. Second game, started with the 6-7-10 then 11 strikes. Third game I had three balls that didn't strike. So in 3 games, I threw 5 balls that did not strike. I'll take that I suppose...lol

wow that's a great series.. i haven't even passed 700.. lol..

[Tampabaybob]

I've been bowling 55 years, started when I was 11, and it took 35 years and the purchase of the first ever resin ball to get my first ring. I threw a 299 game in practice when I was about 17 and that was at a place with a Pin Boy ! Many of you have never experienced that phenomenon ! Anyway, my first 300 game was the 3rd game in an 856 set that broke the Local Association record. 279 - 277 - 300. Never had an 800 either and ended up having both on the same night. Have had 8 now and haven't had one in several years. Last year I probably shot 9 or 10 games over 275 but it's very elusive. The first one is always the hardest to get, and after that you'll relax more when the time arrives. Keep on shooting the big games "IT WILL COME TO PASS".

Oh, and just a hint....always move a board or two in the 10th frame. when you get a little anxious you'll almost always pull the ball.

Bob