Received an invite to a Ron Clifton clinic

[JerseyJim]

Because I've ordered Magic Carpet from his website, I've received an invite to a bowling clinic being held in NJ. He's going to have Marianne DiRupo (ex-pwba) there as well. Has anyone here gone to any of his clinics? If so, what was good, and what was bad?

[Aslan]

I haven't heard of that clinic.

I HAVE received an offer to go to Camp Bakkes...but that offer was more of a "yeah, you should come...if you have $2,000-$3,000 and a week of vacation time to burn".

Someday...someday...

[JerseyJim]

I attended the clinic last week. My biggest issue was timing. Ron Clifton had me throw a couple of balls for him while he was filming me. He then went over the film in slow motion showing me what I was doing right, and why my timing was off. It was my pushaway. He had me tweak a couple of things in my stance, and had me standing 6" further back on the approach. I could feel the difference immediately. He saw a couple of other things which he wanted to correct once I had a chance to throw a few balls after the tweaks. Funny thing is that once my timing was back in sync. The other problems disappeared. Marianne Dirupo gave me an number of things to work on when I bowl on sport conditions. It was worth the $275 for the 2 days, even better I won a pair of Dexter SST 8 pro bowling shoes that they raffled off. Now I have to practice to get those changes engraved into my muscle memory.

[JasonNJ]

I attended the clinic last week. My biggest issue was timing. Ron Clifton had me throw a couple of balls for him while he was filming me. He then went over the film in slow motion showing me what I was doing right, and why my timing was off. It was my pushaway. He had me tweak a couple of things in my stance, and had me standing 6" further back on the approach. I could feel the difference immediately. He saw a couple of other things which he wanted to correct once I had a chance to throw a few balls after the tweaks. Funny thing is that once my timing was back in sync. The other problems disappeared. Marianne Dirupo gave me an number of things to work on when I bowl on sport conditions. It was worth the $275 for the 2 days, even better I won a pair of Dexter SST 8 pro bowling shoes that they raffled off. Now I have to practice to get those changes engraved into my muscle memory.

That's great. Fixing your pushaway is a perfect example of a cause and symptom. Like if someone can't post their shot and falls off balance, that would be a symptom and a cause would be something like a late pushaway. I'm probably due for a lesson, will have to look at some of the available clinics that may be in my area this summer.

[six6guy]

I looked at a 4 day bowling camp program that travels to a few major cities (Dick Ritger), but the timing for the closest city (Las Vegas) didn't match with my schedule (although Vegas is always fun). Anyway, what I did instead was schedule a standing one hour private lessons appointment with the local pro shop owner (gold coach cert) for every Tuesday afternoon for a month running. The last couple of sessions we simply bowled 3 or 4 games together and he always has some interesting points (Do/Don't or Try ideas). It's really helping me to know the corner cases and also I'm reading thee lane conditions faster. I'm thinking of extending the standing appointment for a second month... maybe.

[p0ppyman]

although Vegas is always fun

Speaking of Las Vegas while visiting there this past weekend I ran into an instructor who worked well with me and my needs named Howie Partell. He holds what he calls bowling improvement clinics for a very reasonable cost. They last two hours for $15. My wife and I attended a morning clinic at Sunset Station. There were a total of about 8 bowlers each with our own lane. He went up and down the lanes working with each of us as needed over the two hour period. He also holds these clinics at Texas Station and South Point Bowling Center.

While not for everyone based upon their needs it worked well for my wife and I. He has regulars there and they speak highly of how Howie and this approach has helped their game.