Old bowler needs an update.

[aussiedave]

My wife and I are just getting back into the game after about a thirty year hiatus. At that time, I carried in the mid 190's, and she carried around a 160 average. From what I've read, neither of those are any great shakes today.

It didn't take us long to see the changes in the game. Can you guys help us catch up with the times.

The first thing I read about is that the old balls we used to use are ancient technology now. From what I've been able to discern you have plastic, urethane, and some kind of resin balls.My last balls were Yellow Dots, and Three Dots as a point of reference. I have no idea what to buy, or what the pros and cons are for the various types. At that time most of the higher average shooters either used a finger tip grip, or a semi finger tip. Is that still the case?

Lane finishes: Back just before I quit, they changed over to synthetic decks. I'm sure they've changed even more since then. Along with that it sounds like oils and oiling conditions have changed. The few videos I've looked up show people standing way left, and throwing huge sweeping curves. That's not the profile I was accustomed to. Is it the norm? I usually shot out around the fourth or fifth board, with just about a five to seven board moderately hard hook at the end. As to oiling, all I usually saw was a block down to about ten feet from the head pin, or a Christmas tree pattern that most people tried to ride.

Please feel free to add any info I've left out. through two practice sessions, we're pretty much lost still.

Thanks,
Scotty

If you still have good pace, you can go with the resin balls which do hook the most.
If you are a medium paced bowler, you can still go with the resin, but go with one that is not so aggressive. You can also try the newer style of urethane balls which can still hook, but not as much as the aggressive resins. They do offer a more consistent curve though.The plastics are usually only meant for straighter bowlers as they offer a cheaper alternative, but can be used for spares and saving your strike ball.
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[Buddha512]

I was a heck of a lot younger then, and just about had my mail delivered to the bowling alley, I was there so much. From what I've done the last couple of weeks, I'd be thrilled just to see that same avg. by the end of the season.

[Buddha512]

Thanks Donna for the reply and the link to Mr. Mautner's postings. It will be a definite read after I reply to a few of these other posts.

I know that a lot of my problem right now is just getting back into it. I'm amazed at the lack of "bowling muscles". That was a big surprise, but they'll come back. We start our new league tomorrow night. One thing for sure is that my new teammates don't have to worry about me setting my average too high.

As to the grip. I always used a fingertip grip, but seeing how severely balls react on the lanes today, I thought that a fingertip grip might make them jump right off the lanes. I also realize that I'm judging today's shooting based on a house ball. There will be a new one very soon, I've just got to get educated as to what kind of ball reacts in which manner. I hope I can find one that works on today's surfaces and oiling techniques without that huge curve. That ball profile never listened to me before.

Thanks again for taking the time.

Scotty

[Buddha512]

Aslan,

Getting back into the swing of things, may be a daunting task based on the practice rounds I've shot. Getting back into the swing of things may take all season long.

Thanks for the reply.

[Buddha512]

Bunny,

You struck a nerve. When I first started try to find out where the game had advance to in all these years, I ran across the term "two handed" bowler, and went WHAAAT? I envisioned some small child that couldn't pick up an 8# ball without using two hands. Then I see a YouTube video about some kid that threw an 800+ using two hands. That's when I had the thought that this isn't my game anymore. Luckily I discovered that while there is such a thing as two handed bowler, most of us still walk like a duck, quack like a duck etc. If I had to learn to bowl two handed.... Oh hell no.

I'm starting by picking the brains on here, but I'll definitely be asking a lot of questions if the knowledgeable shooters I find, once we get in our league.

Thanks for your reply.

Scotty

[Buddha512]

No. No computer games for me. A friend lead me astray and got me started on golf. The problem here is this: You've heard people say "I don't have a competitive bone in my body". Well I'm just the opposite. I don't own a bone that isn't competitive. I'm not hard on my teammates or the competing team. I'm just hard on myself if I'm not doing as well as I expect. Translation, I get pissed at myself. Wife says I can't do that this time. I'm on my best behavior.

Thanks for the reply.

[Aslan]

I ran across the term "two handed" bowler, and went WHAAAT? I envisioned some small child that couldn't pick up an 8# ball without using two hands. Then I see a YouTube video about some kid that threw an 800+ using two hands. That's when I had the thought that this isn't my game anymore. Luckily I discovered that while there is such a thing as two handed bowler, most of us still walk like a duck, quack like a duck etc. If I had to learn to bowl two handed.... Oh hell no.

2-handed bowlers are an abomination and should be banned from bowling. Just ignore them and hope that they go away...thats what I do.

[Aslan]

No. No computer games for me. A friend lead me astray and got me started on golf. The problem here is this: You've heard people say "I don't have a competitive bone in my body". Well I'm just the opposite. I don't own a bone that isn't competitive. I'm not hard on my teammates or the competing team. I'm just hard on myself if I'm not doing as well as I expect. Translation, I get pissed at myself. Wife says I can't do that this time. I'm on my best behavior.

Thanks for the reply.

I was just teasing Xababur about the video game thing.

I'm the same way though. I almost gave up bowling altogether last friday when I bowled a 99. But then...Sunday and Monday...practice went better...so I'm back to Plan A which is to be the absolute most awesome bowler ever in the history of the world and be a famous pro. Plan B is to be just good enough to impress single moms and waitresses at the alley so I can get a little "naughty action" if ya know what I mean. Plan C is golf...but I'm even worse at that than bowling...so I'm hoping plan A and/or plan B work out.

[Buddha512]

Welcome back!!! As someone who is new to bowling only within this year, I can say there is a lot to learn. My husband (who took a 20 yr hiatus) has told me as much.

The best thing I've done is listen to those around me and read whatever I can get my hands on.
There are tons of websites with great information (unfortunately some of conflicting) but as far as the "physical" components of the game, at least the info is pretty much consistent. Rob Mautner created an AMAZING group of postings on another forum that explains the basics of bowling balls. It is a long read but one that is chocked full of information and can be found here: http://www.bowlingintel.com/forum/thread-533.html

As to your two specific questions:
1) I don't see many conventional grips anymore. It is not to say that they aren't out there, it is just not common. Is it done? Yes. It's all about what you are comfortable throwing. I switched from conventional to fingertip relatively quickly.
2) On the long sweeping curves - it is what works for them. Some people throw long sweeping curves to get the ball down the lane, other throw a ball with a skid flip reaction where the ball takes a sharp turn off the end of the oil. And then there is every derivative there of between the two extremes. How you throw the ball and where you throw it from to figure out what works best for you will be unique. IT's how you make it your own

There is plenty of info around here and online. Just ask away and I'm sure someone will have answer for you!!!

Donna,

I've just had my first reading of the threads by Rob Mautner that you linked me up with. You were right, that was quite a read. Right now I know that my head has an asymmetrical core, a high rg, a soft cover and it's about to crank itself right off into the left gutter, assuming a right handed bowler. Wife says my mind is in one gutter or the other all the time. I'll need to read that thing four or five times more before it all starts to click.

Thanks again.
Scotty

[Zaxmazr]

2-handed bowlers are an abomination and should be banned from bowling. Just ignore them and hope that they go away...thats what I do.

Why? I'm actually really accurate with 2 hands. Shot a 200 game last week.
I don't see why it's a problem..Just because it's not your traditional shot?