I've been bowling for 35 years - can I get a little help?

[75lockwood]

Would the goofy back swing make me tend to throw it out to the 1st board and in the next shot yank it 10 boards?

Very possible, given that your swing has side to side movement, if you don't release the ball at the perfect point it will go either left (early) or right (late).

when it comes to your swing or anything else in bowling for that matter, you want it to be repeatable 100,000 times without variation, which would be easier to replicate precisely, a nice smooth straight swing or one that has as much movement as yours does?

[Batmite]

Thanks for the tips guys. I just swung my ball here in the basement about 30 times. I'm trying to swing it from the shoulder and it did feel like my ball was starting to slip off my thumb. Is there any way to isolate just the shoulder so I know I'm not muscling the ball?

[Batmite]

It also seemed the higher my backswing went the more it started to move away from my body. (I was looking into a mirror as I did it). I'm also not walking which I'm sure will affect it.

[AZBowla]

If you've been swinging it like that for 35 years, it's going to be hard to break that habit.

This video has been linked on here a million times but it's great study material for just about any aspect of your physical game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5nnDbV0znE

I've probably watched it 100 times, each time looking at something else I'm currently working on, such as footwork, timing, release, armswing, stance, you name it. For you, there's a part in here that talks about the swing plane - you want to keep it as straight and in line with your head as you can, just like these pro's do it.

It's going to take a ton of practice and drills to unlearn your old ways but keep at it and you should see results next time you go bowling. Even though I know I have a long way to go, I've already seen big improvements in my own game just from studying and practicing with videos like this one.

[J Anderson]

Thanks for the tips guys. I just swung my ball here in the basement about 30 times. I'm trying to swing it from the shoulder and it did feel like my ball was starting to slip off my thumb. Is there any way to isolate just the shoulder so I know I'm not muscling the ball?

That's why I suggested using the see-saw, that way you don't have to worry about holding on to the ball.

[billf]

Scott hit the nail on the head. I did see some small things to tweak later but that reverse loop has to go. It's so big I don't see how you can realistically duplicate your release every time plus with it going in reverse it should be taking reaction away from your ball but instead you are working ten times harder to catch your hand back up at the bottom of the swing. Ideally, the ring finger should lead the way on the down swing, elbow close to the body while NEVER pointing outward. Your finish position looks awesome.

[Batmite]

Thanks for the compliment. It's funny, when I was younger I used to rip the cover off the ball. As I got older my hook went away but my average went up. I started throwing the ball right over 2nd arrow and was averaging around 230. My average is down to about 175 now with no ball reaction. I've also lost all speed on the ball too. I'm going to work on the hinge and see if I can get rid of that loop. I've always had a loop but it was never this bad.

[Tampabaybob]

Batmite....... I'm in agreement with most of the guys here about your looped delivery, but its' almost like a figure eight with your arm. Another point would be your head movement during your steps. It changes, moves up and down too much and that will cause inaccuracies in your targeting.

Now, how to fix these things. Your footwork looks good, try tucking your elbow in to your side and "Feel IT" brush your side back and forth through your swing plane. Try keeping the front of your elbow facing the pins. This makes it much easier to keep it tucked in and if you can execute this down and back I believe it will help get rid of that loop.

As far as head movement, that may be caused in some part because of muscling the ball. Relax, let the ball drop on that second step (as you now do) and let gravity take over. NO MUSCLE until you reach the release point and then just a little bit of effort with muscles to release it. Let your head/torso move downward in increments with your steps so you can stay focused on your target. Moving your head (eyes) makes it much more difficult to keep your accuracy intact.

If I walked in and saw you bowling at a local center, I would tag you as a high average bowler just from a quick glance. When you explain what's going on, I can see the little things that may be occurring to keep you off of that average you once had. You'll get it back, just need to tweak a few things. Good luck, and keep us updated.

Bob

[scottymoney]

Glad I picked out something correct, thanks for backing me up Bill. Now if I could just figure out what I am doing wrong. Might be time to video tape myself for you guys to tear apart.

[billf]

Glad I picked out something correct, thanks for backing me up Bill. Now if I could just figure out what I am doing wrong. Might be time to video tape myself for you guys to tear apart.

I hate taping myself. I see so many issues it's very traumatic and disheartening. Plus I can't make the corrections until I see them and then get back to the alley. Part of why I see my own coach, on the spot corrections. Plus seeing how fat I've gotten over the years really sucks.