Need help and lots of advice

[classygranny]

Here is a bit of background. This year I am struggling to carry a 175ish average...last few years were 180 and over.

I'm still using a Brunswick Revolver that is probably 4/5 years old. May not have cleaned it as I should, but lately have been faithful about cleaning - and yes, I wipe my ball before every shot.

I have been working on my timing, balance, hand positions, almost to the point that I have myself totally confused.

I have a few questions for all of you that seem to be so knowledge and willing to share that and experience.

1. Do I get my approach, etc worked out (perhaps with a new coach) before purchasing a new ball? Or purchase and then work on the timing/release, etc?

2. When I do purchase a ball, I would like to purchase two (I know this isn't much of an arsenal, but it will have to do for now). Neither to be a spare ball, as I will either determine to buy a spare ball, or just use my first shot ball and change my finger position to take away from the ball to pick up the 10 pin. What would your suggestions be for a two ball arsenal? Bowl on THS for league in evening and morning.

Unfortunately, I am unable to tell you much about my bowling ball layout, etc (a weak point). By looking, the pin is to the right of the fingers about an inch and above the fingers about 1/2". The CG is directly below about 3-4". I can tell you that I do turn the ball, I tend to play down and end, but am able to swing/belly the ball if the shot and ball are there. I tend to be pointing the revolver more at the pocket and it doesn't feel aggressive enough to me. Some of my reading tells me that it could just be "dead" from age. I am right-handed, and currently throw a 14 lb ball. Went down a pound when I purchased the Revolver, and haven't thrown my 15 lb Fury in about 2-3 years. When I do purchase, I plan on going to a different ball driller and have a feeling that this will not be the layout he will use.

Any ideas and suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks!

[noeymc]

my only advise is a bowling ball will not make you a better bowler =D instead of buying 2 balls buy 1 and use the other money on a coach its a win win if u ask me but thats just what i think

[J Anderson]

Here is a bit of background. This year I am struggling to carry a 175ish average...last few years were 180 and over.

I'm still using a Brunswick Revolver that is probably 4/5 years old. May not have cleaned it as I should, but lately have been faithful about cleaning - and yes, I wipe my ball before every shot.

I have been working on my timing, balance, hand positions, almost to the point that I have myself totally confused.

I have a few questions for all of you that seem to be so knowledge and willing to share that and experience.

1. Do I get my approach, etc worked out (perhaps with a new coach) before purchasing a new ball? Or purchase and then work on the timing/release, etc?

2. When I do purchase a ball, I would like to purchase two (I know this isn't much of an arsenal, but it will have to do for now). Neither to be a spare ball, as I will either determine to buy a spare ball, or just use my first shot ball and change my finger position to take away from the ball to pick up the 10 pin. What would your suggestions be for a two ball arsenal? Bowl on THS for league in evening and morning.

Unfortunately, I am unable to tell you much about my bowling ball layout, etc (a weak point). By looking, the pin is to the right of the fingers about an inch and above the fingers about 1/2". The CG is directly below about 3-4". I can tell you that I do turn the ball, I tend to play down and end, but am able to swing/belly the ball if the shot and ball are there. I tend to be pointing the revolver more at the pocket and it doesn't feel aggressive enough to me. Some of my reading tells me that it could just be "dead" from age. I am right-handed, and currently throw a 14 lb ball. Went down a pound when I purchased the Revolver, and haven't thrown my 15 lb Fury in about 2-3 years. When I do purchase, I plan on going to a different ball driller and have a feeling that this will not be the layout he will use.

Any ideas and suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks!

1. As a Level one coach I bound to say that you should work out the the technique issues with a coach before buying a new ball. Until you find a local coach and start working with him or her I have some suggestions:

For balance take a Yoga class. Many Yoga exercises either strengthen balance directly or strengthen the core muscles with help maintain good balance. You may also need to see an ear, nose and throat doctor to make sure there isn't a medical problem with your balance.

To avoid confusion, work on one thing at a time. Don't worry about having a lot of releases. Start with a basic hook release and practice it until it becomes automatic. Then work on a straight or relatively straighter release for spares. Get that down pat, and then practice switching back and forth.

No step and one step drills are great focusing on parts of your game especially arm swing and release. I find they also force me to use my opposite arm for balance, otherwise it gets lazy.

2. I don't really know enough to recommend a new set of bowling balls. Before buying something new I would take the ball to a pro shop that has a revivor oven and have them bake the oil out and re-surface the ball back to the factory finish.

[Zothen]

I agree with J Anderson! It's more important t0 get a coach and work on your issues,then once you get your bowling problems worked out,then buy a ball.

Zothen

[billf]

Technique first then ball. Now that being said, really focus on the technique and not the results on the score board. If your ball is dead or just oil-soaked, all the technique in the world won't solve that. Over-compensating for inferior equipment has led to many bad habits for bowlers.
I have been known to spend hours practicing without even turning the pinsetter on. You really don't need the pins to tell if the ball came off your hand correctly, if the balance arm was right, good slide, etc., etc.

As for which balls to purchase...that depends on the shot at the house you normally bowl at. Heat, humidity, barometric pressure and all that crap all play a role in how quickly the lanes transition and even how well they absorb the oil to begin with. If the pro shop at the lanes where you bowl is good, ask their opinion. If they make a suggestion without ever seeing you bowl, take it with a big grain of salt. Another option is to post a video so style, revs, tilt, rotation, etc. can be analyzed for an informed suggestion.

[classygranny]

Thanks all for confirming what I already knew. What Bill had to say is true, but hard to implement since it's the last few weeks of leagues.

I found a new coach to work with, but we can't get together until mid-May (of all things...he's golfing at Pebble Beach!)

In the meantime, I am going to concentrate on footwork (I tend to get to fast) and "posting" my shot - I step out to the right after releasing. Although, I've had a coach tell me that since it's after I release that it is ok. But I see the difference in the ball reaction when I do - even after release, as I think I'm off balance just enough to make a difference. And hitting my mark. AND not listening to every "coach" behind the foul line on the days I do struggle! Some of them can help, but lately, they have been more hinderance than help. Why is it when you struggle, everyone seems to KNOW what you're doing wrong? Don't get me wrong, I love the help, ideas, and comments, but sometimes you know what you are doing or not doing, and just can't seem to get the correction going in the right direction.

After I work with the new coach, I will come back with more info to get ball suggestions.

In the meantime, I'll see if I can get someone to do some video work with me.

Thanks again for the great comments and help!

[J Anderson]

In the meantime, I am going to concentrate on footwork (I tend to get to fast) and "posting" my shot - I step out to the right after releasing. Although, I've had a coach tell me that since it's after I release that it is ok. But I see the difference in the ball reaction when I do - even after release, as I think I'm off balance just enough to make a difference. And hitting my mark. AND not listening to every "coach" behind the foul line on the days I do struggle! Some of them can help, but lately, they have been more hinderance than help. Why is it when you struggle, everyone seems to KNOW what you're doing wrong? Don't get me wrong, I love the help, ideas, and comments, but sometimes you know what you are doing or not doing, and just can't seem to get the correction going in the right direction.



Thanks again for the great comments and help!

You're most welcome, and I'm sure all of us hope that your game is soon back on track.

While technically anything that happens after the ball leaves your hand doesn't affect the shot, sometimes what happens is a symptom of something bad happening before the release that does. Falling off to the ball side is a sign that you were out of balance as you released the ball, and while sometimes bowlers can get away with it, most times it means a bad shot.

I know what you mean about the "coaches". One of my friends in the sport league is excellent at analyzing technique. While what he says is almost always correct, in the heat of competition it usually distracts me from focusing on my target and throws me off even worse than what I was doing wrong. Then there is my partner in a doubles league who is great about pointing out what I did wrong, but hasn't a clue as far as how to fix it.

[Tampabaybob]

ClassyGranny.... The guys here are correct in telling you to go to a coach first. I've coached over 30 years, and wished that people would at least ask my advice first, before dropping lots of money on equipment. A good coach, will be able to recommend what type and aggressiveness of balls you'll need based on the conditions you currently bowl on. Ask him for his advice. As far as you falling to the right at your point of release, here's a couple of things to keep in mind that you can try. First, your steps should be slow, slow, quick, quick. You don't mention if you slide on your last step, but if you do slide, how much knee bend do you have? When you end at the line is your right leg behind you and your toe on the floor? If not it should be, that will increase your balance. How about your right arm ? Is it extended out to the let of your body? If not, get it out there. Again that's your balance arm. And lastly, where is your slide foot pointing? Hopefully its pointing fairly straight towards the pins. A little angle to the right won't hurt, but extreme pouting to the right is very bad.

Let us know and if you can't wait until May for your coach, have someone video you for about 5 frames from the back and a couple from the side and post it here. We're all here to help you so feel free to ask away. Good luck, let us know how you're doing.

[billf]

ClassyGranny.... The guys here are correct in telling you to go to a coach first. I've coached over 30 years, and wished that people would at least ask my advice first, before dropping lots of money on equipment. A good coach, will be able to recommend what type and aggressiveness of balls you'll need based on the conditions you currently bowl on. Ask him for his advice. As far as you falling to the right at your point of release, here's a couple of things to keep in mind that you can try. First, your steps should be slow, slow, quick, quick. You don't mention if you slide on your last step, but if you do slide, how much knee bend do you have? When you end at the line is your right leg behind you and your toe on the floor? If not it should be, that will increase your balance. How about your right arm ? Is it extended out to the let of your body? If not, get it out there. Again that's your balance arm. And lastly, where is your slide foot pointing? Hopefully its pointing fairly straight towards the pins. A little angle to the right won't hurt, but extreme pouting to the right is very bad.

Let us know and if you can't wait until May for your coach, have someone video you for about 5 frames from the back and a couple from the side and post it here. We're all here to help you so feel free to ask away. Good luck, let us know how you're doing.

Bob meant left arm is your balance arm and should be to your left (for right handed bowlers such as classygranny)

[classygranny]

Thanks Bob & John. I know coach first, and ask way too many questions.

I do slide and my foot is fairly straight, but old coach had me trying to "step into my slide" more so the left toe ends up pointing a bit to the left. I do drift left 5 boards, but it is very consistent at 5 boards.

Balance arm - it is out to the left and I am working on keeping the "thumb down" - hard for me to get that down.

Right leg - it is behind me, not always on the ground. This is what makes me believe it's affecting my shot.

Knee bend - not as much as when I was younger...attempting more. Will more knee bend help to keep the right toe on the floor? Seems like many years ago I was always low to the floor and I always wore the toe of my shoe.

If I get too frustrated before mid-May, I will see if I can get some video.

You guys have already been a hugh help.

Question on footwork....slow, slow, quick, quick...but everyone seems to think slowing the feet down is the answer. But if you get power and ball speed from the lower body, how does slowing the feet down help, other than a timing issue? And if it's timing, shouldn't you start the ball earlier if you are ahead of it? Can one or more of you very knowledge people please elaborate on this, please?