Aslan's Scores (of the non-lady kind)

[fortheloveofbowling]

Mine is similar but just tracks multi and single pin spares separately, it does not show exact pins left. There isn't a place for notes either. Just wondering. By the way, nice game with the 235 Aslan.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Practice: low oil synthetics

402 Series: 99-150-153
In game 1 I was trying out a new ball so while I can't believe I shot a sub-100 game; I wasn't all broke up about it. Got more used to the ball in Game 2 and shot better...but still wasn't used to picking up middle-left side spares with it...so that was a work in progress. In Game 3, I switched to the more aggressively drilled version of the same ball and had a very similar game...same issue...picking up middle-left side spares...work in progress.

513 Series: 170-153-190
In game 4, I switched to the Rhythm and started doing a ball comparison experiment playing the outside line...did about what I'd expect. In game 5 I switched to the Frantic and played the outside line (which I usually don't do with that ball). No strikes, 2 chopped 3-6s away from a clean game of entirely spares...but a lot of slight adjustments to get that ball into the pocket on that line. In game 6, I tried the Slingshot on that line, which again, I never really do. Other than a washout in the 2nd, I was clean...not a ton of striking though.

497 Series: 133-194-170
In game 7, I tried the same line with the more aggressively drilled Encounter. Finished "okay" but it was very uncontrollable and I left 3 plits over the first 5 frames. In game 8, I tried the less aggressively drilled Encounter and had more success. Still had a couple splits early on; but carried better overall. In game 9; I tried the same experiment with the'"middle" line (essentially 2nd arrow, 11-12 boards, but standing a tad left of center) using the Rhythm. I was a missed single 5-pin (embarrassed) in the 5th away from a clean game...same score as playing the outside line with the Rhythm.

168-192
Only had enough time for 2 more games and was continuing my "middle" experiment. For game 10, I used the Frantic. Started off with a couple opens...again struggled to strike with that ball...but was clean frame 3 through 10. In game 11 I switched to the Slingshot, same line, and despite missing a couple single-pin spares; I struck quite a bit, including a 5-bagger to close things out.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.44 pins
Strikes: 29% (1 5-bagger, 1 turkey, 3 doubles and 22 singles)
Spares: 54% picked up

Single Pin spares: 64% (22/34)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (7x).
Never left a single 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 46% (23/49)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 18% (2/11)

Average over 11 games: 161.09.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 171.55.

Very similar stats to yesterday. Sub-par spare shooting once again...lanes seemed drier (once again) which was causing the Slingshot to move a little too much left (2-3 inches).

But, it was more an "experimental" practice than anything as I tried to figure out where the 2 new Encounters fit into the arsenal.

I think I'm going to use the less aggressive Encounter to start out with in league play tomorrow (Thurs./today)...playing that outside line. Even though it seems a bit uncontrollable and I have a greater chance of leaving splits...I think it will give me a better angle to the pocket and higher strike rate. I just need to focus a little more on accuracy and forward spine tilt and not coming "over the top" of the ball on my release...which is a bad habit I've been starting to notice. And I'm actually going to use the Slingshot as my "ball down" at this point since it did so well in practice (both the outside and middle lines).

It might be that this particular lane condition has a much drier area further down...and my weak hits/low strike rate lately has been a result of using a solid and hybrid coverstock which is turining too early and taking a weaker line into the pins. Even though the Slingshot is a lesser "hooking" ball in terms of flare/diff.; it may be the better option as a "ball down" ball (than the Frantic) because it's Pearl coverstock is:

a) Allowing it to get a little further into a more ideal breakpoint.
b) Not as affected by the pattern breakdown in the first 2/3 of the lane (versus the RHythm and Frantic which are reading the lanes earlier, thus more affected by the changes).

[Aslan]

Hey aslan, do you have an app for your phone or what ever to enter your shots to get the stats?

"PinPal". It has a notes section AND gives you exactly what you left and just about every other thing you'd want to track. It was cheap, like $4-$10 for the app on iphone.

[fortheloveofbowling]

I've gotta hand it to you, you put the work in on your game.

[Aslan]

I've gotta hand it to you, you put the work in on your game.

Yeah. However, at this rate I may blow out my knee in 3 years or so. I think this year I've put in 600-800 games. I don't know what the average is. I try to do 15/week. I heard somewhere that a pro will practice about 20 games a week in the weeks leading up to a tour event.

You can't get better and acheive your goals if you don't practice. My league teammates, all very intelligent men, don't understand that and neither do most league bowlers. They think that playing 3-6 games a week during league play is going to make you better...and it won't. And it's not just the practice. It's the research, the conversations, some coaching, etc... Thats why I've ofetn lobbyed against Iceman's "gift" philosophy. Too many house bowlers have fell into the trap that they can average 150-170...throw an occasional 255 game...and they think they have it all figured out. But these players don't ever face REAL competition on REAL patterns. They don't realize that in today's game with today's lane conditions, and today's equipment...an "average" bowler on a house shot should carry a 185 average. And a "good" bowler should carry a 210 average. But to be an "excellent/pro level bowler"...you should be carrying a 240 average on a THS.

[fortheloveofbowling]

You can't get better and acheive your goals if you don't practice. My league teammates, all very intelligent men, don't understand that and neither do most league bowlers. They think that playing 3-6 games a week during league play is going to make you better...and it won't. And it's not just the practice. It's the research, the conversations, some coaching, etc... Thats why I've ofetn lobbyed against Iceman's "gift" philosophy. Too many house bowlers have fell into the trap that they can average 150-170...throw an occasional 255 game...and they think they have it all figured out. But these players don't ever face REAL competition on REAL patterns. They don't realize that in today's game with today's lane conditions, and today's equipment...an "average" bowler on a house shot should carry a 185 average. And a "good" bowler should carry a 210 average. But to be an "excellent/pro level bowler"...you should be carrying a 240 average on a THS.[/QUOTE]

I think you are right on the money with these statements. Practice levels in terms of games a week to really improve vary from bowler to bowler but what i believe to be true is that you have to practice smart. Understanding what is happening on the lane and what you are doing is something alot of guys just don't stop and think about.

[Aslan]

I think you are right on the money with these statements. Practice levels in terms of games a week to really improve vary from bowler to bowler but what i believe to be true is that you have to practice smart. Understanding what is happening on the lane and what you are doing is something alot of guys just don't stop and think about.

Agreed.

Thats why I get so frustrated when I see a 6-7 ball arsenal...and a person switching from ball to ball hap-hazardly when they aren't striking. It's not that I don't believe and arsenal can be of value. I'm lugging around 5 balls as we speak. But before you make a ball change you should KNOW...KNOW...

1) Why is THIS ball not working well?
2) What do I think the next ball will give me different from this ball?
3) What makes ball #2 better than the others in the bag?

If you can't answer these questions...then switching balls is just adding an unneeded variable to a game that requires consistency and LESS variables!!

[Amyers]

Agreed.

Thats why I get so frustrated when I see a 6-7 ball arsenal...and a person switching from ball to ball hap-hazardly when they aren't striking. It's not that I don't believe and arsenal can be of value. I'm lugging around 5 balls as we speak. But before you make a ball change you should KNOW...KNOW...

1) Why is THIS ball not working well?
2) What do I think the next ball will give me different from this ball?
3) What makes ball #2 better than the others in the bag?

If you can't answer these questions...then switching balls is just adding an unneeded variable to a game that requires consistency and LESS variables!!

I agree 100% I have a few guys on my leagues who do this switch between three balls all night long and never find what they are looking for. If you don't know why your switching balls you need to look in the mirror not the ball bag.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Any change with a ball or move of any kind has to be done with confidence though. You have to totally commit and throw it telling yourself this is the right thing to do. I have struggled over the years with not switching balls when i should or not making a big enough move. One guy i used to bowl with that was really good would tell me: man you have got to drop that ball when it tells you to! You have to have confidence in your self in regards to what a shot has just told you.

[Amyers]

I am not expert on ball switching but I can't think of why you would change and change back throwing the same line and I see guys do it all the time.