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

[Aslan]

Rare Wednesday Practice: Arlington Lanes, Riverside CA (low-med. oil synthetics)

607 Series: High Series: 222-170-215
Threw the Frantic while I was waiting for Mike White to finish drilling a ball for another customer. Threw my 4th ever clean game 222, then missed another clean game by 2 frames, then another clean game by 1 frame. And the greatest thing about the clean game!? To keep it clean I picked up a 3-10 split in the 3rd frame...perfect shot hooked it right between the 3 and the 10.

Everything was working…never felt that good bowling. The lanes were synthetic, but low oil so the Frantic had a decent amount of backend reaction.

530 Series: 175-159-196
Throwing my new ball that Mike drilled for me. 16lb Hammer Rhythm. I was hesitant throwing it, almost afraid that the hook might be too severe…so I wasn't getting the most out of the hook potential. The 16lbs was a little harder to control than the Frantic, but I tried to lower the backswing, slow it down, set it down earlier…and I have to admit, at least in those first 3 games, a GREAT deal of pin action! I mean, anything even near the headpin seemed to lead to 8, 9, or 10 pins.

Should make league play tomorrow interesting. Heavier oil; so I don't anticipate another high scoring night…but it'll be interesting!!

[Aslan]

Thursday League: (synthetic/heavy oil)

358 Series: 111-125-122
What a HUGE disappointment!! Got my new ball and thought I could finally get a little reaction on the heavy oil lanes…NOPE! I tried setting it down earlier, slowing it down…but obviously I was back to just sucking BIG time!!

402 Series: 127-115-160
Did some practicing…but it wasn't working. Gonna have to just go back to what works. I'll use the new ball, but I guess it's not much different than the last ball. I guess my only hope is that no other lanes I EVER play on are this heavily oiled…EVER….because if they are…I bowl like an 11-year old. Good times.

[Hampe]

Aslan....do you know how long the pattern is and how many units of oil are used? Just trying to get a frame of reference what's considered really heavy oil for you.

[Aslan]

Aslan....do you know how long the pattern is and how many units of oil are used? Just trying to get a frame of reference what's considered really heavy oil for you.

They said "THS, typical top hat pattern. We aren't sure on the units of oil...we just use a 'wick system'." So I have no idea what that means. Bunny swears that their oil machine doesn't work and just dumps oil on the lanes.

[Aslan]

Asher/Baker Clinic @ Fountain Bowl

Mostly just practicing…working on things. But after a little instruction and realizing I was the only one bowling on my lane…I decided to put my name on the scoreboard and keep track of my score:

136-182

It was great working one-on-one with Barry Asher. The first time I went to the clinic (over a month ago), it was hard to get instruction because there were more people and Barry was kinda going off on a tangent about where I usually bowl and my ball. But this time was a lot better. He again is really trying to change my game a great deal..so it'll be interesting to see if I can take that back to my Friday league and then my Thursday league and get the benefits of his instruction.

But if the 182 game….where I knocked down 9 pins in NINE frames…a strike in one and then finishing with a strike after a 9 / in the 10th….ONE frame away from a clean game…is any indication…I may have at least started to turn a corner on bowling on synthetic/heavier oil lanes. : )

[Aslan]

Monday Practice (wood lanes, low-medium oil)

437 Series: 161-169-107
Was using the more prototypical approach I learned from Barry Asher. Early on it seemed very smooth and effortless, but I was struggling to get the ball back to the pocket…even at the slower speed, because I couldn't get any revs on the ball.

509 Series: 192-152-165
Still was struggling to get the ball back to the pocket. I almost gave up on the new approach but realized if I ever want to be a better bowler, able to bowl on non-wood/low oil lanes…I can't keep "chucking" the ball with high loft. It works on wood…it can even work on low-oil synthetics…but those styles are getting more and more scarce.

484 Series: 169-175-140
Started adding some more revs to the approach/style I learned from Barry. It's pretty much what he taught me…but I just add a little bit of revs to my release without "muscling" it.

532 Series: 192-152-188
Even though I really wanted to stay with the Frantic on wood/low-oil lanes and save the Rhythm for medium-heavy oil. But since I was struggling to get back to the pocket, I decided to take it out of the bag and give it a try. I gotta admit…the weight, the ball reaction…I'm gonna HAVE to use it Friday for leagues. The Frantic may be relegated to "spare/splits" ball sooner than I had planned.

Overall, mixed emotions. I like the consistency…I like that I'm "bowling like a bowler" now…but I'm a little disappointed that if you look at those 12 games…I averaged 163.5 which is 0.5 above my average at that center. So…whats it gonna take to get to that 190 average goal!!? And…after what's transpired here on the website…I'm even more motivated than usual to improve…so that maybe someday…MAYBE…SOMEDAY…I'll be good enough to be allowed a differing opinion. Maybe…someday… First…the clean games….> 525 series EVERY TIME…and a 190 average by March 2014. I'll worry about those goals for now…the website egomaniacs later.

[Stormed1]

Just take it one step at a time. As you said you're working for clean games. More games are won/lost on spares than strikes. Being able to stay clean will make your goal of 1090+ a lot easier. Just don't give up

[Hampe]

Overall, mixed emotions. I like the consistency…I like that I'm "bowling like a bowler" now…but I'm a little disappointed that if you look at those 12 games…I averaged 163.5 which is 0.5 above my average at that center. So…whats it gonna take to get to that 190 average goal!!?

Lol....you've got to be a little more patient dude. One lesson won't make you a 190 avg. bowler. I started working with a coach last October (2012), and I didn't see a real improvement in my average until the end of this summer.

[MICHAEL]

Maybe its me, but I get this feeling that patience is not one of your virtues! LOL...... Hang in there partner!!

You changed your profile picture? Who is that in the picture, he looks familiar but the picture is so small, like your scores, its hard to make out???

Just kidding about the scores... lol Hey if we can't poke fun and have a good time, what's the use in Bowling!!

We are all sure you will improve over the coming years,,,, nowhere else to go, right!!

You and I are a lot alike,,,, both human, and male! Have a good one my San Diego friend!!

[Mudpuppy]

Maybe its me, but I get this feeling that patience is not one of your virtues! LOL...... Hang in there partner!!

You changed your profile picture? Who is that in the picture, he looks familiar but the picture is so small, like your scores, its hard to make out???

Just kidding about the scores... lol Hey if we can't poke fun and have a good time, what's the use in Bowling!!

We are all sure you will improve over the coming years,,,, nowhere else to go, right!!

You and I are a lot alike,,,, both human, and male! Have a good one my San Diego friend!!

That is Joaquin Phoenix from the movie Gladiator. He is the emperor Commodus who killed his father to steal the throne from Maximus. It is a great must see movie.