What constitutes a "clean" game - (n00b Question)

[MICHAEL]

I still contend that luck is more necessary for 300 games. Obviously it's skill…but you're telling me…you hit the pocket every time and one time leave a 10-pin…that it's because you're just a little less "skilled"

Yes... that's what I am tell you....LOL

I have been a little less skilled on a number of occasions.... but when I am in a skilled mode, watch out...... Good Things Happen without lady luck!!

[vdubtx]

I am going to have to agree with ICEMAN here. Rolling 12 pocket strikes for a 300 is definitely skill due to adjustments needed as a game goes on as he mentioned. If you leave a 10 pin, there is a reason why you leave it. You have to watch the pins and ball when it impacts to be able to adjust for that and it takes skill and experience to know what to adjust for. 300 games are without a doubt more skill than luck.

But, with that said, luck can sometimes come into play. I am certainly not saying that any of my 5 300 games did not have luck involved. I can honestly say that 2 had some luck involved as I remember that maybe 1 ball in each of those games either went brooklyn or had really good carry through the nose.

[Mike White]

I am going to have to agree with ICEMAN here. Rolling 12 pocket strikes for a 300 is definitely skill due to adjustments needed as a game goes on as he mentioned. If you leave a 10 pin, there is a reason why you leave it. You have to watch the pins and ball when it impacts to be able to adjust for that and it takes skill and experience to know what to adjust for. 300 games are without a doubt more skill than luck.

But, with that said, luck can sometimes come into play. I am certainly not saying that any of my 5 300 games did not have luck involved. I can honestly say that 2 had some luck involved as I remember that maybe 1 ball in each of those games either went brooklyn or had really good carry through the nose.

I agree with the bold line, however, there are times when you throw the ball the same way that could/should leave the 10 pin, and luck causes it to fall.
A messenger, 6 pin standing in the gutter leans against the 10, numerous patterns of getting lucky exist.
But those shots are forgotten.

[MICHAEL]

I agree with the bold line, however, there are times when you throw the ball the same way that could/should leave the 10 pin, and luck causes it to fall.
A messenger, 6 pin standing in the gutter leans against the 10, numerous patterns of getting lucky exist.
But those shots are forgotten.

I agree with the bold also!! I use to think, and say "YOU GOT robbed"!! But the more I learn about bowling the more I know there is always a reason! This is no lie!! At strike and Spare, with Jason Last year, I threw 9 consecutive 10 pin leave!! then 3 strikes in the 10th frame! They looked good, but oviously they were off a bite!!! LOL.... In my case moving back one foot, changed the arc, which gave me a better angle, walla!!! For the fist 9 throws I was told to stay where I was, and keep hitting the same target, it will turn into strikes,,, "they are good hits"! LOL

Yes almost all sports a degree of luck is involved! But then life is that way too... ICEMAN's Deep thought For The DAY!!

[Aslan]

I don't know. With the newer, stronger ball technologies…I've seen at least a few guys that could easily bowl in the 200s and maybe even get lucky and get a 300 game. But they also have nights where they struggle to break 150 because they can't pick up spares.

I think I'm in the camp that if I can go out there and bowl a clean game every time…the 300 games will hopefully, with luck, come. But if I go out and bowl a 300 tomorrow and then am back to bowling in the 130s because I'm missing spares…while YES….I will order the ring…I'm not sure I'd be as confident going into a tourney next weekend.

[strikedaddy]

I have witnessed quite a few 300 games but none of them were perfect. I'm not saying that its never been done...Im just saying there is an element of luck involved and I've never seen one thrown in person. I've seen guys trip the 4/7, late falls or messengers on the 10, Brooklyn strikes, etc. Most guys will tell you they were nervous on a few of the pitches on their 300 but it carried. In the end that's all that matters. I know personally I have been cost a 300 on a pocket 7/10 split, stone 8, stone 9, multiple damn 10 pins...all quality shots...just wasn't my day. BTW...Congrats Michael on your 300s! Hope you have many more to come!

[sprocket]

I've throw one sanctioned 300, another one in a non-sanctioned tournament and about a dozen in practice. I had ONE where I hit my mark every shot and every ball was pretty much a carbon copy of the one before. I also had 289 on league where I threw 10 perfect balls and then left a solid 8.

I personally really can't respect a person's skill if they can't consistently make spares. Right now that includes my own game. I certainly don't think someone is a great bowler just because they bowled 300. I've seen too many by guys whose games are very lacking in either their consistency, versatility, or spare making ability. Some guys have figured out how to really rev it up and can throw pins around like crazy when they get hot, but overall they can't consistently hit the broad side of a barn. I've seen others including a couple on my league who are very good spare shooters and hit their mark consistently but their carry is usually poor and they are creating zero area. I keep thinking that if they could find a ball that matched up better or make just slight changes in their speed or release, their averages would be so much higher.

[MICHAEL]

I agree 100 percent that spare shooting is KEY!! But in order to get the high scores, lets face it, you have to string a bunch of strikes! lol,,! I agree, I have seen some bowlers that throw incredible revs, and many strike balls, but can't hit a 10 pin to save their butt!! LOL

Why not figure it out!!! I know I did, and my average is going up now! I just started bowing 3 years ago, and this is my the beginning of my third year bowling sanctioned... At my age,,,, I can't complain,,, almost got that 800 last week, when I bowled the 300, and 780 series... (

To be in my opinion a high roller, HOT DOG,,, you must be great at both ends of the Strike/Spare game.

Just as some luck is needed for strikes, believe me spares fall into that same category! Both require SKILL, and a degree of luck sometimes... (

[mike_thomas93]

I say spare consistency is the answer to a clean game. If you have a strong spare game, clean games are bound to happen more. Because anyone can strike, it's just that some people have trouble with their spare game. That's why you always hear that spares are critical.

[Mudpuppy]

I don't know. With the newer, stronger ball technologies…I've seen at least a few guys that could easily bowl in the 200s and maybe even get lucky and get a 300 game. But they also have nights where they struggle to break 150 because they can't pick up spares.

I think I'm in the camp that if I can go out there and bowl a clean game every time…the 300 games will hopefully, with luck, come. But if I go out and bowl a 300 tomorrow and then am back to bowling in the 130s because I'm missing spares…while YES….I will order the ring…I'm not sure I'd be as confident going into a tourney next weekend.

Think how much the chicks will dig the ring when you get it though. They won't care you average 130. Maybe you could get an 800 series coat off ebay as well.