So I've decided to look for a coach

[scruffwhor]

Im in the middle of Mark Baker's book [U]The Game Changer[U] right now.

[Bunny]

I was going to suggest Mark but wasn't sure of the distance for you. He's awesome! Mark also does a Saturday clinic with HOF Barry Asher for $10 at Fountain Bowl. Great for tune ups in between private lessons.

My husband took one lesson with Mark for his Birthday and has improved a lot already!

BTW-don't bother with $20 extra for video. It's not worth it. He just shows you a little of you bowling at the beginning of the lesson. It's not like you get something to take home and study. I felt it just took time away from the lesson.

I would suggest buying his book and reading it before your lesson. It'll help.

Good Luck!

[Stormed1]

You can't go wrong with Mark. Outstanding coach

[zdawg]

Thanks for all the advice guys, had my lesson yesterday and it was pretty awesome.

There were a bunch of things we worked on, funny enough most of my "problems" are only problems because they're the advice I was given 9-10 weeks ago by well meaning (I think) experienced members of my league. Apparently he disagrees with a lot of the common wisdom that dates back to the 60's and 70's that is still preached in bowling alleys across the country. Using just some of his suggestions during the session and my aim/targeting was ridiculously more accurate, lol if only I had refused to listen to people two months ago But in all seriousness, I'm really glad I booked the lesson can't wait to practice a bit before my next league session, hopefully I can break that pesky 200.

Bunny, as you suggested we skipped the video part (actually he did this without me asking, I'm guessing because he knows I'm a beginner and he expected a bunch to be wrong) thanks for the heads up about the weekend clinics, I'm pretty sure I'll make the trek up north one of these weekends in the near future.

Also, I ordered his book but it hasn't arrived yet, hopefully some of the things we went over yesterday are touched on in his book, would really help to have it as a reference - the only regret I have is not having the entire coaching session recorded so I can go back over it, maybe he should offer that

And finally he gave me a bunch of positive feedback througout the lesson, and at the end he mentioned I have a chance...chance for what I have no idea, but it sounds positive!

[Bunny]

That's awesome zdawg! Mark is the best at what he does for sure. I recall he gives lessons in Carlsbad or Oceanside. Is that where you took your lesson? That's cool he did the video anyway.

I highly suggest you write every tip down that you can remember from your lesson in a little book or pad that you keep in your bag! Don't wait do it while it's still fresh!! I suggested this to my husband and it has really helped him. He said that there was no way he would remember everything Mark said and it's nice to do a little refresh before he bowls.

You are so smart for taking a lesson from Mark early in your bowling career. It will be well worth it!!

[zdawg]

Hi Bunny, yep he was down in Oceanside, he said he tries to come down that way twice a month when he's not travelling (he mentioned going to Singapore soon, guess he's an international coach).

And yeah, I jotted down everything I could remember when I got home yesterday, gonna go hit the lanes either later today or tomorrow and start working on the areas we did yesterday so I have time to get used to it before the next time I bowl for my league.

I definitely can see why he's so highly regarded, both for the wealth of information he has in his head and his ability to explain effectively.

[vdubtx]

Yes, he is a coach for lots of pro's and even for Terrell Owens.

[noeymc]

http://www.bowlingboards.com/threads...about-Tom-Reid


i googled about mine lol

[dnhoffman]

So how's it going them? Update?

[zdawg]

So how's it going them? Update?

Well, the bad news is I'm struggling to break 110 on a consistent basis (my league average is currently 126 and was going up 4-5 pins per week before I had my mechanics corrected). The good news is I might be on the right track, sometimes I'm able to hook the ball as was the case the other league night. Today while practicing I was yet again unable to get any hook whatsoever, and now my wrist is in pain from trying too hard to rotate the ball. I think before I went for coaching I was gripping the ball tightly and somehow was able to put the right revs on the ball to make it hook, but now that I've changed a bunch of stuff it isn't working

I won't be able to see Mark Baker again anytime in the next couple of weeks, but there is a local coach here that is also coached by Mark, I'm gonna see if I can get him to analyze my release. I have a very hard time believing my wrist is too weak, I have "popeye" forearms and have always had extremely strong wrists as evidenced by some of my max lifts back in my powerlifting days, and some of the fools that tried to arm wrestle me LOL.

I "think" there is just something inherently wrong with the way I release the ball, it may be that the thumbhole was drilled too big, or just that I still have muscle memory from my house ball days - I find it quite impossible to completely relax my thumb during the forward swing - even when I consciously "force" my thumb not to squeeze it does at least a bit.

I'm fairly certain that my thumb isn't exiting the ball before the other fingers, so what I'm doing is just spinning it but it gives me virtually no hook and I can't strike since I'm not lining up from a straight shot. Frustrating would be an understatement, lol I know people said it would get worse before it gets better but I was on the verge of breaking 200 and now some games I struggle to break 100

I was also told that the Mongoose lifter corrects your release and forces the thumb to come out in proper timing in regards to my fingers, so I'm gonna try using one during practice sessions.

EDIT: I just added some videos in the Bowling Videos section, if you have some time feel free to take a look and leave any comments, etc. being a complete beginner I'm open to all criticisms/opinions/etc