Ok, time to be a little more accurate - targeting system?

[Mudpuppy]

I use visualization a lot. If I am on a critical shot in the game I will visualize a strike in my mind before I get up to bowl. Then when I get on the approach I will look exactly where I want the ball to hit. Then I look at my mark.

[swingset]

I use visualization a lot. If I am on a critical shot in the game I will visualize a strike in my mind before I get up to bowl. Then when I get on the approach I will look exactly where I want the ball to hit. Then I look at my mark.

"Be the ball, Danny".

[zdawg]

Here's a question, Ron Clifton has this article http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/btm01_files/btm1.htm which appears to be a simplified version of the Kegel 3 point targeting system. In this one, apparently you only worry about two points, your target and the actual breakpoint, which means you don't need to know the pattern length and subsequent endpoint. In the Kegel method, you use your target, the endpoint (not breakpoint), and a focal point.

Anybody have any opinions as to the differences between these two targeting systems? Is one more accurate (when done properly), or is it more of a "use whichever works best for you" scenario?

[sprocket]

Here is my current targeting system; take it for what it is worth.

If the shot is the normal house shot that I am most comfortable with, then I pick my spot on the approach, look at a spot at the base of a pin, draw a line back to the arrows, and finally spot at the arrows.

If I am playing inside more and therefore the alignment is something I am not as comfortable with, then I will pick my spot on the approach, look at a spot at the base of a pin and then draw a line back to about 40 ft and that is my final target.

If I am playing way outside, like 1st arrow and even further out (yes, this shot is sometimes there at my home house even with my high rev rate), then I will pick my spot on the approach, visualize alignment parallel to the right gutter, never looking past the arrows and then spot just past the dots. I can just barely see my ball cross my target but that is OK because I just want to feel like I am staying parallel to the right gutter.

That's it. To each his own.

[zdawg]

Interesting, thanks for sharing Sprocket. I'm kinda playing around with my own version using two points, my main problem is that I can no longer play the outside as I've increased my revs and haven't figured out how to increase my speed accordingly - so if my ball so much as breathes on the dry part it shoots across the lane and I'm lucky if I can hit the 7 pin.

That said I'm playing farther and farther inside, but of course I'm having trouble finding the proper line to play without spending the first game or two playing trial and error and its killing my scores.

[noeymc]

i use a 1 point system i trust my release so as long as i hit my mark ill be in the pocket and can adjust my angel with a inch back or forward thats just me tho

[zdawg]

i use a 1 point system i trust my release so as long as i hit my mark ill be in the pocket and can adjust my angel with a inch back or forward thats just me tho

I used to do this when I was playing straighter, but I've been working furiously on my release for several months now - the good is that I get a lot more hook on the ball, the bad is that my speed is still too low so I have to play way inside now to avoid hooking the ball off the lane. Down and in is unplayable in my current state, although once I get some speed in my game I suspect things will change once again, but this is why I've been targeting a line lately rather than just the arrow.