The Importance of Goals in Bowling

[Aslan]

The worst thing in bowling is that too few bowlers have "goals". They show up for 1-3 leagues a week...and they just hope to have fun and maybe catch lightening in a bottle and maybe luck into a 300-game. So it's no surprise to me...that so many bowlers will bowl and then quit...because they bowl "okay"...but....ya know...it costs money and they don't feel like they're getting too much better and sometimes they do good but sometimes not...and they never win $$$ in sweeps or trophys so "whats the point?"

Fun? Sure. But remember, one big reason bowling is struggling is...there are LOTS of places to find FUN these days.

To me, this is where GOALS come in. If you have GOALS...then you are always striving for something. You always have an accomplishment within reach. If your team doesn't win or you don't take home money at the end of the season or you don't win at poker...it's OKAY....because you have other goals.

Two things of importance:

1) Goals should be specific to what you want to accomplish. They should be difficult to acheive...but not out of reach. And they should be incremental.

GOOD Goals: > 90% single-pin spare shooter, 195 average, get my first lesson, % increase over last season's average, etc...

BAD Goals: 300 game, 800 series, win the league, win the US Open, 900 series, picking up a 7-10, etc...

Of those "bad' goals...the problem with them is that A) everyone wants those things so they're not very specific to your game and B) those all involve a great deal of luck and things "going your way" that you can't control. The US Open goal "might" be a "good" goal IF you're a 225 average bowler that participates in the Open every year and have come close to winning it. But if you average 133...thats aiming a bit high.

2) The REASON goals are so important in bowling is that MOST leagues only award 1st place and LAST place. I've finished 3rd and 4th...you get NOTHING. Most sports award success better than that and award a few places at least...bowling does not. That makes it very hard to stay motivated when you're in 17th place out of 22 teams with a month left in the season.

GOALS help me because my expectations tend to grow faster than my skill acquisition. So even if I've improved more than I've ever dreamed I would in such a short amount of time...my expectations have grown even faster. I have the goal of a >524 series and a clean series EVERY time I bowl. But to be honest....if I roll under 550...I'm pissed. My average in this league is only 162...but if I bowl 163-164-163...I'll be ready to throw my bowling equipment in the dumpster. I've even finsihed with 200+ games where I'm mad because I missed two single-pin spares.

But GOALS keep me on track. I can bowl a 211-177-154 and say to myself "hey...ya met your 525+ goal...and had only 5 open frames the whole series...4 of them were splits. You struck at >35%...and your single-pin spare shooting was > 80%...so you're on the right track."

Not all stats are worth tracking. Not all stats are worthwhile to all bowlers at all levels. But if you look at your game, and where you can improve it...and set some real goals...you'll want to get out there and bowl no matter what position your team is in, no matter how close you are to bowling a 300-game or 800-series.

And while you're at it...set some LONG term goals to REALLY keep you motivated!! For example;

"If I average X, I'm going to start bowling in a scratch league or start bowling tournaments or bowl the USBC Open or get my PBA card"

Sure...those aren't good short term goals...rather meaningless in the short term...but it keeps your eyes on an eventual prize. And just like you learn in motorcycling...your body/bike goes wherever you're looking. You stare at the curb...you'll eventually run into the curb. You focus on the direction you're turning...the bike will make the turn. Same is true in bowling. You want to get better...keep your eyes focused on those goals.

[Amyers]

Well mostly agree with you except your forgetting one thing. For me and you this is correct we are motivated to get better, we thrive on the competitive aspect of the game. I joke around that I might join the PBA 50 tour in ten years that's not really my goal but I do want to be that guy that everyone acknowledges that he the best at least in my alley. Not everyone feels this way though. I bowl with a lot of women and men who bowl once or twice a week, drink thier 3 beers, collect thier the 150 games, and go home been doing it for years. Either is ok I guess I haven't ever been able to develop that mediocrity is ok in sports as long as you have fun thing yet though.

I would say in the last year I've went from being a person no one ever heard of to being in the top ten in my alley (yes it's a small alley). I have a long way to go to crack the top 5 still but I'm pretty sure I'll make it. I've never been a big goal guy simply for the fact you mentioned they are transitory 6 months ago I was happy anytime i poped off a 200 game now I expect it, 3 months ago I would have been happy and feeling good about a 575 series now I'm wondering what I did wrong after it. Maybe your right if I had more structured goals maybe I would spend a little more time basking in the light of achieving them but I always seem to move on to the next step a lot of times without acknowledging where Ive come from.

[Aslan]

I joke around that I might join the PBA 50 tour in ten years that's not really my goal

No...but it's MY goal! It's my only "long term goal" to bowl Chris Barnes in the finals of the 2025 Senior Masters.

Is it realistic? Maybe. Maybe not.

Is it something I have 100% control over? Nope. Might not be a PBA or PBA50 or Seniors Masters in 10 years. Chris Barnes might not make the finals or might have retired due to injury or something. But I don't care...because it's my LONGEST term goal. I have SO many incremental goals to acheive before ever getting close to that ultimate long term goal.

And you're right...some people are just in it for fun...and I don't think everyone should get super serious about it. I just am more like you in that I've never been able to be motivated to be mediocre. It's why I covet the 800 series so much more than the 300 game. A 300-game is a combination of time, luck, and skill. Eventually...a very good bowler is bound to roll one if given enough time and some luck. Not so with an 800-series. There are many, many bowlers that have multiple 300-games and have never rolled an 800 series. The 800 series takes luck and time almost out of the equation.

Now...a 900 series...that keeps time out of the equation...but adds luck back into it. Too many great bowlers that have never done it and too few have repeated it to say that luck isn't involved.

[Mudpuppy]

I have no goals. If I did it would be to not spill any beer and to not **** myself. If I accomplish that every week I am golden.

Quote:
To me, this is where GOALS come in. If you have GOALS...then you are always striving for something. You always have an accomplishment within reach. If your team doesn't win or you don't take home money at the end of the season or you don't win at poker...it's OKAY....because you have other goals.

Mudpuppy Cliff Notes:
This is loser talk. Something you do when you are void of any real talent or potential. Your real goal, Asian, should be to just keep the ball on the lane every time you throw it without bumpers. That and to break 100. If you did both you are well on your wall to the bowling hall of fame - in your own mind.

[Aslan]

Mudpuppy Cliff Notes:
This is loser talk. Something you do when you are void of any real talent or potential. Your real goal, Asian, should be to just keep the ball on the lane every time you throw it without bumpers. That and to break 100. If you did both you are well on your wall to the bowling hall of fame - in your own mind.

I feel ya. You're a bit out of your element because the grown ups are talking about actual bowling and not no-tap or bumper bowling...but when you're ready...you'll understand it better.

But for now, good luck on not ****ing yourself. Thats not really aiming "high"...but it IS an important goal for anyone over 3 years of age.

[Mudpuppy]

I feel ya. You're a bit out of your element because the grown ups are talking about actual bowling and not no-tap or bumper bowling...but when you're ready...you'll understand it better.

But for now, good luck on not ****ing yourself. Thats not really aiming "high"...but it IS an important goal for anyone over 3 years of age.

What's our team motto? AIM LOW!

Set your goals low and you will ALWAYS achieve them. Some day you will learn young jedi.

[Aslan]

What's our team motto? AIM LOW!

Set your goals low and you will ALWAYS achieve them. Some day you will learn young jedi.

My teammate (female of course...INSERT standard classygranny disclaimer)...carries 102 pins of handicap. I often wonder why she bowls. I mean...if I averaged a little over 100...is it still fun? I don't know....it's hard for me to comprehend. I should ask MWhite since he threw a 97 game in the VBT Season 1 that he CLAIMS was NOT a sandbag attempt. Kinda odd that the same guy with the highest score of 300 also had the lowest score of 97....