Signing up for another clinic.

[ralphs007]

Last September, I signed up for four, two hour free lessons, at my local bowling center. They're offering this special again, starting in January. I'm going to sign up again because last time I couldn't give it my best effort. I was bowling with a torn calf muscle. I had to stop bowling for almost two months so that it would heal. Every time I bowled I would re- injure the muscle.
I'd like to eventually take lessons from a coach but right now, I think a clinic is all that I need.
I do have one concern with the upcoming clinics. I'm learning to hook the ball and I'm getting two different swing suggestions, from two different coaches. One of the coaches told me to keep my hand on the ball, thumb at 10 and fingers at two o'clock, during the whole swing.
The other told me to hold my hand under the ball and rotate it like I'm shaking hands. This method gave me more of a hooking action with my entry level ball.
I realize that this game is similar to golf, in that there are many different teaching methods to the swing. I don't want to hurt the feelings of the coach, who recommended the method that didn't work for me. Maybe if I had a more aggressive ball , her method would work for me, I'm using a Columbia Scout 300.
P.S
It sure is a lot easier finding a golf instructor verses a bowling instructor !

[manke]

You want to say under the ball and come up threw it like your shaking hands. Dont throw it like a suite case.

[Mike White]

Last September, I signed up for four, two hour free lessons, at my local bowling center. They're offering this special again, starting in January. I'm going to sign up again because last time I couldn't give it my best effort. I was bowling with a torn calf muscle. I had to stop bowling for almost two months so that it would heal. Every time I bowled I would re- injure the muscle.
I'd like to eventually take lessons from a coach but right now, I think a clinic is all that I need.
I do have one concern with the upcoming clinics. I'm learning to hook the ball and I'm getting two different swing suggestions, from two different coaches. One of the coaches told me to keep my hand on the ball, thumb at 10 and fingers at two o'clock, during the whole swing.
The other told me to hold my hand under the ball and rotate it like I'm shaking hands. This method gave me more of a hooking action with my entry level ball.
I realize that this game is similar to golf, in that there are many different teaching methods to the swing. I don't want to hurt the feelings of the coach, who recommended the method that didn't work for me. Maybe if I had a more aggressive ball , her method would work for me, I'm using a Columbia Scout 300.
P.S
It sure is a lot easier finding a golf instructor verses a bowling instructor !

Either golf is an easier game to teach, or there are more people that want to learn golf, that are both willing, and capable of paying a reasonable amount for the lessons.

It may be easier, because you can practice parts of the overall game until you get them right.

In golf, you can see your score improve if your putting improves.

Where as in bowling, improving your release doesn't change your score noticeably, if you can't hit close to your mark.

[ralphs007]

I had a very busy day yesterday, I played 18 holes and after the golf, I had my bowling clinic.There was a total of nine students to one instructor ! I hope they have more instructors like they did during the last clinic. It was very slow but worth it when it was your turn to bowl. I'ts nice having a trained eye watch you while your learning a new hobby.
The coach was a bronze instructor and she was very helpful. I'm tempted to get her business card and schedule a one on one lesson after the four week clinic is over. I've taken more lessons than I can remember during my 40 + years of golfing but they've always been one on one. I think a one on one coach would be much more effective in learning the game.
The clinic is perfect for me right now because I don't have a game. Once I ingrain what she told me last night then a one on one lesson should be helpful.

[white_rabbitt]

This is very interesting to me. I'm a self-taught golfer but I've also been playing the game for over 20 years. I pour over everything I can get my hands on related to the game...articles, videos, watching pros, etc. I just recently took up bowling seriously this year and I'm a bit impatient to learn. I've been doing the same obsessive reading and watching everything I can get my hands on related to bowling but know a coach could probably save me a lot of time. I like the idea of these free clinics to see what a coach might have to offer. I just wonder if there are any in my area...there are 4 or 5 centers near me and I've never seen any of them advertise one of these clinics.
Please keep us up to date on how it goes...and how one on one lessons go for you, if you end up going that route! Good Luck!

[Aslan]

One of the coaches told me to keep my hand on the ball, thumb at 10 and fingers at two o'clock, during the whole swing.
The other told me to hold my hand under the ball and rotate it like I'm shaking hands. This method gave me more of a hooking action with my entry level ball.

Both are correct. One is more of an old school suitcase style kind of release improvement and the other is more of an axis rotation type of release improvement. Another way is to start with your hand at the proper axis tilt and swing "through" the ball following through like you're patting yourself on the opposite shoulder.

I realize that this game is similar to golf, in that there are many different teaching methods to the swing. I don't want to hurt the feelings of the coach, who recommended the method that didn't work for me.

First, like golf, there are many ways to be good. The sport tends to endorse the ones they feel work the best. But in each sport, you'll see a handful of players that DON'T do it that way and are legends. I like WRW, but as I'm trying to learn and get better…you end up realizing maybe not the best to imitate. In golf, it was John Daly. The guy absolutely killed the ball…but not many coaches would teach John Daly's swing.

Second, I feel your pain. I've went to clinics and have gotten instruction from about 8 high average bowlers, the majority of which are certified. And thats in addition to the scores of folks that have offered advice here. And it is hard when you're choosing one person's advice over another.

For Example, the first guy that coached me was the old pro shop owner at my center and he was a very unorthadox, old school, "incorrect" loft kind of player. It was a shot that worked for him But I decided to follow a technique I saw online (for a short time). One day in league play, we're playing his team, and I was struggling like crazy with this akward new delivery. And he came over and was all confused because I was bowling so oddly compared to what he and I had worked on. I just played dumb and took his advice, and did it that way for the rest of the night.

On the flip side, recently I told my coach I was experimenting with loft…knowing the coach wasn't a big fan. But, thus far, a good coach because rather than scold me…we worked on how to put it in my game but do it properly.

I pour over everything I can get my hands on related to the game...articles, videos, watching pros, etc. I just recently took up bowling seriously this year and I'm a bit impatient to learn. I've been doing the same obsessive reading and watching everything I can get my hands on related to bowling but know a coach could probably save me a lot of time.

Sounds familiar.

Yes, a coach helps a LOT in not developing really bad habits early on…that you then have to correct later.

[ralphs007]

This is very interesting to me. I'm a self-taught golfer but I've also been playing the game for over 20 years. I pour over everything I can get my hands on related to the game...articles, videos, watching pros, etc. I just recently took up bowling seriously this year and I'm a bit impatient to learn. I've been doing the same obsessive reading and watching everything I can get my hands on related to bowling but know a coach could probably save me a lot of time. I like the idea of these free clinics to see what a coach might have to offer. I just wonder if there are any in my area...there are 4 or 5 centers near me and I've never seen any of them advertise one of these clinics.
Please keep us up to date on how it goes...and how one on one lessons go for you, if you end up going that route! Good Luck!

Hi
Two of the bowling centers in my area offer the same program. They have banners hanging at the center announcing the free clinics. Maybe you should give them a call and see if they have something similar.
As far as golf lessons go, I found a Pro who video records my swing and then sends it to my email account. I review what he suggests, and then I record my swing to see if I'm doing the drill properly . I know you heard the expression "What you feel is not real" and its so true with the golf swing. I think I'm doing the move correct, and then I play it back and see that I'm getting close but still not there yet.
I'm like you, I have tons of golf books and golf videos but what really helps my swing the most is having someone who knows the game, critique my swing. I have a descent understanding of the swing which helps but nothing beats seeing a Pro.
I have recorded my bowling swing but I need to learn what my swing needs as far as corrections go. Once I find out what I need to work on from a coach, then I can check my swing on video to see if I'm on the right path.
I get a little crazy with all of my hobbies but that's the way I'm wired.

[Hampe]

I know you heard the expression "What you feel is not real" and its so true with the golf swing. I think I'm doing the move correct, and then I play it back and see that I'm getting close but still not there yet.

Bowling is pretty much the same way. That's one thing that recording myself during practice has taught me. If I'm making a significant change to my game, and it starts to feel natural or comfortable during the first few weeks, then I most likely only think I'm still doing it the new way, and I'm actually unconsciously going back to the old way.

That's why the fastest way to improve is to record yourself (and have somebody with a clue go over the video with you). Human brains are pretty unreliable in that regard.

[ralphs007]

Bowling is pretty much the same way. That's one thing that recording myself during practice has taught me. If I'm making a significant change to my game, and it starts to feel natural or comfortable during the first few weeks, then I most likely only think I'm still doing it the new way, and I'm actually unconsciously going back to the old way.

That's why the fastest way to improve is to record yourself (and have somebody with a clue go over the video with you). Human brains are pretty unreliable in that regard.

Same with my golf swing, old faults are always trying to make a comeback. I have to constantly guard against old habits coming back. My video camera was one of my best golf purchases. The bonus is now I can use it for bowling, once I get a clue to the swing.

[white_rabbitt]

Yes to videoing! I have been wanting to and meaning to video myself bowling for awhile now. (I do this regularly for golf) I think it would be very informative and help out a ton to actually see what's going on. And even have the option to send it in for critique. It's just that I get to the lanes, get set up, and then get so caught up in bowling that I forget to stop and take a few videos. I would also have to bother whoever I am bowling with to do the actual videoing since I only have my phone to take videos.
I haven't really checked yet but I'm sure there are sites or coaches that you can send in your bowling videos to just like there are in golf?