That moment when you go from struggling to finally "getting it"

[jab5325]

With the help of some folks both online (tip of the hat, RobLV1) and at my local center, I was throwing decently for a while and learned a lot about equipment and today's game. Though my season-long average is only in the 170s (it's climbing, started out very poorly), I started throwing in the 190s and was "getting it", when I decided to get the Hammer Bad Intentions.

The ball, as you know, is hugely aggressive. My first 3 league series with it was in the lower 500s. Due to an illness, I didn't get as much time to practice with it as I typically would with a new ball. Last night, I still wasn't feeling well and the wife decided to come watch for a bit. My first game started off with a 6-7 split, and I couldn't get anything going. We were up against the best team, and I was embarrassed to finish the first game at 137. I just couldn't find a mark, and the ball kept coming heavy, or too light. I got very frustrated and focused on not feeling well rather than hitting my mark.

The second game didn't start out any better. Chop on a 4-7, then miss an 8-pin, then a 7-pin. I got really pissed, but I then figured out what I was doing wrong and I got my mark. I closed with 5 perfect shots in a row for a 193. I finally "got it".

The third game started with a strike, and then a 2-7 which I converted. I went on to throw a clean game and a 218. A 548 isn't good, but given the circumstances, I feel more accomplished with that 548 than I do with some 650+ series.

I finally "get" the ball, and have gotten used to what it can (and can't) do. My previous ball, an Ebonite Xxcel, is an early-roller with a less sudden move in the backend. The Bad Intentions has much more of an angular motion to the pocket, and is much more aggressive overall than an old, oil-soaked Xxcel. My PSO is re-drilling the Xxcel and treating it to get the oil out of it, and I should have that back soon.

But, I love the Bad Intentions. The thing hits amazingly hard and explodes the deck like a cannonball. There are no pocket splits or other odd leaves with the thing. It's also versatile--I started with my foot aligned to the right gutter (lefty), throwing out in the board 7-9 area. As it broke down, I was able to move farther inside with ease. It also helps me get a lot of carry on missed shots too. With all of this said....the ball takes a lot of getting used to, and I wouldn't recommend it until you've got your game down and a good, repeatable shot. It's on the aggressive end of aggressive balls, but Hammer really hit a home run with this one.

[Aslan]

Just be careful with your optimism.

Since mid-2013 when I started bowling more than just occasionally...I have had SO many of those moments....it's actually very defeating. It seems like every time I get a lesson from Rob or my current coach...I start throwing strikes and think, "Yup...FINALLY! I get it!! 600 series from here on out!!" Then the following week I roll a 153-177-116 and contemplate throwing my equipment in the dumpster. Then next lesson...I'M BACK!....until I bowl again...then dumpster...rinse, repeat.

[Mike White]

Just be careful with your optimism.

Since mid-2013 when I started bowling more than just occasionally...I have had SO many of those moments....it's actually very defeating. It seems like every time I get a lesson from Rob or my current coach...I start throwing strikes and think, "Yup...FINALLY! I get it!! 600 series from here on out!!" Then the following week I roll a 153-177-116 and contemplate throwing my equipment in the dumpster. Then next lesson...I'M BACK!....until I bowl again...then dumpster...rinse, repeat.

Consistant scoring is not about how good your good shots are, but how good your bad shots are.

[Amyers]

Just be careful with your optimism.

Since mid-2013 when I started bowling more than just occasionally...I have had SO many of those moments....it's actually very defeating. It seems like every time I get a lesson from Rob or my current coach...I start throwing strikes and think, "Yup...FINALLY! I get it!! 600 series from here on out!!" Then the following week I roll a 153-177-116 and contemplate throwing my equipment in the dumpster. Then next lesson...I'M BACK!....until I bowl again...then dumpster...rinse, repeat.

I don't know if I'm quite this bad but I have had plenty of moments where I've though WOW!!! that's what I've been looking for and roll 600+ series for as long as a few weeks then BAM!! it's like I hit a brick wall and I'm back where I started. That has happened to me a lot. At least I do see the lows getting higher but I understand the frustration.

[jab5325]

Just be careful with your optimism.

Since mid-2013 when I started bowling more than just occasionally...I have had SO many of those moments....it's actually very defeating. It seems like every time I get a lesson from Rob or my current coach...I start throwing strikes and think, "Yup...FINALLY! I get it!! 600 series from here on out!!" Then the following week I roll a 153-177-116 and contemplate throwing my equipment in the dumpster. Then next lesson...I'M BACK!....until I bowl again...then dumpster...rinse, repeat.

I'm very mindful of that. I've had a bit of an extended illness with some other issues lately, and I haven't been myself physically or mentally or able to practice much. With that said, with RobLV1's help/tips and those of my PSO, I've been bowling so much better the last few months than at any other point in my life. For me, "bad" is 520 or less, and OK is 550-575. I haven't thrown a real clunker lately, thank God, even though last night started out as such.

Bowling is a very frustrating game at times--people think it's so easy, but it's far from it.

[jab5325]

Consistant scoring is not about how good your good shots are, but how good your bad shots are.

This is a very good point.

Typically, I don't throw a lot of splits. Two weeks ago when I was subbing, I threw a 524.....with 7 splits. Of those 7 splits, only 1 was something I'd consider "make-able", a 2-7, and I missed it. It was my first night with my new ball, actually my very first games with the new ball (got it on a Wednesday, and a guy had an emergency and I just happened to be there to fill in). With that many big splits and constantly hitting high, I didn't consider a 524 all that bad.

Last night, despite a terrible first game, I only had one split the entire night....a 2-7 which I made.

[Blomer]

I'm in a similar place with my Storm Rocket. It also has a sharp angular movement and first few times throwing it I shot very well. But this past Wednesday I bombed big time. And during practice yesterday I shot well again. It's just getting used to the ball and consistently hitting your mark. Exploring the line you want to use.

[NewToBowling]

Yep, you just know when it clicks. It clicked for me when I was able to keep my hand behind the ball. Afforded me more control of the ball. After that I was able to reasonably throw to my target

[RobLV1]

I'm in a similar place with my Storm Rocket. It also has a sharp angular movement and first few times throwing it I shot very well. But this past Wednesday I bombed big time. And during practice yesterday I shot well again. It's just getting used to the ball and consistently hitting your mark. Exploring the line you want to use.

Depending on the individual pair of lanes on which you are bowling, the ball that worked yesterday, may not work today. This is why serious bowlers bring several bowling balls to league. Even though all of the lanes are dressed the same, there can be huge topological differences between them that renders one ball completely useless, and another a complete winner.

[ralphs007]

As they say in golf " I got it, I had it, I lost it!" You only borrow it, you never really own it.