Okay. Kids are grown, time to start bowling again!

[Cygnus]

I wanted to introduce myself here and let everyone know where I'm at. I think this place is a great resource for the sport.

My wife and I were heavy into bowling years ago and were always in multiple leagues and did a lot of tourneys. Stuff got put on hold for us to have a family.

Fast forward twenty years and I'm at a bowling fundraiser for my daughter's travel softball team. Now, I haven't picked up my gear in a very long time, so it was with great surprise and delight when I rolled a 246 on my first game. My last few balls were the Teal Rhino, Nitro and the red pearl Patriot, and I used Lind's shoes. I don't even know what the current "hot" ball is these days so I went over to my friend's bowling center and got hooked up with a new ball, bag and shoes.

After much deliberation, and with the help of the pro shop guy, Mike, I wound up buying a Hammer Absolut Hook for $119. Not bad considering the price included all drilling, finger tip inserts, and free lessons. Didn't want to spend a lot on my first one coming back because I have to work on my approach and get the release down. All the equipment in the world doesn't matter until I have a good foundation.

Anyway, the ball hooks nice, with a long, smooth sweep that's very predictable. I didn't want something that skidded and then flipped hard at the last second. Once I get my chops back I'll probably graduate to a more aggresive ball and a polished ball in case the lanes break down. Thanks for listening!

Cygnus

[NewToBowling]

Wow, 246 for first game after years of not bowling. Very good.

[Blomer]

Welcome back to bowling! Get ready to get addicted again!

[Cygnus]

I went out and rolled my strike shot for about three games. I was having a hard time with sticking in the ball and dropping the ball so a friend recommended Turbo tape for the thumb. After messing around with that and putting some white tape in the thumb hole I was finally feeling a little comfortable with my release. I was wondering if anyone here uses the Turbo tape or is it seen more as a "crutch?"

Anyway, when I bowled years ago I used a wrist brace but this time around I'm trying to change up my style a bit from my old "stroker" form to more of a "tweener" and I want to try to eliminate some hardware.

[Amyers]

I went out and rolled my strike shot for about three games. I was having a hard time with sticking in the ball and dropping the ball so a friend recommended Turbo tape for the thumb. After messing around with that and putting some white tape in the thumb hole I was finally feeling a little comfortable with my release. I was wondering if anyone here uses the Turbo tape or is it seen more as a "crutch?"

Anyway, when I bowled years ago I used a wrist brace but this time around I'm trying to change up my style a bit from my old "stroker" form to more of a "tweener" and I want to try to eliminate some hardware.

Tape is never a crutch almost every top level bowler uses tape. Whether you prefer tape that is applied directly to the thumb or tape in the holes is just personal preference

[rv driver]

Sheesh! I barely broke 100 on my first game back after 30 years. Welcome back to the game!

[Cygnus]

Sheesh! I barely broke 100 on my first game back after 30 years. Welcome back to the game!

I have to confess that the lanes had that recreational block oil pattern so I had a good 8-10 board margin of error going for me and I carried a bunch of ugly pocket hits. But thanks for the welcome back, dude.

[rv driver]

I have to confess that the lanes had that recreational block oil pattern so I had a good 8-10 board margin of error going for me and I carried a bunch of ugly pocket hits. But thanks for the welcome back, dude.

I never did like blocked lanes; couldn't throw right on them. But ugly pocket hits or no, that's a respectable score. Take it and RUN! Congrats!

[Cygnus]

I never did like blocked lanes; couldn't throw right on them. But ugly pocket hits or no, that's a respectable score. Take it and RUN! Congrats!

Thanks. Have to straighten out my shoe issues first.

[rv driver]

Thanks. Have to straighten out my shoe issues first.

Well... take it and at least limp...
Shoe issues are aggravating. Sometimes I think shoe issues outweigh ball issues, because if you can't approach and slide right, you can't bowl. Balance, timing, ball speed -- all begin with and are rooted in the feet.