Sometimes open frames don't ruin a game, what you think about them will....

[Mark O]

Some bowlers say that spares are over-rated. I think they are under-rated. A few weeks ago, in a league that allows open bowling for four hours before league starts, I got to bowl on a pair where twelve games had been bowled on the left lane, and none on the right. The right lane was like shooting fish in a barrel. I threw a grand total of two strikes on the left lane, but was able to salvage a decent set because I could pick up my spares and, more importantly, made sure that I left myself makeable spares. Personally, open frames really make me mad at myself, usually not because I missed the spares, but because I left myself a leave that was very difficult or, worse yet, unmakeable.

Completely agree! Pairs play differently all the time and some nights it's very hard to string strikes together so your spare game needs to be on point. If you can't double and also can't make spares you're gonna be in for a very long night. I hear it all the time though, "These conditions were terrible tonight, I couldn't strike at all" as they proceed to bowl 60 pins under average and don't even acknowledge the fact that they missed enough makeable spares to reach their average and then some.

It even applies to nights when you are striking a lot as well. Yes you can still have a good game with an open frame or two and it's important to be able to bounce back after throwing them because they are going to happen. With the high scoring conditions they are definitely considered overrated by a lot of bowlers but X 9- X is a loss of 12 pins and those misses can add up quick if you're just throwing spares away and could very well be the difference between winning and losing!

[Aslan]

Some bowlers say that spares are over-rated. I think they are under-rated.

Agreed.

Personally, open frames really make me mad at myself, usually not because I missed the spares, but because I left myself a leave that was very difficult or, worse yet, unmakeable.

50% agree. You can't always control carry...or messengers...or lane conditions. But you CAN almost always control whether you pick up a 1-2 or a 5-9 or a 2-5 or a 4-7 or a 6-10 or a single-pin. But I don't blame myself for leaving a split or a washout. The difference between leaving a 1-2 and a 1-2-10 are relatively nothing more than a good break versus a bad break. And if I'm missing the pocket...there could be a lot of condition related reasons or just inexperience/inconsistency with my release. I won't beat myself up about that at this stage of development. Maybe down the road when I'm at Rob's level.

The problem with trying to leave make-able spares is it messes with your strike rate. Lots of "un-makeable" spares are splits. Splits are "usually" (not always) caused by the ball going through the nose...reacting too aggressively or thrown at too slow a speed, whatever. But if you miss a little right...you probably strike. Missing right...you won't usually have as bad a spare to pick up. Hey...I'm a TON better at picking up the 2-4-8 (even though I hate it above all leaves) than I am the 4-6 split. Big hooks leave splits. Big hooks leave washouts. But big hooks also strike and carry. You can play straighter...stay a little right...and probably average 190-200 if you're a good spare shooter. But a < 40% strike rate makes for a LONG night of bowling...so pick your poison.

I hear it all the time though, "These conditions were terrible tonight, I couldn't strike at all" as they proceed to bowl 60 pins under average and don't even acknowledge the fact that they missed enough makeable spares to reach their average and then some.

Totally agree. And unfortunately, sport bowling is pushing for things like the new world scoring system where spares become virtually irrelevant. They are essentially going towards making sport bowling "no-tap". You leave a 10-pin and the opponent leaves a 6-10...don't worry about picking them up...the 9-count gets the point. and with the equipment getting so strong and rev rates dominating high level play...even plastic balls start to hook way too much...so guys just go out there and hope for strikes.

I have a teammate....great form...a lefty...but he misses that dang 7-pin even more often than I miss the 10-pin. He's got 15-35 pins on me in average and years more of experience...but he will NOT get a plastic ball to shoot that 7-pin.

[vdubtx]

Personally, open frames really make me mad at myself, usually not because I missed the spares, but because I left myself a leave that was very difficult or, worse yet, unmakeable.

This is exactly me when I leave a difficult spare(washout) or a split. I always tell myself when I get back to the table...."Shouldn't have left it in the first place". My team mates know exactly what is coming out of my mount as soon as I sit down. LOL.