Lessons Pay Off....Take Them Instead of Buying New Equipment

[jab5325]

As you've likely read from my posts, I took lessons recently from a guy who used to run one of the local centers and coaches youth in the area. After getting back into the game last year, I've had a lot of things "screwed up" and haven't had a ton of success hitting the same spot twice over time.

Well, the last 4 times out I've averaged at least 9.1 on the first ball, and have increased my spare percentage to nearly 80% (have only missed 2 single pins).

Last night, I shot my lifetime best of 715.....the first 700 since I was 16-years-old.

I went 248-220-247. My first ball average was 9.53, and 80% on spares, only missing two the entire evening. I missed a 4-7-10 split on a ball I tugged, and barely missed a 7-pin when I got fast with my feet and slipped. Interestingly, this happened in consecutive frames during the second game. The split came first. I used my Hammer Bad Intentions the entire night, only having to move about 3-4 boards from beginning to end (no traffic on my line).

One of the things my coach really preaches is the mental game; staying focused, head down, etc. I didn't let those misses get to me.

Another interesting thing is that not only did I not win high game for my team, I didn't win high series either. Our anchor had a 740+, and another guy had a 713. Additionally, the team won just ONE game the whole night. In fact, in one game (I think it was game 2), the other team had three 250+ games (highest was 268), a 225+, and a 190-something.

It was certainly an interesting night on the lanes and one I hope I can build upon. Standing farther forward, slowing down, and focusing helped me tremendously.

If you're just starting out/coming back to bowling and think your ball doesn't hook enough, shoes don't slide far enough, or that you don't have enough revs........don't go and buy new equipment first. Invest in taking lessons from a coach. Even if you were a 200 average person, "knew the game" and are starting up again after an absence.....take lessons. Your dollar and your game will go much further.

[NewToBowling]

Good advice. Problems not all lessons/coaches are equal. I'm glad you found one that was able to help you out.

[jab5325]

Agreed--patience in finding a coach is key. In my youth days when I was decent, I had a couple who I didn't click with. Luckily, my parents kept me finding more until I found a good one.

Last night, I shot 599 and only missed two spares the entire night. I chopped the 2 off of a 2-4-7 that I tugged, and chopped the 4 off of a 4-7.

My first ball average was over 9.2. I pounded the pocket, literally, all night long. It easily could've been another 700. Kept leaving ringing 7s/flat 7s, a bunch of stone 8s, and a couple 10s thrown in for good measure. It was unreal! I used literally every ball in my arsenal, tried playing out to 5, down and in over 10, even over the middle.....I just couldn't figure it out.

But, it was good spare practice.

[zdawg]

Good advice. Problems not all lessons/coaches are equal. I'm glad you found one that was able to help you out.

EXACTLY, also not all areas even have coaches apparently. In San Diego I still can't seem to find a decent coach - of the 5 coaches listed on Bowl.com within a 30 mile radius, 4 of them don't list any contact information whatsoever (including Rhino Page guess they got certified for the fancy piece of paper?), and the 1 coach that does have contact info is outdated contact info.

Due to my work schedule I haven't been able to schedule a lesson with Mark Baker and his extremely limited availability in my general area (it's still a 45 - 60 minute drive each way on the rare Tuesday morning he comes down, and I just can't leave work in the middle of the day for 3 hours).

It's frustrating to say the least, I've been asking around my league but nobody seems to know of anyone I guess I'll just have to wait until somebody either comes along or I move to another city, although I must admit my bowling has regressed big time this year and I may just call it quits for a while when this season finishes up.