Multiple strike angles??????

[5280 Hooker]

I have been bowling now for about a year and a half. I've put my time in to learn the game and understand how to play on different oil patterns. Since getting better and learning all this I thought I would put something to the test.

I wanted to see if I could strike from multiple angles using different balls with various cover stocks (and cores) on a sport shot. And my answer was yes! I struck from three different angles. Now.....this is nothing new to you experienced bowlers, but it kind of baffled me!

My question is.....how do you know where to play when I can strike from so many different places.

I know this might be a dumb question, and guys will say "who cares where you strike from, as long as you are striking". But I know there is a proper way to play every pattern.

I now feel like I can't make up my mind where to play and I'm constantly changing balls and never really settle in to one shot.

Is this normal....lol. Can someone help?

Thanks.

[Tony]

I don't have the answers but I look forward to reading some of the perspectives of the other members, and I think it's a good question.

[JaxBowlingGuy]

You play where ever the lanes are telling you to play and scoring the best. There really isn't going to be a one size fits all usually.

My play will vary by many things including where the others are playing on the lanes (my pair and the pair ahead of me if moving lanes). With that balls to use, that comes with time and knowing what reaction you expect from the different balls.

[RobLV1]

There is a general rule called the "Rule of 31." Basically, it's a formula for where to start looking on a fresh sport pattern. The first thing that you do is to determine the length of the pattern. You can do this by watching your practice shots as well as the practice shots of others. Note where the balls hook. This can be seen from everyone's balls, but it is really obvious on the shots made by the high rev players. The balls will hook approximately five feet past the end of the pattern. If the balls are hooking at 45', then it's probably about a 40' pattern. The rule of 31 says that on a 40' pattern, the ball should exit the pattern at 9 board; in other words, the ball should be at 9 board at 40' (40'-31=9).

MOST of the time this will give you the best angle until the pattern starts to break down. Remember that the ball does not hook in the oil on the fresh, it hooks past the oil on the dry. The volume of oil, the length of the pattern, and your bowling style will usually dictate the type of ball that you should be using. Generally, shorter patterns have a greater volume of oil for their length and require balls with more surface and an earlier roll. Conversely, and this really confuses a lot of bowlers, longer patterns are more effectively attacked using balls designed to go longer with less surface to take advantage of the limited amount of friction that's past the pattern on the fresh.

While you can usually find a way to get to the pocket from most angles, the best angle is the one that gives you the most room to miss at the end of the pattern. The biggest mistake that many lower rev players make is to try to move to the right and point it at the pocket on longer pattern. This greatly reduces the miss room at the end of the pattern, as a ball that exits the pattern one board to the left will dive through the nose, while a ball that misses one board to the right will barely touch the head pin leaving a dinner bucket or a washout.

[2handedsniper]

If you hit it exactly right it is possible to do very well heaving the ball DIRECTLY down the middle two handed , lofting 1-3 of the lane with a plastic ball and miss one centimeter left or right. I bowled many 230s this way.

[bowl1820]

If you hit it exactly right it is possible to do very well heaving the ball DIRECTLY down the middle two handed , lofting 1-3 of the lane with a plastic ball and miss one centimeter left or right. I bowled many 230s this way.

Wow, a whole one centimeter margin of error! Yeah you'd have to hit it exactly right every time to do well that way.

I assume those 230's are handicap games and not scratch series.

[chrono00]

Is anyone else In the Philadelphia area? I wouldn't mind getting together and bowling for fun with a few people. Maybe we can get Sniper here to come and see this unique style up close

[Tony]

I'm not anywhere near Philly but could be interesting if you are able to get a few people together, make sure to have someone there taking video and post it here for everyone to watch !

[Tony]

You play where ever the lanes are telling you to play and scoring the best. There really isn't going to be a one size fits all usually.

My play will vary by many things including where the others are playing on the lanes (my pair and the pair ahead of me if moving lanes). With that balls to use, that comes with time and knowing what reaction you expect from the different balls.

I find this to be one of my problems, I tend to stick with the line that usually works best because I'm not making great shots, instead I should probably move to a more inside or outside line earlier. In thinking about it, I don't usually leave a lot of 10 pins but when I do leave one a few frames in a row, I should move to a whole different line instead of trying to make small adjustments that rarely work for me.

[billf]

Is anyone else In the Philadelphia area? I wouldn't mind getting together and bowling for fun with a few people. Maybe we can get Sniper here to come and see this unique style up close

I might be enticed to make the 10 hour drive if there would be a few people to meet and bowl with.