PBA Player Coaching events

[J Anderson]

So how many of us have attended events where we received coaching from PBA players?

I attended one Yesterday at Nutmeg Bowl in Fairfield, CT. The coaches were Anthony Pepe, Andrew Hall, Francois Lavoie, Jake Peters, Kris Prather, and Packy Hanrahan, all players who are sponsored in part on tour by Buddies Pro Shop. 2 1/2 hours of lane time with each pro spending about 25 minutes with the bowlers on a pair before moving to the next pair of lanes. Attendees ranged from junior bowlers to senior citizens. There was also a Q & A session after the bowling.

So let me know if you have done anything like this and what your experience was like.

[boatman37]

I did last year with Kelly Kulick. It was 3 hours and limited to 30 people. Learned quite a bit. I realized it seemed more geared to bowlers closer to entry level so I think she was a little surprised to see me there after I threw a few shots. Not that I'm great or anything, just that most there looked like they were pretty new. She did hang out afterwards and chatted with me for a bit. tried to convince me to enter a few PBA50 events..lol. But I'd do it again if the opportunity came up.
Never got coaching from him but bowled with Mark Roth for about 6 months. This was back in 2002 so completely different than today's game. And at the PA state Sr's tournament 2 years ago I bowled doubles with Jim Pencak. No official coaching but he was giving me pointers along the way. I bowled a 733 with him to his 590...lol

[Aslan]

I've bowled a few pro-ams...but that not really "coaching".

I used to go down to Fountain Bowl (CA) and they had this thing where each person pays $10 and you get to bowl for 1.5 hours and a "group" of coaches will watch you and offer pointers. Barry Asher was there. John Burkett. Several others that I can't recall.

I took lessons for two years (twice a month) from Missy Parkin. Shes a very good coach. Taught me a lot about bowling ball mechanics, reading the lanes, spare shooting strategy, arsenal assembly...pretty much the majority of my game.

I took lessons once a month for a year from Mark Baker. He's probably considered one of the best "bowling coaches" in the world. He uses a lot of video taping and comparing it to an ideal form...probably like what they do a lot of at the USBC training center.

If there was a clinic, like the one you're talking about, that was near me...I'd definitely attend. Even if you get virtually nothing out of it...you're probably going to learn "something" that'll help your game. "Ball demo days" are a little different. It's usually designed to sell you balls...versus instruction. I'd love to go to Camp Bakkes or the USBC training center. The problem is the cost. By the time ya travel there, get your equipment there, food, lodging, then pay the fees....I costed out once before and it was in the thousands of dollars.