Personally, I think the high scores are a product of a lot of things. Better equipment, easier oil patterns, livelier pins, and increased knowledge all contribute.
Integrity damaged by technology?
Bowling purists have sometimes argue that the integrity of the sport has been undermined by technolgical innovations in balls, pinsetter and lane surface which normally lead to inreasing scores.
Do you think scores are being improved artifically by technology rather than skill?
Personally, I think the high scores are a product of a lot of things. Better equipment, easier oil patterns, livelier pins, and increased knowledge all contribute.
Most definitely technology.
Between the balls and lane conditions the game is way to easy.
I've been averaging around 220 I haven't practiced in years.
Last year high average in our league was 230 and that guy quite because
of lane conditions. What? How easy does he want it.
I walked down the line one night and watched guys throw the ball way out
it still comes back. Even if it's not right in the pocket the way the balls hit
they probably still get a strike.
One guy puts one in the pocket strike, next barely hits the headpin strike, next one cross over strike.
The pocket is huge.
It's crazy.
I miss the days when spares counted.
Bowling made easier
Yes bowling technology has improved a lot over the last 20 years. Pinsetters actually place pins where they're suppose to be. Oiling machines can measure the amount of oil being laid on the lanes better. Pins are actually better than before too with their construction being more consistant with each other. Shoes with interchangeable soles and heels. Then the ball tech, the biggest advantage of them all, right?
Well here's how I can remember some of the things of 20 years ago. I can remember going to houses where the pinsetter would consistantly place pins off evey few frames. I can remember going to some houses that were oiling the lanes with a rag. I can remember when pins would break on the pindeck because they were either so old or poorly made they could not hold up to the thrashing they took. Bowling with shoes that made you wonder if you were going to slide or stick. I can also remember balls made of stuff that would do nothing more than go down the lane like a big glass marble.
So ya, technology has made the game easier, but you still have to throw the ball. You still need to get close to the pocket. You still have to have some idea of what you're doing. The game is not a gimmie, because if it was everyone would be averaging 220+. So instead of blaming technology for over inflated averages, ask for more challenging lane conditions and get off the THS. I know this much, many of you won't want to bowl thoughs type of lane conditions very long.
Oh ya, how many people here have had some kind of coaching too? Todays coach is well above the training level of coaches of yesterday. I don't mean the big guy coach, but the more down to earth everyday coach.
TenPin is on the ball
You hit the proverbial nail on the head. You still have to roll the ball.
I get a little upset at times because some houses don't lay out the oil the same way on the left as they do on the right. I had one "laneman" tell me he programs the machine to put a bunch of oil outside of 5 down the lane on the left side, but not the right, because he hates lefties. When I told him I was a lefty, he said he'd deny it if anyone asked and I should learn to bowl with the correct hand.
I'm glad whoever that was can roll 220's at will without practice, but I can't do it. I'd be willing to bet he's a spray and pray cranker who can get away with never hitting the same spot twice, but that's not "how I roll." If it's so easy, why bother doing it? There would be no challenge except to see how lucky you can get.
TenPin - You make some good points. I didn't mean to put it all on technology. But the equipment has made the game easier. I would like to try a sport shot but. I've been bowling with the same guys for about 25 years on Friday's, that's the night we bowl and that's the shot that's out there. I know the majority of the league favors the THS so the shot won't change. It's still fun it's just crazy sometimes the scores that are shot.
kev3inp - I'm a lefty also, you bowl good you hear, the left sides easy, you bowl bad you hear, lefties suck, sometimes it's not easy being a lefty.
I'm not a spray and pray cranker, more of a down and in or tweener depending on the lanes.
Hey zman, I didn't mean to sound off, but technology isn't the only or main culprit to over inflated averages. When you see averages at about 260-270, then question technology as the reason. Otherwise, tell your house you'd like to see more challenging lane conditions, I'm sure over inflated averages will drop then.
Hey Kev, my son is left handed and he has an awsome ball, if he pays attention. So smooth and effortless to the pocket. Makes me wish I were left handed, but alas I am not. I actually feel that left handed bowlers are more accurate than right handed bowlers too. The thing with right handed bowlers is they tend to have more revs on the ball which gives them more area to hit a mark or spot.
Also, if the lane guy told you that, I'd grab the House manager and drag him to the lanes. Then I'd make him check the lanes for consistancy (across and length). If the house gets a history of skewing the lanes oil pattern, they can lose their sanctioning and I'd make that point to the manager. This is why I check 2 things before I throw a ball too. 1) I want to make sure I will slide and 2) I look at the bottom of the lane and check where the oil is laid gutter to gutter. Gives me and idea of what I want to do from that point on.
TenPin
If the shot is there on the left side it does tend to stay, but if it's not, it never shows up. I guess it's just a huge lack of talent on my part, then, that I can't even maintain a 200.
The house where the "laneman" told me that would not allow me to walk down the gutter cap with or without accompaniment to check for myself. Since sanction visits are announced well in advance, and they say which pair they'll check, it's pretty obvious that they'll do what they can to make them pass. The management at that house is very rude to most of their league members, too. They don't care if we don't come back, they're pulling in their cash from cosmic, parties, and open bowling. The bathrooms are horrid, the bowler areas are filthy and the equipment doesn't work very well. But it's a Schumacker house, so I don't expect anything different.
I can see the pattern at the foul line area, but the area in question is downlane, and I can't see the contrast that far, even if I lay on the floor. I've tried.
Call me old fashioned. I don't really like technology enhancing performance - it is akin to cheating in the Olympics by using steroids. I still prefer the good old days when skill is the critical factor.
technology enhancing performance changes everything we do. not just in sports but in everyday stuff we do. theres NO getting around it we can only adapt to it
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