The biggest thing about today's game is the typical house shot. This gives everyone - who does not know the game, the chance to average 210 with little or no effort.
Even while most people don't understand the house shot (tree pattern) - they still complain about carry or one evening the house changes the shot. Now understand this - I bowl at 3 different places and know the houses well - each of them tell me the same thing - why would the house change the shot in response of hearing more complaining.
Each house tries to setup the shot better than another one to "attract" bowlers from other houses. We have houses in Cincinnati (ie Ringo Lanes and Northwest Lanes) Both houses tend to allow play to average for me about 215 - 220. At Mason Lanes (where I bowl twice a week - I carry 205) At Princeton lanes, the shot doesn't allow me to carry 10's - doesn't mean I throw the ball the exact same either - but doesn't give me the room as other houses do.

I still don't complain about the shots or games. I know bad shots are caused by me.
Anyway - on top of the typical house shot - the USBC has lessened their involvment in the game at most houses, they don't inspect lanes after a 300 or 800 is shot, measure and weigh the ball - each house has 24 hours to call in the award and it passes. Along with this (which I agree) they have made awards lifetime awards - until they allow houses to setup patterns or even shots (same amount of oil on each board) and make the sport more of a sport - we will continue to see thousands of 300 games shot each year, and see even less support from the USBC (hence they continue to raise the sanction fees).
My take on all this - If we has bowlers pull away from the USBC and bowl at a house, spend the $20 (sanction) to the house and allow that to go into price money for each league - allow the bowler and house to decide on the award - that should directly hit the USBC where it hurts.
I know some houses are setting up Sports patterns during summer months, but most bowlers don't bowl in summer. This puts the efforts of a bowler on accuracy, timing and follow through instead of standing left and chicken winging outside 10 board and jumping out of their shoes - There is no reason a bowler who wants to bowl can't learn to be accurate, do the basics correctly,and just bowl.
Back in the days, I remember when my dad bowled - they didn't have all this equipment - nor did they have Palm trees on the PBA tour either (Slap in their face there). They rolled plastic balls until the White Dot was out - but they still relied on accuracy more then anything. In the newspaper it was great to get up on Sundays and see scores posted in there 600 or better. Now, there is nothing in the newspaper about bowling because everyone does it now. I only recall seeing one thing in the newspaper or radio about bowling in this area within the last 5 years. It was when a guy from Fairfield, OH shot a 900 series.
The flip side to this - all bowling centers are treated as entertainment now, it's a business to make money - they adjust to the bowler - I have saw many changes - most houses don't even give away house prizes for honor scores anymore, it cost to much.
Something has to give here - this sport is not a sport anymore and I can only point out USBC needs to stand up and make this sport what it was. We don't see everyone making it in Baseball or Football, so why can everyone bowl with little effort.
The Pro tour is better to watch due to lane play and experience of each bowler, the area I hate there is the lights, outside with Palm Tree's, it's almost like an amusement park - skill shooting with chairs and flying eagle's? What the hell is all this for? Simply entertainment is the PBA. Get real and keep it a skilled sport !!!
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