Swinging around my body

[martin]

For your release, are you trying hard to give the ball a good rip? If so, relax a lot. If your hand position at point of release is about 4:30 that is good - it should come up to a handshake position just after release and up into the follow through. Don't roll the wrist over!
A smooth, easy, fluid follow through aimed directly at your target arrow is what you should work on. Keep the arm straight.
ad.

not really.. my arm is pretty relaxed.. but the angle is not quite right.. i think if i'm not wrong, my hand position is already at a handshake position at point of release.. my arm turns too early it seems..
and probably i'm standing way too inside.. i'm sliding at the 30th board when my aim is actually 12th-13th board.. and my Anaconda seems to struggle to hook back in fresh oil conditions

[aussiedave]

not really.. my arm is pretty relaxed.. but the angle is not quite right.. i think if i'm not wrong, my hand position is already at a handshake position at point of release.. my arm turns too early it seems..

Just guessing a bit here, but sounds like you aren't getting enough turn into the pocket? If so, you are likely putting the action on your ball too early and there's nothing actually on the ball when you release. You need to ensure you are holding the ball flat longer through the swing and only come around it at the last possible moment to get that turn on it. This takes a bit of concentration - try practicing it without a ball in your hand. I would suggest holding onto a rail or something with your left hand, getting down into your release position and swing your arm practicing that late turn a few times every day to get that into your routine automatically so it becomes second nature and you don't have to think about it. This obviously requires a bit of work, but if you wish to retain your current style as much as possible, and want to get that ball turning sharper, this may be a solution. The other one I will explain on your next paragraph.

and probably i'm standing way too inside.. i'm sliding at the 30th board when my aim is actually 12th-13th board.. and my Anaconda seems to struggle to hook back in fresh oil conditions

Try moving to the right two boards keeping the same lane target, but try it for a full game before you make another adjustment. These are practice games of course. If you are still not happy with that, try another two boards. Small adjustments are best.
If this works, it will save you some of the work that I mapped out for you above. Of course, getting that later work on the ball will give you more turn on it regardless.
Good luck Martin, I hope some of this helps you.
ad.

[martin]

Just guessing a bit here, but sounds like you aren't getting enough turn into the pocket? If so, you are likely putting the action on your ball too early and there's nothing actually on the ball when you release. You need to ensure you are holding the ball flat longer through the swing and only come around it at the last possible moment to get that turn on it. This takes a bit of concentration - try practicing it without a ball in your hand. I would suggest holding onto a rail or something with your left hand, getting down into your release position and swing your arm practicing that late turn a few times every day to get that into your routine automatically so it becomes second nature and you don't have to think about it. This obviously requires a bit of work, but if you wish to retain your current style as much as possible, and want to get that ball turning sharper, this may be a solution. The other one I will explain on your next paragraph.

u're right.. i don't get enough turn into the pocket.. especially when there's heavy oil.. thanks for the tip anyway.. i think i'm really turning my wrist way too early and as such my ball lacks RPM and hook..

Try moving to the right two boards keeping the same lane target, but try it for a full game before you make another adjustment. These are practice games of course. If you are still not happy with that, try another two boards. Small adjustments are best.
If this works, it will save you some of the work that I mapped out for you above. Of course, getting that later work on the ball will give you more turn on it regardless.
Good luck Martin, I hope some of this helps you.
ad.

thanks.. hopefully i can find a proper strike line

[kev3inp]

What he said. It always seems the harder you try to put turn on it, the less you get.

You could also work on your release by throwing a toy football underhanded. You see you can throw a spiral, which emulates the release, as well as that you can make it go straight with that turn. If you try to crank on that there's no way you keep your swing direction straight and your release timing gets really squirrelly.

[martin]

seems like the suggestions are working.. thanks guys.. and certainly one website 1 found, bowl4fun.com, has great tips.. my game's improving..

[kev3inp]

Congrats on finding Ron Clifton's website. His Magic Carpet is a product I swear by. He writes regularly in Bowling This Month. We've driven to NC to see him every summer for the last 6 years at the Gathering. He's also appeared on the Let's Go Bowling show.

[martin]

yes.. his tips are brilliant..