New bowler, general...possibly weird questions

[Grimthrow]

I put these questions in my "Greetings thread" but figured I'd add them here too. I'm a new "dedicated" bowler, I've bowled before but not with my own ball, and just for fun.

Bowled my first 3 games with the new ball today. I still have no hook but the Pro Shop owner gave me some tips. I was apparently over-rotating my wrist, like instead of just doing a 90 degree with my hand, I'm doing closer to a complete 180. Also he told me to the right of the second arrow because they really oil the area in the middle, and I need to work on keeping my speed down to like 12 to 13 mph for right now for technique.

Sound like O.K. advice? The only thing I'm worried about is the speed he told me to throw at, it seems like many other people are hitting around 17 or 18 MPH. I average around 15-16 mph, I think that would be fine, maybe I'm muscling it though.

He said my technique was better then most beginners so I was happy about that. I averaged around 140 each game. My spares were going pretty nicely actually, I was just having a tough time finding the pocket, not having much of a hook didn't help.

Is there anything I should be worried about with bowling 3 games every day? Should I rest my arm more as a beginner? I like to lift weights and keep myself in decent shape. Is there any excercises that other bowlers like to use to enhance their game at all. I took a 20 pound dumbell the other day and just practices the back swing with it, just to prepare for today. Just wondering if anyone has ever dabbled in this.

Thanks!

[J Anderson]

It sounds reasonable to me. Don't worry about what other bowlers are doing while you're learning the game. Work on developing good fundamentals; footwork, swing, timing, etc. then you can experiment with different speeds or whatever.
Three games a day shouldn't be a problem as long as the ball is the right weight and fits well. If you start getting blisters after a couple days have the pro check the fit. If your arm or any part thereof starts to hurt or ache then take some time off.
There was a thread a while back on exercises to strengthen wrists

[littlelegs]

Regarding ball speed I'd say for most slower is (to an extent) better to start, especially if you aren't using a huge backswing. Getting enough revs on a ball for it to grip and start hooking properly at a higher speed is at best tough and something I struggle with. My game is settling down, but even now I throw balls a little fast now and again which makes them skid all the way down as opposed to turning and accelerating as they grip.

The over-rotating was (sometimes still 'is' when my mind wanders totally) another issue I had although perhaps not to that extreme. Even 90 degrees for a 'good' ball is a little strong IMHO. Although the ball will certainly hook that way, you're losing power through the pins i.e. instead of the ball finding dry lane to grip on and accelerating forward and left (if you're right handed), it'll simply continue at the same speed or even slow down when the hook starts.

[Grimthrow]

Good stuff, thanks guys.

I bowled 4 games this morning. Didn't go that great, I was experimenting around with things I learned from Norm Dukes "Next Level" bowling on youtube. It will probably just take awhile to get used to.

One thing I'm not sure what to do, I was using a house ball as a spare ball for like one or two pins. It took a while to get used to. What would you guys suggest? Just using my custom ball for spares or using a house ball?

One thing I picked up in the last two games that really improved my first throw, was completely relaxing my arm and wrist on the release. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to, but it gave me the slight hook I desired and my aim improved.

That's all for today. My arm and wrist are a bit sore. To be honest I'm not used to a 14 pound ball yet, I used to throw 12's when I bowled. I'm going to bowl tomorrow morning and if it's still sore I'll take a day off.

[littlelegs]

The problem with a house ball is it won't properly fit. This means your release is going to be very different using it and that can cause trouble with your consistency. A plastic spare ball if fairly cheap and the way to go, but if money's a little tight then even the hookiest ball can be used for spares by staying directly behind it with the hand so there's no side spin. A little hook may kick it at the end with a strong ball but not enough to make the spare a miss.

[Grimthrow]

Thanks littlelegs! makes sense.

Question: I set up FAR right on the approach. If I use the 3-6-9 spare system....would I stay in the same position for the 2, 4, and 7 pins? And then just square up to the pin and aim at a different spot?

3-6-9- spare system
For the 2 pin, move right 3 boards

For the 4 pin, move right 6 boards

For the 7 pin, move right 9 boards

For the 3 pin, move left 3 boards

For the 6 pin, move left 6 boards

For the 10 pin, move left 9 boards

[JAnderson]

Is there any excercises that other bowlers like to use to enhance their game at all.

Core and legs - they'll help with create a strong, table platform (you!) at the release point.

[K3ntFIN]

As a one-handed bowler (which I assume is the case here), getting a relaxed swing and release is one of the fundamentals of consistency. If you 'power-bowl' your muscle control will deteriorate as your muscles get tired, which means losing accuracy and consistency. Glad to see you came to that conclusion on your own. Also a great pointer was to see that you noticed how easy it was to get a bit of hook going on with a more relaxed approach. That's just biomechanics, a relaxed motion is quicker, if you have to tense up your muscles it also means you have to tell them to un-tense, thus creating a delay and a slower release.

[fix_2_0]

take your thumb out and throw it fast, promise you will get giant hook. or practice on keeping your arm leveled with your head during follow through-- and shoulders straight.

[Special_K]

working on ur swing with a dumbbell is great for muscle memory which ive been told is basics to bowling im not too sure about taking your thumb out of the ball, youll lose your wrist