I have been bowling for about three years and average 197. I currently use four steps and throw the ball with a medium hook. My problem is timing. Sometimes I feel that my swing is ahead of my feet. Is there any rule in regard to how many steps each bowler should take? -- Brent Haxton, Sarasota, Fla.

While most coaches recommend a four-step approach for most of their students, there are some bowlers who would be better served by using five steps, or even just three. Many years ago, noted bowling coach Bill Taylor developed a method that involved measuring the length of the individual’s arm, and used that information to determine the optimum number of steps. Those bowlers with a relatively short arm would be better served by using three steps, while those with extremely long arms should use five steps. A person with a “normal” arm length would be best served by taking four steps. Also, for many bowlers, the fifth step may actually be a half-step or less, used basically as a timing device and to get into a better rhythm. So, to answer your question, there is no hard and fast rule regarding the number of steps one should take. Each bowler is different, and “feels” the game differently.

LOOSENING THE NOOSE

One of my students always bowls well until pressure comes into play, and then he tends to pull the ball through the nose. Are there any keys that I can provide to help him bowl better in pressure situations? -- Nick Victor, Dover, Del.

The cause of pulling the ball under pressure usually involves raising your line of vision from the target on the lane to the pins. By raising your head too early, your body also comes up and you end up pulling the shot. To correct this, emphasize to your student that he should keep his eyes on the target on the lane until the ball crosses that target. A second common problem when under pressure is trying to be too precise with the shot. This causes you to throw the ball slightly slower than usual, resulting in the ball starting its hooking action too early. Again, you must concentrate on making the release and follow- through strong and toward the intended target.

IS START-STOP-START SMART?

We have a bowler in our league who has a weird approach. He takes a couple of steps, then stops, and then proceeds with a normal approach and release. Has there ever been any professional bowler who was successful with that type of approach? -- Gary Baxter, Green Bay, Wis.

The one top bowler who utilized that type of approach is Henry Gonzales, who has won a number of titles on the PBA Senior Tour and also was a champion when he bowled on the regular Tour. While I would not recommend this type of approach to most bowlers, it obviously has been very effective for Mr. Gonzales. The key is maintaining the proper timing for the armswing in relation to the last two steps, and making sure that the release is in time with the slide foot during the downswing and release.

CAN YOU SPARE A FEW BUCKS?

Do you think that it is a good investment to get a spare ball to shoot spares, especially the 10-pin? -- Sam Herman, Waco, Texas

For many years, I would have said that a good bowler can learn to straighten the ball out to make spares, but with today’s lanes and bowling balls, I now recommend that any serious bowler purchase a hard-surfaced ball for spare shooting, especially those spares on the right side of the lane (for a right-handed bowler). When purchasing a spare ball, make sure that it is drilled exactly like your strike balls and that you include grips or inserts if you use grips or inserts in your strike balls. It is extremely important that you have the same feel in all of your equipment. An added advantage to purchasing a spare ball is that it will save wear and tear on your strike ball. Many of today’s high-hooking balls wear out relatively quickly, so it doesn’t make sense to waste them on spare shots.

IN QUEST OF SIDE TURN

After three years of bowling, I have one main problem: When the lanes require it, I have a hard time getting more side turn on the ball and increasing the skid in the head area. Can you give me any tips to increase side turn? -- Nancy Grissman, Benton Harbor, Mich.

There are a couple of things that your pro shop operator can do to your bowling ball to help you increase side turn. The first is to increase the degree of forward pitch in your ring finger, while leaving the middle finger with less forward pitch. A second tip is to use a tighter insert for the ring finger, and a looser insert for the middle finger. Both of these changes will naturally increase the amount of pressure that is used by the middle finger during your release, and that will help you get more side turn.