It’s time to bowl. Time to knock down pins and reap the benefits of your systematic preparation. Dedicated training has brought you to the point of maximum readiness. Pre-game routines have you set to perform. You now take the key final steps priming you to successfully execute.

These final steps to excellence comprise your routine leading to each shot during competition. Alternately referred to as “within-game routine,” “between-shot routine,” or “pre-shot routine,” this sequence of actions is necessary for performing well. Bowling your best requires a consistent routine before shots. This point deserves highlighting. No matter how hard you train or how talented you are, what you do immediately before each shot will affect the quality of your game, and if your routine fluctuates, so will your pin count. Continue reading ‘Pre-Shot Preparation’ »

Q: I am a 66-year-old bowler bowling in two leagues per week. I average 198 and 211 in those leagues, respectively. My only problem is that I am inconsistent. I do not generate enough ball speed to use the highly aggressive bowling balls on the market today. My balls are currently drilled with a full finger-tip grip. In the past (BJI contributor) Tom Kouros has spoken about changing to a conventional grip. Could such a change help me become more consistent?
— Donald Byarm, Somerdale, NJ
A: The advantage of using a shorter grip (semi-fingertip or conventional) is that it allows the bowler to keep
their fingers in the ball for a slightly longer amount of time during the release. For you, a shorter grip will
most likely create more of a “spinner” release, resulting in greater skid through the front portion of the lane and increased hook in the back portion of the lane. Also, there will be less likelihood of a ball rolling out. If that’s what you are after, give it a try. PBA Senior bowler Tommy Baker uses the spinner release to great effect. The great Glenn “Mr. 900” Allison also has used a conventional grip throughout most of his career, and he still is knocking down plenty of pins. Continue reading ‘My only problem is that I am inconsistent.’ »

PROFESSIONAL BOWLERS AND TOP COACHES long have disagreed over the many subtle manifestations that can take place in the downswing. It is understandable why this aspect of the game provokes such controversy, because it is the backswing that’s often modified to accommodate the specific physiology of the bowler. Continue reading ‘The Upside of Getting Your Downswing Down’ »

Older synthetic approaches and the humidity factor.

Why are all synthetic approaches so sticky, and what can be done to get some kind of slide on these approaches?
— Stanley Bridgestone, Austin, Texas
Actually, all synthetic approaches are not sticky. The cause of sticky synthetic approaches is high humidity in the bowling center. In centers with very low humidity — those in Las Vegas come to mind — the older-style synthetic approaches can be very slick. The reason for the stickiness problem is that old-style synthetic approaches have a relatively small humidity range in which the slide is acceptable. The perfect humidity for old-style synthetic approaches is around 45%, with an acceptable slide generated when the humidity is between 38% and 53%. Wood approaches offer an acceptable slide from around 28% to 60%. In centers with old-style synthetic approaches, the only solution to the problem is to totally control the humidity throughout the building, which is not easy to do in an older bowling center. (Note: I mention “old-style” synthetic approaches because, in recent years, many of the bowling equipment manufacturers have changed their approaches to a textured surface, which gives them a slide characteristic that is more similar to wood approaches. Older synthetic centers can upgrade to this surface.) Continue reading ‘Handeling a Sticky Situation’ »

ROLLING A STRIKE IN BOWLING IS MUCH EASIER than hitting a home run, and does not require big muscle prowess. Unlike baseball, what is required of a skilled bowler is a much higher percentage in realizing the ultimate result. Most professional bowlers today exceed the average of seven strikes per game. Doing so requires repetition; i.e., being able to repeat positive technique at a high percentage. This pertains to all aspects of the game, but where it is most often overlooked by the average bowler concerns the ball grip. Continue reading ‘The Tricks to Getting a Good Grip’ »

Q: I am a stroker and would like to know how I can get more revs on the ball. Also, can I use the same ball after making this change?
— Rocco Mayo, Farmingdale, NJ
A: A good way to get more revs is to cup your wrist in a similar fashion to PBA champion Del Ballard Jr. Also keep your back straight during the release and bend with your knee, rather than bending forward at the waist. As for using or not using the same ball, I suggest using a ball that has a lot of skid in the front portion of the lane and a strong backend hooking action. By increasing your revs, this type of ball will give you a “long and strong” ball motion on the lanes. Continue reading ‘Ask The Coach’ »