Make Your Own Bowling Adjustments

bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 11/7/2014; Updated: 3/18/2024

Just because you read or hear about adjustments bowlers make when the lane conditions change does not mean that these adjustments might be best for you.

It is important to make your own bowling adjustments, to experiment with what works best for you on given lane conditions, and then practice these adjustments until you trust making them in competition.

If, as example, you want to increase your ball skid distance, there are several accepted options for you to implement as an adjustment, if you choose to do so.

First, you can use less hand action. Reducing your amount of finger rotation thereby reducing the amount of rotation on your bowling ball.

Tilt your wrist back slightly at the release point so your thumb remains in the ball slightly longer than your natural delivery provides.

Increase your ball speed beyond your normal range and, in turn, increase your skid distance.

Vary your loft distance to prevent getting your ball to react before reaching the mid-lane.


Adjust your sighting mark on the lane slightly further down the lane to extend your skid distance.

Change angles of delivery to use the build up of lane oil on the front portion of the lane.

Of course, you can change the length you project your ball by changing bowling balls and using a coverstock which provides a longer skid distance than your usual ball provides.

These options are recommended but you can experiment which works best for you or which combination of adjustments gets the job done.

The great thing about bowling is you can choose your own adjustments based on your ability to execute them and based on your trust in them working.

With some experimentation, you can easily increase your ball skid.