Advancing Your Bowling Average From 120 And Up
Written By: bowlingball.com | Written On: Monday, April 12, 2021 | Updated On: Saturday, November 9, 2024
If you are a bowler currently averaging around 140 and want to improve that average, there are strategies you can work on to achieve this. Improving your average requires focusing on key areas such as spare shooting, consistency, and understanding how to make minor adjustments based on lane conditions.
To better understand what it takes to average 165, you can think of it as rolling a 500 series in league play each week. This means scoring an average of 165 per game. You can achieve this even without stringing together multiple strikes, so long as you maintain good spare shooting and reduce open frames to a manageable number—ideally around two per game. Having a strong pin count and focusing on converting spares is essential for consistent scoring.
The foundation of averaging 165 or better lies in your ability to shoot spares effectively. One key within this strategy is to hit the pocket as frequently as possible, as this leaves makeable spares. If you can consistently hit the pocket and convert the spares that follow, you’ll build a solid framework for increasing your scores. Spare shooting is often more valuable than striking in the context of improving your average, especially for bowlers looking to increase from a 140 average.
Everyone, even the best bowlers in the world, will occasionally miss spares or encounter splits that lead to open frames. However, the goal is to minimize the number of open frames to around two per game. By reducing your average open frames to two or fewer, you will be very close, if not already there, to your goal of averaging 165. Each missed spare represents an opportunity for improvement, and making these adjustments is what separates consistent bowlers from those who struggle with consistency.
While a jump from a 140 to a 165 average may seem daunting, the biggest improvement can come from learning techniques that help you hit the pocket more often and convert routine spares. The secret lies in developing simplicity and reliability in your approach to both pocket finding and spare shooting. By becoming more consistent in these areas, you will see gradual improvements in your overall scoring.
Here are some effective tips to guide you in the right direction:
1. Use the services of an experienced bowling instructor to help you refine your shot-making skills and develop a tailored spare-shooting strategy. A knowledgeable coach can offer personalized advice on alignment, targeting, and release to ensure that you are set up for success. Shooting spares consistently requires a reliable adjustment system based on your unique delivery technique and the lane conditions you encounter. With an instructor’s guidance, you can build confidence in these adjustments.
2. Increase your pocket percentage on your strike ball deliveries. Focus on aligning yourself properly and making quality shots so that you can hit the pocket consistently. The more you can repeat this, the easier your job becomes, as hitting the pocket regularly leaves routine spares for you to convert. When you focus on accuracy and consistency in hitting the pocket, your chance of higher scores increases as a natural outcome.
Reducing the number of open frames each game should become your primary goal, rather than focusing solely on strikes. Strikes are beneficial, but increasing your strike percentage comes from improving your pocket hits. Hitting the pocket consistently is the foundation for getting strikes, but it’s also essential for leaving makeable spares when strikes don’t happen. Even with regular pocket hits, strikes won’t occur every time; this is why spare shooting is crucial.
Your spare game should be reliable, and each time you convert a spare, it boosts your total score, allowing you to reach or exceed your average goal. Converting spares is the result of having a spare system best suited to your style and the lanes you’re playing on. A proper spare system involves aligning yourself correctly, understanding your release, and making necessary adjustments when lane conditions change. Being adaptable and prepared to make these adjustments will elevate your consistency.
If you manage to reduce your average number of open frames to two per game and occasionally record doubles or even three strikes in a row (three-baggers), you will likely see an improvement in your scores. Achieving the 500 series in league play regularly becomes realistic, and with that, you can expect to see a gradual increase in your average. Consistency is key, and by following these strategies, you will achieve more reliable scores and work toward reaching that 165 average.
Focus on these two vital keys to scoring—spare shooting and pocket accuracy—and you will see your average increase steadily. Remember, small adjustments and improvements can lead to substantial results over time, and your confidence will grow as you see progress in your scores. With a disciplined approach and consistent practice, you can achieve a level of performance you can be proud of.