Bowling

[928JLH]

So I got suckered into a league as a new bowler Tuesday nights. I'm starting to catch on now and it's becoming a love/hate relationship.

 

We are bowling on a typical house shot pattern and I'm having trouble after the transition and oil is heavy on the back end to hook into the pocket. 

 

Any bowlers have any advice on what adjustments to make for late 2nd and 3rd game? I only have 1 ball currently the Hy Road. I don't really want to buy another ball as my other hobbies are expensive (bass fishing and guns) but will take ball recommendations if needed and pony up to buy one. Thanks in advance!

[A-Jay]

I rolled a few back in the day.

Clearly I'm no Earl Anthony but when it came to consistency of that first ball,

I gave up on trying to control the curve.

Instead I went straight line.

Got some splits (and plenty of "Brooklyn's) but who doesn't. 

Good Luck.

A-Jay

[tunaman]

Often times under those circumstances you’ll need to square up more and move right (for right handers) when the lanes transition to catch more hook in the backend until that goes away, then make a bigger move left to catch back up.

 

Im a tweener and have to do that often, as I don’t have the revs to get it back from deep.

[TOXIC]

Grew up in a bowling family and was on a league by age 10.  Best I ever did was a 279 and carried a 190 average.  My dad threw the traditional hook, my mom threw a backup ball and I settled on a cross up.  Got out of it when the hometown alley went more to the bar and live band scene and had midnight bowling under black lights and neon.😂

[FryDog62]

Just now, TOXIC said:

Grew up in a bowling family and was on a league by age 10.  Best I ever did was a 279 and carried a 190 average.  My dad threw the traditional hook, my mom threw a backup ball and I settled on a cross up.  Got out of it when the hometown alley went more to the bar and live band scene and had midnight bowling under black lights and neon.😂

I started about the same age and the same type of high score and average. My biggest advice to newer bowlers is to not get too enamored with the big, high spin curve ball. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing prettier than throwing a ball on the edge of the gutter - to come back at the last minute on a severe hook to the pocket.  BOOM!  The problem it takes a lot more effort and skill to throw the big banana and there is more margin of error to miss when a ball moves that far that fast. A big curve can be harder for most people to duplicate - especially by game 3. It's challenging to stay consistent over time. 

 

I threw a hook, but with a moderate curve - I preferred a high overspin so the force made high impact.  Also, less splits with a moderate hook versus a big curve.  My .02 cents ~

[detroit1]

Started in a league when i was 6 (1963) and stayed in leagues until 1998. 35 and out i say. High ave. was 184. I don't miss it one bit.    Did meet mrs. detroit there. 😊

[928JLH]

My first 2 games I'll start at 30-35 usually with high revs. I think I'll try moving right to 15 or 10 with less hook and try to hit the pocket that way. Bowling is very interesting and aggravating. Getting whipped by a 68 year old lady named Edna is very humbling 😄. It's definitely fun though.

[Tennessee Boy]

48 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I rolled a few back in the day.

Clearly I'm no Earl Anthony

I’ve rolled a few also and I found that it came easy for me.  Where I struggled was knocking the pens down.   I have no idea who Earl Anthony is so I probably can’t add anything here.  😆

[clayton86]

30 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I’ve rolled a few also and I found that it came easy for me.  Where I struggled was knocking the pens down.   I have no idea who Earl Anthony is so I probably can’t add anything here.  😆

 I’m the same all the previous comments might has well been Chinese made zero sense. 
 

I go when the kids want to and if it was scored like golf I’d be good probably lol. I’ve bowled single digit numbers many a time lol 

[detroit1]

My first game was a 7. Second was 13. A 20 series..whoohoo!

[scaleface]

Been an avid bowler since the 70's.   Averaged 200 at one time. When I was at my peak , my first move when the lanes dried up was to throw it harder and loft it further. After that I moved left. 

 

  That Hy Road is a good ball .A guy on my team throws one. It continues through the pin deck well . 

[FryDog62]

Former baseball pitchers tend to make good bowlers... Earl Anthony was a former minor leaguer, Johnny Petraglia too - maybe it’s a left/handed thing..

[jbmaine]

Bowled some back in the day. Just candlepin.

[scaleface]

My ball speed has dropped so much in recent years due to age and arm injuries. I can no longer throw down and in. The ball hooks too much . I have moved inside , in the oil and play a tighter line. My feet and target has moved left.

[Mike L]

On 12/4/2023 at 4:53 PM, Tennessee Boy said:

 I have no idea who Earl Anthony is so I probably can’t add anything here.  😆

At one time Earl Anthony was the Van Dam of bowling 

 

 

 

 

OP

Do you throw right or left?

it matters 

 

4 or 5 step?

Its important 

 

Finger tip or conventional grip?

Imperative when oil gets carried or when the heads breakdown 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

[scaleface]

One thing that I failed to comprehend in the OP's post is it sounds like he is bowling on synthetic lanes and experiencing carry down . I bowl on wood lanes and dont have to deal with  carry down .  I try to avoid friction on wood lanes. Synthetic I try to find it.

[Tennessee Boy]

36 minutes ago, Mike L said:

At one time Earl Anthony was the Van Dam of bowling

Now I understand. 😁

[928JLH]

6 hours ago, Mike L said:

At one time Earl Anthony was the Van Dam of bowling 

 

 

 

 

OP

Do you throw right or left?

it matters 

 

4 or 5 step?

Its important 

 

Finger tip or conventional grip?

Imperative when oil gets carried or when the heads breakdown 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

I throw right 4 step. Conventional grip with my thumb half in to get a decent hook.I actually did decent my third game yesterday and was my highest game of the night. I really need to work on consistency and study more. 

[Mike L]

10 hours ago, 928JLH said:

I throw right 4 step. Conventional grip with my thumb half in to get a decent hook.I actually did decent my third game yesterday and was my highest game of the night. I really need to work on consistency and study more. 

If you throw a finger tip or even a semi you’ll get more revolutions which will help immensely in being able to cut through carry down. 
It’ll take some practice but you’ll be much better off and much more consistent in any shot if you bury your thumb. 
You’re really hurting yourself. 
 

Ask your house if you can buy one of thier practice balls and find a good pro shop and have him drill it for you. 
You may find you can go to a lighter ball which will help also. 
 

Have you tried a 5 step?

If not practice with it. 
Most people find that with a 5 your back swing will be a little higher which in turn will help to get the ball turning quicker and it will be easier to control especially trying to hit corner spares because then you can just flatten your wrist on the follow through. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[928JLH]

9 hours ago, Mike L said:

If you throw a finger tip or even a semi you’ll get more revolutions which will help immensely in being able to cut through carry down. 
It’ll take some practice but you’ll be much better off and much more consistent in any shot if you bury your thumb. 
You’re really hurting yourself. 
 

Ask your house if you can buy one of thier practice balls and find a good pro shop and have him drill it for you. 
You may find you can go to a lighter ball which will help also. 
 

Have you tried a 5 step?

If not practice with it. 
Most people find that with a 5 your back swing will be a little higher which in turn will help to get the ball turning quicker and it will be easier to control especially trying to hit corner spares because then you can just flatten your wrist on the follow through. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

Awesome Mike I will give it a try! I injured my wrist and hand about a year and a half ago and bowling with thumb fully in aggravates it. I will try a few adjustments to see if I can get it to work out.

[Mike L]

2 hours ago, 928JLH said:

Awesome Mike I will give it a try! I injured my wrist and hand about a year and a half ago and bowling with thumb fully in aggravates it. I will try a few adjustments to see if I can get it to work out.

If it hurts to fully immerse your thumb, ask someone if they have a glove that has a pad sown into the palm. 
What that’ll do is position the ball farther forward taking some pressure off. 

Plus, the biggest advantage is if you use a finger tip grip it makes it much easier to roll with the lift you need. 
Just be sure that the thumb comes out first and lift with your fingers. 
If you keep your wrist straight throughout, with the thumb at 12:00-2:00 at release it’s much easier to get the speed and revolutions you need with a smaller loft. 
 

Good Luck

 

 

 

 

 

Mike