Any " League Bowlers " Out there ?

[pgustavson]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

So, I keep going in and out of bowling. been a year or so since the last time I bowled, but have bowled a lot when I was younger. Broke 200 my first time when I was about 14 or 15. I don't really take it seriously, but would like to get better. My average right now is about 140-160. I have a fingertip ball that was made for my hand, and it's been ok. It doesn't seem to hook as much as i'd like. i'm pretty consistant at where I throw the ball, but when I try to adjust, everything goes to hell. lol So, I was wondering if I should try to get a different ball, or maybe put a balance hole, to create more hook? Also, my ball might be a tad too heavy at 15 or 16lbs, so the hole would help in that regard as well. lol Also, how do I know how big to make this hole? would the shop know?

A balance hole wouldn't create more hook, they are usually put in balls to either bring the ball into compliance with the rules regarding top weight, or to fine-tune where or when the ball hooks along its path. Do you put any side rotation on the ball? That's the way a curved path is generated. You put that type of rotation on the ball by getting your thumb out cleanly and rotate your wrist slightly at the bottom of your swing. If you're right-handed, your fingers would move from 6 o'clock toward 3 o'clock if viewing from behind. There's a bit more to it than that, but that should get you started. Have the shop pro look at your ball - by looking at the wear lines (aka "track") around the ball, the pro can make more suggestions. If you have a teaching pro around, I'm not sure that a lesson is terribly expensive...though most will give you tips for free at the shop.

[pgustavson]

Originally Posted by OHIOSS

My first job was at a bowling alley and I was able to bowl anytime I wanted for free. At 12 years old I was averaging 190, the highest average in my age group. Fast forward 40 years.....2 years ago I was averaging 219 in our church league but our team decided to move to a more competitive league at a different bowling alley. We are now 2/3's through this season and my average is a 171!!!

I bought 2 new balls this season in an attempt to get back to "normal" but neither ball did any good. This particular house has a standard down and in shot right over the 2nd arrow and this is the ONLY line that is good and EVERY single bowler throws this line except for me. I am a cranker and throw the ball around 22MPH and no matter what I do I can't keep the ball from going high or crossing over. I have been forced to throw my plastic spare ball to try to keep on the right side of the head pin but this sucks because I leave 8-10's, 5-10's, 5 pins...miserable.

I had a bowling layoff for 7 years like 20 years ago, I have already told the team I won't be coming back. I hate every minute that I am there and quite honestly I am totally embarrassed w/ a 171 average!!

I have 13 different balls that I will probably put up for sale after the season. I have some good balls; Hammer Hot Sauce, Cell, Lev-RG, etc.

I give up....

I assume you've tried to "kill" the shot some by spreading your fingers wide, or collapsing your wrist some, or coming up the back of the ball? The finger-spread, particularly the pinky, tends to delay the hook for me, so it's the first thing I try when the lane get boned. Are you comfortable with a deep inside line - like fifth arrow? Or are the lanes dry over there as well? I'm not a cranker, so I'm not sure if all of my ideas would necessarily apply, but I know how that frustration feels...

[CamaroKid300]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

So, I keep going in and out of bowling. been a year or so since the last time I bowled, but have bowled a lot when I was younger. Broke 200 my first time when I was about 14 or 15. I don't really take it seriously, but would like to get better. My average right now is about 140-160. I have a fingertip ball that was made for my hand, and it's been ok. It doesn't seem to hook as much as i'd like. i'm pretty consistant at where I throw the ball, but when I try to adjust, everything goes to hell. lol So, I was wondering if I should try to get a different ball, or maybe put a balance hole, to create more hook? Also, my ball might be a tad too heavy at 15 or 16lbs, so the hole would help in that regard as well. lol Also, how do I know how big to make this hole? would the shop know?

I suggest getting a different bowling ball. Something that is more aggressive. I'm going to suspect you don't get a lot of hand (aka revolutions) on the ball so something more aggressive will help you turn make the ball turn the corner. (which is crucial to kicking out the 10 pin or 7 pin)

Next time you go bowling for practice or even in a league get someone with a video camera to take some video of you throwing some shots and post it here...I'm sure we all will be willing to give you some pointers!

I'll post of 2 videos I've done of myself. First one I made back in 2008...I was 16 at the time of this video and was averaging around 190-200. My style has changed now and thats helped me get my average into the mid 220s.



This video was taken in 2011 so I was 19 and was averaging around 210. Not perfect on my approach still have balance issues and what not but I was getting there.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H-8XAxPYdk

I haven't shot any footage since that video but I want to get out and and shoot some to see how I've progressed. I've changed my release and no longer really hook the lane...I try my best to play the "straighter is greater" but I can get in deep and hook it with the best if the lanes require it.

Anyways, hope y'all get some entertainment out of it lol

(well I can't figure out how to embed the videos...it use to do it on its own!)

[OHIOSS]

Originally Posted by pgustavson

I assume you've tried to "kill" the shot some by spreading your fingers wide, or collapsing your wrist some, or coming up the back of the ball? The finger-spread, particularly the pinky, tends to delay the hook for me, so it's the first thing I try when the lane get boned. Are you comfortable with a deep inside line - like fifth arrow? Or are the lanes dry over there as well? I'm not a cranker, so I'm not sure if all of my ideas would necessarily apply, but I know how that frustration feels...

Yep I have tried everything I can think of. The way I throw the ball is very comfortable to me and when I try to do something different it feels unnatural and I just have no consistancy....know what I mean?

Maybe someone can recommend a non-hooking ball that has some good back end power? I remember when I worked at the bowling alley many years ago there were like 25 balls on the market, now there are hundreds so finding the right one to match the lane conditions is tough. The pro shop owner bowls in the same league and drilled 2 different used balls that he thought would work for me but they still hooked to much to throw the 2nd arrow down and in shot.

I realize 50% of my poor bowling it me, I'm just not into it any more. I told the guys at the beginning of the season that bowling was a lot more fun when I used to drink when I bowled. Now that I don't drink the bowling alley just isn't a very fun place any more. Besides that the season is way to long and I'm pretty much tired of bowling half way through the year. I've had a few weeks this year that I just didn't go because I just didn't want to and that's not fair to the rest of the team and something I had never done prior to this year.

Russ

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by pgustavson

A balance hole wouldn't create more hook, they are usually put in balls to either bring the ball into compliance with the rules regarding top weight, or to fine-tune where or when the ball hooks along its path. Do you put any side rotation on the ball? That's the way a curved path is generated. You put that type of rotation on the ball by getting your thumb out cleanly and rotate your wrist slightly at the bottom of your swing. If you're right-handed, your fingers would move from 6 o'clock toward 3 o'clock if viewing from behind. There's a bit more to it than that, but that should get you started. Have the shop pro look at your ball - by looking at the wear lines (aka "track") around the ball, the pro can make more suggestions. If you have a teaching pro around, I'm not sure that a lesson is terribly expensive...though most will give you tips for free at the shop.

I'm left handed, but yeah, that's how I do it. 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock. I have a Columbia 300 jinx. I'll have to look at the specs of that ball. Thanks.

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by CamaroKid300

I suggest getting a different bowling ball. Something that is more aggressive. I'm going to suspect you don't get a lot of hand (aka revolutions) on the ball so something more aggressive will help you turn make the ball turn the corner. (which is crucial to kicking out the 10 pin or 7 pin)

Next time you go bowling for practice or even in a league get someone with a video camera to take some video of you throwing some shots and post it here...I'm sure we all will be willing to give you some pointers!

I'll post of 2 videos I've done of myself. First one I made back in 2008...I was 16 at the time of this video and was averaging around 190-200. My style has changed now and thats helped me get my average into the mid 220s.



This video was taken in 2011 so I was 19 and was averaging around 210. Not perfect on my approach still have balance issues and what not but I was getting there.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H-8XAxPYdk

I haven't shot any footage since that video but I want to get out and and shoot some to see how I've progressed. I've changed my release and no longer really hook the lane...I try my best to play the "straighter is greater" but I can get in deep and hook it with the best if the lanes require it.

Anyways, hope y'all get some entertainment out of it lol

(well I can't figure out how to embed the videos...it use to do it on its own!)

Awesome, thanks! Yeah, being left handed, I usually throw the ball straight, and let the ball hook between the 1 and 3 pin. I throw on the second arrow from the left.

[PoorMansCamaro]

Does it make a difference where they drill for the fingers? Should I tell the shop I want an aggressive hook, when I buy a new ball?

[CamaroKid300]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

Does it make a difference where they drill for the fingers? Should I tell the shop I want an aggressive hook, when I buy a new ball?

I worked in a proshop going through high school and got this question often.

Absolutely. Thats the reason they place the markings of the Pin, CG, and Mass Bias on the bowling ball.

Lets just focus primarily on the pin. Which is your circle marking on your ball. If they place that above your fingers...that generally lets the ball go down the lane further before the ball reacts.

If the pin is below the fingers it makes the ball read early and get a smooth arc to the pocket. The tricky thing about this layout is if you try to use it on lanes that are too dry the ball can read too early..track out...and hit the pocket dead (flat) and you'll be in 7/10 pin city all night.

Your driller should also have you throw a shot or two with your current ball to see where you are tracking and to find your PAP (positive axis point)..this helps them understand where/how far to kick out the CG and mass bias...along with finding your VAL (Vertical Axis line).

Long story short, your driller should ask you what they want the ball to do and drill it for that. A lot of times, however, we know how the ball is going to react without finding your PAP/VAL ect and we give them the best layout.

If you want a ball that has a good amount of hook and you bowl mainly on a house shot you should check out the new Storm IQ Tour Fusion or the Roto Grip Hyper Cell. Both pricey but are good balls. Personally, I'd try to find something that is aggressive but pearlized. This will get you a clean reaction through the heads with nice pop on the backend. Thats the only reason that the Hyper Cell might not be the best choice over the IQ Tour Fusion.

You can go on websites like buddiesproshop.com and click on bowling balls and watch ball reaction videos.

Let me know if you have any other questions...also I found this website real quick to give you some info on layouts.

http://www.bowlingfans.com/jeff/ballreactionbasics.html

[pgustavson]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

Awesome, thanks! Yeah, being left handed, I usually throw the ball straight, and let the ball hook between the 1 and 3 pin. I throw on the second arrow from the left.

+1 on the more aggressive ball. The left side of the lane sees a lot less action so balls will tend to go longer. BTW, you don't mean you intend to have the ball cross over and hit the head pin on its right side, do you? I'm not trying to be dickish, just making sure I understand. When I first read your post, I assumed you meant to type "...between the 1 and 2 pin", but I wanted to check. It's kind of important...

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by CamaroKid300

I worked in a proshop going through high school and got this question often.



Absolutely. Thats the reason they place the markings of the Pin, CG, and Mass Bias on the bowling ball.



Lets just focus primarily on the pin. Which is your circle marking on your ball. If they place that above your fingers...that generally lets the ball go down the lane further before the ball reacts.



If the pin is below the fingers it makes the ball read early and get a smooth arc to the pocket. The tricky thing about this layout is if you try to use it on lanes that are too dry the ball can read too early..track out...and hit the pocket dead (flat) and you'll be in 7/10 pin city all night.



Your driller should also have you throw a shot or two with your current ball to see where you are tracking and to find your PAP (positive axis point)..this helps them understand where/how far to kick out the CG and mass bias...along with finding your VAL (Vertical Axis line).



Long story short, your driller should ask you what they want the ball to do and drill it for that. A lot of times, however, we know how the ball is going to react without finding your PAP/VAL ect and we give them the best layout.



If you want a ball that has a good amount of hook and you bowl mainly on a house shot you should check out the new Storm IQ Tour Fusion or the Roto Grip Hyper Cell. Both pricey but are good balls. Personally, I'd try to find something that is aggressive but pearlized. This will get you a clean reaction through the heads with nice pop on the backend. Thats the only reason that the Hyper Cell might not be the best choice over the IQ Tour Fusion.



You can go on websites like buddiesproshop.com and click on bowling balls and watch ball reaction videos.



Let me know if you have any other questions...also I found this website real quick to give you some info on layouts.



http://www.bowlingfans.com/jeff/ballreactionbasics.html

I believe the pin is below my fingers, and the lanes here seem to be very oily.


Lots of great info, thanks!

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by pgustavson

+1 on the more aggressive ball. The left side of the lane sees a lot less action so balls will tend to go longer. BTW, you don't mean you intend to have the ball cross over and hit the head pin on its right side, do you? I'm not trying to be dickish, just making sure I understand. When I first read your post, I assumed you meant to type "...between the 1 and 2 pin", but I wanted to check. It's kind of important...

I suppose it would be the 1 and 2 pin. Lol. Figured the pins would be laid out for right handed people, but I wasn't thinking. The pins read left to right, right? Then yeah, between the 1 and 2.

[CamaroKid300]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

I believe the pin is below my fingers, and the lanes here seem to be very oily.


Lots of great info, thanks!

What kind of ball are you throwing now? Like exact make/model?

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by CamaroKid300

What kind of ball are you throwing now? Like exact make/model?

Columbia 300 Jinx. my first ball, ever. lol

[PoorMansCamaro]

i'll try to remember to take a pic of it after work today