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Author Topic: Intermediate Help  (Read 2012 times)

fishknuckles

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Intermediate Help
« on: January 24, 2011, 10:38:29 PM »
Hey gang,

   First off, thanks for all the great advice you guys post on here!  I usually jump on here before league night just to get in the mind set, and I always find great techniques to tweek my game. 

   I have been bowling for years, but only got serious about 3 years ago.  It's been a slow journey, but I am now getting very comfortable with my shot.  In the last few weeks I started gripping the ball a bit harder, which has reduced my revs a little bit, but has greatly improved my point of release and accuracy.  I have a fairly mundane hook, I start 3 boards left of the first right side dot dot (right handed),  roll over the first right arrow, which only pushes me out about 1 board from my release, and I get a hook that starts early with a small snap at the end into the pocket.  My ball is a hammer anger that is 3 years old, and it's time for a new one.  I have been consistantly averaging 200 the last 4-5 weeks since I increased my grip, before that I was 180-190.  I feel very comfortable with this release and this ball, but I am looking to go up to the next step.  Where should I go from here.   a few other things, I use a 4 step approach, I lower alot giving good roll to the ball and releasing it right on the deck, I have a big backswing, but don't muscle at all, so it's only probably around 13mph, I don't get my hand to the inside much, so my revs aren't high.  Any advice on what a good ball to move to would be great, and any tips to just move my game up more would be great.  I am looking to increase that "snap" into the pocket on the back end.  Thanks in advance!   - Scooter



 

completebowler

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Re: Intermediate Help
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2011, 07:15:20 AM »
 When a customer walks into my shop the number one thing I tell them that will help their game is a proper fit. I don't care if you average 130 and want a White Dot or if you are a 200 bowler looking for the next step up. Fit is paramount.

That said, do some research. Talk to the top bowlers in your league and ask what pro shop they go to. Ask the guys on here from your area for recommendations. And go to the best pro shop around you and have them evaluate your fit, game, current equipment, and the center you will be bowling at.

The reason I bring this up is that you mentioned "gripping the ball harder". This is something that is normally terrible for a bowler and a free swing. Not only does it cause release point issues as you have already noticed but it tenses up the entire arm.

I show people this by keeping a tennis ball in on my desk. Then I have them squeeze the tennis ball while wrapping their hand around their bicep. Try it out and you will see what I mean.

ALL STAR BOWLING & TROPHY
LANGAN'S ALL STAR LANES
IBPSIA MEMBER
WALLED LAKE MI

fishknuckles

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Re: Intermediate Help
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2011, 07:07:06 AM »
Thanks for the info. I did have my grip remeasured and it came out good with what the ball was drilled for.  I decided to have a rubber grip put in the thumb hole and that made me able to relax much more on the grip, as I felt the ball wasn't sliding off my thumb to early.  Thanks again!



Dan Belcher

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Re: Intermediate Help
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2011, 07:11:47 AM »
Put your hand in the ball and hold it at your side. Completely relax your hand, don't grip the ball. If your ball fits properly, it should stay on your hand even when you do this. If it falls off your thumb, you probably need to add more tape to your thumbhole to make it fit more snugly. The idea is that you want the ball to stay on your hand until the release point without using grip pressure. The momentum of the ball should pull it quickly and cleanly off your hand (assuming you haven't made the thumbhole too tight) at the bottom of the swing.