Author Topic: getting back to bowling (Read 7754 times)

bassfighter · « **on:** May 10, 2010, 05:05:14 AM »

I am new on this bowling board, decided to get back into bowling to spend extra repore time with my wife. Have not bowled for almost 20 years, since I am an avid tennis player and an angler.

I just bought the REV GEAR 10th anniversary Revolution ball few days ago, recommended by a US pro shop, so far hardly any info on this ball on the net. Is this ball any good? what is it made of? Only Info I found on the net was this ball was approved by USBC. IT was made sometime in 2008.

I am giving up my old Urethane ball of 25 years old which I still average 170, my old ball( still looks new since I did not use it for 20 years) just won''t hook well. I will also have to learn to hook my new ball.

Thanks for any info

Edited on 5/10/2010 1:09 PM

Edited on 5/10/2010 1:11 PM

Edited on 5/12/2010 12:27 PM

Edited on 5/12/2010 12:29 PM

dizzyfugu · « **Reply #16 on:** May 11, 2010, 08:36:14 AM »

quote:
Depends on the price of the ball.

+1. Must not be a bad purchase - the ball might not be state of the art, but just because it is a couple of years old does not mean it is obsolete. I''d call it a current mid-range product - and a good choice for getting back into the game. And you got a good deal on it, IMHO everything is fine

I also have a 2000 Revolution ball in my bag (a Renegade), and it is a killer I would not want to part with, despite its age and limits of utility.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

Confused by bowling? Check out BR.com''s vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section

Edited on 5/11/2010 8:37 AM

bassfighter · « **Reply #17 on:** May 11, 2010, 01:08:44 PM »

Thanks to Dave_in_Rio_Rancho , he posted some info on my ball on this japanese site http://livedoor.2.blogimg.jp/hikoyan300/imgs/c/3/c3cc6258.jpg. There is a diagram on the site on how the ball moves on the lane, Is that how the ball is to be release starting from the the left between lane 3 & 4? That means I have to adjust my starting stance, I normal stand slightly to the left close to the center.

I presently have not yet acquired serious bowling friend. Since I am always an initiator, I have lots of tennis and fishing buddies to influence them getting into bowling.

I am very involved in the fishing on line community in the Toronto Canada area. Just like any BBS, there are contributor and lurkers. Some are supportive and some are critical of others. Even PETA( People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ) are at times bugging our sport industry. The weather pattern has change dramatically in the past few years, so many new immigrants also trying to get into the sport, since one does not have to be cardiovascularly fit to be in it, and we get to keep some food on the table. The improvement in GPS, sonar technology and fishing equipment also deter the fish a fighting chance, eventually all these factors affected our resources. However, talented and passionate anglers learn to adapt to unforseen circumstances and adjust accordingly. We also shares more detailed information by emailing Private messages of our success for that fishing day to those who deserves it.

I just went through couple of the bowling site recommended by livespive and read more about the scientifics of ball rotation and construction. I am intrigued by the complication this sport can get, but somewhat confuse due to too many terminology to absorb in such a short time reading through it.

Since some of you found more information about this 10th anniversary ball and your feedback gave me a peace of mind/relief that I made the right decision at this stage of my bowling hobby. Now I know there are no excuses of owning lousy equipment and not producing enough strikes. I just have to practice, practice and practice.

I bought my ball down south of the US border, the price is way less than what was being offered in my area.

Dave_in_Rio_Rancho · « **Reply #18 on:** May 11, 2010, 10:36:11 PM »

Not to worry - far left is where us crankers stand - everybody else ("People with more common sense?") stands more or less near the middle of the lane

http://livedoor.2.blogimg.jp/hikoyan300/imgs/c/3/c3cc6258.jpg

Edited on 5/11/2010 10:42 PM

JOE FALCO · « **Reply #19 on:** May 11, 2010, 10:51:45 PM »

bassfighter .. I have no info for you .. but I wish you luck with the bowling! It's a FUN game!
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J O E - F A L C O

RIP Thong Princess/Sawbones

Juggernaut · « **Reply #20 on:** May 11, 2010, 11:11:54 PM »

bassfighter, I want to chime in and give some advice.

First, if you haven't bowled in 20 years, don't even start to worry, or wonder, about bowling balls. Just get any reactive resin ball ( which the one you bought IS ), drill it to fit your hand, and most importantly, GO HAVE FUN!

Bowling, like many other things, has been infused with far too much technology and technological jargon. It has become a mixture of skill and voodoo to drill some of the more modern/advanced balls.

Doesn't matter if you average 200 or not, what matters is you enjoy your time and the game itself. Go spend some time with the wife and enjoy it for what it is.

--------------------
Good transactions list in my profile

ILLEGITIMI, NON-CARBORUNDUM!

Crash7189 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 12, 2010, 07:17:44 AM »

I don,t know how much you want to know or get in to bowling. But you might want to find a USBC coach to help you and your wife. It will make it more fun when you know more and bowl better. Check out the following web sites. On the bowl .com just go under find a coach and look for one in your state. also under the MBC web site good informational site for all levels

http://www.bowl.com/

http://www.mybowlingcoach.com/Default.aspx

bassfighter · « **Reply #22 on:** May 12, 2010, 11:51:32 AM »

Thanks guys for the encouragement and advice. I do understand the value of a proper coach to avoid bad habits. In fact, it is easier to start as a beginner than to change after certain level of success.

I hired my son''s Tennis coach two years ago to fine tune my old somewhat semi- effective style of hitting tennis groundstroke, I have to start from the ground basic mechanics again, it was frustrating at first seeing my coach dropping each ball vertically right in front of me, for me to hit them with the right technique, it seemed humiliating like I do not know how to play tennis, especially I competed and winning enough matches, but my style just does not look like those professional style of today and not as efficient as it used to be. My old style just do not have a complete back swing and full follow through, I know even in bowling , a good back swing and follow through is the key.

Changing my style cause my game to suffer for 1 year, It took me almost two years of constant practice hitting the wall and doing drills with other players to change to create new muscle memory, I am finally contented with my updated style, more efficient and looks stylish. To celebrate my new comeback style, I even dumped my old cotton made material outfit and slowly converted all of them to today''s dryfit made material. I can now keep up with tournament players of 30 years of age or even younger players. I am enjoying tennis more than ever at 50. I also cut down on more greasy food. My blood pressure is now 112 over 65.

With my passion to want to learn, I am now intrigue to see what I can accomplished on this bowling sport. I understand it would be a challenge initially to create consistent hook, since I know how my older urethane ball reacts. I am keeping it as my spare ball.

This coming Sunday is the earliest I can bowl. I will get back to this board and submit my results. I am also doing this sport to prove to my 15 year old son that at my age I can aim be good on something new and have to be a student all over again. He was making fun of me two years ago that my tennis groundstroke style or my outfit was obsolete. Now he realized the same coach we both were using was a good one, now it is up to the student how much one wants to improve.

I am also adding Bowling to our US family vacation trip from now on. How I got into bowling again? We accidentally discovered two month ago that there were some $1 or $2 per game special on some weeknights. I insisted that we all bowled one evening during our holidays since it was so inexpensive, rather than staying at our motel watching TV. My wife loves it instantly and that was the beginning of my interest in bowling. Then I decided to buy a used columbia $10 reactive resin ball for my wife(it cost us $55US to get it redone to my shock), when I also brought my 20 year old ball to a local pro shop for some comment, they told me my urethane ball will hardly curve due its internal design. Then I went to the net to read more about bowling equipment and technique.

I was surprise on our first ever family bowling night when I notice some hacker teen bowlers beside us using two handed technique, the curve was going everywhere, but they could hardly break 120 and could not strike nor spare with it, I assumed those guys were immature kids showing off a curve without knowing how to do it the right way. Then I watch on U-tube how two professional bowlers were two handed, but they spare with only one hand. Almost 90% of all tennis players are two handed backhand players these days. One handed backhand players stand out.

Edited on 5/12/2010 12:24 PM

MARKER · « **Reply #23 on:** May 13, 2010, 09:40:14 PM »

Here are a couple good resources for you:

http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm

Ron Clfton's bowling tips

and the book

Bowling Steps to Success by Doug Wiedman

http://www.wisdomking.com/product252481.html

You can learn footwork, armswing, release, follow through and more if you would like. Forgot the two handed deal. Your other hand helps balance the ball to get started and on the push away, after that it is for balance. My guess is the average person will end up hurting themselves with any kind of two handed release. A more pure armswing will be easier on your body, elbow, knees, etc. The better you learn to bowl the less likely you are to hurt yourself.

I don't know anything about that ball you bought, but I'm sure there are so many more things to worry about right now that it will be fine to get started with until you figure out what you really need or want. Dizzy gives good advice so you can feel confident in what he tells you about it. And like another reply said, Have Fun!!!!!!! Bowling is a fun, great sport.

If you do move up in weight, don't feel like you have to go up to 15lb. I really like the 14lb stuff and it is much easier on my body plus I can get some easy revs on the lighter ball. And 14 lb balls today carry well. Ron Clifton gives you a wrist test to see what weight ball you could reasonably throw.

Mark

bassfighter · « **Reply #24 on:** May 18, 2010, 03:47:26 PM »

Bowled 8 games in two outing, 5 games on Sunday and 3 games on monday. Was somewhat disapointed with the outcome of my score since my ball is not automatically hooking exagerately like the pro does. After reading more hooking tips on line, I realized I am not lifting the ball properly cocked slightly sideways and releasing the ball or proper handshake follow through.I have to practice some more but starting to understand the theoretical concept, the hard part is application. I am planning to buy one of those glove as well.

I notice my wife old ebonite ball is hooking more than my ball, and she hardly used any power, she does not even know how to properly throw her ball to hit pin 1 and 3, but I love the way the ball curves exagerately close to the pin.

I will also have to bring my ball back to the proshop to sand down the sheen to create more traction. It is unfortunate to sacrifice the sheen look on a new ball but necessary for me to want to add more hook on the ball. After the 8th game, my ball got quite dirty, I polished it using Car Turtle wax. The pro shop says the sheen will deter hooking action, SHOULD I SERIOUSLY GIVE UP THE ORIGINAL FACTORY SHEEN?

How do you guys clean or maintain your ball at home? Is using turtle wax a good idea? I am assuming buffing it with wax will prevent oil residue from sipping inside your ball.

I was somewhat confuse regarding how a ball is suppose to be drilled since the pro shop never asked me about it. Sometimes my ball seemed to go straight. SHOULD I BE CONCERN OF GETTING THE BALL PLUUGED AND REDRILLED TO CREATE MORE HOOKING ACTION? Attached is an image of where it was drilled http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd294/bassfighter_album/1-1.jpg

My one page brochure has too many info or unknown terminolgy on how to drill the ball. I hope the pro shop drilled it properly and know what they were doing.

I was bowling after 9pm after the tournament league hours on synthetic lane that hardly have any oil left. My old plastic ball still doing its job of sparing since I am throwing straight ball. I just have to sacrifice my strike for now to get used to my new ball, My mind kept on telling me my old ball still does well. Here is the picture of my 20 year old ball. http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd294/bassfighter_album/plastic.jpg

There was another bowler beside me who seemed to know a bit about hooking his ball, I asked his advice to test my ball out and he was able to hook my ball. He then lend me his 14 lb ball, I tried it ones, but felt it was too heavy for me to lift it up on my palm. He mentioned about putting a bowling ball on my palm with my arm stretched to test the weight that is right for me, and so far my 12 lb ball is just right. I am a skinny but fit 150 lb 5'9" fellow.

Monday bowling result was really frustrating. After playing tennis for 3 hours since my tennis buddies kept on insisting for me to stay longer to play, I went and bowled immediately due to prior commitment to bowl with another friend. After Bowling in the middle of the third game, I could hardly lift up my ball on my palm, due to being so tired.
Hard to prioritized bowling all the time sicne it cost money, while Tennis is way less expensive. Our cheap days to bowl is monday evening and sunday morning.

Bowling has been on my mind everday now. Lots of information to absorb.

MARKER · « **Reply #25 on:** May 21, 2010, 06:24:23 PM »

There is not enough information from you to come to a lot of conclusions, and there are many, many people who are much more knowledgeable and better bowlers than I am. But here goes some basics: Not knowing your PAP, I would say the ball is drilled to start up fairly soon and hook based on pin being under ring and CG stacked under it? Not super leveraged but not weak either. Should start up early and hook with some continuation. I don't know this ball at all so can only guess at surface. If it is way too shiny and oil is heavy you may need to sand it. But first I would experiment on the lanes. I can imagine you may be throwing it too fast. If you don't know how to release yet, and the ball is only 12lbs you may really be sailing it. (Fast feet) Try standing at the foul line in your finish mode, and drop the ball into the back swing and then swing and release it. Make sure to follow through with your hand coming up to your ear. Start and finish with your hand in close to the "handshake" position so you can take timing out of the equation. Don't try to throw the ball, just start with maybe a high ball position and drop it into swing. Maybe stand with your right foot at the 12 board and target the second arrow, and see if you get a ball reaction. Watch the ball down lane and try to make it roll over the 7 board at about 40 feet. Even a polished ball can hook on heavy oil if you throw it slow enough, with a little bit of a release, although it will still be skating when it hits pins. Also, if the thumb hole is loose you will get no revs and maybe clutching the ball to hold on to it in the swing. Load it up with tape (one black piece on knuckle side and enough white tape in front until it is snug) Being inexperienced, you will probably think it is snug where more experienced bowlers would still add more tape. If you are barking up your thumb knuckle you are clutching the ball and thumb is too loose. If your wrist is in too weak a postion you will not hook. But don't overdo it. Tendons and muscles are hard to fix. Be careful.

You need a good bowling ball cleaner by Storm, Brunswick, Motiv etc. I clean all my bowling balls before they go back in the bag. You want to get the oil off after bowling, and to me, waiting until later is too late. I use a cotton t shirt to wipe cleaner on ball, then clean off with a dry portion. While I am bowling, I wipe the oil off the ball after every shot with a towel. Don't use car wax. You are probably making a spare ball out of ball when you wax it with car wax.

Thirty plus years ago I bowled with a Brunswick Triple Crown hard 16 lb ball with a conventional grip. I used the "handshake" through the swing and release and even with a high starting position, fast five step approach and no bowling knowledge this generated a mild hook.

You really need someone experienced to watch you bowl. That would be a great start. Too many things going on and too great of expectations to have instant success. A coach or experienced bowler can cut your learning curve, way way down, get rid of bad habits, and introduce good techniques.

Marker

Dave_in_Rio_Rancho · « **Reply #26 on:** May 21, 2010, 10:32:46 PM »

You could do worse than to throw it like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TkbVLkzlps&feature=email

or this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuX7sq9Ynp8&feature=email

Do I throw it like that - only on my very, very good shots - LOL

Edited on 5/22/2010 7:24 PM

bassfighter · « **Reply #27 on:** May 22, 2010, 01:10:07 PM »

Marker,

Thanks for the cleaning tip and throwing tip. I also went through the ball approach video recommended by Dave in Rio. I am making roughly 7 steps as of now and have correct it.

I developed bad habits when I was bowling 20 years ago, hardly looked through the arrows, just bowl and focus on the 10 pin. I remembered we used to gamble with my buddies as well. So we get the added pressure on every sport we were involved in.

Will be practicing more on sunday.

MARKER · « **Reply #28 on:** May 22, 2010, 06:51:26 PM »

Those are great video clips, Dave!

Bassfighter, hang in there. You can learn to bowl well with good technique. It just takes a little effort, time, practice, etc. Now if I could only throw a ball like Chris Barnes, that would be the end of the day job!!!

Marker

bassfighter · « **Reply #29 on:** May 24, 2010, 08:46:34 PM »

Some improvement: Got my 4 steps footwork in place without any problem. Since I have not played Tennis for few days, my arm was quite strong and I realized the 12 lb ball was indeed a little too light. I should have bought a 13 or 14 lb, I have decided to slow down my release to compensate. I also try to focus on a good smooth backswing.

Ball has been hooking............ but inconsistantly. I am just trying to absorb the feel of rotating the ball then finished with a handshake follow through. However I am missing my mark or not hitting the right arrows. At least I know what is wrong and focusing on correcting it.

I also start watching and aiming at the arrows while sparing , not too easy getting used to it, I used to spare quite well with a straight ball without having to look at the arrows.

I also transfered some of my limited bowling knowledge to my son, and he is bowling better as well.

Edited on 5/24/2010 10:17 PM

Author Topic: getting back to bowling (Read 7754 times)

bassfighter

getting back to bowling

dizzyfugu

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bassfighter

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Dave_in_Rio_Rancho

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JOE FALCO

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Juggernaut

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Crash7189

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bassfighter

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MARKER

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MARKER

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MARKER

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