After a 50 year span of bowling, chasing the Holy Grail, ae: the perfect grip, the magic ball, the perfect release,etc., I did come to the conclusion they don't exist.
I saw some occasions that it almost happened, but after some thought, it wasn't.
Watched "thumbless" bowlers in the 50's. Straight ball throwers, Hook ball throwers, curve ball throwers, overhand throwers, backup throwers, LH folks, RH folks, all throwing rubber, then plastic, then urethane, then resin. All were looking for the perfect ball, the magic grip, the perfect release.
Being an observant person, and always looking for an edge, I watched all these folks. Before I knew better, tried to copy some of the things I saw. In trying to copy these folks, let slide my natural ability, which after 40 years I figured out that I already had something better than most.
Some observations I'd like to pass on to anyone coming on who might just be willing to take to heart.
Don't let the lane condition you play on a lot "teach" you how to bowl. That lane won't go with you when you go somewhere else.
Take the time to learn what constitutes a good grip. All Proshops drill what "they" think is a good grip. May not be for you. Learn what your hand does when holding and delivering the ball. If you teach yourself the proper ways, nothing will "hurt". No strains, no blisters, etc.
Next, learn how to hold and deliver the ball off the hand. This was the most prevalent error(or problem) I observed in all my years. This takes some knowledge and also wrist and hand strength. If you don't have enough wrist and hand strength to properly hold and deliver the ball correctly, you're behind the curve. Working on hand and finger strength everyday is worth gold. BTM ran two articles through the years that bear reading by everyone. One article was "fishhooking the fingers", the other was "setting the thumb. Another good article was on bevel, it's benefits, and how to duplicate it on all you equipment.
More hook or curve does not a bowler make. Todays game requires speed. If you don't have it, get it.
Then learn to deliver a ball that has minimum side turn or axis rotation. Now add a bit of axis tilt. Now, like Duke or Walter Ray, you can play anywhere. This type of roll will give you "mistake room".
Mind games: If you have developed your physical game to be competitive, to be competitive you have to learn the mental game.
Best advice I ever got was "Concentration is the ability not to think". If you're going to spend all this time learning and practicing, don't try to teach yourself during competition. When you try to use your "conscious" mind(how to do it) and your "unconscious" mind(which you've developed with all that practice), at the same time they get confused.
Two things you need to work on. Angle and speed with correct revs. The ability to understand and use any amount of these with the straighter ball can make you a winner on many conditions.
BR
