Author Topic: Anyone have advice for a new left handed bowler? (Read 10895 times)

Bowling4life10 · « **on:** December 18, 2012, 12:06:07 AM »

I have been bowling for almost 14 years. Over this past year I have actually had to switch my bowling hand. I have had three shoulder surgeries in the past 2 years. I was diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear and multidirectional instability (meaning my shoulder will dislocate and fall out of the socket on its own or even on command) in my right shoulder. Three surgeries later and my shoulder has not improved in any way. I was told by my doctor I would have to stop bowling. It was very hard to give up something I have done my entire life.
Sooo... To make story short. I am a new left handed bowler averaging 165 on a house shot and I'm just looking for any advice at all. Any advice on making a 7 pin? Stories from anyone in a similar situation and maybe how you overcame it? Ball suggestions? Tips with adjusting?

mdevore19 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2012, 11:13:46 AM »

The obvious answer is to find a good coach so that you can get all the fundamentals down. I mess around with bowling left handed in practice every once in awhile and I try to repeat what I do with my right hand, albeit much slower ball speed and rev rate. If you want to try to copy a style, you should def look at parker bohn. The only other thing is practice practice practice with a video camera or smart phone so you can relate feel to what is actually going on.

rockerbowler18 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2012, 03:27:16 PM »

Quote from: Bowling4life10 on December 18, 2012, 12:06:07 AM

Tips with adjusting?

LOL. Adjusting on the left side.

In all seriousness, focus on the fundamentals. You have a chance to completely revamp your game and don't have ANY bad habits to start with. Use the blank slate and make sure you're physically and fundamentally sound.

trackfiend · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2012, 03:34:04 PM »

My father went through allmost the same thing two years ago he went from a 218 avg to a 146 when he started being a lefty lol. As the last poster said we set up a cam and just filmed alot we practiced twice a week plus leagues and now he is at 216 and at 61 shot his first 800 a week ago with a 900 global freight train he says he should have switched years ago. So dont worry buddy it will get better just practice practice practice.

tommyboy74 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2012, 06:08:23 PM »

I would suggest to practice often and also use a camera. This can help you watch your habits and find areas to improve. Also, I would work on 1 specific thing at a time. For example, 1 practice can be all about timing. A second practice can be about ball speed. A third can be about playing outside lines. A fourth about inside lines. You get the point. This way, you're not having to worry about too many things at once and it helps you focus.

Another thing I would suggest is working with your driller and/or coach. Have them watch your game and this way, you can also find out other things that can help you only get better. Things will get better but you'll just need to work at it.

Bowling4life10 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2012, 07:22:47 PM »

"LOL. Adjusting on the left side"

LOL--- its hard. I have to admit when I was a righty I used to think... darn leftys it comes so easy to them.... CLEARLY it doesn't. I get the worst breaks out of any lefty i've ever seen lol

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALL THE ADVICE

JohnP · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2012, 08:22:43 PM »

The pins know you're really a righty LOL!! -- JohnP

charlest · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2012, 08:41:13 PM »

Advice for a new lefty: Don't!

Take up something easy like the violin or chess or rocket science.

TDC57 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 21, 2012, 01:08:17 PM »

I switched from righty to lefty because of a rotator injury, about 20 years ago. The biggest thing you must work on is your timing. To this day, I struggle with that part of the switch. I encourage you to use a 14 or 15lb. ball. I found that medium aggressive pearlized balls worked best for me. I also encourage you to try targeting a spot about 12-18 inches in front of the foul line ala Wes Mallot. It made everything much easier for me. Make sure you keep your game as simple as possible and try to keep your hook to a manageable size. I started with a very small break and now have a hook that would be considered average in size. This is not an easy thing to do. I applaud you averaging 165 in your first season as a lefty. I didn't make that until my third. Today, I average in the 190s and am happy with that. As far as the 7 pin, when I shoot it, I line up ten boards right of center. I do not stand on the extreme right side of the approach. Targeting the 10 board on the left side of the lane near the foul line, I throw the ball on a line from there straight at the 7 pin. The bowlers in my league comment frequently about how accurate I am on the 7 pin.

According to those whom I've bowled with and have seen me left and right handed, I'm smoother as a lefty, but have a slower ball speed. I hope you can have a lot of success with your change. It's not easy and (for me) it is something I always have to keep working at. I have shot higher series as as lefty and did throw a 300 open bowling. I'm glad you decided to switch because if you're like me, I just couldn't quit the game I love. Good luck and don't be afraid to contact me me any questions you might have.

Bowling4life10 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 10, 2013, 07:20:40 PM »

Quote from: TDC57 on December 21, 2012, 01:08:17 PM

I switched from righty to lefty because of a rotator injury, about 20 years ago. The biggest thing you must work on is your timing. To this day, I struggle with that part of the switch. I encourage you to use a 14 or 15lb. ball. I found that medium aggressive pearlized balls worked best for me. I also encourage you to try targeting a spot about 12-18 inches in front of the foul line ala Wes Mallot. It made everything much easier for me. Make sure you keep your game as simple as possible and try to keep your hook to a manageable size. I started with a very small break and now have a hook that would be considered average in size. This is not an easy thing to do. I applaud you averaging 165 in your first season as a lefty. I didn't make that until my third. Today, I average in the 190s and am happy with that. As far as the 7 pin, when I shoot it, I line up ten boards right of center. I do not stand on the extreme right side of the approach. Targeting the 10 board on the left side of the lane near the foul line, I throw the ball on a line from there straight at the 7 pin. The bowlers in my league comment frequently about how accurate I am on the 7 pin.

According to those whom I've bowled with and have seen me left and right handed, I'm smoother as a lefty, but have a slower ball speed. I hope you can have a lot of success with your change. It's not easy and (for me) it is something I always have to keep working at. I have shot higher series as as lefty and did throw a 300 open bowling. I'm glad you decided to switch because if you're like me, I just couldn't quit the game I love. Good luck and don't be afraid to contact me me any questions you might have.

Thank you very much. It's nice to hear from someone who was in the same boat as me. Not a fun place but really just have to do whatever you can for the love of the game. I really find that it gets easier week after week at league and practicing. I'll continue to work on it. I hoping to at least finish this season with a 175-180 average. Shot my new high of 251 (new DV8 nightmare) on Sunday. A lefty 300 feels like its right around the corner

be nice to have one with each hand. Not many bowlers can say they have that.

BrunsMike · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2013, 08:54:10 PM »

I knew of a guy who was a strong right handed bowler. 225+ average bowler. Got into an accident while riding with a friend to a tournament. Nobody in the car made it to the center. They got slammed in the passenger side by a speeding car in a police chase. Driver and driver side rear passenger walked away but sore. Both passenger side occupants spent the next 3 days in the hospital. Passenger front was this right handed bowler, impact just destroyed his shoulder. Rear Passenger was a lefty but was out for 1.5 months.

Anyway the front passenger spent 5 months recovering then another 6 months in therapy. Docs told him he will never be able to bowl as a right hander. He sold off all his equipment but 3 balls, had them redrilled for lefty then spent the next 6 months practicing 4 times a week with a coach. He started with a 105 average, last time I saw him bowling he was averaging 220 5 years after the whole incident.

With enough practice and vested time you will have fun with the switch. Biggest key is to not give up when the tough times hit. Best of luck!

Oh, I used to be a left hand bowler when I was 10 years old. The next season I sprained my left thumb then switched to right hand and never looked back. Now my issue happened when I was still learning so it's pretty much null and void here. I have been messing around with the left hand on several occasions the last 3-4 years. I've given thought to bowling 1 league right hand and another league left hand.

Author Topic: Anyone have advice for a new left handed bowler? (Read 10895 times)

Bowling4life10

Anyone have advice for a new left handed bowler?

mdevore19

Re: Anyone have advice for a new left handed bowler?

rockerbowler18

Re: Anyone have advice for a new left handed bowler?

trackfiend

Re: Anyone have advice for a new left handed bowler?

tommyboy74

Re: Anyone have advice for a new left handed bowler?

Bowling4life10

Re: Anyone have advice for a new left handed bowler?

JohnP

Re: Anyone have advice for a new left handed bowler?

charlest

Re: Anyone have advice for a new left handed bowler?

TDC57

Re: Anyone have advice for a new left handed bowler?

Bowling4life10

Re: Anyone have advice for a new left handed bowler?

BrunsMike

Re: Anyone have advice for a new left handed bowler?