Possibly even the entire "sport?"  As soon as I remembered bowling was supposed to be fun, my perspective changed.  I used to aspire to be like the custom jersey wearing dozen ball toting snobs for some reason, I guess it can be seen as a mark of success or "arriving."  What I found out though is that competitive bowlers, or the vast majority of them are like this, and the average bowler doesn't like that.  How much does it suck to go to a tournament and find out you're either on a pair with or bowling next to a team full of matching custom jerseys and KT tape and each bringing in 12 balls?  You know you're going to have to accommodate all their quirks, decipher how many lanes of courtesy to give, figure out how they want the balls arranged in the bowlers area, figure out where you can and can't put your towel, etc.  These elitists are everywhere, and now with high school bowling and collegiate bowling becoming bigger, the uppity snobs are being groomed at a younger age.  It's funny to listen to a 15 year old dog on handicap and complain about their fellow teens and how everything should just be scratch and people should just get better or deal with losing all the time, but at the same time wondering why their little "youth masters" tournaments don't have more entries.

The average bowler doesn't like competitive bowlers, and the competitive bowlers I believe are driving off the very crowd they're trying to obtain.  They keep whining about the decline of bowling and the sorry prize funds, but don't seem to realize that they condescend to, intimidate, criticize, and just flat turn off all those that would possibly be their peers with some coaching and practice.  Nobody wants to turn on the tv and see a bunch of uppity douchebags throwing fits or with all these weird and or showy habits or routines or being "sport pattern snobs" (or the holding your arm out to the side thing some of these college girls are doing which drives me insane).  I think competitive bowlers are actually contributing to or causing the decline of their own brand. 

There needs to be a clear cut line in the sand between the sport and the game. There's not.

Miro, another quality post! That would be exactly my reply! I don't have to put up with that crap, so I refuse to put up with it.
Luke, I remember somebody a year and a half or two years ago said they were open bowling next to a group of kids and it reminded him how bowling was for all of us when we first started. That post hit me hard and I have tried to get back to being that same person. I still take the game seriously, but the only time I am serious throughout the night is as soon as my foot touches the approach. Right after I step off, I start having fun with everyone again. Life is too short to be a dick over a game. Especially one we all supposedly love

As I read this I did a little self reflection. Is this what I've become? 


Nah, but I do have a nice Storm 4 ball roller.  And I'll never wear matching jersey's and my teammates better not try it either. 

This post makes me remember that line from the movie kingpin, "lt's kind of intimidating to be in the presence of so many great athletes."

I've found a perfect solution to being confronted by these so called "competitive" bowlers who are so full of themselves and think everyone should cater to their wishes.

Just a single reply of "Kiss my ass" is usually sufficient to let them know you aren't playing their game. And as a side benefit, the look on their face is usually hilarious.

That reply made my day!

Luke,

 You bring up a very interesting point and I think it has merit to it. Growing up a part of this generation definitely comes off like the survival of the fittest. The top guns shun those beneath them and it causes some to either aspire as you daid you started to do or just come to the conclusion that they cannot be good enough and care less or none about the sport (or game for that matter). When I watched the PBA growing up, I wanted to be just like them. Growing up competing against others of this nature didn't help and the spiral continued as I bowled in high school and college now. It's truly crazy how fast bowlers turn on the casual base as if we came out of the wound competitive bowlers.

You coulda just stopped at if you own a jersey...with your name on it...and where it to league.

Did you pay for a jersey with a ball company logo on it?

I don't see where wearing a ball company(or shoes, inserts, bags etc.) jersey is relevant to some "wanna be" acting like a tool. Although I do admit to giving that person wearing the gear a bit of a closer look.

And no, I don't wear a logo jersey to bowl.