Author Topic: Going for high games has lowered my Average (Read 2041 times)

louie · « **on:** May 06, 2003, 04:18:32 AM »

I used to be content when I hit the pocket. If I carried great, but if I didn't carry I made the spare (sometimes) and moved on to the next frame. Now I'm obsessed with the 230+ game. To get that game I have to string strikes. If I get tapped a couple of time I change speed, lines, or balls in an attempt to string strikes. The result is more games of 230+ and more 700 series. The downside are more sub 180 games and nights when I don't break 600 because of splits generated by all my changes. I used to be a much more consistent bowler. Now I'm all over the place. I need to be content with hitting the pocket and trust that the strikes will come. 3 taps in 4 frames is not a disaster. It is simply a part of bowling I must learn to accept.
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Why does everyone laugh when I bowl?

louie

Belgarion · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2003, 07:30:47 PM »

that is the story of my season...

CoachJim · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2003, 07:45:56 PM »

Louie sometimes the best line to the pocket is a straighter line. Some times we become enamored with the big hook and the big hit. When you rip the rack and carry the big strike it is like hitting a Home-run or hitting the 300+ yard drive in golf. It is this rush as much as the big score that drives some of us to bowl. When you give up the lust for the "Hey look at me" shot and play the lanes the way they need to be played, the 230+ games will come more frequently, and the 180- games will be farther apart. Learn to watch your ball reaction and adjust it up or down depending on your carry.

Edited on 5/7/2003 7:40 PM

ksucat · « **Reply #3 on:** May 07, 2003, 09:50:59 AM »

You MUST take a chance in a short format tournament where the scores are high. As stated earlier, a 650 means you shot a decent score and could have even had a clean set, but if 700 is low to cash, then what is the point? It seems that several handicap tournaments lay out a typical easy house shot that lead to humungous scores. If the scores are low, then you can grind it out. The key is to knock down more pins than your opponents.

Since you are already trying different adjustments, the key is to remember what works and when to use them. If you leave 2 flat tens in a row, what is your first adjustment? Your second? Your third? Make these decisions quickly and throw the ball with confidence so you can get an accurate and immediate feedback.

louie · « **Reply #4 on:** May 07, 2003, 10:39:21 AM »

The problem is repeatability. I only have 2 ballspeeds fast and faster. I really only have one release. If the lanes are hooking a bit but the backends aren't clean, I tend to leave ringing tens regardless of ball choice or line. The key to carry on lanes like this is lowering my ballspeed. I can't do it consistently. Too slow split high/too fast washout light. Tournaments aren't really an issue. I only bowl 1 or 2 a year. Time constants. 4 kids under 12. I'm talking about league. There are nights my carry is only so-so and I have to settle for a 205. That really isn't so bad. I know people will say to learn to throw the ball a different way, but I just don't have the time.
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Why does everyone laugh when I bowl?

louie

Aristotle · « **Reply #5 on:** May 07, 2003, 11:01:35 AM »

As I've learned from the master of hussling Sam Baca, you must pay attention to what other people are doing on the lanes.. If you find someone scoring and you're able to duplicate what they're doing on the lanes with equipment or release, copy it. If you're not able to duplicate that shot due to equipment or game shortfalls, read the other person's break point and play your shot to that break point. It has served me well on conditions where I wasn't able to figure it out right away.

Phillip Marlowe · « **Reply #6 on:** May 07, 2003, 11:30:34 AM »

Louie, try a new type of equipment...dull equipment with cores that concentrate the weight away from the center of the ball. Should reduce your ringing tens given your style as described herein.
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"It's just a carry contest."

louie · « **Reply #7 on:** May 07, 2003, 12:29:44 PM »

T3
Such as?

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Why does everyone laugh when I bowl?

louie

10 In The Pit · « **Reply #8 on:** May 07, 2003, 08:59:04 PM »

Louie, it sounds more like the key is to define exactly when a line change, speed change, release change, or whatever is actually necessary to search for a better line. For me, I don't like to make a change based on one shot only, since the result of a single shot can be misleading. I'll try a line for a couple of shots, making sure that I feel comfortable that I made a decent shot, before deciding to look for something better. I know that I find some nights where I'm pinging 4's, 7's, and 10's, all from the same basic line....in a case such as this, any adjustment might be counterproductive.

I guess what I'm getting at is to find a better way to determine exactly when is a good time to make a change, rather than making a change based purely on one shot. I would suggest that you try what you are doing for at least a couple of frames before giving up, unless the results are blatantly obvious. However, I bowl in a house where small adjustments make for a big change in reaction (when playing on the fringe of the heavier oil), so I make minor changes instead of major changes.