The Bronze Certification is supposed to be geared to those bowlers 190 average and below.  

Given the information in that course I'd say that its a good (not excellent)representation of what -190 bowlers need to learn first.  What I thought the course needed was more on spare shooting and more on how to interpret pin leaves and lane transition.  That's what most bowlers at the 170 to 190 average need.  However, for many people in these classes I think they fit in one of three groups.  

1. higher level bowler that wants some certification to coach others and maybe looking forward to the Silver Level certification.  For many of these its an expensive tax to get to the silver level class or ground level certification and therefore credibility.  

2. The Jr coach that is dedicated to teaching the youth how to get off on a good foot with solid fundamentals.  I don't think you need to be a 190+ average bowler to do that.  

3.  The bowler that really has no aspirations of coaching, but believes they can (and will) gain valuable information from taking this course.  Again you don't need to be a 190+ bowler to get a lot from this course.  

Personally I think the courses are too expensive.  I paid my tax in the Level 1, and took the Bronze.  I was pleasantly surprised that there was a lot of great information in that course (especially since it was so expensive).  Had it contained a tad less info then it had, I'd also consider it a tax.  But for me it just barely made it beyond the "tax" hoop to jump through.  However, the Silver Level is even more expensive and I've not even made back the Bronze costs with coaching.  So at this point I am kind of half and half on how credible the certification is.  I mean if you have the money (for courses + travel), and some common sense you can get to Silver.  For me to take the Silver Certification would probably entail an enitre month's wages.  On the other hand if the certifications were cheaper then even more people with good listening skills (and not so much bowling skills) would be Silver Level coaches.  But I do think that if you want to do any amount of coaching and therefore adding to your income doing so, then you need to be Silver Level.  

For those wanting Gold Certification I think I'd expect them to be persons that have lived their entire lives in the bowling industry.  Have extreme skill and experience themselves (tempered with age) at the game.  Plan on making a living teaching bowling to those that want to learn the best bowling skills and coaching skills to those that are coming up the ranks in the coaching program.  I don't think the Gold Certification is out there for just any joe bowler that can pay the money and take the course.  

Erin