I figure I'll keep everyone updated as I progress, for those that are interested.  To sum it up till now, I ended fall leagues with a 165 average.  After three weeks over the summer in the same house on the same pattern, I was at 193.  I went to a more controlled backswing, a new ball (Doom), with a new 1/4 reverse thumb pitch.  It's making all the difference.  Now on to week 4.

The first game I thought I was in real trouble.  Standing in the same place I was the week before, the ball was hooking through the nose from the start.  I tried moving left a little at a time, and I was still coming through the nose.  The only other ball I had was my Big One, and I wanted to figure out how to play the shot with ONE ball.  Aside from not striking, I was also missing some spares.  I ended with one of the worst games of the season, a 137.  However, in the ninth frame I did figure it out.  One of the new things I have learned recently, due to my improved bowling, is how to change my shot a little with hand position.  I really only have two right now, one being my hand under and a bit to the right, and the other being my hand on the side of the ball.  I've found that with my hand on the side, the ball gets further down the lane but still makes a strong move.  

So on to the second game, now knowing where the pocket is.  I struck in the first, had a split in the second, then went clean the rest of the game for a 227.  I also had one bad ball in the ninth after 6 in a row, held onto it too long and sent it across the rack for a three.  I did pick up the spare though with a ball that should have been my first.  

In the third game, it was working well again.  I didn't have any big strings like the 6 bagger in the second, but I did go clean the whole game, which is a HUGE improvement for me.  225 in the third for a 589 series after that lousy 137.  All in all, it was another really good week.  One of the best things about it is now I'm learning new things all the time, like the aforementioned hand position thing.  I really think I can keep it going, and my average is now at 194 after four weeks, an improvement of 29 pins!  Check out my journal at the link in my sig.  
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Check out my bowling journal!
http://www.allbowling.com/journal/myleague.php?leagueid=912

Stop trying to impress others people, people mostly care about what your saying about them not you.

Oh, one other thing, too.  It's funny, but though I'm bowling so well for me, I'm making little mistakes here and there were if I weren't, I'd be so much better.  I had a bad first game where I couldn't quite figure out the shot soon enough, and I also had a stupid throw in the 8th of game 2.  I iron out a couple mistakes, and I'll start writing new records for myself.  
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Check out my bowling journal!
http://www.allbowling.com/journal/public.php?uid=1792&leagueid=912

Stop trying to impress others people, people mostly care about what your saying about them not you.

I'm bowling at Johnsburg Bowl, Duke.  Also known as Raymond's Bowl.  It's an old house with beat up wood lanes and synthetic pin decks.  I've been bowling leagues there for three years now.  My aunt Linda, who I think you might know, Duke, is actually bowling in the league with me, her average is a little under 200.
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Check out my bowling journal!
http://www.allbowling.com/journal/public.php?uid=1792&leagueid=912

Stop trying to impress others people, people mostly care about what your saying about them not you.