Since getting back into bowling a year ago in December (half way through the winter league) I'm enjoying and understanding the game more than ever.  Finished that league with a 178 avg, then went straight into a summer league where I carried a 186 avg. Then went straight into the current winter league where I'm carrying a 185 avg. 

What's got me frustrated is that it seems like I can never put together 3 good games in a night.  I consistantly bowl mid to high 500 series and an occassional 600.  And it's never any one game that is off.  Sometimes it's the first, other nights it can be the 2nd or 3rd games.  Like last night; 211, 200 & 166 or last week; 180, 166 & 245.  Ya just never know.....  It's like I've got a mental block when it comes to having a really good night!!   

Anyone else experience this and if so, how do you overcome it??? 

Thanks!!       

Since getting back into bowling a year ago in December (half way through the winter league) I'm enjoying and understanding the game more than ever.  Finished that league with a 178 avg, then went straight into a summer league where I carried a 186 avg. Then went straight into the current winter league where I'm carrying a 185 avg. 

What's got me frustrated is that it seems like I can never put together 3 good games in a night.  I consistantly bowl mid to high 500 series and an occassional 600.  And it's never any one game that is off.  Sometimes it's the first, other nights it can be the 2nd or 3rd games.  Like last night; 211, 200 & 166 or last week; 180, 166 & 245.  Ya just never know.....  It's like I've got a mental block when it comes to having a really good night!!   

Anyone else experience this and if so, how do you overcome it??? 

Thanks!!       

It happens all the time.  I average 227 currently.  I bowl one night a week.  Last week, I shoot 800 on the nose (215, 299, 286).  One week later (last night); I shoot in the 650s.  THE DIFFERENCE......was the team we bowled against.  When I shot my 800; we bowled a really good team that have 5 quality players.  So the lanes broke down consistently in a way that it was easy to adjust to the transitions.  Last night; we bowled an average team.  Few of the guys just spray the ball around with two of their players playing up the 7-10 boards all night.  So it was more difficult to adjust because the oil was being pushed around all over the place by the sprayers.  So even though I was in the same center, on the same pattern, bowling with the same equipment as my 800; the lane transitions were different enough to where my ball reaction was not nearly as consistent as the week prior. 

I agree with bergman in that a good coaching session and a little practice here and there can go a long way in getting used to what your equipment does and how they handle lane transition.

Thanks for the replies. 

Interesting incite by Twohand.  I've noticed how some nights the lanes break down quicker and/or different than other nights requiring different amounts of adjustments but never really gave any thought into it being due to the types of bowlers on the lanes. 

And I will definitely look into getting some coaching assistance.  Most if not all of the operaters of the local pro shops are coaches as well, so it shouldn't be too hard to hook up with one and get some advice.  The one area I know I need help with is being more consistant with my release and hitting my mark.   

Thanks again!!!     

   

The insite I gave is much bigger than one might think.  Main thing is you know what you expect from your teammates but there is a huge difference between having the other team all play the same area with similar equipment as opposed to a team that has say 2 people playing up 2nd arrow all night and the others swinging 4th arrow from the start with high performance equipment. 

When I shot 800; the other team had 2 lefties (so less amount of righties to break the shot down faster; shot holds up a little longer) and 2 guys playing around 3rd arrow (one guy using a IQ Fusion and the other using a Track Tour X).  People on my team had 3 of us playing 7-8 board to start and the other 2 (myself included) playing 3rd arrow start and migrating left. 

Where I struggle; is when we have a bunch of people all playing the same area because our lane conditions start out a little on the wet/dry side.  If we have 6-8 people all playing second arrow; by the end of the first game; we have a heavy volume in the middle with a track area that is burning up.  But when I shot my 800; we had a few people outside, a few people inside, and a few lefties so the shot broke down more even across the lane. 

So the main thing to watch is who you are bowling against, what parts of the lane are they playing, and what balls are they using.  That will tell you everything in regards to how the lanes will break down/transition as the night goes on and what moves you may need to make either with yourself, the ball you are using, or both.