If You could hit your mark as often as they do, You would also strike as often as they do.  You have to realize, this is ALL they do!  If they miss their target by a Half of an inch, they consider that a huge miss.  I have listened to Pro's talking casually about their games, and they talk about one quarter of a board as their target. Especially the older Pro's.

Quote from: strikeking on January 06, 2014, 06:18:43 PM

If You could hit your mark as often as they do, You would also strike as often as they do.

With all due respect, Strikeking, tournament championship bowling cannot be as easy as "hitting your mark." If I hit my mark EVERY time, I would still be light years behind guys like Sean Rash, Belmo, Chris Barnes, PDW, etc. I am a league house mouse who enjoys bowling and also watching bowling. I have a great deal of respect for the posters on Ball Reviews who tackle the tough sport patterns. You cannot reduce the sport to simply "hitting your mark."

I agree, especially with today's game. If this were, say, 20 - 25 years ago, then that may be right. that's mainly because of oil getting pushed down the lane, or pushed left, because of the performance of the balls at that time..

Not so today, when balls will actually pick up the oil rather than cause carrydown.

Good example would be to watch the Shark Championship final match between Jack Jurek and Mike Fagan from a few years ago. It came down to making the right adjustments (and the winning ones for Jurek, in that case), because in that match, he threw the same ball consistently, hit his mark consistently, and in one frame on the left lane, went flush. The next time over there, same mark, left the big four. why? his consistent mark and target was right in Fagan's and Malott's hook spot, causing his to check up earlier and go through the nose.

So while it is about hitting your mark, that isn't the be all/end all, because you also need to know when to move, make the right adjustment, and be firm/confident in that decision. That's what makes them that good, because they aren't fishing for shots.

BL.

Thanks for the response.... Like what was stated - I understand the importance of hitting your mark and having the same release but these dudes are extra...  And personally I beleive they are playing area and their ball is helping them...  Must be nice to have balls drilled for specific condition...

The top guys on the PBA Tour aren't the best because they have an unlimited supply of balls.  They have an unlimited supply of balls because they are the best.  If you believe otherwise you are being foolish.

When Bob Benoit lived here in Dallas while back, I was just getting into bowling,me and some friends would go bowling after work he would talk to us and would give us tips. He would roll one ball dead straight and on the same lane with the same ball hook it 20 boards he is very versatile.