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Author Topic: A Question About Older Bowlers  (Read 1975 times)

dicnic

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A Question About Older Bowlers
« on: April 22, 2008, 08:39:12 AM »
I noticed this bowling season, after taking three years off from bowling, that I have a 10 pin higher average in the MORNING league than I do in the EVENING league. Same house, same oil pattern (THS) using the same machine operated by the   same guys. Synthetic lanes, wood approaches so the heat/cold/humidity should not affect the lanes much.

The only difference seems to be morning vs evening. Now, I am getting up in years (73) so I am wondering if any of the ancient bowlers on BR.com bowled mornings and evenings and noticed the same thing.

Or am I simply searching for an excuse for my pitiful showing in the evening league?
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: A Question About Older Bowlers
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2008, 05:26:41 PM »
Having just started bowling in the senior league in the afternoon, I have noticed that the lane oil pattern holds up better in the senior league.  The seniors are playing all different lines with a lot of older equipment while in the evening leagues, there are more bowlers playing the same area (mine) with more oil soakers and the pattern breaks down faster.  Could that be what you are seeing?
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charlest

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Re: A Question About Older Bowlers
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2008, 06:52:51 PM »
Possibly at night, more younger men throwing duller equipment, faster, which burns up the track quicker, requiring larger changes to stay in the pocket.

Also if the house only refreshes the oil pattern at 5 PM and does not strip the backends (like in my house, Arrghh!!!), we see varying amounts of carrydown, from none to a lot, even in the first evening league.

Gary, you bowl in an afternoon league? When did your Social Security cut in?
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60bowler

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Re: A Question About Older Bowlers
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2008, 11:09:02 AM »
I'm 62, so I'm not sure if you consider me being "Ancient". But I have the same league average in the "Grandma"s & Grandpa's" league as I do in the scratch league I bowl.  Both are 201. I do struggle a little more in the Senior league, as said that they use and bowl all over the lanes.  I agree with both MI 2 AZ and charlest.  You might have to bumb up your concentration, or try different equipment to help when you are struggling in the evening league.
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mumzie

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Re: A Question About Older Bowlers
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2008, 01:00:56 PM »
I see a serious difference in stamina.
I'm not that old, but I definitely can do 6 games easier when I start in the morning, than when I start at a normal league time.
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Ragnar

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Re: A Question About Older Bowlers
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2008, 01:03:46 PM »
I'm 62 and average about 10 higher in the morning (217 vs 209).  Even though the house swears the pattern is the same it seems to me to play easier in the mornings (and they run it just prior to each league).  Maybe humidity or temperature heve something to do with it.  Also, the morning is a 4 person team, but it takes about as long to bowl 3 as the evening 5 man team does.  And, in the morning, it's the geezer league (almost all retired folks) and no one really cares a lot about winning or losing; lots more fun.
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scotts33

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Re: A Question About Older Bowlers
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2008, 01:08:35 PM »
quote:
Gary, you bowl in an afternoon league? When did your Social Security cut in?



Yeah, that's what I want to know.  
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Scott

Scott

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Re: A Question About Older Bowlers
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2008, 01:35:40 PM »

Much respect to all of you..

10 years ago i would probably be sitting at the bar, having a good old laugh at all the seniors hurling balls down the lane.. But after following this guy through the years, who used to be a somewhat decent bowler, still go at it at 80+ years of age, because he loves bowling and it puts a smile on his face no matter what he scores.. I say more power to you..
This guy's avg is steadily dropping to about 120 and he doesn't really care..
Gotta love that passion for the sport..
With my game i can only hope that my body will hold up so i can keep slinging when i retire..

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pckeen

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Re: A Question About Older Bowlers
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2008, 02:27:28 PM »
I'm 62 and I find just the opposite to be true.  I'm about 10 ten pin higher in the evening men's leagues then the afternoon senior leagues--4 leagues at the same house (2 and 2) .  I guess I attribute this to bowling with better bowlers and generally better competition.  One of my faults is too fast--ball speed and feet.  Maybe I've slowed down enough at night on general principles to correct the fault--lol.
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JOE FALCO

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Re: A Question About Older Bowlers
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2008, 02:42:39 PM »
I'm higher at night then in the afternoons! I feel the difference is OIL!

Seniors may have the same pattern but it's left over from oiling prior to the league that bowled last night and possible bowlers in the morning. If you use the same equipment in the afternoon that you use at night .. GUARANTEE theres a difference .. better scores will come from where the ball reacts best!

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MI 2 AZ

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Re: A Question About Older Bowlers
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2008, 06:29:11 PM »
quote:
quote:
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 Gary, you bowl in an afternoon league? When did your Social Security cut in?

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Yeah, that's what I want to know



Ok, here goes.  Yes, I bowl with the seniors now as I am able to meet the age requirement and I just retired in January.  No, I am not eligible for Social Security right now because of my age and I won't be when I am old enough.  I don't have enough quarters or points or whatever it is they go by now.  Even if I did, there would be a penalty incurred, so I am not interested in trying to get the rest of the quarters/points needed.

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Alakazam

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Re: A Question About Older Bowlers
« Reply #11 on: April 23, 2008, 08:43:55 PM »
The wife and I are in our 60's but we are definitely not morning people.  Our one league is on Thur. morning at 9 AM, we don't do bad but our Tue. Senior league is at 1 PM and we both carry about 10 pins higher.  Both the leagues are THS but the Tue. one is actually a harder shot on new Anvilane.

We're never in bed before midnight and we certainly don't get up with the chickens!  Maybe it takes us a couple of hours to get everything circulating properly that's why we do better in the afternoon, LOL.
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