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Bowling Technique: How to Throw a Straight Ball?
Lately, I have been receiving questions about, the bowling technique to throw a straight ball. This is a very important bowling technique, especially for corner pin spares. But, it isn’t as easy as many bowlers would think. Notice Professional Bowler Sean Rash’s release, I believe he is going for a 10 pin. But, how can I tell? Can you tell by this picture?
Lets start off with the bowling ball, and what you want to do with it? If you are using a plastic bowling ball, the bowling ball has low lane resistance and easy to control. Your release isn’t as critical, because of the low lane resistance.
Now the bowling technique if you are using your strike ball, which is usually a reactive resin type bowling ball, the control will be more complicated. Mainly because your strike ball usually curves or hooks, with your release lift. But even without lift, depending on how aggressively your bowling ball is drilled, will still have a curve or flipping motion. This is because of the bowling ball’s weight block. For example, your right handed and you want to pick up the 10 pin, how many times has the bowling ball curved to the left, just before hitting the 10 pin?
The bowling technique is keeping your thumb up at 12 o’clock or straight up. Don’t lift the bowling ball, just let your hand stop at the bottom of your arm swing. The third bowling technique point to remember, especially with a aggressive strike ball, is to break your wrist. No not physically, but relax your wrist, so you will not add any lift to the bowling ball. Of course, practice will give you your own comfortable style of release, and mark locations to use. The main trick is to control the lift or curve of your bowling ball. This is why many bowlers use a plastic bowling ball, which I found out, can be over powered and keeps sliding into the gutter.
Another way to pick up 10 pins, or 7 pins for lefties, is the backup ball. Instead of keeping your thumb up, flip your hand to the right, and rotate your thumb to the 1 or 2 o’clock location. This will cause the bowling ball to rotate to the right into the 10 pin. Then again practice, practice, practice will be needed to master the backup ball speed and mark location.
No matter what type of bowling style you have, practice will give you the confidence and natural release you need to be consistent. Remember to be yourself and develop your own bowling style. It’s not a one style fits all, as many experts want you to believe. It’s your Game, play it your way!
Bowling Technique: What Happens If I Hurt My Bowling Hand?
Over the years, the bowling technique adjustments have become as unique, as the bowlers who wouldn’t give up the Game. This is because they love the Game, and want to over come any bowling limitations to continue playing. So, for those creative bowlers, here are a few examples.
The first bowling technique if you injured your bowling hand is, of course, switch hands. For example, a bowler on our league had a car accident and injured is left bowling hand. Now we are talking about a over 200 average bowler. He practiced and practiced, not very good at first, but over a 2 to 3 year span, he got his 200 average back, right handed. Now for this to occur, the bowling balls have to be drilled for the other hand, and bowling shoes changed.
Next bowling technique is adding figure holes to your bowling ball. For the reason, your individual fingers aren’t strong enough. Now bowlers with arthritis, the fingers joints hurt, so the fingers are rotated to the fingers that didn’t hurt. This bowling ball had 4 to 5 holes with the thumb. Other bowling balls have a handle that comes out to hold on to, then hides back into the bowling ball after release. Another bowling ball has a thumb hole and a “smile” or slit for all the fingers hold on to. So you can see, where there is a will, a bowler will find a way.
Now the bowling technique for handicapped bowlers is like a sliding board at the playground. The bowler wheels up to the back of the 2 rail ramp, and lets the bowling ball roll down to the lane, like sliding down a slide. Of course, the bowling ball wouldn’t have any spin to it, but the slide is movable for aiming at the pins. Even wheel chair bowlers that have a strong upper body, bowl from the wheel chair off the approach, without any assistance or bowling aid.
Then again, bowling is flexible and adaptable Game for all ages and physical limitations. Your bowling technique may be different, but it still gets the job done, and that’s all that counts. Enjoy bowling, and ask questions about any difficulties you may have, someone will find the answers for you. Just because, we all love the Game that much.
Flash or Low Flash Is The Bowling Apparel Question?
As I mentioned in previous posts, I like a flashy bowling shirt for my bowling apparel. As far as bowling shoes, bowling bags, and other bowling equipment I’m mister average. But I believe we have different levels of flash, colorful bowling apparel, at the bowling alley.
First we have the coordinated bowling apparel bowler. Of course this includes the bowling shirt, pants, bowling shoes, bowling bag, bowling wrist support, and if possible the bowling ball? Now there is no mistaking the fashion statement with this coordinated bowling apparel outfit.
Secondly we have the single or double flash bowling apparel outfit. I fall into this category with a colorful bowling shirt, and may be bowling shoes, bowling bag, bowling wrist support, or sweat ban. This isn’t coordinated, but just a splash of colorful taste.
Third we have the color, color all over, thrown together bowling apparel. In this case the colors don’t match or even compliment each other, but are added for a colorful flash mixture. An example would be the Big Lebowski, and not the bowler Jesus.
Finally we have the casual bowler with their bowling apparel. Maybe a solid t-shirt or sweat shirt with blue jeans and not colorfully selected. This is me at practice time t-shirt and jeans, very average and blending in type bowling apparel.
One of the fun points about bowling is the bowling apparel, it’s like a costume or Halloween party every night. You can dress up or dress down as you feel like, and still have fun in the process. Mainly because, your bowling apparel outfit fits you and your game. Even league bowling teams with their team bowling shirts, still can coordinate or not with their bowling apparel. Therefore, what ever your mood or your game, bowling apparel gives you an outlet to express yourself. And then again, change next time to express your other self?
Bowling Technique: Tracers Marks?
This bowling technique is about new marks that are being added to bowling lanes. Tracers are so new, I can’t find a diagram? I believe, they should be around the end of “Breakpoint”, pictured above. Ours lanes just received the tracer marks, and other bowling alleys may not have, yet. But if you watch the PBA Tour, you may have seen 4 sets of marks spaced across the lane before the bowling pins. These tracer marks will give you an idea of how well your bowling ball is working down the lane, especially just before hooking into the pocket.
This bowling technique is a new range finder marking system, you can use for your bowling ball finishing calculations. Say for example, your bowling ball flips or hooks a certain distance from the pocket. By using your marks, dots and arrows, you can now determine if your bowling ball is tracking wide enough from the pocket before it hits the pins. Here is how it works. After you release your bowling ball, you can follow your shot all the way down to these tracers. By watching your ball reaction far down the lane and just before pocket entry, you can adjust your marks to the tracers, so your bowling ball reacts at the right spot before the pocket. For example, there are two tracers on each side of center. If you are right handed, you can gauge if your bowling ball rolled over the correct tracer for shot, say the second one from the right. The angle can be corrected from your marks if your bowling ball went left or right of your spot at the tracer mark. If you need to go further right, you can move your feet more to the left and use the same arrow. Giving you a further right shot to hit your tracer spot. The opposite is true if your ball is too far right, just move your feet more to the right. By hitting the same arrow or board mark your bowling ball should go more left, and hopefully over your intended tracer mark. So the tracers work like a second arrow further down the lane.
The bowling technique is new, but gives a idea of your bowling balls reaction as the lanes change. Adjusting to the left or right will depend on your type of ball reaction. But now you can gauge your bowling ball’s location, just before it turns into the pocket. It’s like using a long rifle compared to a short pistol, your accuracy will improve, because you are now using marks way down the lane too. Don’t be frustrated by your adjustments, because as the game progresses your marks will too. Now you will know where your bowling ball should be before it hits the pocket. Good luck and give the tracers a try.
Bowling Technique: How to Bowl on Heavy Oiled Lanes?
Heavy oiled lanes require a different bowling technique, than on normally oiled lanes. First of all, the heavy oil lanes causes the bowling ball to slide more from the increased oil. The easiest answer to this is, get a heavy oil type bowling ball. The heavy oil bowling ball will grip more into the oil, for the needed traction on the lanes. These bowling balls are designed, for just this kind of bowling surface. Now there are reactive resin and particle bowling balls for heavy oil. The main difference with a heavy oil reactive resin bowling ball is, that it absorbs the oil to gain traction. This will cause problems later, because this high absorption rate means oil build up in the bowling ball’s cover. The oil will have to be removed by cleaners, so the absorption rate can be kept up for the bowling ball’s traction. A bowling ball filled with oil will just stop, or greatly lose it oily advantage. Where as the particle bowling ball has small particles in the cover, to dig into the oily lanes surface. It’s like having snow tire studs on your bowling ball. Particle bowling balls are very good on heavy oil lanes. The only problem is, if you don’t bowl that often on oily lanes, the purchase won’t be worth it. Unless you have the money, and need a heavy oil bowling ball for future bowling tournaments or for other bowling alleys, just in case? Also remember, heavy oil bowling balls will hook a lot more on less oily lanes. So as the lanes dry out, you will have a control problem. Keep your next bowling ball handy, to handle the medium oil lanes. In most cases that will be your regular bowling ball.
Bowling technique #2 is a compromise, instead of a heavy oil bowling ball, use a medium to heavy oil bowling ball. This is a good bowling ball for oilier first games only, and an occasional heavy oil games. It will also give you a longer lane usage option, as the lanes dry down.
Bowling technique #3, is sand one of your reactive resin or urethane bowling balls for just oilier lanes. In most houses, or bowling alleys the first game is the oiliest. The reason for sanding is, to add traction to the bowling ball. Sanding is like treads on a tire, so the oil can be channeled. A polished bowling ball, unless designed for oily lanes, has a smooth surface so it slides more. But there is more to this bowling technique, although sanded, the bowling ball will still need help. This help is in speed. Slow down your speed, so the bowling ball can grab on to the oily lanes. If using a sanded bowling ball for oily lanes, be sure to keep the bowling ball clean as usual, but re-sand, if the sanded tracks fill in or smooth out.
The bowling technique #4 is, if you don’t have a heavy oil, medium to heavy oil, or sanded bowling ball, use your regular bowling ball on a diagonal shot. If you are right handed, stand further right, and slow down your speed to the pocket. With the angle and the slower speed, your bowling ball will wade through the oil, until it dries out or burns out. Of course, this is the weakest bowling technique for heavy oil lanes, but the only one left. So after the lanes dry out, then go back to your usual shot.
A final bowling technique is clean your bowling ball after bowling, or before your next bowling session. This will insure your bowling ball’s best performance. By keeping yourself prepared mentally and your bowling gear, you will not be surprised by the bowling lane changes. The only lost bowler, is the bowler who wasn’t prepared! Don’t be that bowler, O.K.?
Bowling Tips for Beginners.
Bowling tips for beginners is an observation of common mistakes new bowlers make. The need for details is sometimes overbearing. Keep it simple and visual, is easier for a lot of bowlers. By the way, these bowling tips for beginners will be using a right handed bowler, so the lefties will need to flip the instructions around to their side.
1. If you don’t have a bowling ball, pick one up from the bowling alley. Pick one that isn’t too heavy, and fits your hand comfortably.
2. If you have your own bowling shoes, great. Otherwise, you can rent a pair from the bowling alley.
3. Wait for your turn to bowl, and let the bowler next to you bowl first, if they are ready to bowl. Please don’t be in a hurry. Be curious to the bowlers next to you, and they will return the favor. Then, don’t run up to the line, walk!
4. When you get to the line to let go of the bowling ball, your left foot should be in front, and your right foot should be behind. This is so, when your right hand comes down past your hip, you will not hit your right leg. Also, don’t try to throw the bowling ball as fast as you can. Start off with a natural arm motion, and go from there.
5. Let go of the bowling ball, with your arm swing going forward, the bowling ball rolling off your hand, as you raise your hand.
6. As the bowling ball rolls off your hand, let your hand make a upward movement, like raising your hand to shake another hand. By lifting your hand in a hand shaking gesture, the bowling ball will gain power, lift, or revolutions.
7. If you walked toward the pins, swung your arm past your hip, and lifted your hand, you have accomplish the main routine. This is your very own unique approach or bowling style, I like to call it. Your bowling style or approach is the base to build your bowling game around. So as you practice and refine your approach, it will be unique and different from others. Don’t worry, as long as it works. Many a successful bowler has a unique bowling style, now you have yours.
8. So if your shoulders were level, your head centered, and your swing straight, the bowling ball should have rolled where you wanted it to.
9. If it didn’t hit the pins where you wanted, then we go into picking out a mark on the bowling lane to roll toward. For example, the second arrow from the right.
10. Then after hitting your mark, the bowling ball goes too far left, then move left on the approach. If your bowling ball goes too far right, then move right. Its like adjusting a gun sight for your target.
11. Now, roll the bowling ball over the same mark on the bowling lane as before. If you still have to adjust after rolling a balanced release, make the adjustments again, or change marks. Remember only adjust your shot or marks after you rolled a good ball! This should be the only basis to change your shot or marks. A bad shot, will tell you nothing about the lanes, or your shot selection.
12. If your bowling ball shot is way off, say out in the parking lot, pick up a new set of marks, and make your adjustment from there. Lane adjustments are a big part of bowling, don’t be afraid to change, or experiment with your marks. If you get confused on where to stand, write your marks down, until you can remember them. Your marks will change as the bowling lane oil changes. So don’t be surprised, if your marks don’t work as well, the next time you go bowling. Just adjust to the bowling lanes as they change, is the key.
13. For spares, you can practice with different marks on the lane and the approach, that fits your ball’s reaction. Now if it works, remember where you where standing on the approach, and the mark on the lane you used.
14. After practice, you will remember where to stand.
15. Don’t get frustrated at first. Just keep a balanced approach to the line, and let the bowling ball roll off your hand at the same speed. Your consistency in picking up spares will improve, and so will your confidence.
These bowling tips for beginners are in a general sense, a bowling instructor would be much more detailed. Don’t be afraid of using a bowling instructor, if you think you need to. They can work with you on a one on one basis, which is the best. For more bowling tips for beginners, check out some of the other posts, or the available Bowling Library.
I feel like I opened up a can of worms, with not enough information or being too simple and general. But then again bowlers have written books on the subject, that I tried to cover in under 860 words. Bowling is simple, we try to make it hard. Enjoy your bowling experience, and learn from it. You will be a better bowler for it.
How Large Is Ebonite International? | custom bowling balls
Ebonite custom bowling balls have been very popular lately. The Misson custom bowling ball was used by Kelly Kulick in the PBA Tournament of Champions, to become the first woman to win a PBA Tour event. Kelly also won the 2009 PBA Women’s World Championship, and PBA Women’s Series Shark Championship. So Kelly had a very successful 2009-2010 season. Also on board representing Ebonite with Kelly, are PBA Tour Members Tommy Jones, who won the DyDo Japan Cup, and Jason Couch, who owns 15 PBA Tour titles.
But as far as custom bowling balls, Ebonite International could be called the
gorilla of the bowling ball industry? Besides Ebonite custom bowling balls, there are few other custom bowling ball manufacturers you may recognize? How about Hammer Bowling? How about Columbia 300 or Track? Or, Dyno-Thane custom bowling balls, which are made for overseas now. Then there is Robby’s bowling accessories, as well as, Power House bowling ball cleaners and Pro Shop equipment? Plus Vantech specializing in bowling center equipment like scoring systems, furniture, ball returns, and bowling center total design concepts. So you can see Ebonite International casts a big shadow on the custom bowling ball industry, but is also into bowling centers design concepts and equipment.
Ebonite International Inc. is a parent company that oversees the manufacture of bowling balls and bowling equipment. Their headquarters and primary manufacturing facility is located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The technology and competition between all of these custom bowling ball manufacturer divisions must be very interesting. Like GM with Chevy, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Cadillac, and GMC Trucks, but with Ebonite International, it would be Ebonite, Hammer, Columbia 300, and Track. I wonder, if they can keep a secret in their own Department? How about the custom bowling ball Department next to you? So far, the Departments must be on different tracks, because the customers are still product loyal. But so were the customers of Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and what ever happened to Hummer and Saturn? Keeping the custom bowling balls unique and different has to be Ebonite International’s main concern. Because, if the custom bowling balls come out similar, Ebonite International would probably lose market share and customer loyalty, too. So I guess Ebonite’s International’s key to success is, to keep it different, but competitive?
Old Bowling Balls of Taste? | bowling tips
Here it comes, from previous bowling tips on old bowling balls, more creativity? Sure anyone can shoot a bowling ball out of a cannon? Or throw a bowling ball out into the garden? Even make a wall of bowling balls? But now we have real creativity as bowling tips, and a possible commercial return?
Don’t get me wrong, I like flying bowling balls as much as the other guy, but now we have beauty too. Decorating bowling balls with mirrors, beads, glass, rocks and clear coat brings old bowling balls to a new level? Thanks to my friends at Photo Bucket.Com for thes
e interesting uses for the old bowling ball. The bowling tip here is, let your creativity go wild and who knows where it might lead you?
Hey, maybe these old bowling ball bowling tips will start to a new business opportunity for someone? I like the different styles and functionality being used. So you may want to keep that in mind, for your designs. If it can be useful, it can have value. Wow, what about a bowling ball purse, that rolls down the sidewalk? No, someone would pick it up, and run
off with it. Or a candy container that can be locked, with a key from an inside lock? How about a mosaic painting of different color bowling ball pieces? Boy, I got to get off this diet?
But I am serious about these bowling tips having merit and possible income potential. So think about it, and if you come up with something drop me a line, maybe I’ll give you a plug?
Pete Weber, Or PDW Is Unique? | bowling tip
I am starting off with a bowling tip about a bowling legend PDW. Any bowler knows Pete Weber has 35 PBA Tour Titles. Awards: PBA Rookie of the Year (1980), George Young High Average Award (1989), PBA Hall of Fame (1998), USBC Hall of Fame (2002), and Tour earnings of $3,201,603.00. Of course, PDW has a number of other rankings that top the PBA Tour lists. But there is more to PDW than all these accomplishments, awards, titles, and money!
PDW has a lot of fans, of which I am one, and is known as a maverick, and some say with a rebellious image. PDW over the years has developed an image which fans can relate to. PDW is a fighter, and one that doesn’t give up! This is an image we can respect, and strive for ourselves. So we all know of PDW’s achievements, so what is the bowling tip about? Well it is about none of the above mentioned accomplishments, or image projection I just stated! Yes there is more to PDW than current fans may know?
Yes this bowling tip is about PDW the bowling gear innovator and bowling experimenter. Who was the Pro Bowler to wear tennis shoes on the PBA Tour? Who was the Pro Bowler to use sunglasses on the PBA Tour? Plus, who uses a golf glove, instead of a bowling glove, on PBA Tour? Yes, you know! But why does PDW do this? For notoriety? Image? Or how about innovations? How about improving your Game, through innovations? Yes it is much easier to follow the crowd. But to make a changes, take chances, and receive possible criticism from your piers and fans is another. Sometimes to be your best at any thing, the path isn’t a straight one. Because you have unique talents, the path of others may not be yours. But, to be brave enough to chance failure, and ridicule is one thing. To be victorious and unique is another. To be all the above, is PDW!
Why Do I Leave The 5 Pin? | bowling tip
This is an interesting bowling tip, that has many sides. First of all, you roll a perfect strike ball and get a 5 pin remaining? What is up with that? I can’t throw it any better! Yes, I hear this every year during Fall Leagues. So, what is going on here?
Remember this bowling tip saying, “No Drive, No Five!”. I hope this sticks in your bowling brain! What this means is, if your bowling ball isn’t driving into the pocket, like crashing it, you will leave the 5 pin. A “weak ball” or weak pocket entry, will cause the bowling ball to glance off of the head pin or 1 pin, and not hit the 5 pin. There are two causes of this tragedy. One is you, and the other is your bowling gear.
If this bowling tip problem is you, then the first culprit is your lift. At release, a upward motion with your hand gives your bowling ball lift or rotation. This will give the bowling ball more drive into the pocket. Second, are you throwing the bowling ball too fast for lane conditions? Remember if the lanes are oily, especially the first game, slow down your speed, so the bowling ball can grip the lanes better. Third, check your pocket angle, as compared to the reaction of your bowling ball. If your angle is too tight, or your bowling ball hasn’t flipped or hooked yet into the pocket, the bowling ball doesn’t have enough room to power up. Either move more to the right of your mark to give more room, or move your approach to the right for a more outside angle, again if you are right handed.
Now if the bowling tip problem is your bowling gear, check and see what you have available. If your bowling ball can’t grip on oily lanes, use a bowling ball that is for oily, or medium to oily lanes. If you don’t have one, then use a sanded bowling ball (like a reactive resin or urethane and do not sand a plastic), which works like new treads on a tire. Secondly, if you can’t lift the bowling ball, it is either too heavy for you, or you need to use a wrist support to strengthen your wrist action.
Watch your bowling ball’s reaction, to see if the drive and the power is there! If not, this bowling tip will give you a check list of what to do. Know your self and your bowling gear, then adjust to the Game. It’s fun, when you know what you are doing?