any bowlers here?

[futurevr4man]

i just bought a ball and i am gonna try to get good at bowling. i went last night for 3 hours and probably bowled 12 or 13 games... exhausting.

i was looking for some advice, tips, or anything else you all have to offer me. i am very athletic and coordinated although i have developed some bad habit from my previous years of bowling.

the ball i got is an ebonite cyclone... not sure how good it is. the guy who i got it from said it was decent. i like it i suppose. its a 15lb ball.

[CoreyB]

I bowled once, finished the game with 7 strikes in a row !!!

[Turbo Beast]

You will need a shirt like this:

http://www.bowlingindex.com/store/graphics/00000001/ap-electricTURQ.jpg

[bluefox1081]

Make sure to buy your own shoes.

[AdamVR4]

I typically bowl around 100. Don't be like me.

[IPD]

on the 10th frame, angle slightly to the side, and late-release the ball so that it rolls on top of the rail. it will hit the plunger & knock down all the pins! win!

[onebadmollafolla]

I typically bowl around 100. Don't be like me.

:lol: Same here. I like to go bowling but I am just awful at it.

[futurevr4man]

lol, srsly guise! i need bowlers tips! i tackled ping pong and got good at that, ive moved onto bowling now. i wanna be great at every strange sport there is hahaha

[IPD]

lol, srsly guise! i need bowlers tips! i tackled ping pong and got good at that, ive moved onto bowling now. i wanna be great at every strange sport there is hahaha

...and some fucking diddy doughnuts!

[93STLTH]

Bowling is similar to hitting a baseball in that what works for one person won't necessarily work for another. You need to get in as much bowling as you can and practice different spots on the floor and different release styles until you find a groove that works for you. Also, a custom ball that was drilled for one person is probably not going to work for you. Just because your fingers may fit doesn't mean it's the right ball for you. Look at some of the ball at the alley and you'll see the finger holes are all drilled differently. There's different spacing, depth and even pitch to the holes. The holes are also drilled differently based on the center of gravity of the ball. If you want to be serious about bowling, getting your own ball fitted and drilled by an expert is important. BTW, I held a 178 average in the last league I bowled in, so I kind of know a little about it. :)

[2fnloud]

did you buy your ball already drilled?

[CoreyB]

You buy them undrilled? I did not know this.

[2fnloud]

Yes. The best way is to go to a bowling alley that has a pro shop. Then you toss a few balls down the lane and they observe your style and tendencies of how you throw the ball. They also watch how the ball spins and hooks from how you throw the ball.

They can then drill your finger holes so the counter weight that is inside the ball will react best to your throwing style.

[futurevr4man]

Bowling is similar to hitting a baseball in that what works for one person won't necessarily work for another. You need to get in as much bowling as you can and practice different spots on the floor and different release styles until you find a groove that works for you. Also, a custom ball that was drilled for one person is probably not going to work for you. Just because your fingers may fit doesn't mean it's the right ball for you. Look at some of the ball at the alley and you'll see the finger holes are all drilled differently. There's different spacing, depth and even pitch to the holes. The holes are also drilled differently based on the center of gravity of the ball. If you want to be serious about bowling, getting your own ball fitted and drilled by an expert is important. BTW, I held a 178 average in the last league I bowled in, so I kind of know a little about it. :)


did you buy your ball already drilled?

to both of thee above... i bought my own ball and its drilled to my hand size etc. the angle and center of gravity and everything is customized to me by a silver coach (i guess he is really good).

i bowled for 3 hours on wed night. its an all you can bowl thing. i cant seem to get the hook i want on the ball no matter what i do. i am getting "some" hook, but in my opinion, not enough. i am watching instructional videos and all, but there is only so much i can learn from those.

[2fnloud]

Try different alley, too much oil will effect the hook. Wipe your ball off after every throw, at bare minimum dedicated bowlers have two balls, one for dry lanes and one for wet lanes.

That or your ball wasn't drilled aggressive enough.

[CoreyB]

2fnloud really knows his balls.

[2fnloud]

2fnloud really knows his balls.


That's what she said!

[j2k4]

I used to carry a 180+ avg.; the day I met my ex, I suffered a navicular fracture of my right wrist - 22 months in a cast.

I managed to break my wrist three more times bafore I ever again attempted to bowl - some friends convinced my current wife and I to go bowling a few years ago.

We bowled three games, and my scores were 7, 0, and 13.

I think I'm done with it.

By all means, though, get a custom-fitted-and-drilled ball - it makes all the difference.

[IPD]

how is a single-digit score in bowling possible?

[futurevr4man]

gutter ball 9 times, hit 1-9 pins on one frame

[j2k4]

how is a single-digit score in bowling possible?

A seven-pin first ball, followed by several-times-several gutter-balls?

[j2k4]

how is a single-digit score in bowling possible?

If that baffles you, Thadd, try to figure out my "0".

[IPD]

i understand how it works, i just can't understand how technique could be off so much that you'd consistently throw a gutterball THAT much. i mean, if you were consistently throwing to the left, just angle your stance a bit. ditto on the right. if you can't maintain precision to the left or right, then you need medical attention.

[bluefox1081]

Exactly what kind of tips are you looking for? It's not a game of strategy...it's a game of consistency and mechanics. Get some experience and get comfortable with the way you throw, and go from there.

And seriously, if you don't have your own shoes, my tip on the first page is a tip you're looking for...buy your own shoes. The ones at the lanes are nasty, and they just don't offer the same support for long-term use, because they're not going to form to your foot after being used by hundreds of people.

[IPD]

Exactly what kind of tips are you looking for? It's not a game of strategy...it's a game of consistency and mechanics. Get some experience and get comfortable with the way you throw, and go from there.

i guess that's one reason i have more respect for golf than for bowling. no one's ever shot an 18 on 18 holes of golf.

[bluefox1081]

i guess that's one reason i have more respect for golf than for bowling. no one's ever shot an 18 on 18 holes of golf.

I'm sure it would be possible if all the holes were par 3s. Even then, it would be HIGHLY improbable.

[futurevr4man]

Exactly what kind of tips are you looking for? It's not a game of strategy...it's a game of consistency and mechanics. Get some experience and get comfortable with the way you throw, and go from there.

And seriously, if you don't have your own shoes, my tip on the first page is a tip you're looking for...buy your own shoes. The ones at the lanes are nasty, and they just don't offer the same support for long-term use, because they're not going to form to your foot after being used by hundreds of people.

exactly, its a game of mechanics. i need to learn the correct form. strategy is simple, and i can figure out how to aim on my own. my release is not correct, and i cant get the hook on the ball i would like to. ill buy shoes later, i cant afford them right now, im in the middle of my engine build lol

[AdamVR4]

I used to carry a 180+ avg.; the day I met my ex, I suffered a navicular fracture of my right wrist - 22 months in a cast.

I managed to break my wrist three more times bafore I ever again attempted to bowl - some friends convinced my current wife and I to go bowling a few years ago.

We bowled three games, and my scores were 7, 0, and 13.

I think I'm done with it.

By all means, though, get a custom-fitted-and-drilled ball - it makes all the difference.

Damn! That must've been a blow to the ego.

[j2k4]

i understand how it works, i just can't understand how technique could be off so much that you'd consistently throw a gutterball THAT much.

That was the problem, Thadd - no inclination to roll left-handed, and the right is basically at a total disconnect from the proper synaptic impulses.

Like me trying to bowl with your hand.

I shouldn't have even tried it, actually.

[IPD]

i'd be filing for disability for my job if that happened to me.

[dpartinvr4]

the thing with getting the ball to hook is you don't try and make it hook. when as you release, you let your hand naturally come from under the ball to a "shaking hands" position, then follow thorugh to look like your "talking on a phone"......it'll hook i promise.

[x2xtreme360]

on the 10th frame, angle slightly to the side, and late-release the ball so that it rolls on top of the rail. it will hit the plunger & knock down all the pins! win!

I lol'ed so hard at this comment. Wonder if anyone else gets it.

I average a 160 I suppose. I have a pretty nasty curve, my buddies is better.

For me, I use two fingers (giggity). Middle and ring, no thumb. That way, I get a nasty twist with the ball as I roll my wrist over.

[enollava]

My best advice for bowling is go easy to start. Work on the same motion each time, then slowly add power to your roll. Also, drink plenty of beer when playing. When sober, I bowl between 100-125. As soon as I put 2 or 3 beers in my gut, I somehow bowl about 210-240. Anybody who claims alcohol isn't a performance enhancing substance hasn't seen me bowl with it. Best score ever with a buzz was 263.

[2fnloud]

I lol'ed so hard at this comment. Wonder if anyone else gets it.

I average a 160 I suppose. I have a pretty nasty curve, my buddies is better.

For me, I use two fingers (giggity). Middle and ring, no thumb. That way, I get a nasty twist with the ball as I roll my wrist over.


This is my way of bowling as well.

I remember asking to sub on my dad's bowling team, my first throw was destine for the gutter, I could here the other guys chuckling about it. The ball rode the edge snapped back to the head pin (just like my throw should) and STRIKE with massive amounts of pin action.


you could of heard a pin drop after that moment. I toasted everyone's score before my handicap was calculated.

I was pretty full of myself that evening.

[futurevr4man]

on the 10th frame, angle slightly to the side, and late-release the ball so that it rolls on top of the rail. it will hit the plunger & knock down all the pins! win!

im not sure how i missed this comment. gotta love the wii

[bluefox1081]

exactly, its a game of mechanics. i need to learn the correct form. strategy is simple, and i can figure out how to aim on my own. my release is not correct, and i cant get the hook on the ball i would like to. ill buy shoes later, i cant afford them right now, im in the middle of my engine build lol

There really is no "correct form". Whatever you're comfortable with and if it works, that's your form. I can't tell someone how to throw a "proper" hook because I do it in an unconventional way (while using all 3 fingers). I actually have my wrist turned in during the backswing (so my fingers are going into the side of the ball, as opposed to being underneath the ball), and then I pull up from the side when I release...it works for me, but I always get comments on my style from "proper" bowlers. I basically throw the ball in the manner a thumbless bowler would, but I use my thumb...it's like a combination of the two styles.

[j2k4]

i'd be filing for disability for my job if that happened to me.

Well, I just turned 53, and I ain't gonna get any of my SS stash, yo.

Maybe my boy Barry hep me out, huh?

[NickS VR4]

+1 to getting bowling shoes.

Throwing a curve is needed if you ever want to get consistent results.

I use a 15lb ball, Ultimate Inferno, love it. You will get used to inconsistent lanes if you bowl at different places. Each time you have to adapt to the lane. You will notice dry spots and well oiled spots. Good lanes will be evenly oiled, but the poor ones will often have dry spots.

Basically you will learn all the little things with time. I think its a fun "sport", and I used to bowl on the weekends back when I was a freshman in college.