Bowling

[Collegeboy]

[Miscue]

No kidding! I never said it wasn't if it can be handled!

Here's the thing, many people have the tendency to go heavier than they should... particularly when people sell them on the idea.

I can throw a 15 or 16 for 10 games straight w/o pain or discomfort... I've done so. According to you, this means I should stick with a 15 or 16. However, I cannot rev the ball as much or throw the ball as fast... and more importantly, not as consistently. Throwing a 14lb'er with more spin and speed will put more energy into the pins that a heavier ball with less energy.

A 15 or 16 is fine not when it doesn't hurt you or make you tired... but when you can throw that SOB with mustard and with consistency. Then OF COURSE you should use the heavier ball! Gimp doesn't look like a big guy from his pictures, and a 14-15 looks more appropriate for him. A 16lb'er is more appropriate for guys who are over 160lbs with a good amount of strength.

Consistency is key. The weight that allows someone to be most consistent is the best weight.

[RRfireblade]

Originally posted by Miscue


Well, I mentioned that because it worked for me in my particular situation. When I started getting serious with the game, I wasted a couple of years because the proshop guys screwed up my drilling. I was having release problems, and they blamed it on me... and said I was squeezing the ball... and I was beginning to believe it.

That's the real problem,there are idiots screwing people up in ALL sports.

[RRfireblade]

Originally posted by Collegeboy
[B
Hence if you can handle a heavier ball, it is better then using a lighter ball. [/B]

You still don't understand why that's an outdated opinion.

My last comment on that, I already stated,which was I have LESS carry with a heavier ball(16)as do many others do to the excessive drive provided with the combination of synthetic lanes and reactive balls.For me and MANY other bowlers who throw a powerful ball,14-15lbs balls are a much better choice.

Jay.

[Collegeboy]

Originally posted by Miscue
No kidding! I never said it wasn't if it can be handled!

Here's the thing, many people have the tendency to go heavier than they should... particularly when people sell them on the idea.

I can throw a 15 or 16 for 10 games straight w/o pain or discomfort... I've done so. According to you, this means I should stick with a 15 or 16. However, I cannot rev the ball as much or throw the ball as fast... and more importantly, not as consistently. Throwing a 14lb'er with more spin and speed will put more energy into the pins that a heavier ball with less energy.

A 15 or 16 is fine not when it doesn't hurt you or make you tired... but when you can throw that SOB with mustard and with consistency. Then OF COURSE you should use the heavier ball! Gimp doesn't look like a big guy from his pictures, and a 14-15 looks more appropriate for him. A 16lb'er is more appropriate for guys who are over 160lbs with a good amount of strength.

Consistency is key. The weight that allows someone to be most consistent is the best weight.

If you can not get the 16 pound ball to do what you want, then you can not handle the ball.

[Miscue]

Originally posted by RRfireblade


You still don't understand why that's an outdated opinion.

My last comment on that, I already stated,which was I have LESS carry with a heavier ball(16)as do many others do to the excessive drive provided with the combination of synthetic lanes and reactive balls.For me and MANY other bowlers who throw a powerful ball,14-15lbs balls are a much better choice.

Jay.

Yeah, that's why so many pros use 15s instead of 16s... even though they could handle 17s if they existed.

[Miscue]

Originally posted by Collegeboy


If you can not get the 16 pound ball to do what you want, then you can not handle the ball.

He is learning. How is he going to know that? He's going to struggle with any ball he picks. Will he eventually keep struggling because he's not learning? or will it be because the ball is preventing him from progress? At this point, it will be difficult for him to gauge what is appropriate for him. A lighter ball is safer. He can always get another ball, which he should anyway... if he finds he's improved to the point where a heavier ball would be more appropriate.

[Leroy717]

bowling is awesome! But i suck at it!last time i went i got a 31......yes i know, thats very very bad.

[gimp]

Wow. I never realized how complicated bowling was. I don't have any sort of hook when I bowl. I just throw it as straight as I can, right down the middle. I'm pretty consistent with it. I'm a little guy, so I use a light ball. hehehe I think it's a women's one actually. It is pink. My average score is about 115.

So, I don't really have an actual bowling style. I just roll the ball. I'm a blank slate right now. I'd like to learn how to do that hook stuff. The lanes I play at are crappy. I can't tell, I just roll the ball straight. Thats just what people say.

Should I start learning how to hook the ball with the crappy balls at they alley? From what you guys are saying, there's a lot more to bowling than I expected. I'm thinking I should practice more before I go plunkin money down on a ball.

Thanks for all the input!

[Collegeboy]

Originally posted by Miscue


He is learning. How is he going to know that? He's going to struggle with any ball he picks. Will he eventually keep struggling because he's not learning? or will it be because the ball is preventing him from progress? At this point, it will be difficult for him to gauge what is appropriate for him. A lighter ball is safer. He can always get another ball, which he should anyway... if he finds he's improved to the point where a heavier ball would be more appropriate.

Since he is beginning that is why I steered him towards the white dot or any basic plastic ball. He said he was happy with the house balls (plastic balls), but they all fight over the same one. If he would get a cheap plastic ball (doesn't matter the make, could be a Mickey Mouse one for all I care), and get it to fit his fingers it will be good for him. A cheap plastic ball will only do an 8 board movement on the lane. With this I said the best place would be to throw between the 3 and 2 arrows and hold it suit case style (just like you would hold a suit case). When you are throwing practically a straight ball it is all in follow threw, release, and placement. It is not about getting a good spin on the ball, or anything. That is why I said if he can handle the weight a 16 pound ball, it would be better then a 14 or 15. (why I said once you get in the upper end of the spectrum, the balls get close to each other between the 14 and 16).

[RRfireblade]

I'm thinking I should practice more before I go plunkin money down on a ball.

Well if I were you,I'd just get a plastic ball(inexpensive),drilled to fit you so that you can start to develop some form and your own style.Try a few different weights and get the heaviest one that you can swing comfortably.Then when you have a better idea what you need,you can keep that ball as a spare ball and get one of better quality and you haven't lost any money.

Jay

[Miscue]

Originally posted by gimp
Wow. I never realized how complicated bowling was. I don't have any sort of hook when I bowl. I just throw it as straight as I can, right down the middle. I'm pretty consistent with it. I'm a little guy, so I use a light ball. hehehe I think it's a women's one actually. It is pink. My average score is about 115.

So, I don't really have an actual bowling style. I just roll the ball. I'm a blank slate right now. I'd like to learn how to do that hook stuff. The lanes I play at are crappy. I can't tell, I just roll the ball straight. Thats just what people say.

Should I start learning how to hook the ball with the crappy balls at they alley? From what you guys are saying, there's a lot more to bowling than I expected. I'm thinking I should practice more before I go plunkin money down on a ball.

Thanks for all the input!

Sure thing!

Well, it's difficult to learn with a house ball for a few reasons... first of all, they suck. They don't fit your hand right usually, and are just made to go straight.

Get yourself a $40 urethane ball or so... drill it for fingertip, get a thumb slug and finger inserts... and call it a day. You'll need a bag or sling thing, probably want to get a towel. Investing in shoes is great if you can... a pair of Linds or something. A lot of people like gloves/wrist guards... I don't bowl w/o one. It's especially helpful if you aren't really strong.

Try to figure out what weight you can cup in your hand, with your hand under the ball... without difficulty. That's roughly the hand position you'll want to be able to do...

[Collegeboy]

Originally posted by gimp
Wow. I never realized how complicated bowling was. I don't have any sort of hook when I bowl. I just throw it as straight as I can, right down the middle. I'm pretty consistent with it. I'm a little guy, so I use a light ball. hehehe I think it's a women's one actually. It is pink. My average score is about 115.

So, I don't really have an actual bowling style. I just roll the ball. I'm a blank slate right now. I'd like to learn how to do that hook stuff. The lanes I play at are crappy. I can't tell, I just roll the ball straight. Thats just what people say.

Should I start learning how to hook the ball with the crappy balls at they alley? From what you guys are saying, there's a lot more to bowling than I expected. I'm thinking I should practice more before I go plunkin money down on a ball.

Thanks for all the input!

Bowling is a great sport (yes I said sport). Do you throw straight down the middle as in the middle diamond (or arrow or whatever you chose to call it). If so, might I suggest you move either to your left or right (depending on what hand you are, left for left, right for right) Hold your ball like you would a suitcase, and throw your ball down the line aiming for the middle of the second and third arrow. Depending on your stance on the approach this spot could leave to a lot of spare opportunities as well as your strike ball. When you release the ball make sure your hand comes up and touches your ear. The biggest mistake people make is they do not follow through. Also make sure that you bend down when you release your ball with you knees, not your back. Your back should not be bent in a way to suggest laying the ball down on the lane. My ball normally lands right where the first set of dots are on a lane. Try this approach out for a while till you get it down. Only when you master the basics should you go for a hook. For the hook is thrown exactly like the ball I told you, but you throw it out away from the pocket, the further it gets down the lane, the more the pin gets into place and as soon as the pin gets into place the ball will hook towards the pocket and hopefully hit the pocket. But this all depends on hand placement, follow through, release, and everything else that you need to master first.

[Miscue]

Originally posted by RRfireblade




Well if I were you,I'd just get a plastic ball(inexpensive),drilled to fit you so that you can start to develop some form and your own style.Try a few different weights and get the heaviest one that you can swing comfortably.Then when you have a better idea what you need,you can keep that ball as a spare ball and get one of better quality and you haven't lost any money.

Jay

That's a good idea. However, I'm not a fan of mixing up weights with primary and spare balls... I figure it's one more thing that is needlessly changed.

[Miscue]

Originally posted by Collegeboy


Hold your ball like you would a suitcase, and throw your ball down the line aiming for the middle of the second and third arrow.

No! Suitcase = BAD! Hand needs to be under the ball, not over it.