12/07/08
This week is a seller that gets alot of attention. Always great service on the quality designs from Mo Pinel at Morich bowling. Save a huge percent over original retail, and still get some return policy if needed. Plenty to choose from, so it was hard to pick a single ball. The Awesome Flip is a great deal, as well as the Weapon of Mass Bias

11/30/2008
Here is a killer deal on the brand new Roto Grip Cell Pearl, a real winner! Heck of a price with free shipping included.

Roto Grip Cell Pearl, with Free Towel and Keychain

11/23/08
This week is another deal from Buddiesproshop.com, I should be getting a commission!
Dexter SST 8 Bowling Shoes, at Buddiesproshop.com

From the Dexter Bowling website:
“The SST 8 brings revolutionary technology to competitive bowlers aiming to stay at the top of their game. With interchangeable slide and traction soles, the SST8 can be converted for lefties and righties alike. With a new, contemporary last, you’ll have all the balance you need!”

The Very Best Bowling Shoe

Awesome service from Buddiesproshop, you can’t go wrong. Full service with every sale!

11/15/08
This week is not entirely bowling related, but it is a heck of a deal IMO..

They let you to try hundreds of games, with super fast shipping and no hassle returns. It beats spending 50-60 bucks on a game only to have it stink once you play it. Also some good deals on used games!

Here’s one that just arrived, shipped in one day!

Brunswick Pro Bowling - Pre-Played The noise. The clatter of the pins. The ball rumbling down the lane. All of these are part of the classic bowling experience. And this is where you’ll find a realistic, detail-oriented bowling alley, complete with authentic Brunswick gear. Customize your character by choosing his appearance, clothing, accessories, and ball. Come tournament time, take on the realistic physics engine, which simulates real-time changing lane conditions, spin, and momentum. Face rivals who will get to know you, seek you out, and challenge you over and over throughout your career. Win tournaments to unlock Brunswick balls, new bowling centers, equipment, and apparel.

11/03/08 (week off for the election?)

This book has helped me tremendously with my bowling. The basics of timing, and armswing, and release are all covered very well. It has a bunch of great info, and really works well with Parker Bohn III’s book, Bowling - How to Master The Game

10/27/08
This week is another super deal, This fella has awesome deals on Morich Bowling balls.

Morich Awesome Flip, CHEAP!!!

More Morich Stuff on Ebay:

US $94.99 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:46:45 PST   | Watch this Item

US $66.00 (13 Bids) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:49:54 PST   | Watch this Item

10/20/08
A great deal on a Brunswick Avalanche Solid bowling ball. Super for medium to dry lanes.

Brunswick Avalanche Solid

10/12/08
This week is a closeout special from a great online proshop, buddiesproshop.com

Brunswick Indianapolis Colts Superbowl Viz-a-ball

10/04/08
This Weeks Deal, Is an ebay seller with great prices on some new in box closeout balls. Free Shipping on the Awesome Flip, 15Lb (actually a bunch of them are free shipping!)

09/28/08
This Weeks Deal, Is another ebay seller I have had great luck with. This guy runs a virtual pro shop, with great prices! Ships fast too, that means alot!

Up Your Alley Pro Shop. Big E Approved!

Yup, She won here too!!

Inside I think it comes down to her staying strong and going back to the basics. My answer is to move all over and try a different line, or more wrist in the release. By the time I have figured it out, the 10th frame has arrived and it’s too late! There has to be another answer, a reason for the wins.

Recently my Mother was bowling with us, providing some wonderful entertainment. She noted the pink shoes, and knew that had to be why she always wins. THE PINK SHOES!! Not sure if I am ready for those, I can’t even make myself wear the flames they have out now!!

The REAL reason she always wins!

I guess she will have to keep on beating me, it’s great fun even when you lose!

Everything from your stance, to delivery, to timing do play a huge part. You just have to practice those things individually, then let it come together as a whole. If you spend all your time thinking about what pin placement or the “new” hookmaster9000 coming out, you will never get the basics down. Same goes for the guy that just goes out to shoot strikes, and gets angry and resets when any pins are left standing. Spares are a huge part of the game, and must be practiced!

Hammer the basics in, then it becomes muscle memory that comes naturally. Use your strengths as a foundation for building the rest of the game. I found a great related article that pertains to many things, we work at… Mostly to keep our “brand” desireable during these slow times ahead. It’s how Apple’s Steve Jobs makes things simple and effective How to Ride the Recession the Steve Jobs Way

Good stuff to keep in mind not just as a bowler, but as a member of the working society of this world.

With its fairly cheap cost, most can still go out for a game or two. The league players are not about to give up a position for 12-15 bucks a week. It seems people find money for the things they enjoy, no matter how tough things get. Good time to be a bowling center owner!!

It was just noted though this week that a top customer service rep for Brunswick, Ric Hamlin lost his job due to cost cutting measures. He was well known throughout the industry for his RICO drilling style, and great customer service skills. It’s a shame when service and time with a company begin to mean nothing.

In every hobby, especially bowling, you will always find a dollar that is being spent. It may slow down, but it will never die off. Too many people have too much time and money invested their bowling gear to just let it go. Hopefully we will see a re-birth, a renewing of the industry, as we try to move forward from the lull we seem to be in now.

I found a great practice idea, that has really helped me in my off time. You just need a mattress, as low to the ground as possible. I used just the top part of my spare bedroom one. Lay it down with plenty of cushion against the wall. Practice doing 1 or 2 step releases, paying attention to your follow through, and wrist position. Before long, muscle memory will start to learn, and it will start to feel like a normal movement. You can practice with all the different wrist variations, as well as side vs forward roll releases. A lighter bowling ball is easier to practice with, but I use my standard 15 lb league favorite (Brunswick Fury Pearl, benchmark ball).

If you have room for it, a full approach is ideal. I can’t quite get there upstairs. Perhaps I can build a small approach with ball catch pit, to satisfy some off-lane practice. Everything you do to build a consistent delivery seems to help the game. The more you can NOT think about it, the better you will bowl!!

We stopped at a local place (Taylor Lanes in Crawfordsville IN), and got a totally fresh lane. My Fury did almost nothing unless I cranked the heck outta it (not my normal stroker style at all). I had a heck of a time with release, and lining up. Shot 3 lousy games, and had a couple decent ones toward the end of my 5 game practice. Ended up with almost a straight shot to the pocket to do anything.

In all, I learned to keep my routine the same from center to center. The ball return and scorer were just a little different location wise, as well as the lane markings. I just tried to do the same preshot, and find the same marks I usually stand on.

Apparently the temp and humidity change affected my ball fit, I had to take a couple of pieces of tape out. Jeesh!! I just wanted to bowl a few games, not totally re-learn the game! lol! Such is this fickle game, you re-learn often, and practice every time!

I found a ton of great help, and reviews from others on this site: BallReviews.com They have a bunch of non-paid, real world bowling ball reviews. Actual lane results on different oil patterns and drilling types. Saved me a ton of time sorting out the 100+ new balls on the market! The Ballreviews.com Forum has a bunch of updated lane and league play info. You need a place to stay on top of the new technology that evolves every day! Bowling is not what it used to be…

We still took all 8 points that night, even with a player gone. I felt bad, but I had a honest good game. I was able to take some of what I had learned and applied it to the game. Felt good to get 3 in a row for the first time in a league game. Next week my handicap should drop and I will be more competitive with the others. I was afraid they were gonna take me to the ball return and “Munson” me!!!

I used my Brunswick Fury Pearl, at 4000 grit abralon, drilled to go long and strong… It worked really well all night, I just need to adjust when it dries up. With my stroker style, it makes a nice quick backend arc to the pocket when I line up right. Give it too much loft or crank it any, and lookout, its goin right (I’m a leftie!)

Stay tuned for next week, see if I can keep it up!

A great help has been Parker Bohn III’s book and some help online from MBC MyBowlingCoach.Com Well worth the price. Great learning materials for bowlers of all ages. Equipment selection, Lane placement, Swing timing and proper release techniques. Hope to be at a 150 avg in a few weeks of the training and practice sessions.