In this economy, no one can afford to go bowling… Right?? Not as I have seen lately… If you go to any bowling center on a weeknight, they are all still rocking right along! It seems that many have noted that the cash based business is doing well.
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.
Please release me, let me go…. Ok, enough sappy 70′s music! Unless you are into doing the Machuga Flop, releasing the bowling ball is key to a good game. Unfortunately, mine was extremely inconsistent.
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!!
Wow, what a difference a location change can make! The normal center I bowl at has a ton of traffic. The lanes there are usually oiled once in the am (early), and are well wore by the time I ever bowl on them. They start medium oily, and progress to medium dry by the games end.
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!
Yup! You read it right! A 189 scratch! (Thats good for me!!) After a decent warmup, and a 176 first game, I kicked some pins! With the handicap that was in place from my first few weeks, I had almost a 300 game. The other team shot terrible, and totally thought I was sandbagging.. Nope, I just had a good oil game. The third game was terrible (102!) as I forgot to adjust. Ended up about 3 boards over by the time the game finished.
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!
My first experience at a league is going well. If you can call doing well a 90 average, then yeah! Bowling with your friends is a great way to have fun after work. Even a gutterball is better than sitting at work right!! Just buy more equipment and you will do better, it seems to work for the golfers, why not me?
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.