New VS Old

[Ray75]

I recently read a thread on another forum, and the discussion was about how much bowling has changed over the years. There was some bowlers that posted about how easy the sport has become. They even went as far as to say bowling use to be a thinking game, and now it's nothing more than putting a ball in the same general area. Of course, I had a few words to say about all of this. I, personally, think bowling is more of a challenge now than it was 15 years ago. But, that's just me. I was wondering what all of you thought about this. Do the young league bowlers have it easier than the seasoned veterans of lanes did way back when? What do you think?

[Tunat]

thats a loaded question.....you could go either way and upset anyone you want. Well goes my thoughts, back in late 60's early 70's, you could get any bowling ball you want as long as it was black and made of harden rubber. The oil was applied by alleys with spray guns then wiped down...(you talk about uneven distribution). The pins were wooden and split and cracked. Now lets compare it to todays world, the bowling balls, we'll you can get one that will almost make a circle out there and come back to you, in what ever wild color you wanted including black made of 100's of different formulas. The oil is applied by lane machines, so the oil is evenly distributed and laid into the predetermined patterns, and the pins are still wooden but with a vinyl covering. In the 60-70's all lanes were wooden, today majority are syth in nature. In the 60's-70's the only way to bowl was to stand to the right and angle your bowl to the 1-3 pocket (right hander), the balls didn't break and you relied on being absolutely accurate, with sholders square at the line with a loft of 2 - 3 ft out on the lane (avoid the pile of oil at head of the lane). At that time we left loads of corners (sound familiar, sounds like today) and almost as many 5's. Today we have totally different approaches to bowling, most of us stand in the center or left of center for right handers we swing the ball out and allow the ball to break back into the pocket and more in-direct approach to the pocket. Are they any easier you ask? you still have to knock down 10 pins with maximum of 2 balls and while the numbers of 300 games or honor scores and set have increased greatly...it still comes down to my opinion. Here is the nail in the coffin, yes the lanes are easier today then in the 60's and early 70's. Reason, is today the shot is no different then it was 30-40yrs ago, but the variables that control or effect the shot have been minimized. First example would the consistant oil patterns on the lanes today vs a bug sprayer that was used 30-40yrs ago. Yes, the bowling ball has evolved but so has the individual to keep up with the product. In the past everyone was a stroker...today we have crankers and tweeners, all different ways of delivering the ball that are effective today. and lets not go into lane conditions and wood vs syth...etc. Today kids have more options with the advent of technology to be able to throw a more consistent shot and consistently score then in was 30-40yrs ago. Thru no fault of our own, most of us learned to be very accurate in hitting our marks, it was the style we were forced to play, when I work today's youth and try to assist, its not a mark they arm at but an area (around 2nd arrow, 3rd arrow, etc), they may in fact miss their mark by 5 boards when they shoot. The biggest different were the 60-70's had advantage is spare shooting. We were taught to be accurate hit or marks, today's areas, just don't cut it in spare shooting. Today its easier ...especially to strike, but we as adults and teachers of the game need to help todays youth understand how to be spare shooter.....sorry for long winded answers....

[can-ham]

Taunt, very well put!

This question is a very interesting one. With out a doubt I believe today's bowling is easier than in the past for the simple reason about 15 years ago (in Canada) any one who bowled a sanctioned 300 would be awarded $10,000! But today they are more common, After I bowled mine in the first game of the night, a dude in my league bowled one the next game! Now there have only been 3 at that house so far this year but two in 1 night!

I used to listen to the phantom radio show (http://www.phantomradioshow.com/) and Len (the Phantom) an old time PBA lane man is constantly complaining about today's balls and the integrity of our sport.

I don't think that the balls are the problem, I think that is progression of the sport. But I agree that the lanes are a problem, most houses like to put up an easy shot so people shoot higher scores and have more fun. This gives today's bowlers higher egos and averages that they wouldn't come close to carrying 30 years ago.

The sport shot is a good equalizer. However our lane man even made our sport shot easier halfway through the year because not enough people where buying beer and hanging out after bowling. In the first part of the season I was struggling with a 165 average, since the conditions changed slightly (still the hardest shot in the area) I've been averaging 205! I was able to bowl a 300 because the margin of error went from 1.5 boards to 5 boards...


I love bowling and can except that with today's balls and more consistent lane conditions scores are going to be higher. But no matter how many 200s or 300s I roll, I won't consider my self to be a skilled bowler until I can consistently throw clean series! The toughest bowlers in our league are 60 + years old. They can use today's balls to strike, and they are amazing with their spares!

[SledgeMe]

I would have to say that striking and high scores are leaps and bounds easier than in the 60s and 70s. In turn the clutch spares are suffering. My dad preaches Spares are the name of the game. That is probably the most true testament to today's game. Anyone can strike now, but when you leave that ringing 7 (LH) or 10 (RH) are you gonna be able to pick it up?

If you look at it score wise the scores suggest the game is much easier today, but if you look at the scores most of them have 2 incredibly high games and 1 mediocre game why? Spare conversion.

Striking is easier, but the game is still about Spares.

[BradM]

Last edited by can-ham : Today at 10:55 AM. Reason: wanted to mention I bowled a 300 one more time!

That's hilarious, I think you should lead all of your posts with "I bowled a 300 game but that's beside the point......" and then continue with whatever answer you were going to give in the first place.:D

As far as the topic goes, I think the old guys had it worse. It's just like any other sport. Equipment advances with the advancement of technology. I damn sure would rather bowl with my Hawg Zilla than with a Rubber Evertrue from 1905. Why? Because it would be easier.

[Ray75]

I don't mean for this to be a loaded question. I just wanted some opinions from the people I trust instead of a forum that I barely post on. I must admit, the older guys at our home lanes kick the crap out of the younger generation most of the time. I do have something intriguing to add. My grandmother (who is almost 80 now) told me that back in her younger years, you were considered trash if you went to the bowling alley. Has anyone else ever heard of this? I would assume she was talking about when she was in her early 20's.

[rugdoc]

I wish my Dad had the equipment back then like I have have now. He averaged the low 180's and only threw 3 600's in his life! I honestly think he would have been in the low 200's without any trouble.

[dw800seeker]

Nice topic. It is so hard to compare any sport from one era to another.

My opinion is that if I was time capsuled back to my home lanes in 1979 and played against the 15 year old me I would destroy that 165 average bowler using the same 1979 equipment.

I am way better than I was then. With all due respect to my dad who probably was bowling at his best in 1979. I believe a time capsuled me from the present would beat him pretty badly as well.

Harder question is would my dad time capsuled from 1979 to the present beat me or not using a Black Widow or Toxic. He was pretty talented but could not get his ball to hook as nicely as mine did even back then. With the new equipment and his consistent release he might carry more 10 pins now and kick my ass.

I am just sad that my dad died before I ever got a chance to play out any of these theories in real life.