Need some advice

[grayfin68]

I am seriously struggling and I don't know what is wrong with me. Ever since the PBA Experience League started this summer, I have struggled mightily in not only the league, but in practice.

I've only had one good practice session in a couple of months. I practiced today to take advantage of the oil left over from last night, but what good does it do when I miss my mark and mess up my release so frequently?

I am at the point of total frustration and don't know what to do. Should I not bowl until next league night or try to practice it out of my system? Should I get lessons? If so, I have to search for a teaching pro, since we don't have one at our house.

The lane manager is good at giving advice, but he gets swamped working the counter and other stuff, so that's not a viable option.

Any advice is appreciated. I've never been in such a slump in my life.

[Thepainscoming]

One thing, just go out and bowl a few games for fun. Don't go for working on something. Go with a friend or 2 and just bowl for fun. Try and hit ur mark but don't worry if u don't. U r way too frustrated. Go out with a friend bowl like 3-5 games just for fun.

[BubbaRay]

That's some good advice pain.

Now when you are ready to practice, see if a freind has a video camera and video tape you. Look at this long and hard and see what might be wrong in your aproach / release / armswing / . Also see if the ball is getting to you target in the video.

And like Pain said, don't worry about score when you practice.

[grayfin68]

One thing, just go out and bowl a few games for fun. Don't go for working on something. Go with a friend or 2 and just bowl for fun. Try and hit ur mark but don't worry if u don't. U r way too frustrated. Go out with a friend bowl like 3-5 games just for fun.

I guess the reason I get so frustrated is because I know I can bowl so much better. I went bowling with my wife a couple of weeks ago for fun, but I have a hard time enjoying the game when I am doing poorly. I'm also a very competitive person, so it's hard for me to lighten up and not take things so seriously.

[grayfin68]

That's some good advice pain.

Now when you are ready to practice, see if a freind has a video camera and video tape you. Look at this long and hard and see what might be wrong in your aproach / release / armswing / . Also see if the ball is getting to you target in the video.

And like Pain said, don't worry about score when you practice.

I've been wanting to get a video camera and a tripod for a long time now. I could use it for bowling and golf (aside from the normal family stuff). I may try that.

The thing is that I know when I throw it well and when I hit my mark. It's like I know what I am doing wrong, I just don't know why I'm doing it. And it's not the same single mistake. It's a couple of things.

Sometimes I don't finish my follow through. Sometimes I drop the ball. Sometimes I hang on to it. Sometimes I cross over. Sometimes I get it too far outside. There's so many things LOL.

[Thepainscoming]

I guess the reason I get so frustrated is because I know I can bowl so much better. I went bowling with my wife a couple of weeks ago for fun, but I have a hard time enjoying the game when I am doing poorly. I'm also a very competitive person, so it's hard for me to lighten up and not take things so seriously.
I am pretty competitive too. And i have been bowling the best in practice because i don't care about me throwing a bad shot because i know it doesn't count for anything. And grayfin, one piece of advice. Go in it with this mindframe, unless u r getting $200,000 for this game or series, its fine if u don't bowl ur average. Theres always another day. It seems like u r getting mad at urself, but not a loud. And i bet u ur wife had fun that time. If she is not a league bowler she probably had fun because bowling is a fun sport. People lose sight of that when they start getting better and start setting their standard high. U lose sight of the reason u started, because it is fun. Once u lose that, u will bowl badly and have a poor attidude. Go into league next time just bowling for fun. Joke around with ur friends.

[dw800seeker]

I think sometimes we get too result oriented. Try to relax and not worry about what is wrong. You might be too tense trying not to mess up rather than letting the good shots come.

Slumps come and go.

[grayfin68]

I am pretty competitive too. And i have been bowling the best in practice because i don't care about me throwing a bad shot because i know it doesn't count for anything. And grayfin, one piece of advice. Go in it with this mindframe, unless u r getting $200,000 for this game or series, its fine if u don't bowl ur average. Theres always another day. It seems like u r getting mad at urself, but not a loud. And i bet u ur wife had fun that time. If she is not a league bowler she probably had fun because bowling is a fun sport. People lose sight of that when they start getting better and start setting their standard high. U lose sight of the reason u started, because it is fun. Once u lose that, u will bowl badly and have a poor attidude. Go into league next time just bowling for fun. Joke around with ur friends.

That's good advice, thanks!

[grayfin68]

I think sometimes we get too result oriented. Try to relax and not worry about what is wrong. You might be too tense trying not to mess up rather than letting the good shots come.

Slumps come and go.

Maybe I need to find the balance between focusing too hard and not focusing enough. I've been guilty of both.

[Thepainscoming]

That's good advice, thanks!

Ur welcome, i had the same problem like 3 months ago.

[bluerrpilot]

I've only had one good practice session in a couple of months. I practiced today to take advantage of the oil left over from last night, but what good does it do when I miss my mark and mess up my release so frequently?

I am at the point of total frustration and don't know what to do. Should I not bowl until next league night or try to practice it out of my system? Should I get lessons? If so, I have to search for a teaching pro, since we don't have one at our house.



Try practicing where you know you can strike. Someplace soft and easy. Where you can just relax and throw the ball. Once you start throwing strikes again, you will get your confidence back. Then you will just start flowing again.

[grayfin68]

Try practicing where you know you can strike. Someplace soft and easy. Where you can just relax and throw the ball. Once you start throwing strikes again, you will get your confidence back. Then you will just start flowing again.

Funny you should mention that. Last night before league, I had my only good practice session in recent memory. The lanes were dry and I was bowling great, striking and making spares. I rolled 3 games, two of them 220's and a 190 something.

I was confident going into league, but something happened to me that I can't explain. I realize that on the PBA patterns, any miss of your mark and you won't strike, but I was making all kinds of errors that I wasn't in practice.

I must be taking myself too seriously and trying too hard or something.

[EIGHTBALL033]

I am seriously struggling and I don't know what is wrong with me. Ever since the PBA Experience League started this summer, I have struggled mightily in not only the league, but in practice.

I've only had one good practice session in a couple of months. I practiced today to take advantage of the oil left over from last night, but what good does it do when I miss my mark and mess up my release so frequently?

I am at the point of total frustration and don't know what to do. Should I not bowl until next league night or try to practice it out of my system? Should I get lessons? If so, I have to search for a teaching pro, since we don't have one at our house.

The lane manager is good at giving advice, but he gets swamped working the counter and other stuff, so that's not a viable option.

Any advice is appreciated. I've never been in such a slump in my life.

LESSONS WOULD BE GOOD INVESTMENT,HE WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT YOU DONT,SECOND I WOULD GO BACK TO BASICS,CHECK TIPS ON http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm ,help me when i went back and read some of the tips,especially about release,good luck,KEEP HEAD UP AND PINS DOWN,KEEP US POSTED GRAY:cool:

[Thepainscoming]

Ask yourself this, r u trying anything different to get a different reaction?

[grayfin68]

LESSONS WOULD BE GOOD INVESTMENT,HE WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT YOU DONT,SECOND I WOULD GO BACK TO BASICS,CHECK TIPS ON http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm ,help me when i went back and read some of the tips,especially about release,good luck,KEEP HEAD UP AND PINS DOWN,KEEP US POSTED GRAY:cool:

Lessons would probably help, but it's hard to find someone down here to give them. I'll look into it though. I've only had one formal lesson in my life so...

I have looked at that website in the past and it would be a good idea to go back and review the basics. Thanks, and I'll keep you posted!

[grayfin68]

Ask yourself this, r u trying anything different to get a different reaction?

No, nothing out of the ordinary.

[Thepainscoming]

No, nothing out of the ordinary.
Have you changed anything at all when u started doing bad. Maybe a speed difference, rev difference.

[grayfin68]

Have you changed anything at all when u started doing bad. Maybe a speed difference, rev difference.

No. I always need to slow down when there is heavier oil. So far, all of the PBA patterns have a lot more volume than the house shot. But it's not a drastic change in speed. I'm talking less than 1 mph difference.

I have been working on keeping my hand under the ball and not spinning the ball so much.

What's funny is that people always tell me when I turn my wrist over and not to do that, but I swear to god it helps me get more revs and more hook on the ball. It also makes my track lower. But maybe that's just my style and I should just live with it?

[Thepainscoming]

No. I always need to slow down when there is heavier oil. So far, all of the PBA patterns have a lot more volume than the house shot. But it's not a drastic change in speed. I'm talking less than 1 mph difference.

I have been working on keeping my hand under the ball and not spinning the ball so much.

What's funny is that people always tell me when I turn my wrist over and not to do that, but I swear to god it helps me get more revs and more hook on the ball. It also makes my track lower. But maybe that's just my style and I should just live with it?
U know wut u might want to try is go back to your old style. Maybe the slight change has messed up your consistency and in turn lowered ur scores.

[grayfin68]

U know wut u might want to try is go back to your old style. Maybe the slight change has messed up your consistency and in turn lowered ur scores.

I'm starting to think that. I compare it to the golf course. You don't try to fix someone's swing on the tee box. You do it on the practice tee.

There are plenty of good bowlers in my league and on my team, but sometimes people can offer assistance and it may not be the time or place for it. I should learn how to filter out stuff like that though. I'm a grown man and I can politely take the advice and file it somewhere if I don't want to take it without saying anything negative to my teammate who is trying to help me.

[Thepainscoming]

I'm starting to think that. I compare it to the golf course. You don't try to fix someone's swing on the tee box. You do it on the practice tee.

There are plenty of good bowlers in my league and on my team, but sometimes people can offer assistance and it may not be the time or place for it. I should learn how to filter out stuff like that though. I'm a grown man and I can politely take the advice and file it somewhere if I don't want to take it without saying anything negative to my teammate who is trying to help me. Yeah, i would go practice sometime before ur next league if u can and try and go back to your original swing. Or just go whenever you can and try and go back to your original way.

[grayfin68]

Yeah, i would go practice sometime before ur next league if u can and try and go back to your original swing. Or just go whenever you can and try and go back to your original way.

It's either that or listen to the changes and be patient. The thing is that I'm a lot more consistent bowling the way I used to. Sometimes, textbook is not the answer. The same theory applies in golf. Jim Furyk has one of the goofiest looking, swings in the game, yet he is a top 10 player in the world. There are many ways to do things and get good results.

[Thepainscoming]

It's either that or listen to the changes and be patient. The thing is that I'm a lot more consistent bowling the way I used to. Sometimes, textbook is not the answer. The same theory applies in golf. Jim Furyk has one of the goofiest looking, swings in the game, yet he is a top 10 player in the world. There are many ways to do things and get good results. Yes, there are many pros that don't have good techniques, but are the best out there
Walter ray doesn't have the best timing, but is called the best bowler ever.

[NeoWidow18]

I like what pain told you to do. I have to do the same thing every so often or I get all wraped up in the "sport" and not the fun of bowling.

IMO your thinking WAY too much. Dont worry if you leave a pin or 4. lol just make a joke of it. When I leave a few pins in league I say things like: "should have thrown my spare ball first." or "Next time Im going to get the gun." And if I leave a 10 pin and miss it. I say "Should have threw my strike ball for practice." Oh and try not to look at the scores. (helped me alot) And stay calm. If you throw a bad shot oh well your not a pro. Just get up there next time and hit the damn mark. lol Your mind has to be right. Its all mental. You are a good bowler. Everyone can be a good bowler. Just fix your mental game. Tell your self your a good bowler every time you step on the aproach. It will help you get your confudence up. It WILL help. (trust me)

Little things like that will get your mind off the "sport" and back on the fun of bowling. I know some times it doesnt seem like I know what Im talking about But I do on this. As this is a problem Ive sruggled with aswell. Sorry its so long. Just wanted to help. Let me know if it does.

[Thepainscoming]

Just make sure u know wut frame it is:eek: I did that once not looking at the score and stepped up on somebody's fill ball in the tenth as they went to get another ball to experiment and threw my ball.:eek: I look now.

[NeoWidow18]

Just make sure u know wut frame it is:eek: I did that once not looking at the score and stepped up on somebody's fill ball in the tenth as they went to get another ball to experiment and threw my ball.:eek: I look now.

Yeah. but my cuz lets me know what frame it is. lol :p

[Thepainscoming]

Yeah. but my cuz lets me know what frame it is. lol :p O ok, thats good. My old teammates would do that, it would piss me off because i knew that and i usually had to strike out to shoot good and it became added pressure.

[NeoWidow18]

O ok, thats good. My old teammates would do that, it would piss me off because i knew that and i usually had to strike out to shoot good and it became added pressure.

Yeah thats sucks.

[bluerrpilot]

No. I always need to slow down when there is heavier oil. So far, all of the PBA patterns have a lot more volume than the house shot. But it's not a drastic change in speed. I'm talking less than 1 mph difference.

I have been working on keeping my hand under the ball and not spinning the ball so much.

I was confident going into league, but something happened to me that I can't explain. I realize that on the PBA patterns, any miss of your mark and you won't strike, but I was making all kinds of errors that I wasn't in practice.

There is your problems.

League or tournements are not the time for working on mechanics. Thats what practice is for..not shadow practice, but open play practice.

Your trying to slow down! Why? What happens to most people when trying to slow down ball speed, there arm speed and release has now slowed down. Instead of throwing the ball, your trying to be carefull and placing the ball. You might slow down ball speed but there is no longer any authority in your delivery or release. Which means theres no "bite" to the ball. Get that ball "into" the lane sooner and working sooner to generate some friction.

Think of a pitcher throwing a curveball. We just do it underhand. You look at your target and throw with a crisp snap. You dont try to guide it in there. If you do theres no reaction on the ball.


Just my 2 cents

[grayfin68]

There is your problems.

League or tournements are not the time for working on mechanics. Thats what practice is for..not shadow practice, but open play practice.

Your trying to slow down! Why? What happens to most people when trying to slow down ball speed, there arm speed and release has now slowed down. Instead of throwing the ball, your trying to be carefull and placing the ball. You might slow down ball speed but there is no longer any authority in your delivery or release. Which means theres no "bite" to the ball. Get that ball "into" the lane sooner and working sooner to generate some friction.

Think of a pitcher throwing a curveball. We just do it underhand. You look at your target and throw with a crisp snap. You dont try to guide it in there. If you do theres no reaction on the ball.


Just my 2 cents

I appreciate your advice and am not going to argue with you, but I know a fair amount of really good bowlers who slow their speed down when the lanes get slick. I know there's a way to get revs without a lot of speed, I just haven't figured it out yet.

Also, my practice session was before league. I don't practice during league. I'm just saying that some of my teammates try to help me during play, which may not be the best thing unless what I'm doing is so obviously wrong.

[bluerrpilot]

I appreciate your advice and am not going to argue with you, but I know a fair amount of really good bowlers who slow their speed down when the lanes get slick. I know there's a way to get revs without a lot of speed, I just haven't figured it out yet.



I may have been a little confusing trying to explain what I was thinking.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with slowing down the ball speed. Just when you do it, make sure you stay "Firm" with the release. Too many people get try to get carefull and soft with that which takes off a bit a pop. Slow it down with the height of the ball position, and dont try to "force" it to go slower.

[steveo#3]

A little tip with changing speeds...I do this and it works real well for me...first you can reduce your backswing but come back with your normal follow through or you can just slow your arm speed with relaxation or whatever works to reduce your speed, just remembet that you have to still get the proper revs on the ball to send it to the pocket....this may not work for everyone but I find it a useful way for me to adjust to lane conditions.

[Rowdy]

Good thing I read the whole thread,Eightball said what I was going to:Back to the Basics. Have done it in golf and bowling. Review EVERYTHING and take nothing for granted. There could be one little thing early in the swing wrong,but by the time you get to the release point it's turned into a monster thats killing you. Leave your pride in the car and start all over,grip,stance,swing all of it. Bet you find your answer in there somewhere. Any Hammerheads nearby for an extra set of eyes on this?

[NeoWidow18]

I like what pain told you to do. I have to do the same thing every so often or I get all wraped up in the "sport" and not the fun of bowling.

IMO your thinking WAY too much. Dont worry if you leave a pin or 4. lol just make a joke of it. When I leave a few pins in league I say things like: "should have thrown my spare ball first." or "Next time Im going to get the gun." And if I leave a 10 pin and miss it. I say "Should have threw my strike ball for practice." Oh and try not to look at the scores. (helped me alot) And stay calm. If you throw a bad shot oh well your not a pro. Just get up there next time and hit the damn mark. lol Your mind has to be right. Its all mental. You are a good bowler. Everyone can be a good bowler. Just fix your mental game. Tell your self your a good bowler every time you step on the aproach. It will help you get your confudence up. It WILL help. (trust me)

Little things like that will get your mind off the "sport" and back on the fun of bowling. I know some times it doesnt seem like I know what Im talking about But I do on this. As this is a problem Ive sruggled with aswell. Sorry its so long. Just wanted to help. Let me know if it does.

since this seemed to get over looked. here it is agian. lol :D