BWS over thumb hole...

[LeftHook]

Recently I've noticed that I'm having more success with my BWP as it rolls into the pocket, but I couldn't figure out why. Last night after league (threw all 190's) I noticed something strange....when I sat down to clean the widows I saw that my BWS had some track marks over the thumb hole. It's strange, the two inner rings are cutting across at about 70 degrees (90 degrees being straight up through the center of the grip, just for a reference). My BWP doesn't have tracks over the thumb, but it also has an X-hole way out on the right side. I throw them both exactly the same way (stroker) and they are both skid/flip. I guess it's not a big deal, but it bothers me that it's doing it. By the looks of it, these tracks are the first two rotations of the ball, then the rings work there way out the side like normal.

I should say that even though it's doing it, I started last night with a 5 bagger. Should I live with it, or do I need to adjust my axis tilt on this ball...possibly an X hole to temper the flare?

[BubbaRay]

Let me ask you this. Can you actually hear the thunb hole thump when it first goeas into a rool? It sounds more like a release problem. How is t5he BWS drilled? skid/flip? or different then BWP. Kinda sounds like the ball is comming straight off your hand without any rotation and rolling over the thumb. If you could post a pic of the ball it will help alot.

[LeftHook]

It's drilled the same as the BWP- Skid/Flip high track. I can't hear it hit the thumb holes, and the ball does have plenty of revs. I usually put it down around 15, it rolls over 10-12 and breaks hard around 4-5. I can see it revving pretty hard as it goes down the lane. I can even see the holes start to work their way to the outside as it rolls. It looks the same as the BWP as it goes. It would say that with my release, the ball skids with a 45 degree axis, meaning that the direction of rotation during the skid points right at the pocket, so when it breaks it rolls straight at it. I don't have any pictures right now - I'm at work :)

Both balls have the same pin height and top weight. The HMB on the BWP was a little left of the CG (meaning it wasn't in line with the pin and CG), which is why my driller put an Xhole so it would kick it over. The BWS's HMB was right in line with the pin and cg and is placed 45 degrees right and below the thumb hole, so the driller decided we didn't need an xhole for kick.

What do yo think?

[BubbaRay]

Lefthook if the ball is reacting that good and you are scoring I would leave it alone. It may not be rolling over the thumb hole. If it was you'd hear it. It may be flaring from one side to the other and missing the hole.

[LeftHook]

Thanks. It may not be doing it all the time. It could just be when I get stupid and pitch it left or right, which has been known to happen. Most of the time I see the fresh oil tracks out to the side. Thanks for the help, I'll keep and eye on it tomorrow during league and let you know if it doe sit again.

I did just recently change from a 6 step approach to a 4 step because of timing issues (like 2 days ago), it may not even be doing now.

[LeftHook]

Definitely not rolling over the thumb hole. At league last night I kept checking the oil marks after each throw and they were at least a 1/4 to 1/2 inch away from the thumb hole and very high track. The marks I see there are probably from the first week I threw that crazy thing- back when it used to go wild.

So last night I had to pack up the BWS around frame 8...just wasn't working. It was a weird night, everyone was leaving tons of splits and singles- I've never seen anything like it- it was like rolling your ball into a pile of pillows. I decided it was time to switch to the BWP. I picked almost the same line, maybe two boards left, and finished out with all strikes. 188, 192, 204 were my totals on the night (not my high scores, but I usually have one crappy game, and these are all up there, so this is a new string high for me). I bowled next to a few people that were using a BWS and BWP with little success. Somehow they were throwing them completely straight. Even if I try to throw mine completely straight they hook about 7 boards. Their balls looked like they had never been cleaned either. So here it is:

Bad Form + Dirty, Oily Widows = 103's

....you have been warned....

[BubbaRay]

Well it's good to hear it's not rolling over the hole. It also sounds like it's reacting ok for you. You have a keen eye bud. keep up the great work and your scores will follow.

[PASSIONATEBOWLER]

Well it's good to hear it's not rolling over the hole. It also sounds like it's reacting ok for you. You have a keen eye bud. keep up the great work and your scores will follow.

Since I noticed that you have so many 300 and 800 series, I have a few questions:

1) How often do you practice (now that you're obviously a very accomplished bowler)? I'm wondering will bowling always require a lot of practice?

2) What do you find most difficult about bowling?

3) What do you feel is the biggest obtacle keeping experienced bowlers from reaching a 200+ average?

[BubbaRay]

Since I noticed that you have so many 300 and 800 series, I have a few questions:

1) How often do you practice (now that you're obviously a very accomplished bowler)? I'm wondering will bowling always require a lot of practice?

2) What do you find most difficult about bowling?

3) What do you feel is the biggest obtacle keeping experienced bowlers from reaching a 200+ average?

1) How often do you practice (now that you're obviously a very accomplished bowler)? I'm wondering will bowling always require a lot of practice?

Answer
Believe it or not I practice usually on Saturdays and Sundays. To keep your game sarp and in tune, Practice is necessary for any sport. You can't expect to go out and be 100% iF you do not practice. You have to be dedicated to this game if you paln on furthering you game.

2) What do you find most difficult about bowling?

Answer,,

The most difficult thing for me about bowling is keeping my feet in tiem with my arm swing.

3) What do you feel is the biggest obtacle keeping experienced bowlers from reaching a 200+ average?[/QUOTE]

Answer;
Concentration. I see too many bowlers doig just fine and then they get caught up with something going on and just get up and throw the ball. The mental game is a very important part of this game. Also I see them get discouraged about small things . If they have a night or two where nothing seems to be going right they just stop trying. For example, they are pounding the pocket and leaving 10 or 7 pins all night. They feelt like they shoot 700 for the night and wound up with a high 500 or low 600.

[idlehourlegend]

Yea like Bubba said To get good at this game like many others you have to practice. When I was first learning the sport I used to practice 6 days a week and have league the other day. This is how you get good. Also I agree that the biggest obstacle is this hard ball we have sitting on our shoulders. A lot of people do get discouraged after 1 bad shot or one bad night which you cant let to happen , It has happened to my dad he has lost his confidence and we from a 220 bowler to a 185 bowler, Confidence is very key to this game.

[LeftHook]

I recently discovered that if I take a few deep breaths and close my eyes while I wipe off my ball, I feel no pressure when I finally throw. I have also begun to look down at my feet while I get my fingers in the ball, then look up and start moving without thinking. My scores have improved greatly.

Take the ball out of the bag and put your brain in it, then zip it up so it can't get out.

[TenPinSniper]

Good answers Bubba, Idle...

Need to get back to practicing. It very easy to get where you do not go and practice. Since I'm sitting on 70+ free games I should not have an excuse for awhile.

This game takes alot of concentration and mental toughness. The physical game is easy, comparable to the other stuff, just need to keep it in tune.

Mental Toughness-This one cost me some money (Out of town tournment). Bowled 12 games, Single, Double and Team Event (twice). Bowled several game in the high 180 to 190, had a couple low games. In my last set I just gave on caring how my shots carried, this relaxed me, started making good adjustments and kept excuting good shots. End up shooting a 278 in my finally game. My only 200 game of the weekend. Sometimes you have to find something to keep your mind off bowling while you are sitting down to keep it clear and just relax and trust your skills. Was killing the pocket all weekend, no matter what adjustments I made on day one it did not work nor was it gonna work after the first game or two. Already talked myself out of that.


Don't get me wrong there are always thing you can work on physically, but the biggest obstacle for most good bowlers is the mental game and concentration.

*Some of the biggest things I see with the Jr Major Bowlers is lack of focus and needing to slow down. They just amp'd up after a couple of good shots.

[PASSIONATEBOWLER]

1) How often do you practice (now that you're obviously a very accomplished bowler)? I'm wondering will bowling always require a lot of practice?

Answer
Believe it or not I practice usually on Saturdays and Sundays. To keep your game sarp and in tune, Practice is necessary for any sport. You can't expect to go out and be 100% iF you do not practice. You have to be dedicated to this game if you paln on furthering you game.

2) What do you find most difficult about bowling?

Answer,,

The most difficult thing for me about bowling is keeping my feet in tiem with my arm swing.

3) What do you feel is the biggest obtacle keeping experienced bowlers from reaching a 200+ average?

Answer;
Concentration. I see too many bowlers doig just fine and then they get caught up with something going on and just get up and throw the ball. The mental game is a very important part of this game. Also I see them get discouraged about small things . If they have a night or two where nothing seems to be going right they just stop trying. For example, they are pounding the pocket and leaving 10 or 7 pins all night. They feelt like they shoot 700 for the night and wound up with a high 500 or low 600.[/QUOTE]

Thanks BubbaRay, I'll keep these tips in mind.

[Rowdy]

Practice between 3 to 4 days a week.
The answer for 2 and 3 is the same: Boredom!!! With these walled house shots all you have to do is find out what kind of speed the lanes will take and then throw it right and forget it. Boom! Instant strike or at least an easy spare shot. Then you get so bored you forget to bear down on a spare shot and there goes the score for that game.