PROFESSIONAL BOWLERS AND TOP COACHES long have disagreed over the many subtle manifestations that can take place in the downswing. It is understandable why this aspect of the game provokes such controversy, because it is the backswing that’s often modified to accommodate the specific physiology of the bowler.

Some modifications work well; some do not. The downswing is more stringent in keeping with fundamental technique; a complicated process, it affords little deviation.

Consider: In the downswing, your arms, shoulders, legs and hips all move at the same time, with varying speed and directions in order to set the ball down on a specific board on the lane. Is it any wonder many beginners frequently roll gutter balls?

The key to a successful downswing is found primarily in the transition point between the end of the backswing and the beginning of the downswing. Concentrate on letting the weight of the ball initiate the downswing. If this is done, it affords the best opportunity for the arms, hips and legs to coordinate so as to provide an ideal swing speed, leverage and the correct swing direction. If all the parts move in correct sequence, you will be more consistent.

The downswing movement starts from the ideal position at the top of the backswing. Your best preparation is to create a strong coil with the upper body so there is tension between it and your lower body. This tension allows the weight of the ball to easily drop into the ideal swing on the way down.

continue reading.....

WHILE CLINTON AND OBAMA ARE STILL BUSY TRYING TO GET THE UPPER HAND in their primary campaigns, we here at the Bowlers Journal have the final results of our own meaningful voting that you’re sure to be more interested in.

These results are from our bowling ball ballots to determine the sport’s best products for 2007. We know you can’t stand the suspense, so without any further preamble, the top vote-getter for the coveted Ball of the Year award is the Storm T Road solid.

The T Road was chosen for its user and lane versatility, overall hitting and carry power and its longevity. The T Road encapsulates a medium-high RG symmetric core (2.57) and a Diff (.046) which produces about 5” of track flare potential. Surrounding this core is Storm’s highly successful R2S coverstock.

Runner-up to this year’s choice was the Hammer Black Widow pearl, sister of last year’s winner, the Black Widow solid. Obviously, that lineage helped.

Other winners include the Hammer Cherry Vibe, which was voted Best Value. The Ebonite Gamebreaker was chosen as Most Underrated, while the Ebonite NVS was voted Most Overrated. The Most Attractive choice was Lane Masters’ World Class Particle Pearl.

continue reading.....

Older synthetic approaches and the humidity factor.

Why are all synthetic approaches so sticky, and what can be done to get some kind of slide on these approaches?

— Stanley Bridgestone, Austin, Texas
Actually, all synthetic approaches are not sticky. The cause of sticky synthetic approaches is high humidity in the bowling center. In centers with very low humidity — those in Las Vegas come to mind — the older-style synthetic approaches can be very slick.

The reason for the stickiness problem is that old-style synthetic approaches have a relatively small humidity range in which the slide is acceptable. The perfect humidity for old-style synthetic approaches is around 45%, with an acceptable slide generated when the humidity is between 38% and 53%.

Wood approaches offer an acceptable slide from around 28% to 60%. In centers with old-style synthetic approaches, the only solution to the problem is to totally control the humidity throughout the building, which is not easy to do in an older bowling center.

Note: I mention “old-style” synthetic approaches because, in recent years, many of the bowling equipment manufacturers have changed their approaches to a textured surface, which gives them a slide characteristic that is more similar to wood approaches. Older synthetic centers can upgrade to this surface.)

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT BALL

With all the different bowling balls out there, how does a bowler make the correct selection for his/her game?
— Bobby Plaxton, St. George, Utah
The real question involves selecting the best pro shop operator for your game. Even pro bowlers rely on ball reps to select the proper ball and layout for the bowling condition and the type of game that they employ.

continue reading.....

ROLLING A STRIKE IN BOWLING IS MUCH EASIER than hitting a home run, and does not require big muscle prowess. Unlike baseball, what is required of a skilled bowler is a much higher percentage in realizing the ultimate result.

Most professional bowlers today exceed the average of seven strikes per game. Doing so requires repetition; i.e., being able to repeat positive technique at a high percentage. This pertains to all aspects of the game, but where it is most often overlooked by the average bowler concerns the ball grip.

The weight of the ball in the stance should be supported predominantly by the bowling hand. This is automatically accomplished by positioning the ball slightly right of center (right-handers), with the gripping hand supporting the ball from underneath, thus transferring approximately two-thirds of the weight of the ball onto the bowling hand.

Only when lack of strength is a factor would it be in the bowler’s best interest to distribute the weight equally between the hands.

Although there are several pro bowlers who are exceptions, I recommend you assume your grip by putting your fingers into the ball first, then your thumb. This makes it much easier to regulate proper finger and thumb depth.

If you put the thumb in first, there is more probability it will be inserted too deeply, or not deep enough; consequently, the depth of the fingers also will be affected negatively. An exception to this rule is made when a bowler wishes to kill the amount of hook.

continue reading.....

Read

continue reading.....

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Two bowlers looking to establish themselves at the USBC Open Championships made… Read

continue reading.....