Will the impending closure of my pro shop at White Plains Bowl and the exodus of all the bowlers to other centers, I've had the chance to follow up and see how they're doing in their new environments. I've seen some bowlers prosper while on more occasions that I want to admit, there have been some who struggled to match up in their new homes.
Here's something you all need to keep uppermost in your minds: all house patterns are NOT the same. Every pair is a puzzle and asking for something different. Lane surface, oil type, machine, stripping schedule, pattern length, pins and the proprietor's idea about where the shot should be can all have you standing in different spots using different pieces. This is where an open mind and losing preconceived notions must come into play.
The first thing we all need to do is find the bounce, the burn; if it's truly, THE HOUSE SHOT, somewhere is dry. Being right handed, I need that friction right of my target. My first shot is always up 5, the first arrow, using something in the middle of my bag. I expect that it's going to hook early and jump across the lane and if it doesn't, I'll grab something more aggressive until it does. Next is where's the hang. When I tug my shot, I need hold or that artificial curb to keep my ball from going high in the pocket. So my second or third shot is inside the area I believe I'll end up playing, maybe like the 12-13 board. I expect a washout or at least a 2 pin. If it hooks, the next shot will be in another arrow into the 15-17 range and again looking for that washout. When I find both the hook and the hang, then I start aligning myself so both hit the pocket. I'm not looking for carry just yet, merely the pocket. You see, I need area. If I'm lined up properly, I should miss 2 boards inside my target and strike flush and also have at least 2 boards to miss right. Including my target board, that's at least 5 boards and expect to have no less than an 80% carry. Every 12 frames I bowl, 2-3 shots a game I should strike because the proprietor put down a shot that helped guide my ball to the pocket. 2-3 shots should strike because the ball manufacturer put a product in my hands which gave me a strong ball reaction. The rest is my game and ability to duplicate shots.
So first and foremost on EVERY lane you bowl on, ALWAYS find the too much hook zone, then find the not enough hook zone. Split the difference. Then begin fine tuning with your bowling bag, super fine tune with your game changers if needed; hand position and speed.
Transitions: when you swing and it either hooks too much or sets up flat, start moving in or grab a shiner piece. If you tug and it doesn't finish strong enough, could be carrydown, nudge yourself out or grab something a tad stronger. If the ball just flat out hooks too early, step in, grab something shinier or maybe do both. The lane is constantly giving you clues.
That's your job: Read, React and Commit.
Last bit of advice on this, Stop bowling exclusively on SPORT shots. There's plenty to learn bowling on house patterns; especially from different centers. All your feel for keeping yourself lined up and hitting the pocket can be groomed and mastered on these presumably simple lane conditions. Don't fall into the trap of not learning how to kill a lane condition. String em up. Later on when you are on a sport pattern and it's a game or two in, those instincts to find some hold and some bounce will absolutely come in play.
Here's something you all need to keep uppermost in your minds: all house patterns are NOT the same. Every pair is a puzzle and asking for something different. Lane surface, oil type, machine, stripping schedule, pattern length, pins and the proprietor's idea about where the shot should be can all have you standing in different spots using different pieces. This is where an open mind and losing preconceived notions must come into play.
The first thing we all need to do is find the bounce, the burn; if it's truly, THE HOUSE SHOT, somewhere is dry. Being right handed, I need that friction right of my target. My first shot is always up 5, the first arrow, using something in the middle of my bag. I expect that it's going to hook early and jump across the lane and if it doesn't, I'll grab something more aggressive until it does. Next is where's the hang. When I tug my shot, I need hold or that artificial curb to keep my ball from going high in the pocket. So my second or third shot is inside the area I believe I'll end up playing, maybe like the 12-13 board. I expect a washout or at least a 2 pin. If it hooks, the next shot will be in another arrow into the 15-17 range and again looking for that washout. When I find both the hook and the hang, then I start aligning myself so both hit the pocket. I'm not looking for carry just yet, merely the pocket. You see, I need area. If I'm lined up properly, I should miss 2 boards inside my target and strike flush and also have at least 2 boards to miss right. Including my target board, that's at least 5 boards and expect to have no less than an 80% carry. Every 12 frames I bowl, 2-3 shots a game I should strike because the proprietor put down a shot that helped guide my ball to the pocket. 2-3 shots should strike because the ball manufacturer put a product in my hands which gave me a strong ball reaction. The rest is my game and ability to duplicate shots.
So first and foremost on EVERY lane you bowl on, ALWAYS find the too much hook zone, then find the not enough hook zone. Split the difference. Then begin fine tuning with your bowling bag, super fine tune with your game changers if needed; hand position and speed.
Transitions: when you swing and it either hooks too much or sets up flat, start moving in or grab a shiner piece. If you tug and it doesn't finish strong enough, could be carrydown, nudge yourself out or grab something a tad stronger. If the ball just flat out hooks too early, step in, grab something shinier or maybe do both. The lane is constantly giving you clues.
That's your job: Read, React and Commit.
Last bit of advice on this, Stop bowling exclusively on SPORT shots. There's plenty to learn bowling on house patterns; especially from different centers. All your feel for keeping yourself lined up and hitting the pocket can be groomed and mastered on these presumably simple lane conditions. Don't fall into the trap of not learning how to kill a lane condition. String em up. Later on when you are on a sport pattern and it's a game or two in, those instincts to find some hold and some bounce will absolutely come in play.
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