I've been bowling for about 3 mos. My average after bowling 46 games in 2 different houses is 153 with a high game of 219.

I'm fairly consistent at picking up all spares except the 10 pin. My strike ball involves standing on about board 24 and sending the ball over the 2nd arrow. I basically use a 3-6-9 system to pick up spares. Only difference is I move over 3, 5, or 7 boards to pick up the 2, 4, or 7 pin. To pick up the 10-pin, I generally start on board 35 and send the ball just inside the 3rd arrow. If I'm exact, I pick it up. If I'm off slightly, I hook the ball too much or it slides off in the gutter.

I use the 3-6-9 method for picking up the 3 and 6 pins. And, can pick those up consistently. I may eventually buy a spare ball, but for now I don't have one.

My question is, given my current style, whats the easiest line for me to pick up the 10-pin. I know there's an easier way.

Also, can you guys offer some advice on picking up the 8 and 9 pins. I sometimes get confused on where to stand to pick these up and make the wrong move.

Thanks!

You need a plastic spare ball, such as the Columbia Blue Dot. Then shoot straight at the pin, the plastic ball slides and counters the hook.

I draw an imaginary line from the 10 pin, through the center arrow, and throw from there.

The 9 pin, 3-9, 3-10, 3-6-10, 3-6-9-10, are all the same shot. Reverse it for the 8, 2-8, 2-4-7, 2-4-7-8.

If you can pick up the 3-9 sleeper, and the 2-8 sleeper, the same 2 shots will clear all the corner combination shots, except 4-7 and 6-10.

I have to agree with Coach04, if you are a hook player, your best bet is to get a spare ball, a plastic type ball, and use that for right side corner pin shots. Have it drilled to match your strike ball and then just practice with it to find out where you need to stand to throw it.

I agree that a plastic ball is the way to go here. However I also need to get one myself. What I do for my right corner spares is to intentionally break my wrist backward.(oppisite of cupping the ball. I usually only put my thumb in halfway on this shot. I try to roll the shot off the front of my fingers and stay behind the ball. I stand 35 and throw at third arrow. This changed wrist position doesn't allow you any lift as to deaden the hook.

Plastic is the way to go but this has gotten me through. Hope it helps you.

I want to get a spare ball soon myself, but for now I can throw my 2001 Blue Hammer straight fairly well, but I do sometimes still get a bit of hook on it.

I also read somewhere that for your spare ball, it's better to get the standard drilling instead of the fingertip. The standard is easier to throw straight and the different grip is a reminder that it's a different ball.

Hey guys,

Which is better a polyester or plastic ball? This may be a whole new discussion. He he he

First of all polyester and plastic are one and the same. Second, there is more than one way to skin a cat. I do not use a spare ball and have never used one. I know there are people out there that need them for many different reasons but it is not the only option. I can throw my most aggressive equipment dead straight so I do not feel the need to get a plastic ball. What this does is gives me the option to carry another piece of equipment that I may need at a tournament. Just wanted to point that out because recently all I have read on here is spare ball and I just wanted to say it is not for everyone. If you can learn to kill the ball that works also.

...I also read somewhere that for your spare ball, it's better to get the standard drilling instead of the fingertip. The standard is easier to throw straight and the different grip is a reminder that it's a different ball....

I don't agree with this at all. Strongly don't agree. The MAIN advantage and goal to a plastic ball is that it will not react to oil, but give you the same hand feeling upon delivery. So have it drilled (spec wise) like your strike equipment.

Erin

Your formula for picking up spares should be adjusted for you personally. So the 3-6-9 method of spare pick up is a great way to start but may need tweaking for you personally. This you will have to just keep Track of in your mind every time you bowl and gradually your own varience to the system will be in place.

Now to compound the situation. Once you have your system in place, you need to access the back end condition (seems most important to me, IMO when adjusting spare conversions on different conditions) every time you bowl. You may need to futher tweak your numbers depending on strong or weak backends.

Erin

OK Erin, then we strongly agree to disagree. One of the things you learn as you improve your game is how to change your release to get different reactions. In my case that is all I am doing. Of course I have been doing this for 45 years. I started when you only carried one ball. Maybe as I get older I will have to go to a spare ball but not in the near future as far as I can see.