</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">Originally posted by BoySa:
Secondly, it is essential right away, before you start developing bad habits in trying to make those corner spares with your regular ball. With the spare ball, you can release the shot the same, every time.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">That makes sense. I'm planning to pick up a spare ball in the near future. For now I do throw my ball straight when needed, but it does affect my consistency with the curves.

Last night I left the 10 pin on about my second frame on the night. I stood on about board 35 and went close to center arrow. I straightened out my wrist and followed straight through on release. The ball went straight at the 10-pin. All in all last night, I picked up the 10-pin 3 times and the 6,10 twice. I never opened a 10-pin spare.

Furthermore, I wasn't trying to say no one needs a spare ball. Its good to have of course. But, I think I'm ok with waiting a couple months (or longer). As I said, I'm pretty consistent at picking up spares. I have trouble getting my strike ball in there consistently right now because I've been focusing alot on spares. I leave on average about 2 opens a game. They have generally been spares involving the 10pin and the occassional bad first ball. Which is why I posted here for help on the 10-pin.

I also tried to speed the ball up as much as possible on the 10-pin.

Sounds like you are on to a consistant routine of picking up 10 pins. Consistancy is the main thing in bowling. Keep it up!

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">Originally posted by No open tenths:
Sounds like you are on to a consistant routine of picking up 10 pins. Consistancy is the main thing in bowling. Keep it up! </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">Very true. That's why on Monday nights I still throw straight. I can throw some nice shots when I use a hook but I haven't yet gotten consistent.

I practice 4 to 6 games a week to improve my consistency and have found that games with hook balls range from 100 to 185 while games with straight throws range from 130 to 160. As long as I continue getting less than 120 with hook games, I'm going to stick with straight in the league bowling.

It takes a while to get a consistent hook release...still working on that myself. My scores range from about 135-180. I didn't throw straight balls for very long. A hook just kinda came along natural with a fingertip grip. I mostly struggle with my speed. Sometimes I'm too fast-sometimes too slow. But, if you pick up the spares, you can still make a pretty decent game of it until the strikes start coming.

Interesting post, thought I would put in my 2 cents. My husband uses his aggressive/strike equipment for all spares and has mastered killing the ball when necessary, mostly for right hand spares (rt. handed bowler). As for myself, I rarely go below a 95% spare conversion rate for the week (and I bowl a lot) using a plastic spare ball. The only difference I notice between the two of us is that when we are bowling on different conditions in tournaments/different houses/etc., I remain consistent with my spare game, but my husband struggles a bit more (not to say he still doesn't bowl well, just has more adjusting to do than I). As for drilling...this goes without saying, all of your equipment should feel as close to the "same" as possible.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">Originally posted by dcompguru:
It takes a while to get a consistent hook release...still working on that myself. My scores range from about 135-180. I didn't throw straight balls for very long. A hook just kinda came along natural with a fingertip grip. I mostly struggle with my speed. Sometimes I'm too fast-sometimes too slow. But, if you pick up the spares, you can still make a pretty decent game of it until the strikes start coming. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">I do find that at least with the hook throws, most of the misses are spareable. The hook doesn't leave splits as often as the straight throw.

I'm going to practice a couple games Monday morning, then in the league Monday night I'm going to see how it goes using the hook.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">Originally posted by makinshots:
Interesting post, thought I would put in my 2 cents. My husband uses his aggressive/strike equipment for all spares and has mastered killing the ball when necessary, mostly for right hand spares (rt. handed bowler). As for myself, I rarely go below a 95% spare conversion rate for the week (and I bowl a lot) using a plastic spare ball. The only difference I notice between the two of us is that when we are bowling on different conditions in tournaments/different houses/etc., I remain consistent with my spare game, but my husband struggles a bit more (not to say he still doesn't bowl well, just has more adjusting to do than I). As for drilling...this goes without saying, all of your equipment should feel as close to the "same" as possible. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">I agree. With no spare ball, it does take more adjustments to different conditions for picking up spares. I make all adjustments relatives to the location of my strike ball (staying fairly close to the 3-6-9 system).

Great...whatever works for you. IMO the best thing a bowler can do is ask questions, which you are, and make notes, you never know when you will need something and, bang, there it is. My motto: Other peoples stepping stones may become your rock one day.