I usually shake my head and walk back towards the ball return with my head down thinking "wow, that was utter trash." Then I think to myself, "alright, pick up the spare. You know you can, so do it." Sometimes I pick it up, other times I just end up getting something between 6 and 9 pins. I usually play the same line if I gutter. I just figure out what I did wrong (usually incorrect release), and try and correct it. If the same thing happens, I usually just laugh it off. I'm still starting out, so that seems to be acceptable. Of course when I get better, I'll have to start figuring out what went wrong.

I'm working on throwing less open frames now. I went and played 4 games tonight (I don't know why), and did mediocre. 109, 96, 122, 131. My hand was hurting, so I didn't really care what happened. My last game was quite interesting though. I ended up throwing and open-spare pattern all game. Or maybe it was the third game. I've determined that I can actually throw a decent straight ball one-handed. Still hurts, but it seemed to be more effective than my two-handed approach this evening. No more trying that though. I was just messing around tonight, although I wouldn't mind scoring about the same during league. Well, I'd prefer to score higher, but at least I'd make my average that way.

Oh, and to add on to what Birdman said about spare balls. I don't really see the need for one, right now. They seem like a good idea, but I can get a pretty decent straight ball. I've worked out the release for my "hooks" and my straights. Although, when I'm going for the 7-pin (I'm a lefty, so that's my enemy), I usually move over towards the middle dot, and aim for about the 12th-15th board.It usually gets there, heading for the gutter, and then straightens out at the last moment. I've scared my teammates plenty doing that, and I enjoy it

If your hand is hurting when you bowl, there is something very wrong with the grip in your ball. Something is amis. If the ball does not fit your hand properly, you WILL hurt your hand, ligaments and or tendons.

As an aside, when you watch me shoot a ten pin, you cannot tell what the lanes are doing since I completely remove the lane condition out of the equation. Only time I miss them is when I throw it bad. I will not get a rude awakening when say, the oil carries down by the 10 pin, and I'm expecting the ball to hook and it doesn't... And by using a spare ball, it further increases my margin for error on right side spare conversations.

And I assert that your statement about your previous shot "That was utter trash" is setting you up to not perform as well as you can. You have to understand that the mental game CAN afect the physical game. Try this: Just observe and be aware of how you throw the ball instead of being so quick to rush to judgement. Judgement on a bad shot will bring to the table a whole conversation about "This was a bad shot and I gotta fix it". You do not want to do this during competetion. You should endeavor to have your phsyical movements match your pre-shot visualation. And if your playing for score, never try and fix your game. Play what you have. What this means is if you are having troubles hooking the ball a lot, play the hook you are getting. Adjust your angle to get what you have into the pocket. Line up so if you throw the ball ok you will hit the pocket. Don't line up so you have to be dead perfect in your techinque to get to the pocket.

Like has been said in my intro thread, I'm using my dad's old ball, but I'm working on saving up for my own while trying to pay off some bills and some people. I'm looking for something with hook potential, but not too much. I'm going for subtlety, not a severe hook like I see a lot of people throw.

Pre-shot visualization? I should probably start doing that.

A lot of the times when I throw a gutter, it's usually because my release is all off. My hand turns completely, which for the most part allows the ball to head that way. If I keep my hand straight, doing the hand shake release, it works right. Usually, when I finish my release, I've got my left leg swung back and occasionally in the air, and my hand above my head. When I throw a gutter I look up at my hand and notice my palm is usually facing down. Probably because I wasn't really concentrating on the shot, or was concentrating too much.

Anywho, I'm hankering for a bus-ride down to the Pro Shop at Sierra Lanes, to go look at some balls, ask some questions. Hopefully the owner's there. I've got a few balls in mind, mainly the Ebonite Black Ice and the Storm Diablo. I've been looking at balls for about the past week, and have settled on those, and the the Ebonite Ice or Storm Hot Rod Hybrid. I'm trying to stay away from the Hot Rod, since that's the same ball my cousin uses. Kind of annoying trying to figure out which ball is yours in the mix of all those balls that look the same.

I have an Ebonite wildcat. Ebonite is good. Rolly you should find out why your hand is hurting also when you practice don't worry about ur scores, just make good repetitive shots.

It's hurting because I'm using my dad's old ball. I'd get it plugged and redrilled, but I don't think he'd appreciate that. That's why I'm working on getting my own. Hopefully it'll be within the next few weeks, if not sooner.

Heh, good repetitive shots. Not hard being a lefty Just need to find the spot and it's all said and done. haha. Of course I kid.

Since new bowling balls are quite expensive Rolly and it seems you, like myself, are strapped for cash. May I suggest are ask the local pro shops aroound your area if any "second hand" balls are for sale they are relatively inexpensive and plus the redrill/plug is going to cost you at least $25. You can bring back an old ball don't under estimate them.

Well, I wouldn't mind getting my dad's ball plugged and redrilled, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't like it. Even if I asked nicely and paid for it myself (with the little money I have), I highly doubt he would give me the approval. Then again, I haven't asked. So maybe I will, and if he gives the go ahead, I might go down there before Thursday. I'd really need to get rid of all the dings and scratches, too..or not. It seems to be doing fine as it is.

And, the pro-shop at Sierra Lanes drills for $25, so you're pretty dead on with that. Inserts and what not are about $10 extra, I think. Not too sure. Will ask when I go down there.

-Josh

Bowling with a ball that doesn't fit you can create bad habits, namely with your grip and release. Bad habits can take many times longer to break than they take to create. It might be worth even not bowling for awile to help you save up the money for that new ball.

Week 3 Results
Game 1=202
Game 2=192
Game 3=192
Total=586

I wish I would've got a 600, but I only had two opens I missed a 8 pin and I chopped a 3 pin cluster. My new estabished average is 195 steming from 3 series (555, 619, 586).
The team is currently 8-4, there are a possible 4 games we can win per week.

My week 3 results:

Game 1 - 96
Game 2 - 134
Game 3 - 134
Total - 364

Wasn't doing too bad, all things considered. Warm ups were trash, lanes were WAY too oily. Oil on the approach too, at first. Somebody messed up while doin' the lanes. Oh well. My overall avg. went up by 2 pins to 117. That's all I care about right now.