Hey gang... I've taken up bowling again after a long layoff (about 28 years!) and I'm trying to re-learn my fundamentals from scratch. Right now I'm working on my approach. I've been using a 4-step delivery starting 12 ft. from the foul line (closest set of dots on the approach) but the whole length and tempo of my steps feels wrong, and I think I'm rushing my last two steps to catch up to my armswing.

I'm 6' tall but most of my height is in my torso; I have short legs for my height (I wear a 32" inseam) and if I take 4 steps in a natural stride it only measures out to 9 feet. My arms, however, are about 32" long from the top of the shoulder to the tip of the middle finger (or 27" to the center of my palm). Should I try a 5-step delivery? My normal stride at 5 steps comes out to 11.25', which seems just about perfect if I'm starting 12 feet back from the foul line.

Both approaches are widely used. Well the fact that you are rushing your last 2 steps is a sign that your timing is off. You need to work on your timing so your feet and your swing are at the same tempo. You could always experiment with a a 5 step delivery and see how that goes, but I think your problem is just your timing. I'd work on that. I'm sure someone else more knowledgable will come along on here and help you out more than I have (CoachJim). I hope I helped a little ha ha. =]

Welcome to the site Dave.

Post a video of your approach from the side. Have someone stand up at the foul line two lanes away and shoot your whole approach from head to toe, don't worry about shooting the ball going down the lane. Also shoot a shot from behind so I can check your arm swing.

and the right person to come along and help has came. Posting a video of yourself is a great thing to do. I haven't done it yet, but I plan to.

I'll see if I can borrow a camera sometime soon. I'm actually surrounded by video gear at my job (I'm a broadcast engineer), but taking it down to the bowling alley for personal use would be frowned upon.

Regarding my stride: I measured again and my natural brisk walking stride is more like 10 feet for four steps. The ~9 foot figure is for a lazy stride. Maybe I just need to line up my heels to the 12 ft. approach dots. I'll be going to the lanes at lunchtime today for some practice. I'll give it a try.

Question: are the dots on the approach always located at 12 and 15 feet from the foul line, or is this variable from house to house?

The dots should always been the same distance from the foul line, but some houses have longer approaches.