There were also no resin or even urethane balls 30 years ago. Give today's bowlers rubber or plastic and see what happens to their averages

Anyway, I didn't mean to derail Rotogripman's thread. I just don't want to see him feeling bad for carrying what I still consider to be a very good average for a young bowler.

nope i don't think thats bad. i hold around that avg. and i'm 30. so yeah you are going to get better and it will just come with time. so dont fret none. you get there. practice and a coach and you'll have it in no time. keep it up man.

Absolutely, any bowler can improve with dedication, training, patience and practice. And, with the right training, it shouldn't take too long. I have seen bowlers improve 20 pins in a year, working with the right trainer and practicing.

Not every House around here has Junior training and leagues. But, there have been quite a few teens who have started working at some lanes. And, because they have interest, they bowl after hours with the House pro, and they have improved a lot.

Roto-Grip, it's good that you have interest. And, it's great that you can get some training. You will improve with dedication and practice.

Ya know Dave, when I was in High School with a 195 average, the Pros weren't that much higher. And, we bowled on the same shot. Today, there is a wide disparity between a 180 house bowler and a pro.

The game has really changed.

During the regular bowling season in the area where I live, Albany NY, one of the highlights is a local bowling show. Besides the top local amateurs, the show occasionally features teens that are on high school teams. Many of these teens average well above 200.

Getting to 180 is about making spares - ball material doesn't change that one bit. You can start claiming material help when they get over 190 - that's when you need to start doubling up strikes.

I have said this myself many times, however it makes no difference at all. It's not going to change back to the way it was. We either adapt and get better or stay lost in the past and fight it. I am in this situation myself. Back in the 1980's I was an high level bowler, and could hang with many pro caliber players. Now I am just another 200 average bowler, who hasn't adapted to the modern game.

I actually participated in a league aboot 10 years ago, that was a 3 dot league. Meaning everybody had to roll an old 3 dot and had to roll on the old 24 foot oil pattern. Guess what? The one pro in the league still was the highest average bowler and the only one over 200. So there are some flaws to this theory.

And you could still have leagues like this. Plastic ball leagues. Make everyone use one of the plastic balls from an established manufacterer.

Erin

thats interesting erin. do they have any of them where you live? that would be fun just to bowl. i like using my spare ball just to bowl. not in league, just go bowl and roll.

I've heard of such creatures fury, but if people want a challenge (which they do not) then that's an extremely simple way to do it. And yet it doesn't happen. I don't care if you are supporting "tough leagues" or PBA Exp leagues or Sport leagues...... the bottom line is that the opportunity for challenge is there, you don't need fancy lane conditions or fancy balls for that matter. Just make it a plastic ball league on a house shot. Not even the PBA or Sport bowlers want this challenge.

Erin

man i like them odds. it's much more fun that way. erin we need to start one i'd be up for it anytime