So on a whim I decided to change from a 5-step back to a 4-step just to see what would happen. It felt better than my 5-step so I think I'm going to stay with it for a little while because the big issue with the change last night was my timing and balance. That is the obvious area that is going to be affected the most with that adjustment but I didn't do too bad.

I was able to free up my swing a little more, but I was having lots of trouble with my release due to a whole slew of things like: grabbing the ball, starting too early, starting too late, too much knee bend, not enough knee bend, wrist hurting, oh and a still muscled swing.

I guess right now is more of a period to feel out and fine tune these things before winter league starts or at least get them to be managable. Any advice is as always, much appreciated.

Are you sure your bowling ball fits properly? That could be your worst demon as far as still having a muscled arm swing. Your arm swing is either free or it isn't. There's not much gray area here. In a four step approach I start my push away as my heel is coming to the ground during the first step. This works for me, it may not work for you. You have to figure out your timing. I'll beat the dead horse... find a coach or a bowling buddy that has a keen sense to bowling and its importance of timing.

From what I learned last night, alot will fall into place when you have good timing. I know that I muscle the ball and pull to make up for my timing issues. When my timing is spot on, I don't pull or muscle and my balance is there too.

Your approach is 80% of your game, and timing falls into that category (IMO). If you have a solid approach it will show in your bowling scores. I'm slowly getting mine down, and this is after seeing a coach for over a year now. I've only been throwing a hook ball for about 20 months now, but my average has gone up drastically.

I heard nothing will fix a bad fit. So if your ball doesnt fit properly get that fixed first.

I had another session with my coach this week, and the #1 issue with me is timing. In my four step approach I have a tendancy to start my ball a fraction too late. This creates the need for me to "muscle" the ball forward ,trying to catch up to my feet. When my approach/timing is correct, its almost effortless. My trail leg falls into place, I get low and I'm in balance. Its a real struggle for me to stay in time for three consecuative games. But its coming along. Its something I have to focus on every shot.

I'm right there with you, Eraser! It was even more difficult putting the things together, that I learned a couple days before, in the ABT I bowled on Saturday lol. Though I progressed every game, even though I had an ill fit as I didn't have the usual thumb slug that I use. It was at home right where I left it.

give it a full night of practice and you'll work out the kinks. Do some dry runs at home and on the lanes too.

I never said anything about fit.

oops double quoted. Was agreeing with Ample.

It's not the timing issues. I used to bowl just fine with a 4-step. It's simply getting my muscles to remember how to do it and get used to it a again.

I'm with you Ample and Brandon. I always have trouble with my thumb pitches. I always seem to have to go back and have them redone. More importantly I think I have to fix my span. I'm no bowling expert and I don't really understand how to drill balls to get them to do get a favorable reaction (although I'd love to learn how to), but having a span of 4 and 1/2 inches (that's the most comfortable for me) and having each of my proceeding balls increase by a 1/16th of an inch might not be the best way to get consistent results. Yeah I have a grand total of an 1/8 of an inch difference in span between my Scout Reactive and my Cell and a 1/16 of an inch difference between my Scout Rective and my BW Solid. It my seem small but I can tell the difference.

Plus I think I'm going to have my finger inserts switched back from Vacu-grip to standard fingertip. Still haven't decided yet.

I was also thinking about how my Vacu-grip drilling could throw off my span as well because the finger grips do provide a tight fit but at the same time they expand forward. I think that since it further stretches my span and screws me over. So since it looks like need to have my span readjusted I think I'll stay with the Vacu-grips but have the new pro I'm to try adjust my span for them.

The span shouldn't change with Vacu-Grips. The leading edge should be glued and that is where the span is measured to. The other edges are what expand to allow for a comfortable grip. Its just a matter of drilling the wholes the right distance from each other. and allowing for the insert.

The problem with each ball being different is the fault of who ever measured and laid the ball out. Its a good chance they used the distance with insert for the cut to cut measurement.

Thanks Cal. I'm going to try to fix them as soon as possible.

No problems, I had a guy do that with the bridge on a ball and the distance bothered my hand a lot.