Hi all,

I'm a pretty bad bowler. Over the last few days, I tried a few different things.

First, I started using a 4-step approach with the out/down/back/release timing. I also started trying to release consciously at the bottom of my swing.

Second, I finally got my ball drilled. A friend gave my a 16# Rhino reactive ball about 8 years ago. It was brand new and sat in my closet till last week. It is drilled with a conventional hole pattern, but I have since changed to a fingertip grip. First knuckle of the ring and middle finger; thumb fully seated.

Finally, I have been playing with hand-clock position. 9-oclock feels right. I can get a mild hook, maybe 1/2 the ball width, with my hand like that. I tried 12-oclock (with the doorknob twist at the bottom of the swing) tonight to get more revs. It killed my wrist and my consistency was in the [censored].


I guess my main question is should I try 10-oclock, or stick with 9-oclock?

Why am I not getting more hook? I can see the yellow dot thingy spinning about 45-degrees up from the horizon. It kinda bobbles a bit (flare?) but it's pretty consistent. Still, the ball only breaks maybe 1 ball width at most.

Is my Rhino too old or too [censored]? Did I destroy it by getting a conventional drilling?


I'm sure other questions will come up later. Thanks for the help.

That is a pretty old ball, but it should still have a bit of hook on most house shots. Some questions and observations:

You say you are trying to consciously release the ball. Does this mean that you are holding on to the ball? You should not have to grab the ball with the thumb - the ball should hold on to your hand, with a proper drilling. You may have to snug your thumbhole up with some tape, or possibly update your span and pitches until your fit is right. It takes a while to get ball fit down pat - I've been through probably 6 modifications since I started 2 years ago, and it's getting there, but I don't think it's quite perfect yet. If you look around the Pro Shop thread, you will probably find plenty of posts by CoachJim detailing how to check that your span is correct.

Where are you standing, and what is your target? Are you aiming at a single point, or do you have a target line? Most house shots play best if you get the ball out towards the gutter, somewhere around the 7th or 8th board. If you throw in more in the center of the lane, there is more oil, which will cause more skid.

Do you have access to something that can take digital video? if so, take some video from behind (get your whole body for the whole approach) and from the side (again whole body, whole approach. Make sure you get your finish position, don't worry about videoing where the ball goes. Post links here and we can help with some pointers.

Finally, welcome to the site!

Here's one of Jim's posts:

http://www.bowlingcommunity.com/b/ubbthr....html#Post58098

You have a lot of reading to do, my friend.

This forum has a wealth of information, with topics going back a few years. I've been through a lot of them.

Also, read as much as you can at http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm

I've read many of the articles there more than once, and everytime I read them again, another light bulb comes on.

One of the first issues is that you are trying to turn your wrist. Often in this game less is more. Just let the ball roll off your hand. Don't think about it, just let it happen. As CG said also don't grip the ball it should hold on by itself if properly fitted. I will also second his questions of where are you standing and targeting?

BTW, welcome to the site.

I stand with my left toe on the center dot. The middle set of dots; just ahead of the ball return. My right foot if beside my left foot. Not back or forward.

I crouch down pretty low. If I stand up, I tend to "skip" down the approach.

My aim point is the second arrow.

It all comes from these vids, BTW:

http://www.amf.com/corporate/tips/Bowling_Tips.htm


As long as I think about every step on the approach, I can usually hit my target. The problem is that I have little to no break even though I get some spin. The more I focus on follow-through, the less likely I am to hit the target.

Maybe too many things to think about at once...

Without a consistent break, I really can't adjust my aim. Sometime I break bigish and hit the 1-2. Sometimes, a little and hit the 1-3. Sometimes not at all and I hit the 3-6.


Do you guys ever feel, well, dumb with a camcorder at the alley? I'll try and swallow my pride and get some video.


As for ball fit, mine is pretty sloppy. It was drilled to fit my second knuckle; on my fingertips, it's pretty sloppy.

Should I try and fit some of those rubber inserts? Maybe have it filled and re-drilled? Is that a complicated process?


>>>As CG said also don't grip the ball it should hold on by itself if properly fitted.

Are you saying that you don't have to hold the ball at all? 16# just hangs off your fingertips by friction? With the centripetal force of the backswing, I don't see how you can *not* squeeze with the thumb...

Here is my ball and the fit on my hand.

http://picasaweb.google.com/xptical/BowlingBallFit

You said that was supposed to be a conventional grip, but it has the span of a fingertip ball. It looks like you need to find a different ball driller, did you get this ball drilled to fit your hand, if so find someone who has had the laser surgery or has cleaned his glasses recently because that is way off by at least 1/2".

On the positive side, if your fingers aren't too big, you may be able to drill those finger holes and put finger inserts and use it as a fingertip ball. I would find a good Pro Shop to get this done and go from there.

A good Pro Shop is a bit of a reach for me. I'm in Japan for a few months. I had it drilled on Base. If I go off base, there is a big language barrier.

Are you saying yo get the finger holes plugged and then re-drill 1/2" further from the thumb? Is that all?


I want to use it as a fingertip ball. Just the tips of my middle and ring fingers and then my thumb up to the webbing; right?

If you want to use it as a conventional grip, the fingers are at least 1/2" too far from the thumb. I would wait until you get back to the states and have the ball fixed by a decent ball driller that can fit your hand properly, or get a translator.