Looks like I'll be bowling in a PBA experience summer league after all. I found an opening in my area due to a person having to quit after a week of it starting. I start next week. I have a book avg of 202 on a THS which I know will drop playing on PBA patterns. I never bowled in one of these leagues before and now I'm concerned about how I'll do. Any advice on how a lower rev THS down and in guy like me should play the PBA patterns?

Thanks in advance.

Don't fight it. Let it come to you. The freer your swing, the better it will be.

Treat it as a learning experience. Learn to read the lanes. Learn how to roll your ball. And, again, don't force anything, cause it won't work. All of your faults will be magnified, so learn from it and correct them.

My only advice is not to take it to seriously! I'm a 220 average bowler and I only averaged 167 on the Cheetah last night. No matter how good or bad you bowl on these conditions it's gonna make you a better bowler. By the time you get use to bowling with little to no merge of error, it i'll be time for your fall leagues to begin. The house shot a seem easy as hell, and it will all be because of the PBA Experience League!!

So I guess I need to relax and throw some balls during the 10 minute practice and see what will work for me and my style. I usually play between boards 7-10 on a THS depending on the oil line. I can probably start out playing around that area depending on which PBA pattern I'll start on. From there I can move in or out depending on the length of the oil. Being that I have lower revs, I would probably have to move inside with a strong ball and play a more direct line on a longer pattern such as the shark. I could probably play more outside with the shorter patterns...

Best advise. Don't get aggravated. It is going to be more difficult. Just have fun with it. It is a learning experience. Concentrate on your spares. Don't try to hook the ball, throw your normal ball. It won't hook as much. When you try to hook the ball, bad habits creep in.

VFF, just don't try to force a shot or try to steer a ball to make it fit. Too many bowlers try to get more on the ball because it doesn't do what it does on a house shot. They hit up, turn their wrist, pick up or drop speed, and all kinds of things to themself. This screws up their normal game.

The more successful PBA leagues I have seen are the ones where there is coaching with bowling. This helps to read the lanes, and find the quirks in your game that you can adjust.

There were a few on here who hurt themself in their first PBA league. Myself included. So, learn from it, don't force it. Each shot is different, and will require you to address it differently.

Also, spares are key. Your ball will leave some multi pin spares, and the pickup will not be along the same line that you are used to.

You already have the right attitude: You will not average as high. Now that's out of the way, study the videos off bowl.com for the shot you're playing. Relax.

I'm into my first league as well, and I'm having the best time with the challenge. GP's totally right, too, about just having fun with it. It's just one big paid practice league so try not to get hung up on the scoring and more on the actual playing.

Seeing a lot of frustration with some of the other new guys on my league as well, and I do feel bad for 'em. The resignation is already on their faces, and with the idea of doling out $25+ a week for playtime it's more apparent.

Your T-Zone plastic's going to be your best friend so keep him handy.

Yup, just relax and let it loose. I don't know about the rest of the guy's here, but my biggest problem is I start pointing the ball when I can't find it. This leads me right into my second problem, speed control. When I start pointing the ball my speed deceases because I'm trying so hard to hit the right spot my normal flowing motion to the foul line becomes more robotic!

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm going to relax and play my normal game without forcing anything. I'll make adjusts via my feet and/or line changes as necessary. My main focus will be on release consistency, accuracy and reading the lanes. As mentioned, I'm treating the league as a learning experience to help avoid frustration.

I'm also in a summer THS league at my local/usual house along with my normal THS practice routine. Would have been 2 THS leagues but my son didn't want to do the parent-child league afterall which freed me up for the PBAx. This should make for a well balanced bowling summer to be in shape for the winter leagues and tornaments.

To the best of my knowledge every PBA Experience League gives out the recommend way to play the lanes form, with info from past PBA champions on that perticular pattern. Follow the guidelines for your rev rate, as well as equipment choice.

It’s my first time also.
I have been writing down my lines and changes for the next time we play that particular pattern.
Also, I’m kind of lucky in the sense that I can go back the day after at noon and practice on the spare set of lanes that have fresh oil.

Over