As I previously mentioned, there are approximately EIGHT Professional Oil patterns that are used mostly in the PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) Tournaments that you can watch on television. Sometimes they may appear on the lanes during some of the tournaments that take place around the country as well. Oil is placed on the lanes to present a challenge to each bowler. The quicker you can figure out the oil pattern, the better your scores will be. Oil patterns affect the speed, spin, and direction of your ball as it travels down the lane. 

1. Strokers--Should begin aiming between the 2nd and 3rd arrows and play a bit straighter into the pocket area.
    Tweeners-- Aim around the 3rd arrow to start.
    Crankers-- Start the stance a bit more to the right than normal and can use the 3rd arrow as the target. As the pattern 
              wears down it will be a higher scoring pattern for those with this style. 

2. A stronger hooking ball is better to start with, one that hooks more on the back end for this pattern if you have one.

3. This will be a slightly higher scoring pattern and not as difficult as the Shark Pattern since the ball will have two feet less oil to travel on, which will allow it to be able to roll and hook into the pocket area a bit sooner.

4. You can play from different angles on the Scorpion Pattern, which allows you to have more options than with the Shark Pattern.

5.You can also try playing this pattern the way you would normally play on a house pattern but there is less room for error on this one, so try to be as accurate as possible. If you miss your mark to the outside for example (to the right), the ball may not have a chance to recover (hook back) and you may miss hitting the headpin altogether. 

6. The breakpoint (when the ball starts to hook) is between the 6th and the 10th board, similar to most House Patterns.

​
    Use the above pointers as a starting point but it's best to just observe the ball to determine what adjustments to make. Remember too, as the oil moves farther down the lane towards the pins (carry down oil), you may have a little trouble getting into the pocket. 

Check out my ebook available on Amazon/Kindle--"Let's Rev Up Those Bowling Scores"!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZSMB99G/ref=sr_1_2?crid=P3PQWHFB1WYS&keywords=lets+rev+up+those+bowling+scores&qid=1652035291&sprefix=lets+rev+up+those+bowling+scores%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-2

​Join me here again next week when I will be discussing "What is the best angle to bowl a strike"?


Good Luck and High Scoring!!

    This is a continuation from Blog Post Part 6 written on 12/13/21: 

​36. The more Revs you put on the bowling ball, the later the ball will break or begin to hook. More REVS also increases pin velocity which increases pin action. This is what makes the pins dance around on the lane and fall sideways which will help knock more of them down. I have seen many people with lots of revs on their ball getting a lot of these types of strikes. The ball just barely touches the head pin and they still manage to get a strike. This is still a good thing because a strike is a strike and does looks the same on the score board. It doesn't matter how you get them really, but I still rather get the nice solid pocket hit rather than a lucky or sloppy strike, after all, luck eventually runs out.


37. TIGHT LANES-- This means there's a lot of oil on the lanes.You DO NOT need to put a lot of revs om the ball when the lane conditions are like this. The ball will mostly be sliding on the oil so why waste the energy? 


38. The more a bowler moves to the center part of the lane, the more the ball will enter into the pocket (1-3 for righty's and 1-2 for lefty's) straighter and more parallel with the boards of the lane. MOST of the lane oil is to the center of the lane in the different oil patterns I have previously discussed.


​39. ANGLE is determined by the amount of HOOK and SPEED that you put on the ball. No angle means you are throwing a straight ball down the center of the lane. Moving left or right at the stance and throwing in toward the pocket area will INCREASE angle.


40. If after your first shot you are leaving a 10, 8, 5, or 5-7 pins, then you are NOT using enough angle. Move more to the right of the lane at the stance for your first ball.


41. If you are leaving the 4, 7, or 4-7 pins after your first shot, then you are coming in at TOO much angle and you will need to move a little more to the left or toward the center part of the lane on your first ball.


Join me back here next week when I'll be discussing another of the Professional Oil Patterns, "The Scorpion". I hope to see you back then.

​  As always, I wish you Good Luck and High Scoring!!





​

    
    There are approximately EIGHT Professional Oil patterns that are used mostly in the PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) Tournaments that you can watch on television. Sometimes they may appear on the lanes during big tournaments around the country as well. As I have previously said, oil is placed on the lanes to present a challenge to each bowler. The Shark oil pattern is 44 feet long down the 60 foot lane which makes it a difficult pattern to play because it doesn't give your ball much of a chance to hook until it's pretty close to the pins.

​The pattern looks like this:

1. Strokers-- Should throw between the first and second arrow. 
    Tweeners-- Should stand further left and aim around the third arrow.
    Crankers-- Should play even farther left of the Tweener and aim between the 4th and 5th arrows. 


2. If you can, I recommend either walking a bit more slowly along the approach, or holding the ball lower at the stance allowing the ball to slow down so it has more of a chance to hook into the pocket. Throwing the ball SLOWER will give it a chance to get into the rolling phase when it hits the pocket, or you may not be able to carry the strike.If you throw it to hard or fast, it will only slide on the oil and never have a chance come up into the 1-3 pocket (1-2 for lefty's).


3. If you have an aggressive ball (one that has a large hook), this would be good time for you to use it. It will be able to cut through the oil better than your regular hooking ball.


4. If you miss your target to the outside (to the right), the ball may not have a chance to hook back.


5. This pattern will become easier to deal with as you bowl more games. The oil will break down and some will be removed, then you can use a lesser aggressive ball. 


6. You can also try rolling your ball more PARALLEL to the boards on the lane.

7. Keep the breakpoint as close to the headpin as possible.


​    Worse case scenario, you can use your 10 pin spare plastic ball I mentioned to buy. It will go straight to give you more accuracy and will be easier to get into the pocket area leaving you with an 8 or 9 pin count which is better than having to deal with a possible split. A straight ball won't be affected by the oil, and then when the oil breaks down, you can use your regular hooking ball which will work better at that point.

    Remember to make sure you are keeping an eye on the ball and observing how it is working on the lane so you can   figure out what adjustments you need to make as soon as possible.

Join me here again next week when I'll be discussing "What do I need to know about in Bowling"?-Part 7"
​I hope to see you again.

​Good Luck and High Scoring!!

​ 

    Bowling Balls can be very expensive these days, especially with the economy being the way it is. The newer "Reactive Resin" balls can help you achieve higher scores because they can get through the oil better than the urethane ones, but they vary in price from $150 and up! These balls usually last anywhere from 2-5 years depending on how many games you bowl per week. They also absorb a lot of the lane oil, and over time the reaction of the ball will change and it will NOT perform the same as when it was new. If you're like me, you will want to help lengthen the life span of the ball as long as possible before you have to spend a lot of money buying a new one. There are several things you can do at home or have done at the pro shop to help lengthen the life span of your ball.

Here are some of my suggestions:

1. Try to wipe your ball after each shot or at least after every few frames to keep oil from soaking into it and to wipe off any debris that may have gotten onto the ball. You can use a regular Terry Cloth hand towel from home or you can buy a "Micro Fiber" towel online or from the local pro shop (see my blog post from 4/26/21 on Equipment you need for bowling). Both will help to keep the pores clean on the balls' surface.

​
​2. You can use a USBC (United States Bowling Congress) approved Ball Cleaner after each set of games you bowl. You can purchase a bottle of it online or at the pro shop in your bowling center. This product can be used during league play so if you prefer, you can wipe the ball off after each game (Ebonite Powerhouse Ball Cleaner, Reacta Clean are good ones that I have used and prefer).


3. Soaking the Ball:

    First I remove any tape from inside the holes in my ball and I put tape over the 3 holes in the ball (so no water will get inside of it) and I soak it in a large sink full of very hot tap water with liquid "DAWN" dish detergent. I leave it in there for about an hour. The dawn really cuts through the grease and oil does come out of the ball because you can see it floating on the surface. If you don't have a deep enough sink, then just put in half of the ball for 30 minutes and turn it over and soak the other half for 30 minutes.


4. You can also wipe your ball off after each 3 game session with some of these products you probably already have in your home-Ammonia, Windex, Orange Clean Multipurpose Cleaner, or rubbing alcohol. Don't use rubbing alcohol every time because they do say it can dry out the ball and make it more brittle over time. Also try NOT to let the cleaner get inside of the holes.


5. There is a product called "Scotch-Brite". They are pads used to scratch up the surface of the ball. Use it a little on the dampened side rather than totally dry.


6. Believe it or not, I used to bowl with a fellow who "Baked" his bowling ball in a 185 degrees oven for 30-45 minutes. I have tried it and I placed a piece of aluminum foil on the bottom of the oven to catch the oil that dripped out of the ball. Don't use this method too often because dry heat can dry out the ball and possibly cause it to crack over time


7. You can try using an Abralon Pad- This is a sandpaper with a foam backing on it which ranges from 1000-2000 grit.It can be used wet or dry on the bowling ball and will keep the bowling ball reacting the way it did when it was new for about 30 games until you will have to repeat the process. I just wipe the ball with a damp cloth, then go over the ball in a circular motion with the pad while the ball is still damp. It gives the ball a dull finish which will help the ball to hook a little later on the lane. Having "More" Surface on a bowling ball means to scratch it up more. Let's say using a sandpaper with a 500 grit will put more surface on a ball than using a 2000 grit sandpaper. Using a 500 grit sandpaper will help the ball to hook earlier than sanding your ball with a 2000 grit which will cause the ball to hook later.


​8. They also sell OIL EXTRACTION Machines online or you an take it to the pro shop and have him/her re-surface the ball if you don't want to do it yourself. They put the ball on a SPINNER or Resurfacing machine and apply a 1000-2000 grit sandpaper finish to it. The process will last about one bowling season before you have to do it again, and the cost can range from approximately $10+ depending on the condition of the ball. The process cleans the pores of the bowling ball and allows more gripping power on the lane and thereby more hook.

​  

    A TOURNAMENT is an event that you will be competing in against other bowlers.  If you have been bowling for awhile now and are getting pretty good, you may feel confident enough to compete in an Amateur Bowling Tournament. There are several types out there to meet your needs. There are HANDICAP tournaments where you will be given extra pins according to your league average, and if you are a more experienced bowler, you may want to go into a SCRATCH Tournament where no handicap is given out. These tournaments are for individuals or for an entire team.

    Many bowling centers around the country hold these types of tournaments over the course of the year. They usually post notices in the center and you can also ask people in your league about them. In most of these amateur tournaments you will be bowling three games on 2 lanes like in the leagues. Below I have listed a few of these tournaments they may hold at your local center which may be held on week ends, once a month, or even more often depending on how many people have been signing up for them:

1. SCOTCH DOUBLES:
    
    This is a handicap tournament where you and a team mate or significant other can bowl together as a 2 man team. One of you bowls first and the other will pick up the spare. If the first bowler gets a strike, then the other bowler would go first in the next frame and you just keep alternating like that. The place where I bowl usually holds a fun tournament like this for Valentines Day or St. Patricks Day. You just pay the required fee and prize money will be given out for first, second, and third highest Series. If there should be a big turnout, they may give out prize money for fourth and fifth place as well. 


2. NO-TAP:
   
    This is when a nine pin count will be the same as getting a strike. So if you get nine pins down on your first ball, the automatic score keeper will give you a strike instead and the machine will knock down the one pin that was left and just re-set the pins. There is no need to pick up the spare! If you get an eight count or less on your first ball, then you will need to pick up the spare. I always did great in this tournament because I used to get robbed a lot. If you get a lot of nine pin counts on your first ball, this may be a great tournament for you to try.


3. LOCAL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP:
  
     This is where the United Stated Bowling Congress (USBC) local associations throughout the US, host a championship tournament each season to find out who the best bowlers are in each area. This is a usually a large handicapped tournament so bowlers of all abilities are able to compete.


4. USBC WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP/USBC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP:
  
     Only those who are USBC members can compete in this one, but if you are in a sanctioned league and paid this fee at the beginning of your league, then you will be eligible to compete in this tournament. It is a very large event and held each season. Bowlers are placed in different divisions based on their skill level, and more difficult oil patterns will be put down on the lanes, not the usual ones you are used to from the league bowling. I'll be discussing different oil patterns in the near future, so keep a look out for them so you'll be prepared!! 


    There are many other tournaments you can sign up for around the country. Just type in "Bowling Tournaments" online and put in the state where you reside. Then you can scan around to get further details about the date, time, entry fee, and prize money, etc. 

   
    Before a tournament, make sure your ball/s and towel are clean and that you have everything you need. Practice a few days before and just do your best to stay calm, focused, and confident. If you don't do well, don't fret. As you keep competing in them you will become more and more confident and start to do a lot better. It's like anything else you do for the first time. When you are unsure, you may get a bit nervous but don't let that stop you! We need to step outside of our comfort zones once in awhile in order to grow and improve.
   
    Please try competing in one of these bowling tournaments, especially if you never have before. It's very exciting and good experience for you as you are improving.You'll meet other people with the same interest and maybe make a few friends along the way. If you're very competitive, you can rack up lots of extra cash as well. So go out and sign yourself up for something now or down the road soon! You may get hooked and win more often than you think. With this economy, who couldn't use some extra cash?


Join me back here next week when I'll be talking about "Bowling Ball Maintenance".

​Good Luck and High Scoring!!

 

     

    Because we are only Human, we can and will get DISTRACTED by many things while bowling. Being distracted takes away our focus which in turn will lead to poor execution, poor ball delivery, and poor scores! Let's say you had a bad day at work or you have something important on your mind. This can be a huge distraction and certainly will take your mind off your bowling game.

    Then there are those of us who are lucky enough to have bowlers on our team that are smokers and need to go out to have a cigarette. Then we have to wait for them to come back to bowl while the opposing team is giving us looks as if to say "Where is your other bowler, he/she is holding up the rest of us". Then you slip on your shoe covers to go and locate your team mate because you feel bad.

     There are also rude bowlers next to you on the next pair of lanes who think they should go before you even though you were already set up on the lane to bowl, or maybe a team mate or opposing team member shows up late, but just in enough time and is able to bowl the current game. Then all of us have to stop bowling to let them catch up. 

      What if you are bowling with someone who is very close to you in average and you are worried that you might not bowl up to par or that they may bowl really well and get ahead of you.

    It takes a tremendous amount of SELF-DICIPLINE to BLOCK OUT all of the distractions and it takes some time to master, especially if you are new to the game. In reality, most of us do let the little things get to us. The best possible advice I can give you is to just TRY your best to NOT let these things distract you. If you have an issue on your mind for example, the problem will still be there even after you are done bowling, so why not just try to stay focused on your three games since you are only at the center for a few hours. If you do bowl well, you may have a different perspective on the issue and may approach it more positively after the bowling is finished. 


 Also BE AWARE of things. Here are some examples:
   
    If the opposing team says their team member will be a little late, just be prepared to have your rhythm thrown off a bit but say to yourself " I am going to make sure I am counting my steps so I can keep my good rhythm up". 
     If you are already set up on the lane and someone comes up to bowl on the next lane because they are unaware of the bowling etiquette, don't get angry. Just discipline yourself to step back and set yourself up again after that person is done bowling their total frame so it won't happen again. Afterwards you can politely inform them of the etiquette and that the bowler to the right has the right of way, unless there's a person already set up to bowl.
    Let's say you have 4 or 5 consecutive strikes and the guy on the other team says loudly "Hey why don't you take a break and cool off"? This should NEVER happen, but if it does, try not to get upset. That's exactly what that guy wants.He would love it if you stopped striking. Just ignore that wise guy and just stay focused and keep that string going!!
    Perhaps you have a chatty team mate that is constantly talking about his/her job or family and you had a few bad frames.? Just walk away as if you are going to the restroom or getting a snack and sit somewhere quiet to get focused back on your game and what you may be doing wrong. 

    Remember Bowling is a 90% mind game. The less likely you are to be distracted, the better you are going to bowl! I know it's easier said than done, but keep your guard up. You are only at the lanes for a few hours a week. Try and keep the problems out of your mind for that short amount of time.The times I stayed focused and bowled really well, I noticed that the rest of my week went well too. Problems may still be there after you finished bowling well, but I'd rather have a good round of bowling and worry after I'm done, rather than worrying and having a lousy three games to deal with too, and perhaps some angry team mates for not hitting my average!


​Please join me next week when I'll be discussing "What is an amateur Bowling Tournament"?

Good Luck and High Scoring!!
    

     This Blog Post is a continuation from Part 1 on 12/6/21:

    Previously I mentioned that Bowling is only 10% physical and 90% mental. The physical part comes with many years of practice, several lessons, and lots of experience in leagues and tournaments. When I took some lessons, the topic of pressure was never brought up and it should have been. Maybe because it's a bit complicated and everyone has a different way of approaching it and adjusting to it. Below I have listed a few ways for you to deal with feeling pressure when a big tournament is coming up or just bowling in your league and trying to make a crucial strike or spare for an important win.

**** POSITIVE ATTITUDE:
    Everyone that wants to achieve a high level of performance in Bowling needs to have a positive attitude and a positive Self-Talk before each bowling session. For example, instead of remembering all the splits you had last week, just shake them off and say to yourself  "I have practiced and I am prepared to bowl well for myself and my team today". Doing this over and over again will increase positive thoughts and keep the harmful ones out of your mind! Setting GOALS will help you stay focused on what you want to accomplish. When you can concentrate on your "pre-game routine" I mentioned in Part 1 (repeating knowing, and feeling the moves), negative thoughts and emotions will be released and the positive thoughts and emotions will come through. 


**** CENTERING:
    A bowler needs to release unwanted tension in the muscles that can be caused by pre-game anxiety or just from a busy, hectic week at work. Make sure you do various stretches before the lanes come on for practice. Breathing in slowly and exhaling slowly at the stance will help you relax.


****VISUALIZATION:
    Just before it's your turn to bowl, you can think ahead on what you want to achieve and then try to VISUALIZE it at the stance. Picture the ball rolling smoothly down the lane over the intended target and all 10 pins falling down! You can even try feeling how smooth the release will be in your mind. Then like the Nike saying "Just do it"! By consistently visualizing good shots over time, they will become a "Consistent" part of your game!!


    When you are at the lanes practicing, do incorporate these three important items into your regular routine. They are just as important as timing, walking straight, and getting your ball over the correct target. 

    As you get better and more experienced, you can focus on:
       *The last shot to always be a strike.
       *Block out what's going on around you so you won't be concerned with other bowlers doing better than you.
       * Aiming for a Clean game (Meaning no misses).

    Most of all, try and remember to have FUN!! You need to picture what the worst case scenario would be too so you know if that does happen, you can try to remain CALM. Learning from our mistakes is part of the whole process. Even the professionals started out at the same point we all did. 

Check out my ebook available on Amazon/Kindle--"Let's Rev Up Those Bowling Scores"!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZSMB99G/ref=sr_1_2?crid=P3PQWHFB1WYS&keywords=lets+rev+up+those+bowling+scores&qid=1652035291&sprefix=lets+rev+up+those+bowling+scores%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-2

Join me here again next week when I'll be discussing "How to stay focused while bowling".

​Good Luck & High Scoring  

    

    I wanted to take some time out to ask you how you’re doing? Have all the posts you’ve read make sense to you so far? If you are confused at all, welcome to the rest of the Bowling Community. It’s NOT as easy as it looks. You can’t just stand anywhere on the approach and toss the ball down the lane (like you may see lots of people doing during open play at the bowling centers) if you want to get a high score.
 
    It takes lots of practice, devotion, and a real desire to get better. It’s like anything else, the more you really want it, the more you will do anything to achieve it. Do your best to fit in the necessary practice sessions, even if it means going in the evening after you’re a bit tired after a long day (most leagues are in the mornings and evenings, but sometimes there may be a few open lanes). Or go on the week end and bring the family if you have to. You can practice staying focused on some of my basic principals with some distractions, which is how it is in the league anyway. If you join a summer league (which is only about 12 weeks long), you can use that as practice for the upcoming winter league which usually starts up in September. Most of the Winter leagues are about 34-36 weeks long. 
 
    Bowling is a game where you can't just figure out things in your head. You need to physically get out there on the lanes to try different things, because each lane is different and a pair of lanes you my be bowling on can differ 4-5 boards.  Take notes on what you discover and review them often to refresh your memory. It’s not easy to remember everything, especially if you're a beginner.
 
    Most importantly, Don't panic or GIVE UP!! If you can’t figure something out and it drives you crazy, move on to a different thing and go back to it at a later time in your practice. As I previously mentioned, you can also consult the better bowlers in your league about what is happening and they may be able to offer you a solution. They'll also be flattered that you think highly enough of them to ask them some questions. Just try to come out swinging every time and keep going over the Basics I have mentioned in previous posts. Always start in the center of the approach (20th Board) and observe how your ball is working and where it's breaking (starting to hook). Then adjust by moving LEFT, RIGHT, FORWARD, or BACK. Don’t move more than a few boards at a time for each adjustment. Remember if you miss to the right, adjust by moving to the right. If you miss to the left, adjust by moving to the left. If you know you did things right, you could be dropping your shoulder. Move your bowling shoulder up a little at the stance and hold it that way throughout the pendulum swing and release, and the problem will usually correct itself over time.

    Spot check where you stand on the approach and look down at where you end up after you release the ball to insure that you are walking up fairly straight on the approach. A little wandering toward the target is normal but you don't want to end up more than 1 or 2 boards difference. Wandering excessively can cause inconsistency!
 
    Have you incorporated all or at least some of the exercises I suggested to stay strong and help with stamina so you can bowl well all three games and not feel tired? Have you gotten that new ball you’ve been wanting? If you haven't gotten your own equipment yet, please try to do so as soon as possible. Consistency is the name of the game!!

 
 Join me in "2 WEEKS" when I will be discussing "How to stay calm while bowling".
 
 Good Luck and High Scoring!
 ​

    When you are on a bowling league and know AHEAD of time that you can't make it to the lanes on a certain date, you have the option to either let your team take your average (minus the 10 pins penalty depending on your leagues' rules), OR you may tell your team Captain that you wish to "PRE-BOWL". You will need to pre-bowl a few days before your league will meet for the next session so they have time to get your scores. 

    On the day you want to pre-bowl, go to the bowling center where your league meets and tell the person at the front desk that you are "Pre-bowling" for your league and let them know the day and time of your league. You will be given two lanes to bowl on and you will get some practice time, just like in the league. You'll type your name into the computer and after you bowl your 3 games, go to the front desk and the person will print out a copy of your games for you to keep and will also give a copy to your league Secretary so your team can have your scores to enter into the computer on the day you will be absent.


    The big question for you is "Should I Pre-Bowl or Not"?  There are several pros and cons to this question:

PROS:
 
1. You may be able to concentrate better since you are bowling alone and there won't be anyone to chat with or for you to get distracted by, as long as you can get there on a week day when the kids are in school, or early in the morning when there aren't many people around.

​ 2. You can stop, take a break, or even have time to review your bowling notes in private if any problems should arise because you won't have anyone waiting for you to bowl like in the league. You'll be bowling at your own pace.

3. You may have more energy because it may be earlier in the day than your regular league.

4. Some bowling centers oil the lanes early in the morning and if there are no day leagues, the oil won't come off the lane as quickly because you'll be the only bowler on that pair of lanes as compared to the 6,8, or 10 in the normal league.You can play the same line without having as many adjustments to make.

5. If you're on a string of strikes, you can keep that momentum going by not having to wait for others to bowl.


CONS:

1. You may not be able to get to the lanes until the afternoon when there will be a lot more inexperienced people bowling. If you're set up on the lane, they won't know the etiquette and could throw you off, causing you to possibly have a poor shot.

2. Because there are no other bowlers with you so you may bowl too quickly and tire out by the third game.

3. Some centers do not oil the lanes until the evening leagues. If there's no oil, your hook may be too large for you to control well unless you have a plastic ball that you can use to throw a straight shot instead. 


    In my own experience, when I was a beginner, I preferred NOT to pre-bowl and just let my team take my average. My average was a “SURE” thing, and I didn’t know how the lanes would be if I wanted to pre-bowl and whether or not I’d bowl well. Now that I'm a more experienced bowler, I do like to pre-bowl at times. I have more confidence that I'll be able to focus and do very well.

    Try pre-bowling and if you do very well and the lanes have been conditioned, then you may want to keep doing it whenever you know you’re going to be absent. If you don’t do as well, then just let your team take your average for that night.

    Leagues usually have SUBSTITUTE  bowlers and if you can’t bowl and don't not want to pre-bowl, let your team captain know ahead of time and the league can arrange for a sub for your team. Subs are bowlers that don't want to bowl every week and just fill in when needed. Their averages range from low to high.
    Your average will not change if you are absent, and the sub will be responsible to pay for the three games and you’ll only have to pay for the difference of what your league costs each week.
    Also some bowling centers may give out a coupon for three free games when you’re absent if you can't get a sub because you still have to pay for those games. 

    It's really up to you and how experienced and confident you are whether you want to pre-bowl or not. Every situation may be different so ask your team if they prefer you to pre-bowl or just take your average if you are unsure.

Check out my ebook available on Amazon/Kindle--"Let's Rev Up Those Bowling Scores"!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZSMB99G/ref=sr_1_2?crid=P3PQWHFB1WYS&keywords=lets+rev+up+those+bowling+scores&qid=1652035291&sprefix=lets+rev+up+those+bowling+scores%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-2


​Please join me back here next time when I'll be giving you a Checkpoint!! Hope to see you then.

 Good Luck and High Scoring!!

                      Happy Valentines Day! Have fun and wear something red if you are bowling today/tonight!

    The state of the Hand holding the bowling ball is extremely important. The bowling hand should be kept dry, but not too dry and i't's best to keep a Rosin bag and a regular or micro fiber towel in your bowling bag so you can wipe moisture away (Check out my Blog Post from 4/26/21 on Equipment needed for Bowling). Too much sweat or wetness on your bowling hand can cause you to lose your grip and you may drop the ball or have a poor release. There is also a little air blower at each pair of lanes near the ball return that can help keep the hand dry. I like to hold my hand a few inches away just before I'm getting ready to bowl. 

Here are a few tips and suggestions that will help keep your hand in good condition:

1. CALLOUSES and BLISTERS--
            Excessive bowling, a tightly fitted bowling ball, an improper ball release over a period of time, and 
         just the natural swelling of the fingers can cause unwanted blisters which can turn into callouses.

    
SOLUTIONS--
         Use a product called "Nu-Skin" or "Defense Skin Protector" which I spoke a little about in my Blog
    Post from 4/26/21 on Equipment. You can purchase it online or right at the pro shop in your bowling center.
    If the shop is closed, you can borrow it from a fellow bowler if you should get a blister while your in the middle
    of bowling.Some centers have vending machines and you can get a package there. 
    You can just apply a small amount of the liquid onto the blister (it will sting a little) place one of the small patches in
    the box on top of that, and again just apply a small amount of the liquid over that. Allow it to dry a few minutes
    by blowing on it or holding your hand over the air blower. It will act like a new piece of skin so you will be able to
    bowl with minimal pain. When you are done bowling, just run water over it and it should peel off.
          Callouses can be softened by soaking the area in warm water or by just filing them down a little. You can use
     sand paper or a nail file to do this. I bought a small sanding block that I like to use.
​         You can also do some of the hand and finger exercises I mentioned in my Blog Post from 5/17/21, especially if
    you have a tournament coming up and may have to bowl more than the normal 3 games (do this several
    weeks before the big day). These exercises will help you prevent any hand strain.
   
         If the ball is too tight for your fingers, you can call the pro shop and have him widen the hole a bit more before
    your next league night. It's better to have a slightly larger thumb hole so you can use the tape I mentioned and
    get a perfect fit for your thumb each time. Remember, it's important to have all the fingers feel right in the ball to assist
    with a good ball release.

2. FINGER NAILS--
        Keep your nails clipped short! I know some of you gals out there love to have long nails, but if you want to be
    a serious and more competitive bowler, you'll need to keep them clipped otherwise you will NOT be able to grip the
    ball or release it properly and therefore you will not be able to get much action at the pins!


3. FINGER SWELLING--  
        This happens to everyone from time to time from blood pressure, changes in weather, and water retention in
    the body and is usually temporary. 


SOLUTIONS--
        You can take some aspirin or Advil which are both good for inflammation in the body. Check with your doctor first if 
    you have never taken them. You can also soak your hand in some icy water for about 5-10 minutes or as long as
    you can stand it. I have taken a tissue or handkerchief and wrapped my swollen finger in it, then inserted it slowly into  
    the bowling ball hole. I repeated it a few times and it would then fit into the hole.
        DO NOT go to the pro shop and have him widen the holes for you. Hopefully the swelling is just a temporary
    condition. If you find you are retaining water and your fingers are swelling often, then you will probably need to have 
    the hole/s widened more, just not too much. You shouldn't have to use more than a few pieces of the hole tape to get 
    the right fit.


Don't forget to do your exercises and especially the hand/finger ones too!

Please join me next week when I'll be discussing "What is Pre-Bowling"?

​Good Luck and High Scoring!!