Ten Pin Bowling

Anybody into this?
I'm referring to the American style of 10 pin bowling.
My wife and I enjoy it - but frankly, we're pretty lame. I normally bowl about 120, and she's happy to get near 100.
There is a style of laying down the ball, where the ball is sort of cradled in the hand, and at the release, a wicked spin is put on the ball, causing a late hook into the pocket. It is powerful, beautiful, and when done correctly, causes the pins to explode, and fly in all directions. Most of the better players seem to deliver the ball that way. Try as I might, I just can't get the right action on the ball. I can hook it, but not with that wicked spin. I see that I'm not holding or swinging the ball like they do, but I just can't seem to get it.
Anybody have any insight into what I'm referring to?

I used to be into golfing - I like bowling almost as much. I don't know where it got such a "blue collar" reputation - it's a beautiful game, requiring strenth, concentration, balance and grace.
And it's cheaper than golf.

Libre,
My husband and I were on a bowling league for several seasons (? does bowling have seasons? hmm...). I never had any luck with spinning the ball that way either! Someone who was in my bowling league tried to show me how to do that and I ended up throwing the ball backwards ! I wish I could help you, but I don't think you want to take any suggestions from me. I ended up with a 139 average, but there was nothing pretty about the way I delivered the ball. We did have a great time - it really is a fun sport!

I do not bowl but I have such found memories of my late grandmother bowling. She was very good and even made it to a local tv show here called Candlepins for Cash a few times. Plus who the heck dosen't love those shoes?

I enjoy it, but don't do it a heck of a lot. I'm just unstoppable with the bumper lanes set up though.

Libre said:

I'm referring to the American style of 10 pin bowling.

Click to expand...

So as to disambiguate, I've edited the title to make it more obvious.

You know, for those of you who say you're crap but still get an average of 130+, I need to really readjust your perception of crap.

I really like bowling, but do not do it often enough. When I do play, I'll be happy if I get 100. Now *I'm* CRAP.

ds

I went bowling last night with some friends and got a solid 74

I started off well - it was a pity about the rest.

I usually get 110-120, and my best scores are around 160. We used to go bowling regularly after work and it was interesting to see how people would drift in and out of form. One person would beat us every single game with scores of up to 200, and then one day he just couldn't hit anything anymore. It took him about 3 months to recover. Anyone else noticed this happening?

I tend to have better games and worse ones - but no 3 month cycles. My best game ever was about 165. Then I think I bowled a 110 the game after that.
There doesn't seem to be much instruction available, either. I guess you can find someone to teach you, but it's not like golf where you can get lessons at any course.

I did a couple of years of 10-pin in the early nineties, but dropped out because the lanes closed. At the time I was averging mid-180s. Now I'm lucky to hit 150 on the rare occasions I go.

The trick to getting the swing is to rotate your hand over the top of the ball as you deliver it. As you start off, the hand holding the ball should be underneath, with the other hand supporting it to one side, the ball held close to the chest. Take a step forwards and push your hands out to arms length. The weight of the ball will swing your arm down and propel you forward as it comes up behind you. Don't look at the pins, look at the lane markers. Imagine where the ball is going to go and your arm should follow. As your arm comes forward to the delivery, keep your elbow locked and rotate the ball as if you were emptying a bowl of water.

I'm right handed, so I used to start at the left side of the lane and aim at the diamond on the right side, three up from the point. This gave me a diagonal approach and let me curve the ball into the pocket between first and third pins. Most of the time. OK, OK, half the time.

League bowlers tend to have their own gear, and back when I was bowling it was possible to buy weighted bowls that would give a better spin. House bowls, on the other hand, were just plain types, and went more or less straight.

As for bowlers whose ability seems to drop away, we had those at our league competitions. We called them 'sandbaggers', because they would deliberately bowl less well in order to drop their average and so raise their handicap for the approaching competition.