I have really been struggling the last couple of weeks and I have been averaging in the 140's instead of the 170's or 180's lately. (Other than when I bowled a 670 in doubles at the Carl Richards Open.) I got some practice in the last couple of days along with getting a new spare ball (drilled conventional). I think it just boiles down to keeping my knees bent, slowing down my feet and staying focused on my mark throughout my entire approach. The last couple of practice sessions have been good, so we will see if I can carry that through to my league bowling this week. I did best when I could feel that I was in to my slide before the ball was released.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Pindowners league (20 Oct 11)
Started out not being able to hit the broad side of a barn. In the 3rd game, I concentrated on keeping my elbow in and staying focused on my mark, and I went from rolling a 142 and a 146 in the 1st 2 games to rolling a 201 in the 3rd. Will see if I can put 3 good games together tomorrow night.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
1st 600 series (left handed)
My 1st 600 series since switching to bowling left handed. (Bowled during doubles at the Carl Richard's Joplin Open on 15 Oct 2011.)
Monday, October 17, 2011
Carl Richard's Open, Joplin Mo
Well, I just got back from the Carl Richard's Open in Joplin, Mo last night. Definitely had some highs and lows. Can't remember the last time I bowled as bad as I did in team and singles, but then I set new personal highs when I bowled in doubles. So it was a mixed bag. During the Singles and Team event, I was doing so bad that I was asking my self what I was doing there, what made me think I could compete. But with rolling my high series and game in the Doubles event, it showed what is possible, and that I need to keep at it.
I entered the tournament with a 174 average, and ended up averaging 169 at the tournament. If anybody has any suggestions for my spare shooting, please let me know.
1st set - Singles
We started out rolling singles on Saturday. I couldn't find a good line on my 1st ball, and as usual, my spare shooting totally vanished in the second game. My spare shooting was even worse than usual.
I started out with a 156 for the 1st game. Only had 3 strikes, I did pick up all 3 of my single pin spares, but I did have 4 opens. My 1st ball average was 7.54 which just doesn't cut it.
Like I said earlier, my spare shooting totally left me for my 2nd game. I only had 1 strike, and I missed 8 out of 10 spare attempts for a 113. One good not for the 2nd game was that my 1st ball average increased to a 8.36.
On my 3rd game, my spare shooting did improve. I felt like my spare shooting was a little more consistent than the 1st game. However, like the 1st game, I only had 3 strikes and had 4 opens. I did manage to keep my 1st ball average at 8.36, and I rolled a 151. I did mange to put a couple of balls in the pocket in the 10th frame, so I at least ended up on a good note. I ended up rolling a 420 series in singles, and I was glad I did that in singles and not doubles. (My handicap for the tournament was a 174.)
2nd set - Doubles
Things totally turned around for doubles. I ended up rolling my 1st 600 series since switching to bowling left handed, and also had my high game since switching back in January of this year.
In the 1st game, I had a total of 6 strikes (3 doubles) and picked up 3 out of 5 spares. (Did not miss any single pin spares.) My 1st ball average was up to 8.91, and started the set off with a 194.
I rolled my high score in the 2nd game. I started out by not converting a baby split (3-5-10) and then the next 9 balls were strikes (the 1st 8 were in the pocket). I did cross over and carry a Brooklyn for the 1st ball of the 10th frame. I paid for it with the next ball. Put it in the pocket, and left the 7 pin (which I did convert). With all of the strikes, my 1st ball average was up to a 9.63, and I ended up rolling a 266.
I rolled well the 3rd game also, just not as well. I had a total of 7 strikes (a 4 bagger and a double) and had 2 opens (1 split) for a 210. The split happened in the 10th frame. I think if I had been able to stike out in the 10th, I could have hit 700. But I will take a 670 series (almost 100 pins over my previous high).
3rd set - Team
The team event on Sunday was pretty much like the single's event on Saturday. Couldn't find the strike shot, and my spare shooting was mediocre. Should have got something to eat while I was bowling though. During the 3rd game, I started feeling light headed and was starting to sweat. I turned out to be low blood sugar, and I was ok a couple of hours later, but that didn't help my bowling. I ended up rolling 143, 163 and a 127 for a 433 series.
I entered the tournament with a 174 average, and ended up averaging 169 at the tournament. If anybody has any suggestions for my spare shooting, please let me know.
1st set - Singles
We started out rolling singles on Saturday. I couldn't find a good line on my 1st ball, and as usual, my spare shooting totally vanished in the second game. My spare shooting was even worse than usual.
I started out with a 156 for the 1st game. Only had 3 strikes, I did pick up all 3 of my single pin spares, but I did have 4 opens. My 1st ball average was 7.54 which just doesn't cut it.
Like I said earlier, my spare shooting totally left me for my 2nd game. I only had 1 strike, and I missed 8 out of 10 spare attempts for a 113. One good not for the 2nd game was that my 1st ball average increased to a 8.36.
On my 3rd game, my spare shooting did improve. I felt like my spare shooting was a little more consistent than the 1st game. However, like the 1st game, I only had 3 strikes and had 4 opens. I did manage to keep my 1st ball average at 8.36, and I rolled a 151. I did mange to put a couple of balls in the pocket in the 10th frame, so I at least ended up on a good note. I ended up rolling a 420 series in singles, and I was glad I did that in singles and not doubles. (My handicap for the tournament was a 174.)
2nd set - Doubles
Things totally turned around for doubles. I ended up rolling my 1st 600 series since switching to bowling left handed, and also had my high game since switching back in January of this year.
In the 1st game, I had a total of 6 strikes (3 doubles) and picked up 3 out of 5 spares. (Did not miss any single pin spares.) My 1st ball average was up to 8.91, and started the set off with a 194.
I rolled my high score in the 2nd game. I started out by not converting a baby split (3-5-10) and then the next 9 balls were strikes (the 1st 8 were in the pocket). I did cross over and carry a Brooklyn for the 1st ball of the 10th frame. I paid for it with the next ball. Put it in the pocket, and left the 7 pin (which I did convert). With all of the strikes, my 1st ball average was up to a 9.63, and I ended up rolling a 266.
I rolled well the 3rd game also, just not as well. I had a total of 7 strikes (a 4 bagger and a double) and had 2 opens (1 split) for a 210. The split happened in the 10th frame. I think if I had been able to stike out in the 10th, I could have hit 700. But I will take a 670 series (almost 100 pins over my previous high).
3rd set - Team
The team event on Sunday was pretty much like the single's event on Saturday. Couldn't find the strike shot, and my spare shooting was mediocre. Should have got something to eat while I was bowling though. During the 3rd game, I started feeling light headed and was starting to sweat. I turned out to be low blood sugar, and I was ok a couple of hours later, but that didn't help my bowling. I ended up rolling 143, 163 and a 127 for a 433 series.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Weekly bowling update (7 Oct 2011)
Had had my high series for this season on Thursday and Friday night. On Thursday night, I had a 560 series and have a 185 average after 2 weeks. And then tonight (Friday) I rolled a 580 series (212, 154, 214).
Both Thursday and Friday night, I switched to my spare ball, and rolled the ball down the 5 board, and have had good results so far. My strike percentage has been right around 50%, and my 1st roll average tonight was 9.21. (I believe 9.21 is my high since switching to my left hand.)
My spare shooting continues to improve, but I had a relapse in the 2nd game, and couldn't pick up any of my spares. I had 5 strikes and did not pick up any of my spares. I kept on pulling my arm across my body. Going into the 3rd game, I started pulling my left shoulder back, and I was able to keep from pulling my shot across my body. I ended up only having 1 open the 3rd game (7 pin).
Still looking for my 1st 600 series. I am knocking on the door.
Both Thursday and Friday night, I switched to my spare ball, and rolled the ball down the 5 board, and have had good results so far. My strike percentage has been right around 50%, and my 1st roll average tonight was 9.21. (I believe 9.21 is my high since switching to my left hand.)
My spare shooting continues to improve, but I had a relapse in the 2nd game, and couldn't pick up any of my spares. I had 5 strikes and did not pick up any of my spares. I kept on pulling my arm across my body. Going into the 3rd game, I started pulling my left shoulder back, and I was able to keep from pulling my shot across my body. I ended up only having 1 open the 3rd game (7 pin).
Still looking for my 1st 600 series. I am knocking on the door.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Fri League (30 Sep) and practice
Had a rough week last Friday night. The 1st game was mediocre, and then I had spare problems again during the 2nd game. The 3rd game, I put away my high performance ball, and broke out my vis-a-ball. I moved my feet to the 22 board, and changed my target to the 1st arrow, and wound up rolling a 199 for the last game. For the night, I rolled a 167, 130 and a 199 for a 496 series. It only brought my average down one pin to a 171.
I practiced my spare shooting today, and created a cheat sheet for my spares. Just moving my feet a specific number of boards off of my strike line (using my straight delivery) doesn't seem to work with my left hand. Part of the problem may be that my approach is going straight toward my target, so moving my feed doesn't make as big as a difference. Below is where I am standing on the approach and what my target is.
(Remembering that I am bowling left handed now)
10 pin - 25 board, 4th arrow
3 pin - 30 board, 4th arrow
2 pin - 32 board, 3rd arrow
7 pin - 32 board, 2nd arrow
For the 6 pin, I stand in the same spot as when I am shooting at the 10 pin, but my target is just to the left of the 4th arrow. And pretty much the same adjustment for the 4 pin, I stand on the 32 board, and my target is between the 2nd and 3rd arrow.
We will see how that works this week. I hope it helps. Got my 1st tournament coming up pretty quick.
I practiced my spare shooting today, and created a cheat sheet for my spares. Just moving my feet a specific number of boards off of my strike line (using my straight delivery) doesn't seem to work with my left hand. Part of the problem may be that my approach is going straight toward my target, so moving my feed doesn't make as big as a difference. Below is where I am standing on the approach and what my target is.
(Remembering that I am bowling left handed now)
10 pin - 25 board, 4th arrow
3 pin - 30 board, 4th arrow
2 pin - 32 board, 3rd arrow
7 pin - 32 board, 2nd arrow
For the 6 pin, I stand in the same spot as when I am shooting at the 10 pin, but my target is just to the left of the 4th arrow. And pretty much the same adjustment for the 4 pin, I stand on the 32 board, and my target is between the 2nd and 3rd arrow.
We will see how that works this week. I hope it helps. Got my 1st tournament coming up pretty quick.
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