CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

I'm referring to those who have or do bowl in a league. I'm open to reading your drunk bowling experiences as well though

I've been bowling for about 10 years and I love it. I started when I moved up here to NC from FL.

Check out the current league standings sheet for my Thursday night league in the link below. It's still early in the league but I'm doing rather well. My book average is a 201 from last season. First week I shot 706, second week 709, and this past week 614. Last week I was strugglin, I couldn't pick up a spare to save my life

Oh and PLEASE check the team name. I had no involvement in naming the team, I just agreed to it. We are also undefeated :knocksonwood:

http://www.buffaloelanes.com/Cary%20...n_Comfort.html

kristin07

good job on the 201 avg.
i bowled on a league one summer. it was a blast. my average was only like 136 lol but i was slowly improving with help from some ex pros and lots of practice. if i had the time i would love to still be on a team.

Mizouse

i took a bowling class in highschool, i think back then i averaged ~125

i could never manage the spin

mdkxtreme

I also took bowling class in highschool. To me it wasn't even a class, teachers just let us loose in the bowling alley, as long as we finish the game. Just like you mizouse, i can never get the spin down. I can throw the bowling ball at like 20mph easily, but i just look stupid trying to spin the ball.

mystikk

Bowler here, haven't bowled in a long time though.

Average is 160-ish. I throw an Ebonite NVS, sick ball. My backup's a Hammer Black Widow.

madcaps

iTrader: (1)

On New Years eve going into 2000 my family and I went to a bowl all night event (started a 6pm ended at 2am). After hours of bowling my right arm got so tired that I began bowling with my left. I'm a pretty decent bowler with my right arm but can't really master the spin. Oddly enough though I was able to control the spin better with my left arm than my right, it was weird, but then I consistently began bowling over 120 with my left arm that night. Yea so that's my only crazy bowling story that doesn't involve alcohol.

What kind of bowling balls do you guys have? I have three bowling balls but my favorite one is the one from the Mystery Men movie that has the skull inside it. My parents bought it for me years ago, its really cool, I don't really use it much because I have it displayed in my house instead.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

My friend and I were at one of those late-night bowling alleys in high school. It was fun.

One time we saw how far we could possibly try to chuck the ball down the alley before it hit the pins. I was able to get it to short-hop and knock down five pins. My friend, who is slightly bigger, was able to not get it to bounce at ALL before it hit the pins.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Wow I didn't think this many people would respond in the short amount of time I posted it!

I have three bowling balls but only use one mostly depending on the lane conditions. My primary ball is a Columbia 300 Hyjinx. When I bowl on a heavier oil pattern or a PBA shot, I'll use my Ebonite Killer Instinct which breaks a little later and also is sanded down more than the Hyjinx so can push through the oil easier. Now if for some strange reason those two don't do the job, I get out my old ass Track Hex. I've had that thing for 6 or 7 years now, it was my 2nd reactive ball. It just sits in my bag.

As for everybody struggling on how to spin the ball, let me enlighten you. The bowling balls that are at the bowling alley suck ass pretty much. They are cheaply and generically made; I worked at a bowling alley for 4 years until I quit this past April. Also the main thing that determines how much the ball hooks is the core inside. The ball is weighted more to one side and a shit ton of other factors. Also I'm sure when you try to throw the ball, you put top-spin on it when the ball does a orbital spin. When you let go of the ball, you have to come around the side of the ball and spin it that way.

I'm surprised there are no comments on my team name as well. My girlfriend thinks we are going to get in trouble

Rounder

Sup!!!!!! I have been bowling for 21 years, since I was 7.

Did three leagues last season, averaged 200 in all three, how's that for consistent?

Only two leagues this year, just starting the 2nd week this week.

I throw only track. I have two phoenixes, Rule GP2, Heat Blast and Equation.

LOL @ people saying "spin". It's "hook", not spin.

The balls at the bowling alley that are free to use are garbage, they are plastic balls and will not hook, unless you throw it with two fingers and or two hands, haha.

Basically the coverstock (surface material) and weight block and drilling will all affect how much the ball hooks, as well as the amount of oil on the lane.

My bowling resume:

High game unsanctioned, 289
High game sanctioned, 279
High series, 762

I have also converted the 7-10 split in league play last year, it was awesome, I got a patch

JLatimer

here..

Our balls don't have holes, we have 5 pins and a perfect game is 450...

J-STEELE

Sup yall... I've been doing league for awhile 3 years now. I've been bowling for about 10 years on and off but now I'm really trying to pick up my game the past 3 years. I have a 16pound Radical Inferno and no spare ball. I should look into getting one because its useless trying to make a ball that's made for a hook go straight just to hit the 10 pin. haha, I'm alright at it but terrible when I get tired cuz with a little flick on my wrist and its gonna curve a little missing that damn 10 pin. I know you guys know what I mean. My highest is 244 and I managed to get a few 600 games but not that many like some of you guys. I'm trying. So far I've been managing a 181 average right now. My arm is feeling good but sometimes I just freaking lose it and score a 123 like I did on my last game last Friday! Terrible I know. hahaha...

@ROUNDER, you converted a 7 10 split? Wow, that's tight! I wouldn't even attempt it cuz with my luck no way in hell would it happen to me. But that's tight, congrats!

As for the bowling balls at the bowling alley, they suck balls. haha... don't try to hook it using those balls, you will end up hurting your arm even if you do the 2 finger bowling. haha...

Rounder

Yea it was basically luck Happened almost identically to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8O79cjj1SM

waTSX

I used to really be into league bowling, and it is a blast. I really enjoy the sport and the camaraderie that goes with bowling in a league. I've gotten away from it, but may give it a go again sometime. It's nice to have something to look forward to on a weeknight.

SG81

iTrader: (1)

you guys have bowling as a class in high school? wtf?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

I was in a league most of my childhood until we moved to Pittsburgh, I went to states for my league 2 or 3 years in a row, now I only bowl occasionally

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Rounder you are quite the bowler huh? Here's my resume:

High Sanctioned Game: 279
High Un-Sanctioned Game: 289
High Sanctioned Series: 748
High Un-Sanctioned Series: 778 (245, 244, 289)

And not every state had bowling in their high school, but we did. It was a gym class that was everyday, but two days a week we went to a bowling alley. We paid $3 for 3 games. I worked there so I didn't pay shit

Damn that 7-10 pick up is nuts. I met Brian Voss two years ago when he came to the bowling alley I was working at. He's an asshole.

And I really want to go duck pin bowling. I'll probably suck ass but it looks like tons of fun. 450 though? How's that calculated?

J-STEELE

Damn, my bowling scores aren't even close to those. My highest game is probably your lowest score on a bad night. Sheesh... I know on my last 600 series my scores were all in the low 200's. But I was very proud of myself for hitting those scores with a 180 average.

No I didn't have bowling as a class. I wished I did. hahaha.. I only bowl once a week on Friday's. Right now is our winter league and its gonna be about 32 weeks. Just a regular team of 4 on 4 format. What about you guys? Do you guys do scratch tournaments or money tournaments?

6MTUA5

iTrader: (2)

I've been bowling on and off for a good 3 years or so. My highest average for any night was around a 185. High score is 244.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

J-STEELE, 185 is straight ass average. I sat right around 185-190 about 3 years ago.

I'm bowling every Thursday night, teams of 5. I believe there are 13 other teams in the league. It used to me a lot bigger but for some reason it shrunk. As for cash pay outs, we have the season split in two halves. Each night there are points available, 2 for first game win, 2 for second game win, 2 for third game win, and then one point for the total of all 3 games. At the end of each half, the three teams with the most amount of points get a pay out. Also there is a cash pay out for women's and men's high scratch game, high scratch series, high handicap game, and high handicap series. It's straight. I can try to win back some of my money

Rounder

I don't bowl in any tourneys, just money leagues, 4 person teams.

Duckpin bowling is with small, softball sized balls, and small pins.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckpin_bowling

http://www.duckpins.com/

popular in new england. I have been duckpin bowling in conneticut. There has never been a 300 bowled, ever, in duckpin bowling. A score of 100 + is considered "good".

Back to "real" bowling, I have been to a few Pro-Am tournaments where you get to bowl with the guys you see on TV. I met almost all of the pro tour (Walter Ray, Mika, Pete Weber, Parker Bohn, Johnny Petraglia, etc.)

J-STEELE

Right on CLtotheTL32, I'm trying to stay consistent but I need at least another day for practice during the week to keep my form up. Like last week, my score was 188, 181 and then a terrible 123 cuz I got tired from a long day of work and my form just got sloppy. That's my biggest problems sometimes is keeping my form. Do you guys use handicap scores against opponents with better averages? Mine is just 3 games and the total score of my team combined at the end to determine the 4th game score. Weird, I just wanted to know if anyone else go by these rules.

PEACE!

wndrlst

<-------World's Worst Bowler. I play a mean game of putt putt, though.

J-STEELE

@ Rounder. That is tight! You got to meet all those guys? Daang. Its weird how I'm sure those guys are just regular guys that were really good at bowling making tons of money. I wish I had skills like that. Bowl 1 game and get paid some real money. haha... I'm sure theres more to it but sheesh that's an awesome job!

Hey quick question guys... Have you guys ever bowled a 300 game in your life? I'm already getting nervous trying to throw a turkey or a hambone let alone go all the way perfectly... hahaha...

PEACE!

J-STEELE

Its all good wndrlst, just bowl with guys that can show you the basics and I'm sure you will get into it more and you will develop your own style of play. Then BAM, you are addicted. hahaha...

Rounder

Pros bowl 30-60 games a week, for their tournaments.

Our leagues use 90% handicap, so it evens the playing field somewhat. It used to be 80%, however.

03SSMTL-S

i rule at Wii bowling

J-STEELE

Damn, 30-60 games a week? That's a lot! But then again I would rather do that then work 40 hours a week. hahaha... Well I'm sure that evens out huh? 30-60 games I would be dead tired. Hey Rounder how do the pros get paid? Is it you have to win in order to get paid or they will get paid regardless but just not as much as if you win your games? I don't know how it works.

PEACE!

J-STEELE

Hey 03SSMTL-S, Wii bowling is fun too. At least you get to bowl for free right? Can't beat that! hahaha....

PEACE!

iTimmy

While I'm not rounder the pro's get paid by winning(or placing high) in PBA events, accomplishing various feats, such as bowling a 300 on air(which will typically mean you've also won that match), and sponsorship. There's a reason Walter Ray throws a Denny's spare ball and Parker Bohn III rolls a pepsi spare ball. Sadly, pro bowlers are some of the lowest paid pro athletes period, you can make a good living bowling, but to make it a successful career takes an enormous amount of talent and dedication.

Back to the thread at hand I have been bowling for about 2 years, was in a rut for the first 18 months or so, incapable of consistently breaking the 200 barrier. Six months ago I got fed up and started studying, purchased a few new balls, got to the lanes more often and am getting much better, it's odd for me to bowl below 175 and mid-200 games are not uncommon.

I have become a fan of Morich bowling balls, for most lanes I like the LevRG Solid but plan on trying their new Frenzy very soon. I am a high track, stroker, think Norm Duke but with a slightly gentler break, he won't hesitate to play the 2nd or 3rd board, I typically play the 4th or 5th.

Spares were an achilles heel for me, but I've gotten much better. While my strike percentage is lingering around 60% my spare percentage was about the same, due to my new approach to spares it's starting to climb to an acceptable level.

I think the key to growing as a bowler is to study the sport a bit more, learn what adjustments need to be made and practice a lot so the adjustments become more natural. If I continue to progress like I have over the previous 6 months I am going to join a PBA experience league in 2010 and if I fare well I'm going to give the PBA a shot - 2 years ago I would have laughed at that notion, throwing consistently in the 140's.

Rounder

It's tough being a PBA pro. They have to pay their way to each tournament location (plane fare, drive, whatever), and pay for their hotel for the week, and put up an entry fee. Then they have to bowl well enough to cash.

Not as glamorous as people think.

pba.com

Just quickly looked at some numbers, very few pro's earned over $100,000 last year.

J-STEELE

Right on iTimmy. Wow I didn't know all of that. Great info about the pros. Yeah I really need to buckle down and study the sport I like to play. I know its just a hobby and that's it but understanding is always key. I need to go and practice more and tell myself its all about adjustments. What I've been noticing is that when I throw a certain way in the alley I always go to doesn't always work at another alley. So its all about adjustments. What sux is that I only have one ball and no spare ball.

Also I know I asked this already, but have any of you ever thrown a 300?

PEACE!

Rounder

No 300 yet. Hopefully this year

And all alleys are different.

J-STEELE

WOW, being a pro bowler isn't as glamorous as I thought it was. Yeah you better be on top of your game if you wanna compete in this sport. Well in any sport period but I thought bowling would be a lot funner for some reason. hahaha. I thought wrong.

PEACE!

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

In my league, handicap is 90% of 220 I believe. We have about 10 people that average 200+ (including myself), most of the people average anywhere between 140-180, and then like 10 that average <140. One girl on my team averages a 82. It sounds terrible but if she shoots 100, that handicap is awesome

I'm looking forward to tomorrow night

Last week in the last game I went front 9, flush ass 8 pin on the 10th ball. Pretty wack considering I'm a righty

PortlandRL

I had a bowling activity in high school but we weren't graded on it. I think my best was a 179 and I was getting fairly good at the end there.

iTimmy

Practice is the key, even with bad form you are destined to get better if you focus. If you study just a little bit, practice and focus you can easily be in the 200's consistently. I should add good equipment makes a big difference.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Very very true. I used to bowl easily 20-30 games a week about 3 years ago. After that, I only bowled about 9 games a week but my average jumped 20+ points compared to seasons before.

iTimmy

Oh I missed that yesterday, no 300 for me yet. The closest I came was stringing 8 strikes, left a 10 pin in the 9th frame and choked on the spare

My personal goals for bowling:
1. Roll a 300
2. Pick up a 7-10
3. Pick up the "big four" 4-6-7-10

With that said I think I have a lifetime of bowling enjoyment ahead of me!

6MTUA5

iTrader: (2)

I've got a 7-10 before.. got kinda lucky though. Was just going for the 10 pin and it somehow hit the back and bounced way over to take out the 7. I almost shit myself.

sho_nuff1997

iTrader: (2)

I bowled a 279 on Silver Strike 2008.