Bowling Better with
Coach Brian
Resolved: “Don’t Just Buy the Sports Car, Learn to Drive It”
By Brian Dodds
How many of us have purchased a new ball and thought we had the “magic pill” to raise our scores? Most of us have done it and we have probably done it more than once. And, just like the golfer with a new driver or putter, we soon find out that we have not solved the real issue; our form.
If we step away from looking at that ball we think will solve our current scoring issue and take off our rose-colored glasses we will see the real issue. We need some basic help with our physical game and perhaps our mental game as well.
Much like the person who wanted to look sporty for improved self-esteem, we buy the latest sports car. After owning the car for a few weeks we realize nothing has changed except we now have a bigger car payment. We are the same person who pictured ourselves as being Danica Patrick or Michael Campbell or Jeff Gordon. Our wanna be psyche let us down again because we approached our fundamental problem as many doctors do our health issues by treating the symptom and instead of the cause.
And so it is that I weave my way once again to the point of my New Year’s Resolution Story: team up with your new ball and explain your real issue to your friendly pro shop operator. Make sure that whatever ball you have purchased, or intend to purchase, is drilled to fit the style of play you prefer and, more importantly, that your current physical game demands that you play. If you are a typical down and in player your pro shop driller needs to know this. Better yet, ask her/him to watch you bowl so she/he understands your style and its limitations.
Secondly, with newly drilled ball in hand, roll a few shots with the ball technician watching. If you have the “look” that you want all is good. If not, discuss with the technician what can be done to achieve it. Perhaps a modification in the drilling or the surface finish can help. Understand that sometimes it takes a couple of modifications to achieve the ball reaction you prefer.
Your next step may well be to attack the fundamental issue of the “driver”. If it is not the ball, contact a certified instructor to give your game a professional look-over and some guided instruction for improvement. Just because we own a powerful ball doesn’t mean we posses the fundamental skills to get the most out of its potential. Write down your thoughts and take them with you to your lesson. Be realistic in your desires. Some of us are crankers and some strokers and yes, there remain among us a few full-rollers. Be realistic in your goals and take realistic steps to improve and any ball in your arsenal can be that “sports car” you saw when you first walked in the pro shop. Good luck and good bowling.
“If you like bowling, pass it on!”
Bowlers Journal 100 Top Coaches, USBC Master Bronze Instructor & USBC Silver Coach
e-mail Coach Brian@:: bdodds@computer-connection.net
Ó December 2006
|