Mark & friends Words of Wisdom:

Just a reminder, whenever you hear Mark or anyone else speak some particular wisdom send the bowling group a text to have it added here.

I can’t highlight Mark this week since he was not there. Boy was it quiet.

Tips & Tricks:

I ran across an article looking at the changes to bowling over the years. This week I will focus on the differences between the 1960s and today.

This article contrasts 1960s tenpin bowling with the modern game. While the basic rules and geometry have stayed mostly the same, the way bowlers create strikes has changed significantly. The main differences come from the playing environment, ball technology, physical technique, and the resulting ball motion through the lane and pins. That sounds like pretty much everything.

One major difference is the lane environment. In the 1960s, lanes and approaches were made of hardwood, usually maple, and sanctioned centers had to maintain that wood carefully, including regular resurfacing. Bowlers developed their games around these surfaces, which influenced ball speed, rev rate, and how much hook was practical. Modern bowlers benefit from improved lane materials and more controlled playing conditions, which allow for stronger angles and more varied styles.

Technique also looked different. The 1960s style emphasized accuracy, a four-step approach, an upright upper body, square shoulders, and a relatively simple pendulum swing beside the body. Bowlers were generally warned against excessive backswing height because it could reduce accuracy. By contrast, modern technique often encourages more shoulder opening, keeping the hand behind the ball longer, and releasing the ball after the slide has stopped, creating more leverage and a stronger release.

Equipment created another important divide. A 1960s bowler typically needed only one hard rubber ball drilled mainly for fit and comfort. Today bowlers often use multiple balls with different coverstocks, cores, and drilling layouts to control motion. Because older balls lacked advanced weight blocks and reactive materials, they tended to hook earlier and create smaller entry angles. As a result, high rev rates were not necessarily an advantage. Today, improved ball technology and lane conditions make it easier for recreational bowlers to create entry angles that professionals in the 1960s could not consistently achieve.

Upon Reflection:

I definitely had a good night again. I really like this new ball! However, I think the consistency of the new ball made me miss the cue to move my feet in the third game. I think when I started getting splits I should have looked at making a bigger change than I did. I started moving half boards at a time to correct the split and as a result I wasted 4 – 5 frames before I made the big move that carried me through the remainder of the game. I had three opens in the first two games then 4 opens in the third game. I think that means I was losing some accuracy in the third as well. I did decide not to use my spare ball this week and that could have factored in as well. I will continue working on maintaining this average and doing it without a spare ball. What are you going to focus on?

Next Week:

Prepare to Win!

HDCP = 297 (A little high since we don’t know Randy’s handicap yet)
Off – John and Tony
Lane – 22
Bowling – 15^th place – Blues Brothers (HDCP=399)

G G G …

Let’s have some fun this week!