Factors that Affect your Center of Gravity when Bowling

Who would have thought that bowling can be so complicated? After all, the game simply entails sending a perfectly round ball down a long and narrow corridor with the goal of knocking down a number of pins. This might have been your train of thought before you seriously got involved with bowling.

Once you did enter the world of recreational bowling and perhaps even league bowling you soon realized that there is so much more to this game than meets the eye. There are mental aspects of this game that would do any baseball match proud. Then there are the physical aspects that are akin the various conditions that may be found in golf. Last but not least is the matter of equipment selection which is as serious as it may be found in professional skating, where even the smallest aspects may mean the difference in points that will win or lose a match.

Talk to any seasoned bowler, and she or he will nod sagely when you inquire about the center of gravity while bowling. There are a number of factors that affect your center of gravity, and if you are aware of them, you will be able to spin them to your advantage; obviously when gravity and bowling are mentioned in one sentence it is no surprise that it is the actual bowling ball that is being discussed. Not all bowling balls are created equal, and seasoned players are actually quite often going to great lengths to alter their balls so as to squeeze the last ounce of performance out them.

Nothing affects the center of gravity as much as the top and bottom weight of a bowling ball. Granted, the ball is perfectly round and it is hard to imagine that there might be different weights that could even be discussed, yet did you ever consider that there is a little bit of extra weight added to the bowl to make up for the material that is discarded when the finger holes are drilled? Failure to add this counterweight would result in your balls rolling down the lane with a quite noticeable wobble. Novices do not usually consider the fact that there are a couple of ounces of material missing in the top of the ball, yet when it is rolled it traverses the lane in a smooth fashion, as though the sphere were unbroken.

If you take a close look at your bowling ball, you will actually be able to see where its center of gravity is located because it is marked with a small dot. The counterweight that makes up for the weight lost when the finger holes were drilled is placed underneath this dot. Experienced bowlers have figured out that they can alter the performance of the ball by drilling additional holes into their bowling balls, thus throwing off the center of gravity slightly. Thus, if a bowler wishes to make up for a personal handicap, or maybe a perceived lane fault, she or he may drill one or more holes into one side of the ball, leaving the directly opposing side slightly heavier. This will affect the center of gravity in that it will cause the ball to travel closer to that direction than toward the other one. Of course, the alterations you will be able to make with these subtle shifts do not make up for skill and excellent lane conditions; conversely, if you make your changes ill advisedly, you may actually hinder your game rather than improve it. Thus, it is imperative that you are completely certain of what you are accomplishing before beginning to drill.

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Getting to Know Your Bowling Ball From the Weight

Getting to Know Your Bowling Ball From the Weight to the Finger Holes

Bowling balls have been made of rubber and even wood in the past, but todays bowling balls are much sturdier and made from a variety of materials. If you are looking for a new bowling ball consider taking a look at some reviews before making your purchase. It is always smart to thoroughly investigate any product you want to buy and a bowling ball is no different.

Bowling balls can be an expensive investment, but one that can be well worth the money if you find the right ball. A bowling ball can become a much-cherished object if you find the right one, and it is important to know your ball inside and out to determine what aspects are most important to you.

There are many things that you should know about a potential ball that you are looking to purchase. Consider the price, weight, material as well as the balls hook potential, all which are important when buying a bowling ball. A review will tell you whether the ball skids or grips on a well-oiled lane, as well as both the positive and negative aspects of the bowling ball you are considering.

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Manufacturers are constantly improving their balls to try to come up with the best product. Historically, bowling balls were made of lignum vitae, which is a very hard wood. As you know now, those are not the bowling balls that would qualify as the very best bowling balls.

Using a technical design, the best bowling balls were created by their manufacturers. The core design of the bowling ball is the key. Computer software is an essential part of improving bowling balls to make them very best and most consistent bowling balls out there on the market. With technology and design, the entire world has made enormous changes and set out on the quest to create the best bowling balls ever!

Most manufacturers goal is to make more standardized bowling equipment, merchandise, and accessories. The current regulations require a diameter between 8.500 and 8.595. All bowling balls are required to meet certain standards and receive approval by the ABC (American Bowling Congress) after being examined carefully by experts.

All of the best bowling balls you will find will fit the criteria for an excellent ball, however if you want to shop for the best bowling balls, the most durable and dependable be sure and check out reviews of the products.

When choosing your ball it is not only important to choose a good and well-designed ball, but one that fits you. Balls are very personal to the owner and can be specified in weight, design, and finger holes to fit you. Balls can be engraved or personalized in different ways and can reflect your personality. Along with the design of your ball it is important to select the best weight for you. Too heavy a ball can cause back strain and inaccuracy, while a ball that is too light can also be inaccurate and not carry enough power. It is important to find a ball that is comfortable for you, keeping in mind your height and weight. The other thing to keep in mind when purchasing your ball is whether the finger holes are drilled to fit your finger size. A correct fit will give you a better grip on the ball as well as a more comfortable hold. Finding the perfect ball for you is the best way to improve your game. Be sure to shop around and try lots of balls before purchasing a ball for yourself to make sure that you have chosen the correct one.

Defining the Four Approach Step to Bowling

There are more sports terms associated with the sport of bowling than with any other sport. Some of the terms are hard to understand for novices, while others are denoting concepts that even the occasional bowler will have a hard time wrapping his or her mind around; one such concept is the four approach step. It looks exceedingly simple when in motion, yet to talk through the approach clearly evidences just how complicated each part of it truly is.

First and foremost is the first step. Instead of carrying the ball for the first step, you are actually sending it forward with the first step. To greatly simply this four-step approach, it is important to realize that it is defined by this all-important first step. Not only does it offer a different ball delivery, but it also differentiates itself from the other approaches by this first step with concurrent ball delivery. Posture is everything when positioning to take this approach, and many have suggested that the foot corresponding to the dominant arm should be slightly ahead of the other foot. Please note that this is incorrect and will result not in additional strength, but instead will leave you unsteady for this approach! Thus, instead of having one foot slightly ahead of the other one, your feet should actually be even.

Next, make sure that your upper body is not leaning forward. The goal is to keep your bodys center of gravity low, and if you are bending forward you will actually upset your overall balance. As you take that first step, you will move your ball in synchronicity with your foot. In other words, as your dominant foot goes up, your dominant hand moves the bowling ball straight ahead. Once you have mastered this approach, you are ready for the second step, which will also see the second step of the ball delivery. You will need to let the arm, which is holding your ball, go down by your side and back! The mistake that most novice bowlers make at this juncture is to take their eyes off the pins in the distance and instead follow the progress of the ball on its 90-degree incline. You may not realize it, but by doing so you are permitting your body to leave its upright posture, and instead slump forward slightly, thus upsetting your center of gravity. This will hamper the delivery of the ball especially its trajectory as defined by the four-step approach itself.

The third step will see the completion of the back swing. If you keep your eyes on the pins, you will avoid the body twist so many bowlers experience at this juncture. The fourth step will now see dual action. Your knee will be bent more than at any other step, while your hand will release the ball using only the force of gravity that you have built up during the preceding steps. Do not give in to the temptation at the last minute to hunch your back or twist your shoulder. Instead, keep your upper body as balanced and upright as you did before. Not only will this ensure that your ball embarks on its planned trajectory, but it will also prevent your muscles from tensing and aching, and your back and shoulders from causing you some awful after bowling pain the next day. As you can see, the idea of the four-step delivery appears to be simple, yet when you truly consider the implications each step has for the successful release of the ball, you quickly realize that it takes a long time of practice to perfect this approach.

Defining Axis Rotation and Axis Tilt in Bowling

When youre trying to improve your bowling game, especially if you are new to the game, you need to branch out beyond the simple point and throw method of releasing the ball. Learning a little bit about the science behind throwing the perfect shot will help you plan your shots better and improve your game tremendously. Understanding axis rotation and axis tilt is a great place to start; identifying your own axis rotation and tilt will help you choose the perfect bowling ball for you and adjust your shooting techniques accordingly.

Axis rotation and axis tilt both describe the angle of a rotation bowling ball. Think of the rotation of a bowling ball happening in two separate fields, one horizontal and one vertical. Each of these fields of rotation, the axis rotation and axis tilt, determine the angle of the ball. In turn, the angle of the ball determines how soon the ball will reach the so-called breakpoint the point in the lane where the ball makes a slight turn towards its intended target. If you can control these factors, you can better control the movement of your ball.

Axis tilt, which is also sometimes called spin, describes the rotation of the ball in the vertical field. Keeping your axis tilt to a minimum is desirable. The more spin your have the vertical field, the less able you will be to make your ball hook close to the pins, and the more likely your ball will be to skid away from your intended strike zone. If youre wondering how much axis tilt you put on your shot, look at your hand when you release the ball. Is your thumb near the top of the ball? If so, youre putting a high amount of axis tilt on your ball. For the best results, try and release the ball with your thumb as close to the bottom of the ball as possible. This will keep your axis tilt to a minimum.

Axis rotation refers to the amount of spin on the ball in the horizontal field. Unlike axis tilt, you do not want to keep the axis rotation on the ball as low as possible. Instead, you want to find a happy medium. If you have too much axis rotation on your ball, your ball is only roll straight-forward; it will not hook and curve towards its target. Too much axis rotation, on the other hand, will mean too large of a hook. When your ball hits the break point with too much axis rotation, it will likely make a turn straight for the gutter.

You can also judge the axis rotation on your shots by looking at where you hand is when it releases the ball. The most desirable position is to have your hand at approximately the 4:30 mark for right-handed players and 7:30 for left handed players.

To get a better handle on your axis rotation and axis tilt habits, have a professional or experienced bowler watch you throw a few shots. They should be able to give you a clear idea of what you are doing and how you can improve. In addition to making adjustments to your own game, you can correct some of your axis tilt and rotation problems by using the correct ball. Some balls will increase or decrease your hook based on the materials they are made of, so look for one that compliments your playing style. Being conscious of these factors, plus using the right ball for your style of play can dramatically improve your overall game.

Does the Bowling Ball Make That Much Difference in a

Does the Bowling Ball Make That Much Difference in a Game?

There are absolutely hundreds of bowling balls available on the market, which can be overwhelming and confusing to a person who is trying to choose a bowling ball. The key to choosing the right ball is to understand the differences between bowling balls and know what you are trying to achieve with your bowling ball purchase.

Some information you should know about bowling balls before making your purchase is that a bowling ball is mostly composed of two major parts, the Coverstock and the Weight Block. The Coverstock is the outer shell of the bowling ball. This is the part of the ball that you see and the most influential element of the ball when it comes to hook potential. This is because it is the part of the ball that is actually making contact with the lane surface.

There are four main types of bowling balls: plastic, urethane, reactive resin, and particle, which is proactive. The big difference between these coverstock materials is how they perform and react on the lane surface. When a ball is rolled down the lane, friction is created from the contact between the coverstock and the surface of the lane. The more friction that is created from this contact the more hook potential the ball has. The amount of friction that is created will vary depending on the type of the balls coverstock.

Plastic coverstock is a really smooth surface and creates the least amount of friction. Therefore it has the least hook potential available in a bowling ball. This type of ball is good for beginners who want their own ball with a proper fit to their hand. Intermediate and advanced bowlers also use this type of ball for shooting spares because of the balls very predictable reaction due to its very low hook potential.

Urethane coverstock is more durable than plastic and creates more friction between the ball and the lane surface. This means that urethane has a higher hook potential than plastic. Due to the increased friction on the lane, urethane tends to deflect less which results in better pin action. This type of ball is a more advanced step up from a plastic because it is still very controllable but also offers increased hook potential.

Reactive Resin coverstock is less durable than plastic or urethane, but creates more friction, hook potential, and pin action. Due to the much higher friction they create, reactive resin balls are more sensitive to lane conditions, and operator error. Therefore they are usually a little more difficult to control. This type of ball is designed for the intermediate or advanced bowler who wants to be able to hook the ball and a lot of potential lane reactions.

Particle coverstock has a very bumpy feel to it, which allows the ball to dig into the lane surface. This creates the most friction available on heavily oiled lanes. Mostly intermediate and advanced bowlers use this type of ball.

The Weight Block of a bowling ball is found inside the ball beneath the coverstock and has a lot to do with how your ball will perform. The two main types of weight blocks are high mass and low mass.

A High mass weight block will promote a lot of length down the lane because it doesnt usually allow the ball to get into a heavy roll, and a Low mass weight block will allow for that heavier roll, which can increase hook potential.

When choosing a bowling ball, be sure to consult with someone who knows a lot about them because finding the right ball for your size, weight, and skill level will make all the difference as well as help you make the right investment.

A Little How-To when It Comes to Tallying Bowling Scores

A Little How-To when It Comes to Tallying Bowling Scores

Tallying bowling scores may seem difficult to many people, but score keeping is as simple as adding up the number of pins each player knocks down. When bowling, each player has a turn to knock down the ten pins, and each player has two opportunities to knock them down. On the first attempt a player will bowl their ball, and knock down as many pins as possible. All of the pins that are knocked down on the first attempt are counted and recorded. In a bowling alley, a pin setter will remove the standing pins, clear the pins that are knocked down, then return the remaining pins. Then the player gets their second attempt, and any pins that are knocked down will be counted and added to the first score. The score from both attempts will be added together, then to any previous scores.

Before taking score, each player name should be written in the space provided on the score sheet. Recording a players score requires locating the players name, then writing the number of pins knocked down in the small space in the top left corner of the box for a specific frame. The number of pins knocked over on the second attempt should be recorded in the small box next to the first recorded score. The two scores from each attempt should be added together, and then recorded in the large blank space at the bottom of the box. In the game of bowling each set of ten pins is called a frame, and a complete game of bowling will be ten frames. In bowling, the object of the game is to knock over all ten pins in each frame; a high score indicates how well a player has performed.

If a player knocks down six pins on the first attempt then two pins on the second attempt, the players score is eight for the first frame. In the second frame, if the same player knocks down seven pins on the first attempt of the second frame, and one pin on the second attempt, then the player will have a total score of 16. There is also the possibility of bonus scoring in the game of bowling. Bonus scoring occurs when a bowler knocks down all ten pins in each frame. The bonus points will depend on whether a player knocked down all ten pins on the first ball roll or the second ball roll. Knocking down all ten pins on the first ball roll is known as a strike. Recording a strike requires marking an X for that frame; the players score will be the ten pins that they knocked down plus any other pins that are knocked down on the next two ball rolls.

When scoring a strike, scorekeeper must record the ten points plus the pins knocked down on the second attempt. The result of these scores should be recorded in the totals area for the frame that the strike was thrown in. After a strike, the next frame should be scored as usual. If a player bowls another strike, then ten points should be added for the first strike along with ten for the second strike, and the number of pins knocked over on the first attempt of the next frame. A player that knocks down all ten pins on the second ball roll is noted as rolling a spare.

A spare should be recorded as a / for that frame, and a players score will be the ten pins that were knocked over plus what they knock over on the next roll. The scores in a bowling game will continue to accumulate until each bowler plays all ten frames. If one bowler rolls a strike or spare on the 10th frame, then that bowlers score will continue to rise as the bowler throws rolls their bonus balls. Once each player has finished the ten frames, all of their scores are added up to determine the winner.

Catch this Bowling Technique The Hook Ball

When your first begin bowling, the bowling technique you probably use is called straight bowling. In this style of bowling, you simply point the ball towards the pins and shoot. While bowling this way is perfectly acceptable, and in fact, you can bowl a pretty good fame that way, if you want to get serious about bowling or improve you score, you have to stop leaving the strikes to chance and incorporate some more advanced techniques into your game. One of the first more advanced moves people turn to is the hook ball. This little trick can seriously increase your scoring potential by giving you a lot more control over where you ball ends up and which pins you knock down.

The problem with straight bowling is that to keep the ball out of the gutter, you have to send the ball down the center of the lane. While this may keep your ball firmly in the lane, it is unlikely to end up giving you a strike (except for those few occasions when you get lucky, and the pins knock each other over). Sending the ball down the middle of the lane is more likely to split the pins in half; youll knock down some, but then there will a few pins left on one side and a few pins left on the other side, with a gap in the center. It will be next to impossible to knock the rest of them down on your second turn. Even if you do manage to grab yourself a spare on turn two, relying on spares wont win you a game if youre playing with people who are throwing strikes. Thats where the hook ball comes in.

The hook ball allows you to put a little bit of spin into your shot and angle the ball to aim exactly where you want it to. Throwing a hook ball is all in the release. As a general rule, you want to release the ball when your thumb is close to the bottom, and give it a little spin with your fingers. With the correct spin, the ball should travel in a straight line until it reaches the break point, the point in the lane where the ball begins to turn towards its target. When it reaches the break point, the ball should gradually arc out and then curve back in directly towards the pins you are trying to hit.

If you want to throw a perfect hook ball, you will need to know your axis rotation and axis tilts habits. These terms refer to the amount of vertical and horizontal spin you tend to put on your shots. You can get a general idea of these by looking at the position of your hand when you release the ball, but the best way is to get someone else to watch you throw a few shots. If you know your axis tilt and rotation styles, then you can make corrections to your game, plus you can use the best kind of bowling ball for your bowling style.

Urethane balls are the perfect balls for throwing hooks. There texture helps you get just the right spin on the ball. When you have the right ball, all you need then is practice, and plenty of it. Learning hook balls can be a time investment, but that investment will be repaid in dividends in your high scores. Get those hook balls just right, and you may just never go back to straight bowling again.

Bowling Techniques The Best Way to Pick Up Spares

Bowling Techniques The Best Way to Pick Up Spares

Many players often overlook picking up spares in the game of bowling. Most players worry too much about bowling a strike, and not enough time trying to pick up the spares. It is important for players to realize that is not always possible to bowl a strike, and sometimes a bowler must think about picking up spares before attempting to bowl a strike. It may be possible to beat many competitors by picking up the spare pins in a frame. To effectively pick up spares, players should begin by aiming directly for a pin square and hitting the target. It is most effective to use a ball that is made specifically for picking up spares; professionals call it a spare ball. Spare balls are most commonly plastic, because plastic balls have the tendency to go straighter than regular bowling balls.

When trying to pick up a spare, it is best to straighten the wrist as much as possible, and to the roll the ball at the pin square as straight as possible. Relaxing the wrist during the release is most effective, and is a key part of picking up spares. Practicing picking up spares is something that all bowlers should incorporate into their practicing routine. Players in a league or tournament find it effective to shoot at the 7-pin or the 10-pin. Using this method of practice allow the bowler to observe their own reaction as they are crossing the lane. Minimizing the spin on the bowling ball should also be incorporated into a practice. Picking up spares can also help any bowler raise their average. If a player misses a spare, their average will drop dramatically, and picking up spares can decide whether a player bowls a 250 or a 200 game.

In the game of bowling, picking up spares requires plenty of thinking and time. If a player wants to successfully pick up a spare, they must first carefully think about it. Where to line up for the spare and then take the shot should be a major consideration for bowlers. Players should never rush their shots, and should always think about where they want to roll the ball. Being relaxed during the shot will also make a player more successful in picking up the spare. An anxious player may throw the ball into the gutter, or may completely miss the target. When picking up spares, players should aim for the pin that is the closet to them, and strike the pins from the right side. The feet should be moved to the left one dot for each row of pins remaining, if the bowler is right-handed.

For left-handed bowlers, the feet should be moved to the right one dot for each row of pins remaining. If a player wants to pick up a spare, then that player should roll the ball across the strike target at the spare. The ball should be rolled across the third arrow to the left of the players target; this is an effective way to pick up spares. There are many problems that may prevent a player from effectively picking up spares. In bowling, if a ball is hooking early and dying on the back-end this could be due to the ball surface.

If the surface of the ball is too dull, it can cause the ball to roll early and use up the energy too early instead of storing the energy until it reaches the back-end. In this instance the ball can be polished or the grit may be smoothed out of the surface using a high-grade sandpaper. Using these methods will get more length from the ball, increasing the amount of back-end reaction. If changing the surface is not effective, and the ball is still hooking too early, it may be best to move the target on the lane and to move the feet a little to the left.

Bowling Ball Dynamics The Balance Holes and their Role

Bowling Ball Dynamics The Balance Holes and their Role

Everyone knows that a bowling ball has three holes– one for the middle finger, one for the ring finger, and one for the thumb. But sometimes, other openings called balance holes are drilled into a bowling ball to facilitate the adjustment of the balls static weights so as to affect the balls dynamics when it is in motion.

A bowling balls static weights are measurements of the balls balance, and the American Bowling Congress (ABC) and the Womens International Bowling Congress (WIBC) set certain specifications of these weights. According to the ABC, for a ball weighing ten pounds or more, the maximum difference between the weight of the top and the weight of the bottom of the ball is three ounces, and the maximum difference between the sides to the right and left of the finger holes, and between the front and back of the finger holes, is one ounce. These limits decrease along with the weight of the ball, as the limits for an eight-pound ball are a ounce differential between the sides and a 2-ounce differential between the top and bottom. In many cases, the drilling of finger holes creates a difference in weight, as a certain amount of material is taken out of the ball to make room for the bowlers fingers. This imbalance affects the way the ball moves down the lane, so perfecting the balls static weights can give the bowler a distinct advantage.

To adjust this imbalance in weight, often a bowler will drill a hole called a balance hole in the heavier part of the ball to remove some material in an attempt to equalize the weight of the top and bottom of the ball. The ABC rulebook states that only one hole can be drilled for balance purposes, and this hole cannot exceed one and one-quarter inches in diameter, so bowlers must be careful not to exceed specifications, especially if they have any plans of competing in sanctioned events.

Bowlers also drill balance holes in their bowling balls to affect the way the ball hooks, or curves when thrown a certain way. An imbalance in weight from side to side can cause the ball to curve more dramatically in order to hit the pocket at a better angle. It is recommended that a bowler start with a small balance hole to see what kind of effect is has on the movement of the ball, as a deeper hole can always be drilled later. For a more dramatic reaction, balance holes should be drilled 2 to 3 inches in depth, as it is at this level that some of the balls core will be removed which will better affect the movement of the ball. If one drills a shallower hole, the material that is removed will be less dense, and this will not affect the overall mass of the ball as much. In addition, the speed at which one throws the ball will also determine the suggested size of the balance hole. For a slower ball speed, a smaller balance hole is recommended, while a bowler who throws the ball at a high rate of speed would best be served by a larger balance hole.

For advanced bowlers who are able to finesse the ball down the lane with a good deal of accuracy, balance holes are one tool that can be used to affect the dynamics of the ball as it moves down the bowling lane. As long as they are careful to not exceed the major bowling organizations specifications on weight differentials and the amount and size of the balance holes, bowlers are free to use this equipment modification technique to their advantage.

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