U.S. Women’s Open Shifts to Texas in 2010 with New Format (source: New York Times)

With a revised format and live televised finals, the U.S.

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U.S. Women’s Open Shifts to Texas in 2010 with New Format (source: New York Times)

Kevin Dornberger to Leave USBC (source: New York Times)

United States Bowling Congress Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger has stepped down from his… Read (source: New York Times) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com

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Kevin Dornberger to Leave USBC (source: New York Times)

Bardol, Hamilton lead way into Junior Gold Championships finals (source: Team USA)

Chris Bardol won’t have the opportunity to cheer on his girlfriend, Brittni Hamilton, during… Read (source: Team USA) - RSS and News widget on Feedzilla.com

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Bardol, Hamilton lead way into Junior Gold Championships finals (source: Team USA)

Tempo, Release, and Other Bowling Adjustments

Straight line bowling is where just about every bowler starts out. This point and shoot method of throwing the ball can be completely adequate for occasional players just out for a fun addition to their social calendar. If you want to get serious about bowling, or if you play on a bowling league, however, straight bowling just wont cut it. You have too little control over where the ball goes; its impossible to consistently throw good shots and most of the time, you are depending more on luck and less on skill. To really improve your game, you need to inject some more advanced techniques into your game that will let you depend on your skill to help you hit the high scores in any bowling alley.

One of the most useful tools a bowler has at his disposal is adjusting his tempo, yet many inexperienced players overlooking it entirely. Tempo refers to the speed at which your approach the foul line to make your shot. Your approach should involve you taking four steps towards the lines, bringing the ball up to your chest with the first step, and then lowering it until it is in the release position with your fourth stride. Most beginning bowlers approach at the same tempo every time, usually quite slow, and do not make any adjustments to their tempo for the kind of shot they are trying to make. If you watch professional bowlers, however, you will notice they adjust their tempo throughout the game. The reason for this is your tempo helps control how fast your ball moves.

If youre throwing your first shot and all the pins are in place, a slow, steady tempo is fine; the ball doesnt have to move fast in this instance. In fact, a slower, steady ball is ideal for a shot like this. But now image its your second shot, and you have three pins standing over in the corner and you want to knock them down to get a spare. Tempo can make or break a shot like this. Pick up the tempo and deliver a fast, hard shot, and you will have the best chance of knocking these pins down. If you learn to adjust your tempo to adjust your ball speed, you will increase your scoring potential.

How you release the ball is another adjustment you can make. Where you release the ball and how much of a spin on it can adjust the hook your ball and let you aim more efficiently. The release of the ball changes the axis rotation and axis tilt on your throw, and the axis rotation and axis tilt adjusts the angle, hook, and skid on your ball. Adjusting your release allows you to make several other adjustments based on the specific factors of a particular game, the lane (is it dry? oily?), and the kind of ball you are playing with.

Another important adjustment you can make is the kind of ball you are using. Most serious bowlers have specific balls for specific instances, just like golfers and their clubs. Some balls are designed for speed, some for hooks, and some for a combination of the two. Playing the right ball on the right shot can make all the difference between getting lucky and getting it right every time.

Straight bowling is fine for beginners, but it leaves much of the game up to chance. If you want to be a serious bowler, start bringing your skill to the forefront, control the ball yourself, and watch your score climb.

Your Options on Finding a Great Bowling Ball

If you want to get serious about bowling, owning your own bowling ball is an important step to take. Making use of the standard balls at the bowling alley is fine for occasional recreational play, but even if you plan on taking part in an amateur bowling league, getting your own ball can make all the difference in the world. There are plenty of bowling balls out there to choose from, so youre sure to find the perfect ball for you.

If this is your first bowling ball, especially if youre a relatively new bowler, you shouldnt just blindly buy the first ball you come across. Your ball is going to be your most important bowling investment, so you should take a more seasoned player along with your when you are shopping, or take your business to a dedicated bowling pro shop, where the knowledgeable staff can help your find the right fit.

The first thing to consider when buying a bowling ball is what kind of ball you should get. There are four main kinds; plastic/polyester, urethane, reactive resin, and particle. If youre new to bowling, or will be bowling strictly as a hobby, plastic/polyester balls are the best choice for you. These balls are the one you encounter most often in bowling alleys; they are very durable, and their texture helps you toss a straighter shot. Urethane balls are what the pros turn to when they want to throw a hook shot. Reactive resin balls are a favorite with experience bowlers; they roll faster and harder than normal balls. Particle balls are the professional ball of choice for most bowling situations; they combine the increased hook potential of urethane balls with the speed you get in reactive resin balls. When youre deciding what kind of ball to get, consider your skill level, how often you will be using the ball, and what kind of shots you want to throw. Avid bowlers often have a few balls they can choose from based on conditions; but again, this probably isnt necessary for new bowlers, unless you plan to play competitively.

Once you have settled on the kind of ball you want, the second most important thing you have to consider is the weight of the ball. One general rule of thumb experts recommend is calculating 10% of your body weight and looking for a ball close to that. The ball you buy should always be heavier than the community ball you usually go for at the bowling alley by at least a pound or two. Because the bowling ball you buy will be custom fit to your fingers, it will feel lighter than the balls at the bowling alley.

After you make these decision, you can move on to the fun part; what color do you want, do you want a design on the ball, do you want your name or initials engraved, and so on. There are many options out there, so your choices are limited only by your imagination. If you dont see what you want, you can get your ball custom designed.

Once you have your ball, make sure you understand how to care for it and store it properly so it always performs its best. Youll want to invest in a case for your ball, and some finger tape to make holding the ball more comfortable. The first time you take your ball out for spin, youll be amazed at how much having the right equipment improves your game. Youll never play with the house ball again!

Helpful Hints on Bowling a Strike

A strike is akin to the Holy Grail in the game of bowling. It means that a player was able to knock down the entire set of ten pins with the very first ball. Bowlers whose score sheets show more X notations than any other scoring are quite coveted within the bowling leagues. Of course, some beginners are seen that can knock down ten pins the first time out, but keep in mind that the measure of a true bowler can be seen in how often she or he can repeat this feat! To this end, here are some helpful hints on bowling a strike again and again.

First and foremost, foot placement is vital! You might be surprised to see just how many bowlers do everything else right, only to wonder time and again why they seem to be incapable of reaching that magic number ten, when in fact their stance is way off. To ensure that you set yourself up for success, make sure that if you are right-handed your left foot is aimed directly at the frontal pin. Your right foot is obviously located to the right of the frontal pin. Some bowlers feel that this will place them at a disadvantage because they have a natural tendency to approach the pin with their right foot, yet this has proven to be a mistake. If you are not certain about your footwork, ask someone to videotape your approach to the pins. The odds are good that you will notice that while your right foot is aiming at the frontal pin, your shoulders are trying to make up for this stand by twisting which may account for some shoulder or back pain!

Once your stand is proper, the bowling ball should be held in your right hand in the backward starting position. The very step that you will take is with your right foot. As you take your second step with the left foot, you will need to swing your arm down. At this point, gravity should be guiding you. The third step will once again involve your right foot, which needs to be slid behind the left leg. You are now ready to deliver the ball. This moment of letting go may be a moment of truth for those who have not given much thought about how to release a ball properly.

Novice bowlers make the mistake of releasing the bowl either too early usually which the arm is still in the midst of the movement that brings it forward while some wait too long, not releasing it until the upswing has been completed. Both techniques lead to balls that will most likely not make it past the mid-lane with any strength left to reach the pins. Instead, plan on releasing the bowling ball as you begin the final upward motion. This happens concurrently with the one foot being slid behind the other. Make sure that your wrist is straight and that you are poised to deliver the ball over the foul line. The first digit to leave the ball is the thumb. Aim for the middle of the lane, and do not take your eyes off the front pin.

Many bowlers do a great job up to that point, only to lower their eyes and watch the ball depart. They are unaware that it is not just their eyes that move, but also their shoulders and even the upper torso. This, in turn, affects the trajectory of the ball, and many a gutter ball has seen the light of day because of this maneuver. Follow these tips, and you will be able to roll many a strike again and again!