This last season (bowling, of course) has been one of HUGE ups and downs. Sadly, mostly downs. I’ve struggled all season with release problems, accuracy problems and timing problems. Recently, there has been a glimmer of hope at salvaging the last quarter of this season after my visit with Mo Pinel, of MoRich Bowling, in Newport, KY. A new release, a new fit and a new ball later and I saw some quick improvements. However, with each improvement, there was a swift pull back to reality. In the last 4 weeks, I’ve bowled two 600’s only to follow them up with low 400’s. Talk about a violent swing in results.
There are a few positives to be gleaned from this season:
- I have learned how to honestly evaluate how the ball is rolling on the lane. This is important to making REAL decisions about adjustments and not just guessing
- I have learned how to evaluate various aspects of my game, in real time, allowing me to at least begin to fix any problems that are present on any given night. So if I’m having timing problems, I know what to do to try to correct it. If I’m having release issues, I can make changes to correct that. This is something that still has a lot of room for improvement, but I’m made huge strides in the right direction.
- I’ve FINALLY found a release that allows me to stay off the thumb hole. Thank you, Mr. Pinel!
- I have made huge steps in the right direction toward learning the pro shop business. I now know how to plug, fit and drill a bowling ball. I need more practice to become more proficient at laying out a ball for a specific bowler, but I’m making big strides in that direction also.
- I am getting better at controlling my emotions while I bowl. Being incredibly competitive and incredibly critical of myself, I have a tendency to lose my cool and pretty much throw a mini-tantrum on the lanes and just throw the ball willy nilly down the lane. This is not constructive or productive. I’m getting better at staying objective, though things still get away from me sometimes. Most recently, this last Sunday. Whoops!
- By far the biggest positive from this season, is the happenstance meeting of Mo Pinel and his cohorts: Paul Ridenour and Steve Freshour. These three men are some of the most knowledgeable men in the area of ball motion, ball dynamics, layouts and the science of bowling. From reading alone, I’ve learned a great deal about the sport I’ve come to love. As such, it has lit a fire in me to start and operate a pro shop. When this might happen is anybody’s guess, but it will happen.
With little more than 2 weeks left in this season, I find myself looking forward to the summer league with a level of excitement and anticipation. My hope is that over this summer period, I will be able to achieve and maintain a minimum average of 190. If I could get my average to 200+ or even 210+, I will be in GREAT shape to compete well in tournaments next season.
Roll on the summer!
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