Five Misconceptions About Bowling
Misunderstandings Recreational Bowlers Have About the Sport
Sep 11, 2009
Bowling is the type of sport that most people think they can just pick up and put down whenever they want. And in reality, this is true; as long as their goal is to just have a good time and not improve their game.
However, for recreational bowlers who want to understand more about the sport with an eye toward getting better at it, here are five misconceptions they should know.
Anyone Can Bowl
Actually, anyone can bowl…just not very well. Pick up a house ball, toss it down the lane at the head pin and call it bowling. To be good at bowling takes time, patience and an understanding of the dynamics of what goes into rolling the bowling ball properly down the lane. And that means getting the proper equipment.
When recreational bowlers throw a house ball wearing house shoes they have to rely on whatever is available. While league, tournament and pro bowlers have their own proper fitting shoes and bowling balls selected by weight and lane conditions. In addition, their bowling balls are drilled specifically to fit their hand.
Bowling is All about Muscle
One of the biggest misconceptions about bowling is the idea that the sport is just about throwing a ball down the lane as hard and fast as possible in an effort to smash and scatter the pins all over the lane.
While this may work, bowling is not about how hard someone throws the ball; it is about how accurate they can roll it to the pocket. The pocket is the area between the one and three pin for right-handed bowlers, and the one and two pin for lefties. And accuracy isn’t about speed or power. On top of that, bowling has a mental aspect to it. Watch a pro bowler or even a good amateur sometime. They are very focused, just like a golfer.
Just Toss the Bowling Ball at the Pins
Yes, bowlers can do that. However, good bowlers, those with the high averages, do something called spot bowling.
Spot bowling is about aiming at one of the spots on the lane instead of at the pins themselves. Which spot a bowler will roll their ball over all depends on lane conditions. Lane conditions are about how much oil is or isn’t on the lane.
Turn Your Wrist to Spin the Bowling Ball
Weekend bowlers who occasionally see a good bowler throw a bowling ball and watch how it curves into the pocket are often eager to try this approach out for themselves. However, if they are using a house ball chances are they will not be able to make it “hook.” That is what that curving motion is called.
Bowling balls hook for three reasons: the material they’re made from, how they’re drilled and how they’re thrown. House balls are usually plastic with conventional drilling, so they go straight. Balls which hook are made of reactive resin and are fingertip drilled, so the bowling ball can roll gently off the tip of the fingers.
In addition, bowlers need to learn and practice throwing a fingertip hook ball in order to get good at it. That includes everything from their approach and arm swing to their release and follow through. It’s all about timing. To learn more, check out this great article on how to hook a bowling ball.
Bowling Isn’t a Very Physical Sport
Most people don’t see bowling in the same vein as an active sport such as football or basketball. However, bowling can still put physical strain on the human body.
Just try bowling sixteen games in a single day (something pro bowlers often have to do), and a bowler’s fingers not only become rough, sore, swollen and sometimes bleed, but their arms and shoulders ache along with their legs and knees.
Bowling can be fun and, like any sport, it can be hard work. It’s just a matter of understanding what it takes to get do it well.
 |
