“How do you know if you have the right ‘stuff’?”

Bowlers often wonder to themselves why they can’t hit the scores they would like to.  Sometimes it’s a lack of practice or a simple technique problem but sometimes it’s something else. 

Sometimes it’s NOT the bowler’s fault!  There are times when a bowler’s equipment or as we’ve refereed to it as “stuff” has failed them. 

Have you ever had your ball fitting checked?  If you’ve used the same ball for several years you may be suffering from a bad fitting.  As people bowl and get older, their hands undoubtedly change and therefore the way their hand fits into the ball also is affected.  Grips wear out, knuckles enlarge and joints become less flexible.  These things changing all affect how your bowling ball fits your hand and also how the ball comes off your hand.  You can’t be expected to deliver consistent, accurate shots if your ball isn’t comfortable! 

Bowling ball fitting is not a finite procedure personal preference is an important consideration.  A span that is too long will typically discourage the bowler from putting their entire thumb in the ball, this will cause inconsistent releases and will likely cause discomfort as well.  Conversely, a span that is too short will typically cause the bowler to squeeze in order to not drop the ball.  A properly fit, comfortable ball should allow the bowler to insert their hand easily into the ball and allow it to swing effortlessly without squeezing.  It should also come off the hand easily without causing pain or irritation to the skin.  If you are experiencing any of these problems, why not bring your ball into the pro shop and have the span checked out just to be sure. 

Before you have the span checked how about having your ball weighed?  Over the past ten years the vast majority of players who had been using 16lb equipment have switched to 15lbs.  If you’ve ever considered throwing a lighter ball, maybe now is the time to make the jump.  Today’s bowling balls are so strong, 15lbs appears to provide the best combination of control, speed and carry. 

How about your shoes?  Do you feel like you are constantly losing your balance, sticking or slipping?  Maybe it’s time to clean the soles or upgrade to a better style of shoe.  Knowing that you are going to hit the foul line with perfect balance is critical to putting your best effort into every shot. 

So, it’s all about having the “right stuff” in order to get the most out of your game.  Come on in today and talk to us about it, advice is always free! 

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