Improve Your Bowling Score. Bowling has had high participation for quite a number of years. In 2006, over 66 million

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1 xxxxxx 1 Bxxx Dxxxxxx E. Masterson English Mar. 29, 2010 Improve Your Bowling Score Bowling has had high participation for quite a number of years. In 2006, over 66 million people participated ranking it fifth among participatory sports behind exercise walking, swimming, exercise with equipment and camping (bowlingfoundation). The Bowling Foundation also reported that people participating fit into two main groups, league bowlers and open-play bowlers with league bowlers numbering only two and a half million. Figure 1. Index of Bowler Participation by Income (whitehutchinson) Changes in society over the last few decades have profoundly affected the sport of bowling (whitehutchinson). White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group also reports there has been a notable decline in the number of bowling centers and that the sport has shifted away from being a predominantly blue-collar recreation activity to one with more white-collar participants. Figure 1 shows how annual household incomes affect participation in 2007.

2 xxxxxx 2 The concept of bowling is relatively simple. Roll a nine-inch diameter ball down a sixtyfoot long 42-inch wide lane and knock down the ten standing pins. The lane dimensions do not change and comply with standards required by the United States Bowling Congress (Bowl). A few of the measurements in the certification process include lane length, pin placement, pin dimensions, lane width, gutter width, gutter depth, sloping of the lane and pin deck (side to side and front to back). Although the concept of bowling is relatively simple, the scores of beginning bowlers indicate a certain level of skill is required in order to produce a high score. There is also an element of luck. Usually this occurs when the bowler does something he had not intended, only to have the ball react or hit the pins just right to knock them down. However, a good game is also the result of the right equipment, recognition of the present conditions, and the ability to repeat the same motion. This paper will analyze a few of these variables that are within the control of the bowler and when properly managed, will lead to an improvement in his or her bowling score. Specifically, analysis of the various balls used and delivery options represent two variables directly within the control of the bowler. Additionally, recognition of the lane conditioning or oil on the lane will assist the bowler in determining the ball and delivery to make. As an avid bowler, the author has managed to roll two perfect games and maintain a 199 average over the past three years (Bowl) using techniques described in this paper. Although bowling centers have bowling balls for use, it is also one of the first items bought by the bowler wishing to improve his or her game (Kirchgassner). Although ball weight is important, there are several other considerations when purchasing a bowling ball. The most important of these other considerations are coverstock, core, and placement of the finger holes (Hall).

3 xxxxxx 3 Ball weights range from six to sixteen pounds (Ketcherside). It is commonly thought that one should choose a ball weight based on about ten percent of your body weight or one that is a little heavier than the house ball you are currently using (bowlersparadise). The reasoning is to match both your strength (helpwithbowling) and take advantage of the custom fit (bowlersparadise). Up to seventy percent of the ball s potential reaction is in the coverstock (Poulos). The different coverstocks available allows the bowler to select the amount of potential reaction. Table 1 describes the four basic types of coverstocks available today and the potential reaction that they can provide (Ketcherside). Coverstock Material Function Polyester (plastic) Create low friction allowing the ball to roll straighter down the lane. Polyurethane (urethane) Softer than plastic, it creates more friction enabling the ball to hook more Resin urethane (reactive resin) Resin particles are embedded into urethane creating a tackier surface and will skid more on an oily lane. Particle such as glass, rubber, or Increases gripping ability on oily lanes ceramic Table 1. Description of Coverstocks (Ketcherside) Manufacturers market their unique design of the core of the bowling balls they manufacture. The core design will contribute up to about twenty percent of the ball s potential reaction (Poulos). The core is typically a denser material than the coverstock and contributes significantly to the overall weight of the balls at the heavier ball weights. It is how that weight is distributed inside the ball and how it is drilled that determine what the actual potential reaction will be. Seeing picture diagrams of the inner cores is helpful in visualizing how the weight can work in your favor. See Figure 2 for a sampling of the type of cores available. Note in Figure 2 that the shell is just another name for the coverstock.

4 xxxxxx 4 Figure 2 Types of Cores (helpwithbowling) The drilling of the ball to aid in gripping and modifying weight distribution of the ball can contribute up to thirty percent of the potential reaction of the ball (Poulos). This occurs because the weight distribution inside the ball is not uniform. The denser core material changes the center of balance and when drilling holes the center of balance inside the ball shifts again (Hale). A reputable ball driller determines best hole placement based on the desired ball reaction you desire (bowling2u). Now that you have the desired ball, you are ready to roll it down the lane. You should know that there is a conditioner, also called oil applied on each lane every day. The oil effectively reduces the friction between the ball and the lane and thus serves as a lane protector (Compuserve). Application of the conditioner in specific patterns, forces a bowler to adjust the ball trajectory in order to bowl a good game (Spigner). For example, in my role as President of the local USBC association, I am familiar with the pattern applied to the lanes in Brazoria County, Texas. The pattern applied is common to most bowling centers (Spigner), and extends from the foul line thirty-six feet toward the pins with the outer ten inches of the lanes having

5 xxxxxx 5 about a third or less oil than the very center of the lane. Since the application of the oil is only on the beginning part of the lane, the end of the lane is free from oil and is where the ball reaction discussed earlier takes place. If figuring out the pattern were not hard enough, the skilled bowler must also look at factors that affect the pattern while it is being bowled on (Loy). Usually in competition, there are from eight to ten people bowling on a pair of lanes. Each time a bowler rolls the ball down the lane, it can pick up oil and either move it out of the way or deposit some of it on the part not initially oiled. It is not hard to imagine that several people rolling their ball in the same area of the lane will deplete the oil on that part of the lane drastically affecting the outcome of subsequent deliveries. In addition, I have found that temperature and humidity can also have a profound affect on conditioner. Consistency is very important in achieving and maintaining a high average. As a coach, I look at ways that a bowler can improve his or her consistency in order to improve their game. Generally, I look at the bowler s stance, their approach, and delivery. These are learned skills and by breaking them down into smaller components are easier to focus on one at a time (Vogler). The bowler s stance is an essential element of an effective approach to delivery of the bowling ball (bowlingball). The stance comprises the how, what, where and why you set-up on the approach as seen in Table 2. Nearly every part of your body is integral to a good stance and necessarily must be the same for each delivery to establish consistency (Vogler). Why Plan how you will make your shot Where Go to the spot where you intend to stand on the approach What Position ball for desired speed and arm swing How Eyes focused on target, body posture is relaxed and ready to start approach Table 2. Description of the Stance (bowlingball)

6 xxxxxx 6 The approach is the fluid movement of the bowler and the ball in unison arriving at the foul line delivering the bowling ball onto the lane (specialolympics). Figure 3 is a graphical representation of the process. Integrated into this process is walking straight at a comfortable speed (Vogler) and incorporating either a four-step or five-step approach (Higa). Figure 3. Graphic of Process to Deliver the Ball (specialolympic) Figure 4. Types of grips in use today (helpwithbowling.com) Finally, the grip and hand position also play crucial roles in the reaction of the ball on the lane. Figure 4 is a diagram of the two most common grips in use today. The conventional grip is most common to balls available for use by the public in bowling centers (helpwithbowling). Serious bowlers prefer the fingertip grip, because it gives the bowler an opportunity to impart additional energy into the ball during delivery (bowlingball). The amount of energy is dependent

7 xxxxxx 7 on the hand position and speed at the time of release, which can play a role in the ball reaction (Kirchgassner). This paper has presented analysis of a few of the variables that are within the control of the bowler and when properly managed will lead to an improvement in scoring. There are three areas specifically addressed: 1. An analysis of the various balls used, 2. Recognition of the effect of lane conditioning on ball reaction, 3. Consistent delivery of a ball is dependent on stance, approach, and hand position.

8 xxxxxx 8 Works Cited Bowl.com, N.p., n.d., Web, 22 March Bowlersparadise.com, Bowling Ball Selecting, BowlersParadise.com, Inc., n.d., Web, 26 March Bowlingball.com, Bowling Stance Position, N.p., n.d., Web, 27 March Bowlingfoundation.org, Bowling Facts, N.p., n.d., Web, 21 March Bowling2u.com, Where are the holes drilled, N.p., n.d., Web, 03 March 2003 Compuserve.com, Why We Oil Bowling Lanes, Compuserve Interactive Services, 15 April 2000, Web, 03 March 2003 Hale, Keith, The Intricacies of a Tenpin Bowling Ball Explained for Newcomers, World of Tenpin, May/June 1992, Web, 03 March Hall, Loretta, How is a bowling ball made?, Answers.com, 15 Feb. 1998, Web, 21 March Helpwithbowling.com, Learning About Bowling Balls and which Ball Works Best, Helpwithbowling.com, n.d., Web, 13 March Higa, Clyde, The Bowling Steps And Delivery, BellaOnline, n.d., Web, 13 March Ketcherside, Jennifer, How are bowling balls made?, Pagewise, n.d., Web, 13 March Kirchgassner, Joey, The Core of Bowling, N.p., n.d., Web, 02 March Loy, Jim, Exploring for Oil, N.p., 1996, Web, 13 March Poulos, Constantine, The Bowling Ball Coverstocks, Challenge Bowling Association, 04 April 2001, Web, 03 March Specialolympics.org, Teaching the Approach-Delivery, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, n.d., Web, 27 March 2010

9 xxxxxx 9 Spigner, Bill, Be slick study the oil patterns - Bowling Clinic, Bowling Digest, June 2003, Web, 13 March Vogler, Danny, Let s Talk Bowling: Stance, Ball Position, Approach and Delivery, Bowlersway.com, n.d, Web, 27 March Whitehutchinson.com, What s happening to bowling?, White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group, 3 January 2009, Web, 21 March 2010