Bowling Update

To date, I haven't talked too much of my bowling season, either here, Facebook, among work colleagues, etc., because it was, for a while, going horribly.  But I've averaged 228 over my last 7 weeks, raising my average to 213.

Yep, that's how bad it was going.  203 at the low point.

The changes I made started to pay dividends, spare shooting has improved, and now I'm genuinely excited for the trip to Reno because I am having some work done on my equipment.  I am also shopping for a new ball.

I have no illusion that I'll shoot for an Eagle, or even profit from the trip.  But I'd like to think my chances of cashing in some events is much better now than a few months ago.

The thing I find interesting about my equipment changes is that, for the first time since reaching adulthood, I will be narrowing my span by about a quarter inch.  I tested a ball today with a span about 3/8 inch less span than mine, and it went great.  Oddly, no loss in revs, a natural increase in speed, and a nice, effortless roll off my fingers were the results.  Not to mention 8 strikes in 12 shots starting cold.

It's sad that I've been self-taught so many years.  Had I sought the advice of a pro (and this goes for golf, too), I probably would have discovered long ago that a wider span does not necessarily equate to a better, more powerful roll. Yes, to some degree, as compared to a conventional grip, it does.  But there is a point of diminishing returns where one has to start squeezing more and work harder for no better results.

At nearly 47 years of age, I'm glad to know that I can still learn (quite) a few things.  But it's embarrassing some of the things that I should have learned long ago.  And it's a bit upsetting to think that stubbornness and/or whatever else causes me to always want to be self-taught has cost me several years of better results, and the enjoyment that comes with them.