(If you throw a straight ball, you can ignore the entire introductory paragraph.)
Several of our bowlers have improved noticeably from our regular weekly outings. But there are still 10, 20, or even 30 pins of improvement out there right in the 10 pin corner. I'm going to get on my soapbox for just a minute. When anyone asks, and often when they don't, I preach; consistency requires that you do the same things the same way every time. You put your left toe on the same spot, choose a consistent target board, and make your best effort to make the same arm/hand motion on each throw. Then, just watch what the ball do what it will. And if you have to adjust your starting position or aim point to consistently strike, at least you have a more reliable routine to gage those adjustments. The exception to that rule are the 6, 9, and 10, and any combination of those three pins. The initial aim point for many of us is so far right to begin with, that in order to allow for the hook we are rolling directly at the gutter or are guessing at an alternate aim point. And even if we move over "enough", the dryer lane conditions we live with has a tendency to hook the ball away from those corner pins anyway. That requires that you alter your hand position and/or arm motion in an effort to "straighten" the ball path or at least minimize the hook. Now we are making different/arbitrary hand/arm motions based on guesses and losing that "consistency". A plastic/polyester spare ball will allow you to use the same exact arm and hand motion and still greatly restrict or even eliminate the hook. It will most likely require a separate starting board and aim point, but once you have that worked out, the 6, 9, and 10 pins will no longer be a mystery. All that will be required is that you hit your mark. 120s will be come 150+, and those 160-180s will be flirting with 200+ scores in no time. So that's enough of that...
Last week I focused a bit on changes in handicap due in large part to the change in how we will calculate them this season. However, I also pointed out how the impact our personal improvement will also have a meaningful impact in our informal competitions. We still don't have new numbers for the whole gang but here is how things look so far.
Note; Dude is the bellwether. His average increase indicates an overall increase in the group's averages.
Last week's observation about our high scores for the new season and the resulting hits on our handicaps turned out to be a bit prophetic. Tom and I both managed to post 200 games again today, but overall those games were only good enough to result in NET 2nd and 3rd place finishes for the week. Todd takes top honors with his 638 NET pins for the day, followed by me with 623 and Tom with 602 NET pins.
And last, we have our overall group standings for the new 2025 season:
Not much change from last week but there is some consistent evidence that we have improved as a group.
And, because I've been known to "beat the dead horse" on occasion, here is an article on spare balls with some recommendations at the bottom of the article. Improve Your Bowling With A Spare Ball!
Note: The Slingin' Wood Pro Shop in Sky Lanes has a number of the Storm Ice spare balls in stock, ready to customize just for you!
Stay warm and safe, and hope to see you next week!
R-
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