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The Secret To Bowling

© Copyright 1997, Jim Loy

Until you're a near-pro (around 200 average), the secret to bowling (10-pins, in case you're from Europe) is to pick up your spares. This really seems to be a secret, as lots of people don't seem to know this.

Once you're a pro, you have to get strikes. That is not because a strike tends to score slightly better than a spare, but because two straight strikes score much better than two straight spares. Pros must string several strikes together. That is their job.

But, until you're a pro, you can improve significantly, just by picking up your spares. This may involve some changes to your game:

Leave single-pin spares

You have to hit the head-pin more often. Throw from the side (right side if you're right-handed), and not down the middle (where the splits are). You'll get more strikes this way, too. You should not throw a huge, macho hook, look at those terrible spares that you leave. A smaller hook is more easily controlled, and will not be a disaster under unfamiliar lane conditions. If you throw gutter-balls, and leave spares that no one else leaves, then you should wise up.

Pick up your single-pin spares

Practice your spares, especially the 10-pin (if you're right handed). Shoot cross alley at the pins on the sides (stand on the left side, and walk toward that 10-pin). Throw a straighter ball at spares (especially the 10-pin). There are several ways to do this, the easiest way is to throw harder. If you never pick up a 10-pin, get a hard bowling ball just for 10-pins (and practice with it, as you must get used to the straighter ball).

go after those tougher spares

You will miss some of these tougher spares (so you don't want to leave very many of them). But, be smart, throw a good line at these tough spares (cross alley with a straighter ball at the 3-10). And pick some of them up. What about the 7-10 split (and other nearly impossible splits)? Make sure you get one pin, and hope it bounces out of the pit. This is the percentage way to try for the 7-10. If you miss a tough spare, blame your first ball for leaving it.

work on a smoother, controlled approach

Nearly all amateurs use a 4-step approach. Nearly all pros use a 5-step approach. You might want to change. Be smooth, with smaller steps.

roll the ball

Don't throw too hard. The ball should be rolling, not sliding, soon after you let go of the ball.

practice

Try to make a deal with your bowling alley owner, to get cheaper practice time. It is hard (and counter-productive) to work on your game during league. Bowling in several leagues may also help your bowling.

If you leave plenty of 3 and 4 pin spares, you're not bowling right. If you are not picking up your single pin spares, you're not bowling right. If you are missing the ten pin most of the time, you are not bowling right. It is time to work on your game, and practice.

Of course, a strike is better than a spare. Just how much better is a strike than a spare? If you get a lot of strikes, like the pros do, then a strike will probably be worth 20 to 30 pins, as it will be followed by a spare or a strike. If you do not get a lot of strikes, but get plenty of spares, then a strike will probably be worth 20 pins. A spare will probably be worth 18 or 19. So, until you are a pro, a strike will generally be only a pin or two better than a spare. That is another reason that spares are so important to the amateur bowler.

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