Ten Pin Bowling is harder than it looks!
@RawBill1 (8531)
Gold Coast, Australia
September 20, 2010 7:12pm CST
Yesterday was the first day of the school holidays here (apart from the weekend) so we had our kids home with us. My daughter had a friend over so she was having lots of fun but my son was getting sick of being tormented by two crazy girls so he asked if I could take him bowling. It was pouring with rain the whole day and I thought, well it has been a couple of years since we did it, so why not. 
So off we went feeling pretty confident of our abilities to get lots of Strikes after our success on our Nintendo Wii Bowling over the last year. Well, I can tell you that we were in for a bit of a shock and our confidence was quickly shattered as we ended up in the gutters pretty early in the game! 
My son started the game without the safety barriers that stop the balls going in the gutters, but after getting the ball stuck and having to get the attendant to fetch it, we decided to pull the barriers out. 
About halfway through the first game we started to get spares (mostly me) and things were looking up. I finished the first game with 111 and my son had 61 and we were feeling good about getting higher scores in our second game. But, we were perhaps a bit overconfident again as our form got worse the longer we played and I ended with 91 an my son with 56 in the second and last game that we played. No strikes for either of us at all. :-(
Are you any good at Ten Pin Bowling?
Got any tips for getting good scores?
When was the last time your confidence was shattered?
So off we went feeling pretty confident of our abilities to get lots of Strikes after our success on our Nintendo Wii Bowling over the last year. Well, I can tell you that we were in for a bit of a shock and our confidence was quickly shattered as we ended up in the gutters pretty early in the game!
My son started the game without the safety barriers that stop the balls going in the gutters, but after getting the ball stuck and having to get the attendant to fetch it, we decided to pull the barriers out.
About halfway through the first game we started to get spares (mostly me) and things were looking up. I finished the first game with 111 and my son had 61 and we were feeling good about getting higher scores in our second game. But, we were perhaps a bit overconfident again as our form got worse the longer we played and I ended with 91 an my son with 56 in the second and last game that we played. No strikes for either of us at all. :-(
Are you any good at Ten Pin Bowling?
Got any tips for getting good scores?
When was the last time your confidence was shattered?2 people like this
12 responses
@moonchild1au (6240)
• Australia
21 Sep 10
I have what seems like millions of bowling trophies...I haven't bowled in years as it's an expensive sport & I had a couple of injuries 10 years ago which prevent me from going back to competition but I hope to again soon. I have bowled in leagues since I was 10 years old & still own 3 bowling balls including my mum's ball. At one stage, my coach said I was good enough for the commonwealth games team - all I needed was more lane time.
My tips for bowling is to not look at the pins when you deliver the ball - look at the arrows on the lane...for a right hander, you should be aiming for the arrow second on the right from the middle one & the opposite for a lefty. I hope this helps.
@moonchild1au (6240)
• Australia
21 Sep 10
Thanks for the congrats 
(I used to represent Mt Warren Lanes in Beenleigh) Another thing is when you deliver the ball, make sure your wrist is straight & your thumb ends up as if it's going in your ear - this is how you ensure your wrist is straight...if you aim for the arrow I said to aim for, your ball should end up where you have been aiming for as long as your wrist remains straight.
(I used to represent Mt Warren Lanes in Beenleigh) Another thing is when you deliver the ball, make sure your wrist is straight & your thumb ends up as if it's going in your ear - this is how you ensure your wrist is straight...if you aim for the arrow I said to aim for, your ball should end up where you have been aiming for as long as your wrist remains straight.@moonchild1au (6240)
• Australia
21 Sep 10
Lol let me know what your scores are when you go bowling next....I would compete for the pan pacific as that's the step before the commonwealth games but I haven't bowled in comp for a few years...I'd probably get my butt kicked
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
21 Sep 10
Cool, thanks for the tips. I am keen to go back and try them out now!
I actually think I remember now you mentioning some time back about all the trophies that you had cluttering up your house. That would have been an amazing experience if you had gone to the Commonwealth Games. You should enter the Pan Pacific Masters Games down here in November.
I actually think I remember now you mentioning some time back about all the trophies that you had cluttering up your house. That would have been an amazing experience if you had gone to the Commonwealth Games. You should enter the Pan Pacific Masters Games down here in November. 
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
22 Sep 10
I used to be very good and bowled in several leagues over several years.
It's hard to give tips like this, you really need to have someone show you.
Ring up the local centre and ask if there is ever anyone there who could show you and your son a few pointers. Usually the staff at the centre are all mad keen bowlers so if you go in a quiet time it's highly likely that the person behind the counter who gives you your shoes will be able to come out and show you:
How to hold the ball
Where to stand
Where your fingers should be when you let go and
About following through.
Once you have the basics you can then develop your own style. There are quite a few variables which make the game a lot of fun and very interesting but if you are just having an occasional game once a year - just have fun.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
22 Sep 10
Wow, that's two of my Aussie female friends here who used to be competent bowlers in leagues.
At this pint in time, it is only the odd game every now and then, once a year or so. It is not worth getting too many tips at this stage, but I will take on board what you have said about asking someone there next time. I could have done that the other day as it was pretty quiet there that day.
When I release the ball, the palm of my hand is facing the pins. Should I have my hand more side on? My style was completely different this time to when I used to play more often years ago. I used to spin the ball naturally, but I cannot do this now without missing everything!
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
22 Sep 10
Letting go like that will more than likely make your ball curve a bit to the left...unless you stand correctly and follow through. Try letting go with your thumb on top. Stand half way between the middle dot and the right side of the lane and aim your ball to go through the corresponding arrow on the lane...the aim being to hit the head pin smack on the middle to right hand side....steeerike! Remember gh with your arm to direct the ball to go to where you want itto follow throuf
Picking up stray pins in the pockets for a spare can be achieved by turning your body slightly to face the pins (emphasis on slight)...for the 10 pin a small step across to the left before your delivery will ensure a smooth pick-up. If someone can show you the basics you can then figure out and refine your style (which you sometimes choose to change maybe 6 timeds in a game...)
Another good thing to do is to stand directly behind someone who looks good and is getting strikes...watch for as long as you can then go try and imitate him/her...
)
Another good thing to do is to stand directly behind someone who looks good and is getting strikes...watch for as long as you can then go try and imitate him/her...@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
22 Sep 10
I didn't know there was follow through with football...gee whiz. You learn something every day.
Yeah Bill, I basically ignore the pins other than I use my eye to draw an imaginary line from where I want to hit the head pin, to the arrow where I will put my ball and then, hope for the best. That's what I do when I stand holding my ball before I begin my first steps. I concentrate on the path from the arrow I want my ball to follow.
You just have to take your son again asap because I'm dying to know how you go.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
22 Sep 10
hi rawbill oh yes bowling is much harder in person than
on the Wii thingy. but there is where I lost all my
confidence as I was not quick enought in manuevring'
that control thing and came out with something like
ten or twelve points. oh lord I did better in a real
bowling alley and made 120 once then only 70 after
that.I like to go bowling but am not really good
at it at all. Its been a very long time since I went
bowling.
at it at all. Its been a very long time since I went
bowling.@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
22 Sep 10
Hi Hatley. The Wii is a different thing altogether compared to real bowling. I like to try and imitate real bowling as best I can when using it, but my son just gives a quick flick of his wrist instead and seems to get lots of strikes with it. I have watched him flick his wrist backwards while facing away from the TV and get strikes and also standing on his head on the couch! He just sets it up and then does all these weird things and I try so hard, but I cannot do anywhere near as good as him! He does not even seem to be trying. It is so frustrating! 
At least I can beat him in real bowling.
At least I can beat him in real bowling. 
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
21 Sep 10
Good for u for spending that special time w/your son. I'm sure u both would have been happier to have had a better score but the main thing was that u were together doing something special.Better luck next time. I haven't had any shattering moments lately, lol.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
21 Sep 10
my son didn't get that either & i think that's the main reason he is such a good father to my favorite grandson. I think dads nowadays are different than they were when i was growing up. It's for the better to.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
21 Sep 10
Yes, my dad was always work, work, work. I have not paid off my house as much as he had when he was my age, but I know that I spend more time with my kids and will have a close bond with them as adults. That is more important in the grand scheme of life. I always swore that I would be a different father to how he was.
I get along OK with my dad, but we are not close and there have been tense times over the years.
I get along OK with my dad, but we are not close and there have been tense times over the years.1 person likes this
@trekkiemelissa (211)
• United States
23 Sep 10
I have been bowling for as long as I could remember. I did take a few years off from bowling as I have always been involved in leagues since a young age. Having said that, I don't feel I am the best bowler, but always try to improve my game.
Bowling is actually a good sport to play as you are getting some exercise that you otherwise would not have.
My highest game ever was a 197 which I bowled last year. My best tips is to go to your second or third arrow. Most balls do not go straight. You do not want to hit the head pin head on as you more than likely will get a split. Its best to hit the head pin in with a angle to where you hit the pin next to it also. Also play around with speed a little bit with the ball. If its not fast enough, you are going to have a hard time getting strikes. The same goes for having a ball that goes to fast. Most of all, have fun.
@trekkiemelissa (211)
• United States
23 Sep 10
If you were planning on bowling on a regular basis, I would though suggest get a ball that is custom fit for you. There is a big probability that your game would actually improve.
I bowl with my own bowling ball. It is always hard to find the right bowling ball on the wrack as the holes were usually to big.
It really is rare to get a strike on hitting the headpin head on, but it does happen. I actually have had those happen as they have a domino effect.
Wrist problems are not the only injury that can happen with bowling as you can easily drop the ball in the wrong place.
when you are throwing out your ball, its easy to throw it wrong way. It can be either to far and not far enough. There is a lot of different factors as the game is partially chance.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
23 Sep 10
I guess there are so many variables with the balls themselves and then our arm, wrist and body action, even in our leg placement, that all of these little things need to be worked on in order to get really good at the game. If I was going to get serious then I would get my own ball for sure.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
23 Sep 10
It does seem to be fairly good exercise. Not much chance of injury either except maybe wrist issues? Wow, 197 is pretty good. I do try to hit the front pin on the side of it as I know from experience about splits. I do not even think the best bowler in the world could do anything with a split.
I played around with the speed during our games and I also experimented with a few different balls to try and work out which one left my hand the smoothest. I do not have big hands, but the ones with the biggest holes seemed the best for me.
@veganbliss (3895)
• Adelaide, Australia
21 Sep 10
My wife & I used to go to bowling alleys a few years ago. Just got a voucher to go to another one for free. We're totally clueless, but seem to be getting straight shots all the time, getting frequent strikes & spares. Getting a strike in the last couple of frames is especially lucrative. I've done that a couple of times; it adds heaps to one's total score.
Mate, it's real sad that you've admitted this. Everyone here reckons Queenslanders are at their best when playing sports... any sport! Most of our best Olympic & Commonwealth Games athletes come from Queensland. OK, I guess you're still coming out of "winter", but please, please keep quiet about any sporting failures... it's real bad for tourism & your national (at least) reputation. If you have any doubts about whether you should post anything like this on My Lot, you can PM me first, otherwise, no! We must think of the greater good :-)
On second thoughts, I think what has happened here is that someone has rigged your lane or maybe even the whole lot! I reckon there's someone sitting up there giggling away with a controller, like a joystick & is having a great old time making your balls roll up the gutter :-) I wouldn't go back there again :-)
@veganbliss (3895)
• Adelaide, Australia
24 Sep 10
Yes, you really do need to keep a check on that swaggering gait! They can spot it from a mile away :-).
Yeah, I never thought of that... outdoor sports for Queenslanders & indoor sports for the rest of us! Well, I guess so, but we do beat you guys every now & again at the cricket, probably when Queenslanders are in more of a "whatever" frame of mind :-).
I notice you've brought your addiction to AFL up to Queensland with you... what does your family think of it? Who do you go for? My wife has a firm bet AFL will never overtake rugby's popularity up there! I used to follow it & play sometimes when I was younger & sillier, but now I'm just happy when an interstate team wins the cup from a massively (unfairly?) Victorian-dominated AFL side. SANFL has always had ABC coverage on TV, but it isn't as big (doesn't have the same $$$) as AFL. We could argue that it started over here & Victoria stole it off us, but that's another can of worms that no-one is really interested in hearing about anymore.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
26 Sep 10
Australian Rules Football actually started in southern NSW, but then it took off big time in Melbourne not long after.
I think that the AFL will take over from Rugby League eventually up here. I have already noticed it getting more popular over the years. It is by far the most popular football code in Australia, soccer is second, followed by Rugby League and Union miles behind. I saw these figures a few years back in an article about the rising popularity of soccer.
The AFL just promote the game better with kids than NRL do. They have the Auskick program in every school and they get out and about to local school fetes and public days with their big inflatable goals and everything. The NRL and the Titans turn up with hardly anything. I have been here for over ten years now and I still have no interest in Rugby at all. I am a keen follower of the AFL and have been a Magpies supporter for over 30 years after being first put in a Saints jumper as a kid.
I cannot wait until next year when the Gold Coast team start as their ground is only a few minutes drive from here. I could ride my bike to the games. I have not seen a live AFL game for about 9 years as it can be a hassle getting to the Gabba in Brissie for games from here.
I do miss the old days of State of Origin between Vic, SA and WA. That was real State of Origin, much better than the copy cat Rugby League version!
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
21 Sep 10
I am, to put it bluntly, crap at ten pin bowling. It has been years since I went.. I used to do OK in the first game but, I'd get gradually worse over the second game until I was rolling it and just walking away, confident that it would just dribble away into the gutter. I dont think I could do it at all now because of the weight of the ball on my right arm.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
21 Sep 10
At least you are honest about your ability Wizzy!
I would class myself as crap too, but I know I could do well if I committed myself to the practice. The balls are heavy. My wrist was quite sore by the end of the games but it recovered pretty quickly.
I would class myself as crap too, but I know I could do well if I committed myself to the practice. The balls are heavy. My wrist was quite sore by the end of the games but it recovered pretty quickly.
@lakerfanster (2577)
•
21 Sep 10
Ten Pin Bowling is one of those games that is quite easy to pick up but very hard indeed to master. I play it now and again, Usually when I go to the Cinema as they are just 100m or so away from Hollywood Bowl. I haven't played for a few months but if I play a few games on the spin then I can get around 120. I guess you just need to practice to improve.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
22 Sep 10
Yeah, you are right. It is easy to play but quite difficult to get consistent at it. I compete in archery and that is the same. It is not that hard to hit the target, but to consistently hit the high scoring inner part of the target over and over repeatedly takes practice. Practice is what is needed most here as I have not played for a couple of years prior to this time. 
@strikeshado (61)
• Canada
21 Sep 10
When I go to little kids' birthday parties at bowling alleys, I see them rolling the ball with two hands. It goes in a fairly straight line most of the time. But if you're over the age of ten that might be kind of embarassing. Uhm...well.
I know this guy who's really good at bowling. He puts some sort of weird spin on the ball, but I tried once and nearly hurt myself. I suppose if you're not so good at bowling just trying to bowl it straight would be a good start, because if you hit the first pin, the rest seem to follow, or at least it does for me.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
21 Sep 10
Whenever I hit the first pin in the middle, I end up getting a split. One pin left on one side and another on the other side. This makes it impossible to get a spare unless you are really talented of course!
I try to hit the edge of the first pin. This used to work for me when I was younger and better at it than I am now. I used to naturally put a slight spin on it too, but when I tried that yesterday, I ended up in the gutter!
Hmmm, I might have to try the to handed technique next time to see what sort of reaction I get!
I try to hit the edge of the first pin. This used to work for me when I was younger and better at it than I am now. I used to naturally put a slight spin on it too, but when I tried that yesterday, I ended up in the gutter!
Hmmm, I might have to try the to handed technique next time to see what sort of reaction I get! @douwe241 (108)
• Netherlands
21 Sep 10
im not so good at it but thats because its not a thing im doing every day XD im playing it sometimes on the Wii or Nintendo , my hiscore there is 260 :) but its not about how high your score is but about how much fun you have! and if i read this i looks like you had a lot of fun!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
21 Sep 10
It was a lot of fun. I too am much better at the game on the Nintendo Wii than in real life. I have not had a score that high on the Wii though, that is pretty impressive! 
I think my best on the Wii is around 190.
I think my best on the Wii is around 190. @Alfington (3)
•
21 Sep 10
Definitely harder than I remember from being at school, however, having gone with my boyfriend and his friend, both scarily secretly competetive, I lounged in total don't care attitude. Although inside would have loved to have strolled up and striked and striked again, I basically went up and just about got the bowl down the alley. I feel strangely cliquey now, using the terminology and all, but at the time, the attendents all seem to be looking down their nose at us all who aren't there for less than 5 hours per day. I do have a life, but one day I shall show them all. Just you wait
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
21 Sep 10
Welcome to MyLot Alfington. 
It can be intimidating being around very competitive people and it can become annoying when all you want to do is have a relaxing fun time. I remember being a back up for a team in a Saturday morning bowling league when I was a teenager. Our team were all about having fun. We knew we were no good but enjoyed ourselves. Some of the other teams that were more serious looked down their noses at us laughing at ourselves.
I only played a couple of weeks, but I would go along and watch most weeks. We ended up last in the competition.
It can be intimidating being around very competitive people and it can become annoying when all you want to do is have a relaxing fun time. I remember being a back up for a team in a Saturday morning bowling league when I was a teenager. Our team were all about having fun. We knew we were no good but enjoyed ourselves. Some of the other teams that were more serious looked down their noses at us laughing at ourselves.
I only played a couple of weeks, but I would go along and watch most weeks. We ended up last in the competition. @PRENIOUS (1)
• Sydney, Australia
26 May 13
I am 16 and I am very very good at bowling, I am in 2 leagues and I am in the Australian team, my average is 238, My handicap is 0 (handicap is how many pins you give the other player at the start of the game) and my highest game is 300, I am sponsored by Storm.
