How I became a 205 average bowler (It ain’t about bowling)
During the period
of 1991-1996, I went from being a 135 average Bowler to a 205 average bowler. I
was stationed in the beautiful Island Paradise that was Kadena AB Okinawa Japan
this, by the way, is not about Bowling; it’s about becoming better. There I was
rolling the stone and having fun, but at this point, I’m getting my behind
kicked, and that was not much fun. I was
asked if I wanted to join an intramural Bowling team for the Squadron. I later found I was asked for 3 reasons
listed in reverse order. I was a cool guy and was recognized as such by my
squadron mates, I was free on the dates that the league played. Finally, I was
asked because I was maintaining a whopping 135 average. (I was the ringer there
for my handicap) The math is pretty simple 4 players 3 with averages of between
170 and 205 the team needed the points the 4th (yours truly) would add a lot of
handicap points to aid the team with the victory.
Team members in a
meeting discussed that my starting handicap would be 65 = 135-200, which would
be added at the end of the game to the total score. This meant that I bowled
out of my mind and rolled a 175, then my score for that game would be 240. (A
ringer indeed). Don't get me wrong I had no plans to stay at 135 no sir I ain't
cut like that.
I then bowled several times a week outside of
the weekly tournaments, 1st lesson follows which is "find someone better
than you then do what they do” I found all the bowlers that were light years
ahead of me and stuck to them like glue. One of them that knew me from work
told me C-Daddy you are going to have to keep up or you will be getting your
butt kicked regularly. Get better or get dusted no mercy will be
given. As a side note, I am very
competitive. This did not scare me in the least. I took my whupping like a man,
but I listened as well. I learned hand positions, how to throw a hook, backup
ball, and picking up spares.
2nd lesson follows
"If it's worth doing it's worth doing badly until you learn to do it
well"
I took instruction as I wanted to be statistically in their
peer group (I WANTED TO BELONG).
After about 3 months my average was 150, 6 months it was
165, and a year 195. I then heald that average until the last year of my tour in
Okinawa when it went to 200 then 205. Mathematically the more games played, the harder it is to raise ones average. I bought shoes, a couple of balls a ball that I used frequently and a ball that was for making spares. I learned foot position, lane conditions (that change throughout the game). The oil makes the way down the lane changing how the ball reacts to the surface how to throw on wood lanes and synthetic lanes. All of this required practice. How much did I play? O played 4 to 5 games a week with 3 sets per play (outside of tournament play) I would sneak a set in at lunch from time to time,
Okinawa when it went to 200 then 205. Mathematically the more games played, the harder it is to raise ones average. I bought shoes, a couple of balls a ball that I used frequently and a ball that was for making spares. I learned foot position, lane conditions (that change throughout the game). The oil makes the way down the lane changing how the ball reacts to the surface how to throw on wood lanes and synthetic lanes. All of this required practice. How much did I play? O played 4 to 5 games a week with 3 sets per play (outside of tournament play) I would sneak a set in at lunch from time to time,
The 3rd lesson follows your technique faithfully every time
adjusting for current conditions. I found that when I concentrated on my mark,
the 5 board kept my head down until I actually saw the ball cross the mark before
looking up I performed much better it got to the point I could tell the
probability of a strike based on where the ball was when it went over the 5
Board. Unless Mr. Murphy showed up to
say his piece. I found myself favoring a hook ball. My particular hook would go
75% of the distance of the lane then make a Sharp left into the 1, 3 pocket for
maximum destruction of the pins. Learned
the concept of trusting myself and not to worry about how many pins I needed at
any given point in the game I say concept because it’s not easy to do on a
consistent basis the ones that do are in the PBA.
Finally, I gained
the acceptance of my peers. My best game ever was a score of 278 in a
tournament with 9 strikes in a row. Remember the concept of not worrying about the
score well I didn't look at the score until it was late in the game and I let
it get to me. When one gets over 3
Strikes in a row, a crowd forms behind the lane it grows more significant with each
strike. Imagine the mental pressure of sitting with 7 strikes knowing you have
only 3 more for 300 missed the head pin
in the 10th frame the last frame was 9 1
9 for a total of 278 that was pretty close but no cigar.
Upon my return to the US, I only dabbled at bowling, but I was
able to pull a 200 score on a pretty consistent basis.
The moral of the story is that if you follow someone
successful your endeavors that you choose to dedicate yourself to getting the
basic concepts down to the point that they are purely muscle memory (practice,
practice and practice) then finally concentrate on the goal it’s only a matter
Of time before you throw a 278 or better. You do know this a metaphor for doing well in life or whatever endeavor you choose. Jus Sayin
