| We've heard it many times before... practice | | | | shots before you do them. If your ball goes |
| makes perfect. And for good reason-it's the | | | | consistently too far right, begin a little |
| truth! The best way to get better at | | | | further left. You will learn to "feel" when |
| anything is to practice; bowling is no | | | | you've bowled a good ball. When you do, |
| exception. However, how you practice will | | | | write it down before you forget. What did you |
| mean the difference between slowly improving | | | | do? How did the ball feel? Where did the ball |
| and supercharging your game! Bowling Tip #1: | | | | hit? Keep it for future reference so you can |
| Use the right tools In any sport, using the | | | | do it again. Bowling Tip #6: What if I |
| correct equipment for the job you have to do | | | | can't be at the alley enough to practice? Any |
| improves your performance. In bowling, the | | | | smooth surface with a long, clear distance is |
| ball is the most important piece of equipment | | | | suitable for practicing your approach. It's |
| you will use, so choose the right one for the | | | | not safe to practice the release, however, as |
| job! Be sure to try out many, and select one | | | | a bowling ball will easily roll straight |
| that's the right weight, material and | | | | through walls if you miss your target! Not |
| finger-grip fit. Bowling Tip #2: Are you | | | | to mention you'll ruin the surface of your |
| bowling enough? To progress at bowling, you | | | | ball. When practicing at home, mark your foul |
| need to bowl at least once or twice a week. | | | | line and arrows in masking tape or other |
| The most economical way to get this amount of | | | | material that will not damage your floor. |
| practice in is by joining a league. Usually, | | | | Also mark where your toes need to be for each |
| the more experienced players show up before | | | | step. Practice your approach until it's |
| the game to practice. This is when you can | | | | second nature. You can practice your arm |
| learn the most, from people committed to the | | | | swing outdoors with a bucket of water with a |
| sport. Bowling Tip #3: Learn to walk the walk | | | | small hole at the bottom. The water drops on |
| While professional bowlers tend to use a | | | | the ground will mark the path of your arm and |
| 5-step approach, that's just not suitable for | | | | the direction the ball would go. It's a good |
| someone just learning the sport. Beginners | | | | way to see if you arc around your body when |
| are usually more comfortable with a 4-step | | | | you bowl and which direction your arm is |
| approach. You can practice your approach | | | | going. This can be a very enlightening |
| without throwing a single ball. Keep your | | | | experience. Bowling Tip #7: Don't spare |
| shoulders square to the front, your head up, | | | | yourself the trouble It's a very good idea to |
| arm swing smooth, and your pace consistent | | | | practice picking up your spares. A bowler who |
| and even. Bowling Tip #4: Let 'em roll Spend | | | | can consistently pick up his spares can |
| time rolling the ball. A bowling ball should | | | | easily hold a 180 average without getting any |
| never be thrown. How do you tell the | | | | strikes. It's especially useful to practice |
| difference? A thrown ball will land with a | | | | bowling at the 7-or 10-pins by aiming at them |
| loud "clunk" and then slide a few feet before | | | | and bowling across the strike zone (the "x" |
| beginning to roll. A rolled ball lands | | | | on the lane) from the opposite side of the |
| quietly and quickly rolls down the lane. If | | | | lane. By practicing these bowling techniques |
| you find that you're in the habit of throwing | | | | on a regular basis, you'll be honing the |
| the ball, simply slow down. Try taking a | | | | skills that will help you improve your |
| slow, deep breath or two before bowling to | | | | bowling game! |
| settle any anxiety. You will hit more pins | | | | |
| with a rolled ball than with a thrown one. | | | | ImproveBowling offers bowling tips for |
| Bowling Tip #5: What you think is what you do | | | | bowlers who want to take their game to the |
| Spend time visualizing and analyzing your | | | | next level. Visit for more information on |
| shots. Visualize your movements and your | | | | improving bowling score and techniques. |