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Practice Q&A [21-40] [41-60] [61-80] Alex October 25, 2002 Cedar Falls IA Walter Ray: I always bowl better in practice than I do in league, why is that? I have a 103 average in one league and a 99 in the other.. I have a post on ballreviews.com concerning the subject. If you have the time, could you list you equipment you plan on using Sunday on the post. My screenname is strikeandspare_2002. the post is anything bowling. Thanks, and good luck Sunday. Go knock'em dear, Dear Deadeye!! I bowl at Valley Park Lanes if you ever come through give me a call @ 319-xxx-xxxx,, and we can go bowl a few games and work some of my many problems out. mainly just Downswing, and ball speed. Sincerely Alex Hannon Hi Alex, In practice, many people are more relaxed. Thanks for the offer to visit, but I don't get to Iowa very often. Good luck. Josh September 11, 2002 Simi Valley CA Thanks for taking the time to read my email, firstly. :D Question: What do you think of the Kegel Training Center? I'm thinking of taking advantage of their "Coach's Eye" service *sending them a tape of me bowling in case you've not heard of it.* I wanted to get your opinion on them before I shell out the $100 they charge *a LOT of money to this poor college guy LOL* Also, I've been curious about this since the first time I saw you bowl at a U.S. Open a few years ago *arena finals, both men and women bowling at the same arena and show...you and Aleta Sill won your divisions.* I noticed that your upper body seems to "fly up" at the foul line. I tried to mimic your style, successfully up to that point, and the results were something that should go on America's Funniest Home Video. How do you stay so accurate doing that? I've put that question to nearly every bowling coach that I've worked with, and they don't have the slightest clue about it. Last question, *I promise* ...what's the latest with you and a possible ball contract? Any offers? :D Thanks again! Josh Hi Josh, I am not familiar with Kegel's Ccach's Eye service. I can't say whether the $100 is a fair amount, but it could be worth more than that. I think my 'flying up' at the foul line comes from my follow through. I think my accuracy comes from my horseshoe pitching. Everybody is unique and therefore has a slightly different way to bowl. There are certain things that most of the top players do and those are the things you should try and incorporate. Decent timing and a good follow through will help. Keeping your arm swing close to leg on the up swing is also a plus. I don't have any ball contracts at this time. Good luck. Christopher July 30, 2002 Montgomery AL I picked up bowling a little later in life, I am now 29 this is my second year, I'm am not improving as fast as I would like (avg. 139). We practice two or three times a week. I have had a few lessons with the local pro. Everyone I talk to has different advise. What would you suggest? Christopher Hi Christopher, It would be next to impossible for me to offer you technical advice on your swing since I have never seen you bowl. That being said, in general, I would recommend trying to get a nice full armswing which doesn't go too far from your leg/body. Make sure that your ball isn't too heavy for you. Speed is nice, but accuracy is probably a bit more important. Learning how to put some good rotation can help and is easier with a lighter ball. Once you get used to the lighter weight you can move up to heavier ball. Greg June 11, 2002 Largo FL Hey Walter Ray-this is Greg-remember me-I was the annoying little kid at Lane Glo for the Cream of the Crop tournament 2 weekends ago-well anyway How was the pictures i took- Your too tall for me to fit the entire trophy for your singles event win Anyways-How many games do you practice per week when you are not on tour? Thanks for answering this question and im sure that ill see u at the Springhill regional in a month and a half Ohh by the way i shot a 296 game leaving the 1-5-8-9 on my last ball-dont ask me how i left it but i did-it was weird-i wasnt nervous because it was glo bowling- Thank you again Greg Hi Greg, Thanks for taking the pictures. They should be on the website somewhere if you want to see how they came out. I normally don't practice much while the tour is off. But before I get ready for the tour I would like to get in at least 5 days of an hour each day. And a regional is the best place to practice because you can gage how well you are throwing the ball on a real condition. I have been bowling in regionals almost every weekend to keep my game from getting totally lost. I am planning on bowling in Springhill so I should see you there. Congrats on the 296. MIKE June 18, 2002 Hampton VA Walter Ray, The weekend you bowl in Chesapeake, Va I will be in Ocala taking my sons down to their grandmothers for a month from June 20-July 18 down where you live. If you plan to pratice please e-mail me and I will let them know when are praticing and have him meet you. Mike Felmeten Hi Mike, I usually don't plan my practice sessions. When I bowl week after week I usually don't even practice in Ocala. But when I do practice it is usually late in the evening and for around an hour. I don't foresee practicing in the next couple of weeks (early July) in Ocala, but thanks for the interest. Mike May 13, 2002 Hampton VA Walter Ray, On the weeks you are bowling in the summer what days do you pratice? If you do practice during the summer? Hi Mike, I will normally practice a couple of days before a regional event, more if I have taken some time off. This week I only practiced once, on Wednesday. But I bowled pretty well the last two weekends and I will have a practice session on Friday at the tournament this weekend in VA. Wilson April 28, 2002 Richmond BC To Walter Ray: I am a beginner bowler. I had learned all the basic bowling skills, but my average is still 150. So how can I inprove my bowling skills? And to higher my average? Hi Wilson, It takes time to improve at anything. Learning the proper techniques will help you become better faster. The other thing you need to do is practice. Also practice at different places and different parts of the lanes. In bowling you need to be able to do many different things and play many different angles. Jamie April 5, 2002 Strawberry AZ I know i need to practice 4-6 hours a week but i don't have the money to do so. What can i do?? Work at a bowling establishment and maybe get a good rate?????? Thank you Jamie Hi Jamie, It sounds like working at a bowling center is a good way to get the better bowling rates. You might also volunteer to help out with the Junior leagues at your local center. Many centers will offer free/reduced rate practice to volunteers! Good luck and have fun. Mike April 4, 2002 Hampton VA Where do you practice at? Is it the Galaxy East lanes in Ocala? My 12 year old son will be in Dunellon this summer and he hopes he might see you practice and get some pointers to help his bowling. He got to bowl at Battle at Little Creek Lanes with Pete Webber and got three strikes!!! I hope he gets to meet you. Hi Mike, I normally practice at Galaxy West Lanes, but I don't have a regular practice routine. Maybe I will see him there! George February 24, 2002 Ocala FL Mr. Williams,(or Walter Ray if you prefer)I'm amazed at what a talented athlete you are. I'm an old bowler (61 but I was a scratch bowler until my health started downhill about 2-1/2 yrs. ago. By-pass surgery, spinal fusion, and 6 knee operations have changed my whole game, for a while I was just standing at the foul line on two feet and just throwing the ball. I now have backed up and I'm using about 1/2 of the approach. My fellow bowlers, tell me that I'm taking 3 steps, but in my own head I'm taking 5 steps, I must be making a couple twitches, that duplicate my full 5 step approach that I had before my health started south. I feel so out of sync that I don't feel that I will ever get my game back. I used to practice 35-40 games a week but can no longer afford to do that(maybe 6-10 now). But I feel so frustrated. Could you offer some advise either mental or physical that might put my game back on track?? I live in Ocala, Fl. and would love to see you practice bowling sometime.(When the tour is not in session.)I know you have your own Horseshoe Pits, and I know you love to play golf, but surely you must do some practice bowling somewhere in the Ocala area, or can't Paige get you off the golf course long enough to practice your profession?? I know that you have so much natural talent, but surely you must do some practicing? (I watch Roger Bowker practice sometime at AMF-East., but his game is not as versatile as yours!) George Barlow Ocala, Fl. Hi George, It sounds like you are doing what a lot of pros do (including myself) when they must play way inside (left for right handers) and start their approach in front of the ball return. What I will do is mentally take those steps that I normally would take before actually moving my feet or even move the feet an inch or less. Brian Kretzer who is one of the new top bowlers does this during his normal delivery taking 11 or 13 steps (he varies it) with the first 7-9 being very small. The problem for most bowlers is that the 'normal' delivery is 4 steps with any more steps being 'timing' steps. So when you go with less than 4 steps you need to get your arm swing started earlier and then your feet after your ball is moving. It sounds like you have probably figured it out (to some degree), but haven't got it quite the way you would like. Keep practicing when you can. I don't do a lot of practicing when I am home. Usually I will practice about a week before the tour starts or a couple of days before a regional if I haven't bowled in a few weeks. I might need to increase my practice schedule however. Jeffrey February 2, 2002 Lansdale PA Walter Ray, I am a league bowler, presently carrying an ave. around 175. This is my first year back after eight years off, with knee problems. The question I have is regarding developing a consistent approach, delivery and release. It seems on certain nights in my league, my comfort level is real high, and I bowl really well, on others, it almost as if I had never seen the game of bowling before. Are there any drills you can reccommend regarding development of tempo, timing and release. I like you am an avid horseshoe pitcher, and therefore, see you as a role model. I can see where pitching horseshoes has really helped both my concentration, and my arm swing with regards to bowling. I love to watch you when you make the TV show. I have a delivery similar to yours, and throw a similar line most generally, so it does me good to watch you. Good luck to both you and Paige. Best of luck with the upcoming year's tour schedule. Hope to see you next year at the Johnny Petraglia stop. Best wishes Jeff Hi Jeffrey, Unfortunately one of the things that most competitors have to deal with are the poor performances. It is impossible to play at the same level all of the time. Most people can usually improve and that is what keeps most people competing, the allure of getting better. Practice is one of the best things you can do to improve. You can also get a local coach to work with you. I do believe that pitching horseshoes is a great way to get a good armswing. I don't normally teach and don't have any drills to help you with your tempo, timing and release. I am sorry about that. Maybe someday if I become an accomplished coach I will have some good drills. Timothy January 11, 2002 South Chicago Heights IL comments: Hello, What is a typical daily practice regimen for Walter? With the wide variety of shots that you play so successfully, how do you keep all of them so sharp? Thanks, Tim Hi Tim, When the tour is on I go to the official practice session. When I don't bowl as well as I feel I can I will practice when the lanes are available for about an hour or so. Part of bowling is being able to throw the ball on all parts of the lane. I think it is best to practice where the lanes are difficult because then you aren't rewarded for making bad shots. It doesn't hurt to play in lots of tournaments. Experience is the best tool. Robin November 29, 2001 Gillette WY I am currently 18 and an avid bowler since I was 6. As you can see I come from a small town in Wyoming, and I love to bowl and strive to get better. But living in such an area I don't have the privlige to attend camps, seminars, or get any kind of professional coaching, so I was wondering what you recommend for practice methods to improve my bowling game in general or more specifically improving accuracy. Thank you, Robin Evenson Hi Robin, Many players (including myself) have become very good without much coaching. It helps to have a good start though. If you have developed a bad habit that is where coaching can really help. I would recommend practice to improve. It depends on how good you want to get as to how much is right for you. 4 to 6 hours of practice a week should help improve any bodies game. If you don't have a local coach who you can faithfully trust then I would get a video camera so that you can see what it is you are really doing. The trick is to be able to spot the bad things. What most people don't realize is that what they think they are doing and what they are actually doing is usually two different things. That even goes for pros. Lorenzo November 13, 2001 Piscataway NJ Comments: Dear Walter Ray, Congrats on your 34th title. I've always admired your ability to hit your mark over and over again. I have three questions. 1) What is your practice routine? 2) Do you have any practice tips that could help a bowler with accuracy and consistency? 3) What are two of your favorite ball layouts (drillings) using the Hammer 4D Reactive? Thanks Lorenzo Johnson Hi Lorenzo, Thanks. I don't have a very intensive practice routine. When I am on tour, I do a lot of bowling and if I am bowling well or decent I won't do an extra practice. When off the tour I don't bowl very much, but I do like to stay competitive by bowling in PBA regional events. I think that tournament bowling is the best practice a player can get. About a week before a tour segment starts I will try to get in 4 to 6 one hour practice sessions in. I usually work on my accuracy by not playing where the shot is or asking the bowling center where I practice to put out a tough shot. If you practice where a bad shot still goes to the pocket all you have learned to do is make bad shots. I guess most of my first drillings of a ball have the pin at about 1 o'clock. I am not that picky though. I will try any thing, but I am not a big fan of drilling lots of balls. Josh Pikeville KY Comments: Dear Walter Ray, I just finished watching the Great Lakes Classic, on tape for about the 5th time. You bowled very solidly, but just happened to run into a buzzsaw in Steve Wilson. My question for you, one you probably hear a couple thousand times a day, concerns spares. I try to throw straight at most of my spares, save for some multiple-pin combinations, and for some reason I keep missing them. When I shoot corner pins (4, 6, 7, or 10) I either barely miss them, or end up throwing the ball in the channel about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way down the lane. Also, I'm having trouble getting into a release that will allow me to throw my spare ball (polyester cover) straight, and on the line I want. Can you shed some wisdom light on my dilemma? (P.S. Sorry about the long message, Deadeye.) Josh Hi Josh, It sounds like you need to practice your spares. I would take a ball that hooks a lot and use it to shoot at your spares (in practice) on lanes that hook quite a bit. That should help you to learn how to throw the ball as straight as possible. Practice picking up those spares that you have trouble with on both the first and second ball. After you figure out how to throw the ball straighter, use your spare ball and get used to where you should stand and target for each spare. Good luck. Wanchai Bangkok THAILAND Comments: Dear Mr. Walter Ray I want to know how can I bowl well like you. Now I hold average about 175. I would like to improve my average. Now I bowl and can not see arrow well mostly I see dot before arrow. What do you think about this. I hope you and your family are well and I think you can win more titel in PBA Tour. I am looking to see you on TV every tourmament you bowl on TV. Best regards, Wanchai Wattanamanont Practice is the best way to improve, a coach could also really help. Using the dots is Ok for targeting. My family is doing fine. Thanks. Aivar Elgava Latvia Comments: Hi W.R.W. !I'm so happy that I can write a message to You. For my opinion I bowl not much to get the best results. This summer I bowled 25 hours a week. What do You think - it would be enough or not ? Thank You for Your attention Hi Aivar, 25 hours a week is quite a bit. I usually only bowl that much when I am on tour and then the pace is a bit slower (2 games per hour as opposed to about 6 for practice). But I feel that tournament bowling is much better practice than practicing outside of competition. But if you want to learn something new, practice is the place to do it. And practice is how you improve your game so keep at it. JUAN Feb, 2001 BOGOTA COLOMBIA HI WALTER! I ONLY WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS ! YOU ARE THE BEST BOWLER AROUND THE WORLD YOUR VERSATILITY IS GREAT! I´M A 25 YEARS OLD BOWLER COLOMBIA NATL TEAM MEMBER SINCE 1997, AND I´M A BIG FUN OF WALTER RAY SINCE I SEE YOU IN 1993! HOW DO YOU PRACTICE? WHAT IS YOUR TECHNIQUE TO BE PREPARED TO WIN EVERY WEEK? HOW DO YOU IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL GAME? WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BE A GOOD AMATEUR AND TO BECOMING A GREAT PRO BOWLER LIKE YOU? Hi Juan, Thank you. When I practice on a house shot, I usually play an inside line (4th or 5th arrow) so that any mistakes I make will show up and I won't be rewarded for making bad shots not to mention that is the weakest part of my game (playing inside). The mental game is unique to everybody. I really don't work on my mental game. It is the way it is. But I do try and be positive and remember that I am doing something that millions of people would be love to do and I am making a great living at it. I would say that a good amateur (who doesn't bowl for money) needs to gain a lot of experience bowling in as many different environments as possible. Learning how to play all parts of the lane is a must on tour and pick up your spares! Rick Lancaster PA How much do you normally practice in between stops on tour? I have a problem with getting my feet to fast, what can I key on to stay slow to the line? Hi Rick, I normally don't practice much between stops but I did put in a couple of days this week as I am not bowling as well as I would like. I am not much of coach, but if I were to suggest anything about fast feet, I would say to concentrate on being slower. Maybe try to have a longer backswing. Scoot a little closer so that your steps would be shorter. You might want to ask a local pro for some help. They might be able to see something that you don't realize you are doing. Kevin Port Clinton, OH Comments: Could you give me some tips on what I should do while in a practice session? For example, should I shoot more ten pins? You are also one of my favorite bowlers, that's why I am asking for your advice. Please e-mail me back. sincerely, Kevin Black Hi Kevin, If you have any weak points in your game, I would work on that. Say if you miss 10 pins, certain combination spares, don't play inside or outside very well. I would also suggest working on your form while practicing. Practice Q&A [21-40] [41-60] [61-80] | ||