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Technique Q&A [1-20] [21-40]
[41-60] [61-80] [81-100] [101-120] [121-140] [141-160] [161-180] [181-200] [201-220] [221-240] [241-260] [261-280] [281-300] [321-340] [341-360] Mike October 20, 2006 Fort Wayne IN Mr. Walter Ray, I had the best ever league season last year with (1) 299 game and (3) 300 games. Averaged 200+ in 3 different houses. However, I've seem to have fallen again into a routine slump with my timing. At times I find myself out of sync on timing and start to cross over with my shot. Its as if my feet dont get setup in time and the ball arrives early. I usually switch from 5 step back to a 4 step approach and it seems to put me back into sync. Is there a reason why this works ? I've bowled with 3 step , 4 step and 5 step approaches throughout my bowling years. Good luck to you in the upcoming PBA season. Sincerely Mike Fisher Hi Mike, The basic bowling delivery uses 4 steps, 3 steps to get the ball into the backswing and one step to bring the ball forward. Any more steps are what are known as timing steps where the ball is not put into the swing. So what is probably happening is that your arm swing and feet aren't working together. When you change the number of steps you are probably changing the timing as your arm swing is in a different position when you start your last 4 steps. Get yourself on video and compare it to top bowlers. Or check out my bowling video, Faults and Fixes. Han October 27, 2006 Garden Grove CA DEAR SIR CONGRADUATION ON YOUR TITLE AS I KNOW YOU WOULD. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU HOW DO YOU OBTAIN SO MUCH FORWARD ROLL. I WERE TOLD BY NUMEROUS BOWLER TO STAY BEHIND THE BALL OR UNDER IT BUT THE MORE I DO THAT I GET MORE SIDE ROLL. I SEEM NATURALLY GET SIDE ROLL BUT MY SIDE ROLL HURT ME BECAUSE I CANT CREATED SPEED. I BOWL ONE OR TWO GOOD GAME THAN WHEN LANE BROKE DOWN I STRUGGLE CRAZY. IF U COULD PLEASE ADVICED ME THIS I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATED. I ALSO HAD TRY BROKEN WRIST BUT IT JUST LIKE A DUMP BALL FOR A SPARE. IT IS THE BALL DRILLING OR IT IS ME. QQQ THANK YOU SIR Hi Han, Normally more side spin is better for when the lanes start to hook. You might want to work with a local pro. I know that Mark Baker works in your area and is a great coach. To get less side turn, try to get your hand so that the thumb is at 12 o'clock and your fingers are at 6 o'clock when releasing the ball. Corey September 27, 2006 Dorchester WI Congrats on number 42.Ive been bowling for a few years now and in the last year have really got alot better with help from Paul Fleming (Play with the Pros from Dexter) and since have been sport bowling and really improved my game. My question is that I have learned to hit my marks alot more consistently but when I feel I need to pick up my ball speed I loose that by trying to throw harder. Or by gaining ball speed is it better to put the ball up higher behind me for a bit more power when I throw the ball? Thanks Hi Corey, It may be that you need to get used to throwing the ball harder. I think that bowling on the tougher sport shots is the best way to improve. A higher backswing is a good way to pick up speed. Bryan September 10, 2006 Toledo OH Hi Walter Ray, congrats on your career--I've been a big fan for a long time! My dad and I used to watch you bowl on tv quite a bit. He told me to pay attention when you bowled, because you are one of the best. My question is this: in my current league, I throw aggressive ball, but i'm used to throwing a down and in shot. I've been leaving a lot of splits. Could it be from throwing the bigger hook rather than a down and in shot? If so, where can I try throwing to cut back on this? Thanks, Bryan Hi Bryan, Throwing a bigger hook can result in more splits if you aren't lined up properly. If your misses seem to be more common (through the nose), then move accordingly. You normally want to move your feet and target in the same direction as your misses with you feet making bigger moves. Roberto July 26, 2006 Hazlet NJ Hey Walter Ray, I have a problem with getting the ball to hook more. people are telling me its due to the excessive speed I use. but I can't help but throw hard being that I am almost 300lbs and tall. I only started bowling about 6 months ago and I already switche to fingertips and throwing a hook ball. or trying at least. I also changed from a 4 step to a 3 step to see if that would slow me down some. I notice that when I do slow roll it it does hook more. but please I wanna raise my average up which is now around 150 area and not bad for a 6 month rookie. Hi Roberto, Being a large man makes it easier for you to throw the ball hard, but the harder you throw the ball, the less it will hook. Hooking the ball can be a much better attribute to increase your average than speed. Hooking the ball comes more from technique. You might want to take a few lessons so that it is easier to change than years down the road when your style is more ingrained. Stan July 23, 2006 Hamilton Ontario Canada Really I have 2 questions: 1= i dont know really where to start as my start point and aiming point is all over the lane i cant find a consitent place where should i be shooting? 2=how much would it cost for me to bring u up to canada for a weekend to teach some youth bowlers and coaches plus me of course Hi Stan, It depends on the way the lanes are oiled and how you throw the ball as to where you should start and where you aim. Basically, if your ball ends up right of where you want it, you should move your feet and target to the right while moving your feet more than your target. If that isn't enough then move that way again or move your feet without moving your target. Likewise, if your ball ends up left of where you want it, move your feet and target left while moving your feet more. If the move is too much then split the difference or only move your feet 1 board. I usually charge $1,500 per day plus expenses. Ron May 21, 2006 Manhattan KS Hi Walter Ray, I saw you the other night on Stephen A. Smith's "Quite Frankly" show. I had a couple of questions: 1. So what's your impression of NYC? 2. I was very impressed with your playing deep inside against Stephen A. (I guess you were trying to give him half a chance.) You were playing like 4th or 5th arrow and making shots that crankers like Amleto or Pete Weber would be proud of. Will we be seeing more of your inside game on tour? That's way deeper than I've ever seen you play on TV. 3. Regarding playing deep inside: What's the deepest that anybody plays? I've seen sixth arrow (for righties). Does anybody play seventh arrow? I've tried to play sixth arrow. I can throw it over the sixth arrow, but it cleanly picks out the four pin. How do you even get enough angle to get it to the right of the headpin into the 1-3 pocket? I guess you have to really inside-out it? Is it really necessary for pros to play much farther left than say the 4th arrow as righties? Thanks Hi Ron, I have been to New York City many times. It seems like an "ok" place, but there are a few too many people in a small space for my taste. I had fun bowling with Stephen A. Smith. The reason I was playing a deep inside line was the lanes hooked a bit. The tour uses quite a bit of oil and my ball doesn't hook that much on all that oil. The ball I used for that doesn't even hook that much. I have played as deep as 7th arrow, but some of the young crankers can play 8th arrow. They do that by lofting the ball beyond the arrows which most proprietors dislike. If a player is looking for the best place to play the lanes, it is sometimes the place to play the lanes. Normally the players who hook the ball more will start left of the players who throw it straighter (like me). As the oil dissipates off of the lane during competition, the right handers will generally move to the left to find more oil and play off of the dry created by all of the play. Players will stand in front of the ball return so that they can slide far enough left. Ryan July 08, 2006 York PA After watching the PBA for many years now I have molding my strike ball fairly well from when I started. I can do a lot with the ball, from giving it side turn or just straight rolling it. However my problem lies in my spare game. I watch the PBA every week and I try and see where the pros throw at their spares, more intently at the single pin spares. However they all throw different lines. Since you are without a doubt the best single pin spare shooter I've ever seen, I was wondering if you could tell me where you stand and look at each of the single pin spares. Thanks a lot. P.S. I take my strike ball and roll in end over end at my spares, so it doesn't roll over at all, just in case that changes anything. Hi Ryan, If you throw the ball perfectly straight, then you don't need a spare ball. But even I hook the ball a little bit even with my spare release, so I like to use a plastic ball. I am sure that I walk to the line different than everybody else, so where you stand and what target to use is up to you to determine. I would suggest using a target close to the middle arrow for all of your spares. I usually stand about in the same place for all of my spares on the left side and have different targets for different leaves and take a similar strategy on the right side leaves. You need to figure out what works for you. Adam July 6, 2006 San Diego CA Hi Walter Ray, I'm a big fan of yours and have a very similar game to yours in terms of approach and release. Obviously, I'm not quite as accurate as you are, but I average 210-215. I have 2 questions for you. First, like you, I feel very comfortable playing a lofted shot at times. Do you find this shot is harder for you to replicate in terms of where you're landing the ball? I have had some trouble with consistency on this shot, but it can be a great weapon on certain lane conditions. Also, what is your feeling on 15lbs vs. 16lbs? I know several 230+ average bowlers that have switched to 15lbs. I personally have no trouble throwing the higher weight, and I wonder how much carry you really lose with 15lbs and how much more control you're really gaining. What weight ball do you use? Hi Adam, When I loft the ball which I normally only do when I am trying to hook the ball a lot, I don't think I have much problem with replicating my loft. But air time isn't going to make that much difference, unless the ball hooks when it hits the ground. I had been using 15 # for quite a few years, but this year I decided to try 16 again as we bowl on so much oil on tour and I don't hook the ball like most of the other tour players. Mike July 16, 2006 Sacramento CA wuts up dead eye. i am 21 year old male and i have been bowling all my life. i am i full roller and i have been told that it isnt a good thing. it doesnt seem to affect my game i average 220s in league but my question is should i change how i bowl or keep it like that. also i like my span a slightly longer then recomended is that bad? thanks. Hi Mike, If you are averaging 220 in league it sounds like you are doing just fine. I don't know if a full roller would be successful on tour, but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't. Everybody likes their grip a little bit different than everybody else, so if you like a long span and you don't have any hand problems, then great. Gary June 7, 2006 McAllen TX I need some help with shoulder alignment and lining up... Should you walk straight towards your mark or straight all the time? I have a feeling I'm aiming too far right for where I should be for certain things. I'm right handed. For my 10 pin my left big toe is on 35 and I aim at 4th arrow at the arrows. I know you've said you walk further left for the more you hook the ball. I'm very solid and accurate when it comes to throwing the ball straight, but the further right to left or left to right I'm throwing the ball, the more problems I'm having. Do you align your shoulders prior to the start? My coach once showed me that where you set the ball into the swing is where the ball should be at the foul line. Is that always the case no matter what direction you're throwing the ball? The more you open the shoulders, the further back your right shoulder would feel right? I hope you can see where I'm coming from and have some sort of help :( I appreciate your help. Gary Hi Gary, I guess I am a feel player when it comes to drifting and opening up my shoulders. It is something I learned to do by bowling in tournaments over the years. If ball returns weren't on the approach then I would recommend to always walk towards your target, but that isn't the case. So unless you are going to start in front of the ball returns when you are playing a deep inside line which I even do on extreme inside shots walking left can actually be a good thing. I don't think about lining up my shoulder with how I want to bowl. It does sound like your coach has some good Anthony June 11, 2006 Fair Bluff NC I would like to say I have been following your career for the past 10 years and you have done a remarkable job. I do have one question and one comment. The question, when you are bowling do you focus on the dots just over the foul line or do you focus on the arrows as your target? The comment, I know you do not endorse equipment but I have observed in the past several years, that when you were using the Ebonite Crush, you seemed to carry more strikes and were much more consistant than when you were using the Brunswick balls. I wish you continued success, and wish you the best for this coming bowling season. Hi Anthony, I normally look at the 'arrows' or triangles which are about 15' past the foul line, but sometimes I will look a few feet before them. The dots are too close for me to be using as a target. It has been over 12 years since I used Ebonite and 5 since I used Brunswick and I still do ok. Thanks for caring though! Bill Welch May 10, 2006 Wooddale IL Hey Walter Ray, its me.... Bill Welch from Illinois, i know you get alot of emails, and can't keep track of all of them. I am the guy that asked what it would take for you to mentor me. i have the passion, i have the drive, but finacially i can't keep up with the tour and regional tour.... I think the best way for me to learn is to bowl with the best and then learn form the best. Its hard to learn from a rowdy group of league bowlers 2 nights a week. (i finished with the high average in both of leagues.... so who can i go for help?) ok, anyways, i would love to bowl soem practice sessions with you. I'm sure that EVERYONE out there says that, but i mean it, i want to learn from you. I tend to keep my ball straighter... why? because i watch you, and its a sucessful way to bowl, alot less risk. I feel that i am an excellent spare shooter, why? becasue i watch you... i have my plastic ball rolling over the finger hole jsut like you do. I love it when i need a 10-pin spare in the 10th frame, no worries. OK so here is my REAL QUESTION..... I saw you in West Virginia, (and by the way i start my warm up like you do, the few balls nice ans slow)... ok, back to west virginia..... i watched you throw about 20 shots out side around the 5-8 board.... then all of the sudden you moved left, way left and started shooting around the 5th or 6th arrow..... my question is why? why do you shoot that line? is that a practice technique? I am pretty sure that you did not plan on playing that line in the tourney..... i ask because my biggest problem with my game is consistant speed and consistant aim.... the speed not as often as the aim.... After a 4 or 5 baggers...sometimes i pull the ball left 3-5 boards, and i stand there like what was that??? luckily in a league condition the center oil helps me, but i hate it. ok, so did i ask a question yet? i know i am rambling.... so to sum it all up..... question #1) why did you choose to practice that extreme left shot in west virgina? Question #2) how do you aim, what goes thru your mind? i have heard... aim with your thumb, aim with your palm, aim with your forward swing.... how do you aim.....? what thought go thru your head when you are looking at your target? and last but not least, let me know when you and paige are in chicagoland..... i'll quietly invite you over to the local alley and you can mentor me.... LOL hey a man can dream right? sorry for rambling, and thank you very much for taking the time to answer me. Bill Welch Hi Bill, It is nice that you want me to mentor you. However, as you have already figured out, I get a lot of such requests. Since I haven't been able to come up with a "fair" way to decide which ones to honor…I have made it a practice to respectfully decline all of them. My advice would be to try to find someone local that has a game you admire and ask them to practice with them. It can only help. The reason that I practiced that extreme inside line is that I was trying to get ready for the US Open which was the next week. I target with my eyes. Unless I do something way out of the ordinary my armswing is going to get the ball going in the general direction that I want. A good follow through usually gets the ball where I want it. Greg April 30, 2006 Oak Park IL Dear Walter Ray, I have questions about your thumb-hole fit: is it loose or tight? Do you apply pressure to hang on to the ball? How does it feel coming off your hand and how do you get loft? On to 42! Best to you both, Greg Hi Greg, My thumb hole is fairly snug, but there is a bit of room. I can either lift the ball with the thumb only or have the thumb slip out of the thumb hole depending on how I flex my thumb. The release is very quick with the thumb coming out first, but I don't like to 'drop' the ball. Getting loft is a matter of 'hanging' on to the ball a bit longer before releasing it. Practice on lofting the ball over a towel. Thanks. Cliff April 17, 2006 Detroit MI First congrats on you your 41st title. I have two questions: 1. What is a good technique to get a consistent clean release from the ball and still get fingers into the shot? 2. I noticed at the Ace hardware tourny in Taylor MI, you were listening to an MP3 file on you palm device. What were you listening to? Thanks Hi Cliff, 1. You need to have a ball that is drilled properly for you. I like to accelerate when I release the ball so that I am giving 100% on each shot. That should help you have a consistent release. To get fingers into your release you need to have your thumb come out first so that the fingers can do their job. 2. I have rock 'n roll on my MP3 player. Right now I have over 1200 songs ranging from the 60's to this year. I like to just put the player on random mode. Charlie April 11, 2006 Shelby OH Walter Ray - I have recently been leaving the 5 pin on many occasions. What type of adjustments could I make in order to tumble the king pin? I am a RH bowler and begin my approach on board two. Thanks so much. Hi Charlie, If you are leaving the 5 pin a fair number of times, then you need to get more drive into the pins. Using a heavy ball will help, but a bigger help is to get some hook so that the ball won't deflect so easily. Getting as far right as comfortable and the lane conditions will allow is another way to get angle into the pocket. Less speed will allow the ball to hook more. You might want to ask your local pro for some help also. Greg March 24, 2006 Rome GA A few weeks ago I went to Atlanta to watch ya'll bowl. Me and a freind of mine were watching you bowl in the round of 32 against Michael Fagan. I beleive it was in the first game you left a 2-8-10 split. I thought I saw you shoot at the split left handed. Did I imagine this or do you sometimes shoot left handed? Also i know in a USBC sanctioned handicap league that would be illegal. Is it legal for the pros to use both hands in one frame or one game? Hi Greg, You must have been watching someone else as I didn't leave the 2-8-10 against Michael Fagan. But I wouldn't have shot it left-handed even if I did! I don't bowl very well left handed and even though the PBA allows its bowlers to use either hand at any time I don't shoot any spares left handed. Steve March 19, 2006 Hollywood FL I've been following the tour since inception and in my opinion, you're the best there ever was. I know in your opinion Earl was because he did it in 14 years. Anyway,just curious, in your match against Norm today, why didn't you move to ten sooner or after throwing the big four. Your wife looks great and so do you. Thin is the way to go I'm almost 59 and been thin all my life. Thank you. Hi Steve, During the practice session I thought I had a nice reaction playing outside. Unfortunately I didn't like my reaction at the end of practice. I thought about playing where I did, but I wasn't sure. Sometimes I make mistakes on how to play the lanes like other players. Of course I could have made better shots which would have helped. Tom March 8, 2006 Springhill FL Dear Walter Ray, do you think it is still possible to bowl like Earl Anthony with his slow ball speed on today's lane conditions, ball cores and surfaces. Hi Tom, There are several bowlers who use slow ball speed even on the right side. Rick Lawrence has a ball roll which is the closest to Earl's that I have seen. Even though he doesn't look very "impressive", Rick is a very good bowler. Unfortunately for Rick he has been injured for most of the season and hasn't been bowling very well. I don't think that Earl would have had any trouble bowling on tour the last 10 or 20 years as he was probably the best shot maker of all. Some bowlers forget that accuracy is best tool in your game. Dave Mary 6, 2006 Los Angeles CA When shooting to convert the bucket in the 2006 Pepsi Championship at AMF Riviera Lanes, you used your spare ball, rather than your more aggressive first ball, and left the eight pin. Dad taught me that the risk of chopping off the five was much less that the risk of bouncing off the two and leaving the eight. As you are a "slightly" better bowler than either of us, your comment please. Hi Dave, We bowl on much tougher lane conditions on tour which are also different from week to week. I use a straight ball on most of my spares as I don't have to worry about what the lane conditions are and the different moves that I might have to make. Checking my palm pilot Frames program I have picked up the bucket (2-4-5-8) 60 out of 76 times (79%) and I almost always go straight at it. If I bowled on a league condition which was the similar from week to week I would probably hook the ball at the bucket. Technique Q&A [1-20] [21-40] [41-60] [61-80] [81-100] [101-120] [121-140] [141-160] [161-180] [181-200] [201-220] [221-240] [241-260] [261-280] [281-300] [321-340] [341-360] | ||