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Technique Q&A [1-20] [21-40]
[41-60] [61-80] [81-100] [121-140] [141-160] [161-180] [181-200] [201-220] [221-240] [241-260] [261-280] [281-300] [301-320] [321-340] [341-360]  Chris March 18, 2003 Olyphant PA Hi walter ray, let me just comment on your excellent season, you are the reason i started bowling.Im 15 yrs old, it is my first year of bowling in a league. I carry a 116 average, which I dont think is bad for a beginner. A problem i have been having is not being able to convert single pin spares. The multi pin and splits i have no problem with. Im always off my mark trying to convert single pin spares. Is there a special way that i can approach for example a 5 pin? thanks Hi Chris, Single pin spares are the simplest of spares. If you can pick up multi pin leaves and splits, then single pins should be much easier. A 5 pin can usually be picked up by throwing a strike shot. Keep practicing those spares as they are very important. Mike March 17, 2003 Rochester NY hey walter and paige...just wanted to ask you a question or two about where you have been looking on the lane lately...i am wondering if you have been looking farther down the lane with the new conditions that are out on the tour or if you had been changing per different patterns that are out there...i am just wondering...with the different looks that you have been using with your hand position i was trying to figure out what parts of the lane you are looking at... next question...did you have a partner this year for the cream of the crop tournament...i know you have to have at least one amateur on a team...just give me a shout...mike Hi Mike, I normally look at the arrows or a couple of feet in front of them. I don't normally look past the arrows. When I look in front of the arrows it is hard to say exactly why I do, but it is more of 'feeling' and being comfortable. The lane conditions don't normally play a role on where I look. I bowled with Jeff Bellinger at the Cream of the Crop last year and I would assume that we would again bowl together. See you in FL if not before. Milt On your last step do you concentrate on putting more weight on your heel or your whole foot. tnx Hi Milt, I don't think about putting any weight on my foot when I bowl. But, I probably put a little bit more weight on the toe than heel of my foot though. Chris March 9, 2003 New York NY Walter Ray, thanks for answering this question, and congratulations on your World Championship win. You recently answered a beginner question by saying it would be better to learn to hook "with the thumb" than "without." I'm just learning how to hook and was wondering if you could clarify what you meant by this. I'm having a hard to envisioning the difference between the two. On a different note, did you take any classes from my uncle, John Shieh, at Cal Poly? Hi Chris, Most bowlers bowl by using their thumb and fingers, but some use only their fingers. By not using their thumb it is possible to get more rotation on the ball, but it is normally much more difficult to be accurate without the thumb. I don't remember a John Shieh from college, but that was many years ago. Gene March 9, 2003 Melbourne FL Hi Walter Ray, and congratulations on your great championship victory today.I need to ask you when you were bowling against Pete today did you make any changes in your game plan.If you did what were they, and why did you make those changes.When you were bowling against Brian were you lofting and muscleing the ball more, if so why were you doing this?I would like to know about these things because I would like to be more knowlegable about this great game of ours.Thanks and I wish you continued success. Gene Brady Hi Gene, I basically played the lanes against Pete very similar to the way I played them against Ryan Shafer in the round of 8 match the evening before. This was with good speed around 9 - 10 at the arrows going out to about 5. This was my game plan. I didn't care for the reaction I had against Pete and I thought that it might be better if I hooked the ball more. But if I hooked the ball too much I don't know if that would be good. So I slowed down a bit and put a fair amount of rotation (for me) on the ball. I moved into 12 and 13 at the arrows going out to about 5 with good speed. Bradley March 8, 2003 South Charleston WV Walter Ray My son Kody is 10 years old and has been bowling for 1 year. He loves bowling very much. He has been getting better & better. He is very hard on himself and is becoming very competitive. His high game is 175 he averages about 120. He started out using an 8lb. ball and has jumped to an 11lb. ball. Im not sure if the 11lb. ball is to heavy, but he has been begging me to buy him a ball that will hook. I have talked to our local pro and also Steve Lickliter who is on the Senior PBA tour and the information they have given me is to keep my son with a straight ball. However the tournaments that he enters most of the kids are using heavier balls and hook balls. And my son gets discouraged about that. I am just wanting your professional advice on the weight of the ball he should use & if he should use a hook ball or not. Also he would bowl every day if we would let him, how often should we let him practice? and what are some key points that he should practice each time on the lanes? I am sorry for the long letter. My son and I enjoy watching you bowl. We wish you luck in the World Championship. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks Bradley Brown Hi Bradley, It is really hard to say exactly when a young bowler should go up in weight or start to really hook the ball. Even though he is young he probably can learn how to hook the ball. The problem with hooking the ball, is that it helps to have one of the expensive balls to accomplish that. As a young boy, he will grow and want heavier balls to throw. The main thing is to not push him too much but encourage him gently. As long as he is having fun that is the most important. Shane March 5, 2003 Hondo TX Dear Walter Ray, I have always been amazed at your spare making proficiency, especially the ten pin. i was wandering when and how you developed your spare technique which is the finger holes over the thumb hole strait shot at spares as opposed to the earl anthony style where you roll every spare shot off your strike line. I have had a lot of trouble with the ten pin, i try to copy your style with the same type of strait roll but i just lack the accuracy, can you tell me your aproach to making it, and what is your mark on the lane that you aim at when you shoot at the ten pin. i would greatly appreciate any advice you could give me on spare shots. thanks very much. Hi Shane, If you can throw the ball straight then you have solved the hardest part. Getting lined up for the spares isn't really that tough. If you will take a few games to practice on only your spares and not strikes, you should be better off. For the 10 pin, start with your feet on the left dot. You might want to use a right lane in case the ball return is an issue for you. Pick a target like the middle arrow and watch where your ball goes. Did it roll over your target? Would it have knocked over the 10 pin? If you are shooting at a full rack, then the ball should hit the 6 and the 10 pins. If it only knocks over the 10 pin and misses the 6, then you are not giving yourself enough room for error. Keep moving your target and feet until you are getting the ball in the best position to knock over the 10 pin and have a little bit of room right and left. Keep practicing this until you are comfortable. You should be able to do a similar thing for your other spares. Good luck. Jeff March 3, 2003 Florence AL Dear Mr. Williams, I'm in college and bowl pretty regularly. I carry about a 110 average. I'm pretty inconsistant (my high is a 188 and my low is a 79) and the reason is i just can't get any spin on the ball. I just throw it straight at the head pin and hope to knock them all down. I've tried putting spin on it but everytime i try, it goes into the gutter. Could you please tell me how to put spin on it so I can improve my bowling? Thank you and good luck. Hi Jeff, Putting spin on the ball is very difficult if you don't know how to do it. It also takes a lot of time (practice) and patience. Think about how you would throw a football underhand with a nice spiral. That is a similar motion with a bowling ball. Of course it is much more difficult than that, but that is the type of motion that you want. You need to keep your wrist slightly cupped until the point of release. You could practice this release by finding a light ball and only using your fingers. I would recommend learning how to hook the ball using your thumb if you are serious about getting much better over hooking it without your thumb. Good luck. Ken February 25, 2003 Philadelphia PA Dear Walter Ray, eventhough Paige might have doubts that you are the greatest bowler of all time, I have no doubts about that, and I am not just saying that to butter you up. I think that the type of ball that you roll is the most effective for the most demanding conditions. It may not be pretty and cover 40 boards but it knocks the pins down, I thought that was the object of the game? My question is: I am a amateur bowler trying to better myself but I seem to be very good on shots were there is some hold on the lane. I am wondering do you think that I can always count on there being some hold on the lane somewhere and finding it, or just trying to execute great shots? I am right handed by the way. I am really debating over accuracy vs. fingers in the ball. I seem to bowl better when I really hit the ball explosively as opposed to stroking the ball. People say with todays hi tech balls that you don't have to hit the ball. I don't seem to find that true in my game though. If I back off the ball, it does not carry as well. I have read and heard many opinions on the subject and am seeking yours. Thanks again. Ken. Hi Ken, I don't know what the perfect release is. Mine works for me on most conditions. Most conditions that you bowl on will have some sort of hold and swing area. Some of the lines you have to play might be different, hooking the ball or going straight, but there is usually some 'best' place to play the lanes. Of course on tougher lane conditions there is basically very little hold or swing which makes them tough conditions. Lane conditions are a big influence on the best way to throw the ball. Learning a couple of different releases is good for playing those different lane conditions. Good luck. P.Vasilis February 25, 2003 Athens Greece Hello, this is the first time i write to you,and i want to congratulate you on your success and wins. I bowl for about 3 years(only a couple with equipment and not just for the fun) and i have a couple of questions. 1)I find it hard to place my hand kind of under the ball while trying to release it,thus turning my hand to the side and making my shot look like a spinner,only not a good one.i would like to ask if there is something basic that i should do during the swing,or the release so that i would be able to place my hand under the ball,thus releasing it properly.I have done it a couple of times,but my wrist feels a bit acqward.Is it possible that i may have a bad drilling done? 2)iīve heard that each one has their marks on the lane,that they use to plan the ballīs cource.I use the marks on the foul(i play down and in on the 10th board usually,and also have tried a larger out and in hook from the 25th board).i have heard that looking at the foul is wrong.Is it?and if yes,why is that? Well thats all for now.I have tons of questions but i dont want to be of a nuisance too! Looking forward to hearing from you Best regards and good luck for the next games! P.Vasilis Hi P. Vasilis, I am not sure if I can help you with your release. It is very difficult to give tips to someone if you have never seen them bowl. If you can't get someone to help you like a coach then you need to figure it out on your own. If you feel like you need to get under the ball more and you can kind of do it, then keep trying it until it feels more natural. Most pros look about 15 feet (5 meters) down the lane past the foul line where they have little triangles, called arrows, on the lane. If you are looking at the foul line it would seem to be difficult to know if the ball is going where you want. If you are looking at the arrows then you can tell if the ball goes where your target is. But everybody is different and if it works then it doesn't matter. Good luck Mike Friday, February 21, 2003 Alamo CA John Jowdy(in his new book ) says that you are the premier technician of the END-Over-END roll. How do you execute this shot? Are there any preferred drillings for this type of shot? Most of my equipment are drilled - stack leveraged. Will this shot work with my equipment? Thanks. Keep up the good work on tour and go break Earl Anthony's record. Hi Mike, The 'end-over-end' roll is basically natural for me. When you release the ball your thumb will be in a position which is close to the 12 o'clock position and your fingers close to the 6 o'clock position with little wrist twisting during release. I don't know the official drilling name for the drilling's that I use, but I like the pin at 1 to 2 o'clock near the fingers. This drilling might work for your equipment if you throw the ball similar to me or maybe even if you don't. Good luck and thanks. Dirk February 21, 2003 Dayton TX Hello Walter and Paige, First off I must say that I love to watch you bowl. With the exception of the Great Earl Anthony, I feel you are one of the best. My question is on revolutions. I average around 205+ and always have been a down and in player. With me bowling like this I always have a problem with leaving the 10 pin and I find myself pushing the "strike shot" closer and closer to the 4 - 9 spit. I have never really had put revolutions on my ball and always depend on my speed and let the ball to do the work. I know if I get more revs on my ball it will work better for me in the long run and give me a more versitle shot. The problem is I cant seem to get more revs on my ball even though I am trying. Do you have any advice for me please. Thank you and I appreciate your time. Dirk Caple Hi Dirk, I, myself, would love to have more revs on the ball. However, when I try to add them - I lose accuracy. The few revs I am amble to gain is not worth what I lose, so basically I have quit trying! You can try to get more revs by cupping your wrist and bending your elbow and then straightening them both at the point of release. Don Johnson gave me a tip that if you dropped a set of keys from your hand in your back swing and tried to catch them, that would help you get an idea of the position your hand and arm need to be get those extra revs. In other words you would cup your wrist and bend your elbow. Doing that with a 15 or 16 pound ball is a slightly different story. You might also want to do some wrist curls. Also, more revs doesn't always give your more strikes. My wife tells me I am doing "just fine" with my "low" revs! Gene February 20, 2003 Melbourne FL I have a problem when I try the inside line.I throw a 13 lb ball and it will not carry on good 1-3 pocket hits. It will carry better when I throw direct.I have a problem keeping the ball to the right side of the head pin when I throw direct, because of lane conditions which are almost always too dry.I am right handed and I throw a reactive ball with a hook.I prefer the more direct line, can you offer any suggestions as to how to do this.I think I lose control when I try to throw the ball too fast.Thanks Walter Ray Gene PS. I leave mostly 10 pins Hi Gene, A lighter ball typically is not going to carry as well as the heavier balls do when they hit the pocket. I use a 15 pound ball, as do about half the pros, and I haven't noticed much difference in my carry. You make some interesting statements. Typically, an inside line will typically give you a more direct line into the pocket so I am confused by those statements. Also, if you throw a direct line, it should be easier to get the ball to the right of the head pin, even if the lanes are hooking a fair amount. But if that is a problem, you need to move more left, throw the ball harder, or get a ball that doesn't hook as much. I also leave a lot of 10 pins, but I usually pick them up. Nick February 19, 2003 Key West FL Hey Walter Ray im 15 years old and my highest score is a 185? I hook with two fingers instead of using my thumb. How do you hook withall three fngers? I know you have to be hook to become a professional bowler. I love bowling and I g bowling ny chance I have. I jst want to upgrade my style. Can you help please help me out walter. Nick KW Hi Nick, A hook is a good way to become a better bowler. It is possible to become a top bowler by bowling without using your thumb, but I would recommend using your thumb to achieve more accuracy. To develop a hook using your thumb, try cupping your wrist similar to the way you need to when not using your thumb. This will typically give you more revolutions. Since you are young I am confident that you can develop a nice hook. Keep working on it and remember that it does take time. Enjoying the game is the most important thing! Ronnie February 17, 2003 Pleasant Garden NC Hi Walter, I aways walk right towards my target and sometimes I will drift to far to the right and pull the shot, sometimes I will miss my target one to three boards right.One night I had the first 10 and I threw it 3 boards to the right of my target on the next shot to miss a 300. I want to learn to walk left.Someone said you walk 5-8 boards left. Is there a way to determine how many boards would be right for me to walk left? And do you make sure your swing is behind your back when you drift left. I hope you win a hundred titles. Thanks Ronnie Hi Ronnie, It makes sense to walk towards your target, but when I was learning how to bowl and play an inside line, drifting left seemed natural since I never purposefully drifted left. But it turns out to be a slight advantage in that when I do play inside the ball return doesn't get in the way quite as fast as if I were to walk to my target. Also I think that in walking left it helps me to get a little more side rotation on the ball while staying under it during release. The ball going behind my back a little bit is natural as is my drift. My drift is probably quite different than most top players in that when I go really straight I don't drift but 1 or 2 boards and when I play 5th arrow I drift 10 to 15 boards left (I don't really pay attention to how much I drift). We all throw errant shots, the key is to make those errant shots small and as few as possible. Walking left might help you, but everybody is different. Do what feels natural for you. Walking straight towards your target might be the best way for you. If you are really interested in changing your approach, you might want to find a good coach who would be willing to work with something like that. Many 'old' style coaches probably aren't going to teach walking left though. Ronnie February 14, 2003 Pleasant Garden NC First I just want to say you are the BEST. I was sitting a table over from you in Burlington last year at Country Club Lanes and I didn't want to bother you with a question while you were eating. Some how I couldn't catch you while you wern't busy. So here goes with my question.I have averaged over 200 hundred for several years. I use a 1 and 1/4 thumb slug. I bought a new high priced ball and they put in a 1 and 3/8 plug in it and I can't control the ball at all. I either hang up or it comes off to early.I have had it replaced twice and still have the same problem. Could that little bit of extra slug at the base of my thumb be causing my problem. Thank you Ronnie Hi Ronnie, I can't believe that the extra bit of slug would make a difference on your grip. It might be that the grip isn't quite what it should be. It could be that the grip is of a different material than you are used to. If the pro you are taking it to now can't fix your problem you might want to find a different one. John February 12, 2003 Liverpool NY Good morning! You are a machine. I love to watch your facial reactions to various hits by either yourself or your foe. My question -I am having trouble in keeping the bowling ball close to my right ankle at the point of release. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks John Hi John, It sounds like you might want to get someone (a coach) who can actually watch you bowl, help you. I don't know of any tricks to get your ball closer to your ankle. Good luck. Ray February 11, 2003 Brockway PA Hi Walter, how have you been? Congrats on the 3 mill. I am a 14 year old male who is trying to learn to bowl just like you do. So far I have it all down but how do you get the ball to role end over end at your spares. I know it will be a long time before I get half as good as you but this will really help me improve my game please help me. Your # 1 fan, Ray Reed Hi Ray, Hand positions are very important in the different releases you may want. Try to throw a back up ball and then cut it down and a release/ hand position in between the back up ball and a regular curve should be pretty straight. Good luck. Gary February 10, 2003 McAllen TX I average over 200. I'm not quite sure where I am, I haven't bowled in a league in awhile. I subbed the other day in a league and shot a 708. Not too shabby, but the thing is, I opened once every game. (I ended the last game with a 4-7-10 pickup, which put the audience in awe. Anyhow I have a serious problem shooting spares and I think once I can get this down my average would skyrocket. I hardly ever never open a game. I have a hard time releasing the ball with a 0 degree tilt. I was bowling on crazy dry lanes the other day and my ball was hooking. The lanes were real spotty, I don't think they had been oiled in a year ;P But anyway I should have been able to pick up my spares which I couldn't do at all because the ball was hooking. Do you have any suggestions for how I should hold the ball while starting. And any tips for keeping the tilt off the ball. I find when i'm able to do it, I can't control the ball at all. Once I get this down, what kind of lineup technique do you have for shooting single pin spares? I could really use your advice. Thanks for your time. Your biggest fan, Gary Hi Gary, I would suggest going to that house where the lanes hooked the most and practice throwing the ball straighter. If you can throw the ball straight on hooking lanes, then the ball will go straight on oily lanes. You might want to try to throw a back up ball. A release between a back up and your normal release should go much straighter. You need to figure out your own method for shooting spares, but right side spares should be shot from the left side of the approach over the center of the lane and vice versa for the left side spares. Gene February 10, 2003 Melbourne FL Hi Walter Ray,I prefer your style of bowling over the other Pros.I think you exemplify consistency.I try to emulate your style. I am 82 years old, and I have league bowled off and on,very mediocre.I just decided about a month ago to try to improve,watching video tapes, reading bowling books,John Jowdy etc.I throw a 13 lb ball with ease.I am working on the free arm swing no muscle, and I have brought my average up from 150 to 153 in a short time, not much I know, but I believe I am improving.I league bowl 3 times a week.I would appreciate any advice you could offer.Do you suggest staying under the ball or coming around the side a little.I also would like to know a way to insure my thumb comes out of the ball first. Thanks Gene Hi Gene, Practice will help a lot. Also a good follow through should help. Coming around the side can help get more side turn which may help a lot on league conditions. I am not sure what would help you get your thumb out first. Technique Q&A [1-20] [21-40] [41-60] [61-80] [81-100] [121-140] [141-160] [161-180] [181-200] [201-220] [221-240] [241-260] [261-280] [281-300] [301-320] [321-340] [341-360] | ||