That Pesky Ten Pin

It just seems that the 10-pin is coming more and more frequently. On any given night, everyone in the league will leave three or four a game. Watch the PBA on television and even the pros have trouble with that pesky pin. We all seem to be pounding the pocket and leaving them "all over the place."

Is it the type of oil? The oil pattern? The pins not set correctly (e.g, off-spot when the pinsetter sets them down)? The bowling ball? The style of release? The angle? A slick spot on the lane? There are so many variables that could affect how your ball hits the 1-3 pocket. It can be overwhelming and frustrating at times.

In a perfect strike hit, the ball only hits the 1, 3, 5, and 9 pins. There have been countless studies done and slow motion cameras have filmed and documented it. You can go on the internet and do a search for "PERFECT STRIKE," and there are many videos showing the bowling ball going through the pins. It may seem impossible that the ball is deflecting to the right (or left for left-handers leaving the 7-pin), but it in fact does. Amazing.

Nowadays, you have to make adjustments to try to get the ball to strike. Remember the definition of "insanity," don't you? It is doing the exact same thing over-and-over expecting a different result. Most regular bowlers will have already heard of the, "move 2-3 inches forward or backward," "hold the ball higher or lower," or "move yourself a few boards to the right or left."

Here's a "Choc-List" of a few more adjustments for you advanced bowlers:

1) Watch where your breakpoint is and make the adjustments from there.

2) Changing hand positions is one of the more common changes that a person can make. Sometimes flattening the trajectory of your bowling ball has a better chance for the strike to carry.

3) Change your bowling ball. The more aggressive one does not always do the trick.

4) Make a radical move by as much as 5 boards or more. Small increments do not seem to be working as good as they used to.

The 10-pin tap is left most often when the ball seems to be curving slightly more into the pocket. A more direct hit in the 1-3 pocket works better.

A Hui Hou! (See You Again!)