Expert: - 10/13/2008

Question
About a week ago, a man who had never seen me bowl before said I was putting the ball down early. I disregarded what he said but make sure that I wasn't dropping the ball. So I went bowling yesterday for practice while my dad watched me he said I was placing the ball before the foul line. When I watched it for myself I realized that I was putting the ball before the foul line. I also realized I always end up 1 or 2 feet in front of the foul line. Can this be affecting my ball's reaction? I'm wondering if it can be causing the bowling ball to roll out before it gets to the pocket. But I will say the day before yesterday during league, I started out with to 140's and then went off for a 246. With 6 strikes in a row with 2 10 pins that ruined the game. My thoughts are that I've probably been throwing like this for years as, my bowling ball does roll out occasionally. What do you think?

Answer
Danielle,
You said "I always end up 1 or 2 feet in front of the foul line. Can this be affecting my ball's reaction?"

Absolutely, there is no oil on the approach or for four to six inches on the lane (depending on the house), so not only might you be damaging the approach the ball will loose a ton of energy, way too early.

Measure your starting point on the approach by putting your heels about six inches from the approach facing away from the pins and briskly take whatever number of steps that you take, add a half step and try a few shots from that point as a new starting point for your set-up and approach.

You should slide way closer to the foul line. Benefiting ball reaction and your consistency. You may want to take a bowling lesson or a couple to work on your game.

Thanks for the question.