AboutWarren Friedl Expertise 18 Years Pro Shop Owner/Operator, 17 Years Bowling Center Operator, Certified Coach since National Bowling Council and YABA days. Also Dick Ritger and USA Bowling Bronze certified. International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) Charter member, IBPSIA Hands On Training Certified and 2X Member of the IBPSIA Board of Directors, contributor to "Bowlers Journal International" and "Pro Shop Operator" Magazines. Member Bowling Writers Association of America.
Experience 18 Years operating Revolutions Pro Shops in 2nd Largest bowling ball market in the country, Chicagoland.
17 Years in Center operations as Marketing Director, Asst.Manager or General Manager, becoming GM in every Center I worked.
1 year Operating Revolutions Consulting, a pro shop and center operations consulting group.
Organizations American Bowling Congress/USBC Member since 1976, bowling 50 years.
Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA)
International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) Charter and continuing member for 17 years, 2 time member of Board of Directors, presently, outgoing Secretary/Treasurer. IBPSIA Hands On Training (HOTs) Certified.
US Bowling Coaches Association (Bronze Coach)
Publications “Bowlers Journal International” and “Pro Shop Operator” Magazines.
Chicago Bowler, Windy City Bowling News, Centennial Lanes.com, The Bowling Tree Blog, IBPSIA.com and IBPSIA Net News (e-newsletter).
Education/Credentials IBPSIA Hands On Training Certified. Multiple Seminars from AMF, Brunswick, Columbia, Circle, Ebonite, Hammer, Mo-Rich, Storm, Track, Dexter, Etonic, and others. Kaploe and Davis Bowling Marketing training. Extensive Trade Subscriptions. Several newsletter/e-zine/blog Subscriptions on trade topics.
Certified with the Young America Bowling Alliance and the National Bowling Council as a coach in 1982. Other coaching credentials include: Dick Ritger Level One, Dick Ritger Coaching Coaches, and USA Bowling Bronze Level.
Awards and Honors Created and executed Promotions highlighted in Bowlers Journal Magazine and included in the “150 Promotions for Bowling Centers” organized by the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA).
First Pro Shop featured in Bowling Industry magazine, for customer service and merchandising, October 1996.
Identified “One of the best ball fitters in the country” by then Track, Inc. President Del Warren, September 2005.
Tournament Promotions lead to top performance in center, or for center hosted events including: Chicago City Championships, US Open Qualifiers, Amateur Bowlers Tour.
Past/Present Clients Presenter at the IBPSIA National Convention.
Presenter at Bowling Proprietors Association Management School
Question How often and when should I replace my finger inserts? I haven't replaced it since I had my bowling balls drilled which was maybe a year and a half ago. I am able to insert my fingers up to the second joint does that mean its time to replace? Also what are the benefits to replacing them? Thank you.
Answer Roger,
A Turbo 2N1 piece (a grip maker) suggests you change your finger grips like oil in your car. The analogy: change grips every three months, six months, whatever, but change them regularly, before they become so big and slick that you've lost the majority of the benefit of the grips. The piece suggests at least once a year.
How you hit the ball, and the number of games you bowl, etc. effect how quickly the grips will wear out.
I suggest 60 to 100 games is the window. Bigger hitters wear their grips quickly. Softer speeds and stroker releases wear slowly. One night a week for a winter season is approximately 100 games. You will gain a bit more lift and backend reaction with fresh grips.
My store doesn't glue the backs of the grips allowing some adjustability. Taking your worn grips and shimming the back, tightens the hole which tightens the grip. Also, if you're swollen from weather or outside activity, by moving the grip aside, we open the hole by scraping some of the material away. When the hole is bigger, the grip can expand a little, accommodating the swollen fingers.
