Expert: Warren Friedl, Pro Shop Owner/Operator, - 5/31/2009

Question
Hello, how are you? Me personally, I'm lost. I have been bowling for  8 months.Seems like everyone that watches me bowl thinks I've been doing it for years and thats not the case.I have aready taken 1st place in an adult summer tour,and qualified for the finals.What I am tring to say is I have been laid off,for some months now,I need a sponsor or something to continue to becoming a pro,I have had no training.As a man I am asking for Help,for myself and my family.I dont know where to turn, with out money I may just quit.And yes I do have a USBC Membership.

                                    thank you,
                                        Skippy

Answer
Anthony,
Sorry, success on the lanes, on a Typical House Shot (THS), isn't a big accomplishment.

If you have some natural talent, some athletic ability and a knack to to play the lanes (where everybody does) around 2nd arrow, you will average 200+.

On a house condition, an exempt pro bowler (Jeff Carter from Illinois) averaged 261 for a bowling season.

Bowling is not going to put food on the table. You like it, it's fun, you're obviously picking it up quickly, but Tim Mack, an accomplished International player took several years to break through and win an exemption on the tour (yesterday).

In the same field Tour Titlists like Billy Oatman and Dave D'Entremont failed to regain their exemptions. Check out the results at: http://thebowlingtree.blogspot.com/2009/06/ciccone-survives-shark-to-win-pba-tou...

To succeed on tour, experience is crucial and at almost $1,000 a week for entries, expenses, and travel, sponsors can't afford to have you learn, you need to win!

Pursue a new job, bowl local tournaments, practice and learn as much as you can about bowling balls and ball reaction, but bowling is NOT going to be a lottery ticket that will solve your problems.

Understand, I encourage you to play, but the world of bowling contains hundreds, thousands of bowlers with more experience, knowledge and training. I don't want you to put your family in a precarious position, while you try to persue something that will take years and 10's of thousands of dollars to get you competitive.

Rolling a ball well is no where near enough to make money as a bowler.
Thanks for the question. Sorry to be so discouraging, but you must be realistic.