Expert: Susie Minshew - 8/8/2009

Question
I am a very in shape but lean guy at 5'4 and 111 lbs and all muscle. But I do have a difficult time with getting enough speed for my strikes. I throw a nice hook and use a 13lb Rattler Brunswick ball which I love. I bowled a 10lb then 11lb then 12lb then 14lb and that was to heavy so at 13lb now and throwing at 11mph. I seem to almost always get 9 pins and leave the 9 or 10 pin standing. I have taken lessons and studied about every video out there and use a wrist brace as well with one piece of metal on the inside to support my wrist. I haven't bowled in 30 years and started in January of 2009 but I am the most focused person and driven so have learned fast and got from an 80 average to a 150 but I am so frustrated as I want to bowl a 200 average and string the strikes. I rarely get strikes so have to do all these spares but missing a few spares with no strikes gives you a 150 average all the time. I hold the ball up as high as possible when I stand and do a nice far back swing so I am doing a lot for my speed already but its not enough. Many times my arm seems to go to the left to much and I do keep my arm tight to my body so its because of a weak wrist I think. How can I bowl strikes with my 13lb ball at 11mph? Should I not throw a hook and instead do a straight ball for more speed? Or what suggestions do you recommend. Thank you so very much and I greatly appreciate your time and energy in helping me! Keith from L.A.

Answer
It will be difficult to average 200 with such a light ball. A minimum of 14 lbs would be helpful. In addition, even with a heavier ball, your speed is definitely an issue. Carry percentage is optimum at between 17 and 19 mph so you can see you are not getting nearly enough pin action.

If you truly are in good shape and have no injuries or a bad back, for example, you should easily be able to handle 14 lbs. If the ball fits your hand properly, it will feel like it weighs about 10% of its dead weight. If the 14 lb ball you had felt too heavy, I would suggest you have the fit checked by an IBPSIA professional. You can find one near you at ibpsia.com. They are the professionals for bowling pro shops. If you are wearing a wrist brace that has a strap across the palm, be sure you have it on when your hand is measured. Straps across the palm change the span. Also, I would suggest you get a fingertip grip if you do not already have one.

When you say you took lessons, I hope you did so from a certified USBC coach. That is your best bet for figuring out why you aren't generating any speed. They would also be able to address your erratic swing plane issues.

It takes three things to carry consistently - angle, speed, and rotation. Speed is an issue for you. Balls that enter the pocket flat, without the proper angle, won't carry. Thus a little hook is a good thing. A lot of hook is a very bad thing.

Most of the things you named just can't be addressed via words. You need to get a coach who is qualified and preferably has video analysis. You can find the closest one to you at bowl.com. Good luck!