Expert: Susie Minshew - 9/19/2009

Question
I am a 60 year woman who has bowled for 30 years. I throw a straight ball due to an injury to the finger I use for bowling. I am very accurate with my spares but do not get a lot of strikes unless I throw the ball perfect in the pocket. I stand in the middle or slightly right. My husband feels I should stand all the way to the right to get a better angle at the pocket. Do you have any suggestions that would help me to throw more strikes?

Thanks in advance for you help.

Answer
Hi, Linda!

Curving a ball is generated by a slight rotation of the wrist so I'm curious about this comment: 'finger you use for bowling'. What does that mean? Do you have a conventional of fingertip grip? What weight ball are you throwing?

It takes three things to carry: angle, speed, and rotation. The reason people curve the ball is so that they can create an angle into the pocket. A 'straight' entry angle into the pocket won't carry nearly as well as a shot that enters the pocket from a slight angle. As a right-hander, moving to the right and pointing the ball (going right-to-left) is an attempt to create that angle without the curve.  

So, if you are standing on 20 and rolling a ball with end-over-end roll over the 2nd arrow, even if the ball gets to the pocket (which is unlikely since you are so far left with your feet), it will deflect too much to the right. If you move to the right, say 17 or so, and roll the ball diagonally straight (right-to-left) toward the pocket, you will decrease the deflection and increase your carry percentage.