Expert: Chip Aki - 12/26/2007

Question
When I watch bowling on TV iI do not see any Palm Bowlers. I have all 3 finger tips in the ball, but the ball sits in the palm of my hand for the release.  I keep hearing that palm bowlers are inconsistent.  What can you advise me as a palm bowler to become more consistant.  I can go and bowl a 200 game and then struggle to get over 100.

Answer
It is difficult for someone that palms the ball to have a consistant armswing, which causes the inconsistancy.  The closest I remember seeing to a palm bowler would have been Bob Benoit, but he struggled with ball speed due to the lack of a backswing.
Two things that might help is to work on creating more ball speed and not lifting too much with the fingers.  The most improvement would be to lessen the palming aspect of your game.

Good luck,
Chip