Expert: Russ King - 7/3/2006

Question
I am 44 and new to bowling, a couple of months now. I have got it bad I guess, bowling about every other day. I moved to a reactive ball after a week or so of watching the experienced bowlers and asking questions. I have a Power Groove and a used Columbia 300 Messenger both with finger tip grip and I am right handed. I have developed petty good rotation and have a decent hook and seem to hit the "pocket" most of the time. I don't understand why I leave spares, 7 sometimes, 10 sometimes, others sometimes even when I hit the 1-3 pocket. Alot of the strikes I get seem to be more head on or Brooklyn. Is the 1-3 pocket as they say acually hitting the 1 and 3 pin at the same time or is that a way of saying to hit the head pin on the right side?
I am averaging 150s, my best game so far is 237. Any advice on how to improve my score is appreciated. By the way, I start with my right foot 5 boards right of center and my mark is 2nd arrow from right.

Answer
When you leave the 7 pin, you either are throwing the ball too fast or you are too deep(hooking the ball from 4th or 5th arrow out to the right too much.).When you leave the 10 pin,some people say its too much of an angle into the pocket.I think thats a myth.Some days I can leave a 10 pin if I kicked the ball down the lane.Try the old 1 inch move.
Move one inch right,left,back & front from where you are standing.Throw a shot from each move & watch the pin reaction.You can slightly move your pointing finger a little to the right or left on your grip.I like to thin up my line throwing straighter down the lane. This changes the hook point & works best on 3/4 & 1/2 pocket hits(swishes).
If your ball is rolling out into the pocket,this also will leave alot of corner pins.Watch your ball roll.If If it straightens out after the break point, the ball is rolling out.Watch the ball as it hits the pins. If it deflects a lot, its rolling out.It needs to continue to roll after the break point.
As for crossing over to Brooklyn,This means you are getting the ball too far right too early.Or helping it to the left(tugging).
 Now, you are standing just right of center hitting 2nd arrow.If you are rolling the ball over the 2nd arrow spot,this might be too far right too soon.2nd arrow is the 10 board. Aim at the 10 board further down the lane say 5 feet. This will change the break point & change pin reaction.
 Suttle changes! Not big changes.I have found leaning back on my heels just a bit more will change the carry.You skipped a lot by going fingertip reactive early & its backlashing a little on you.You might be bending your elbow or topping the ball. You need to have your elbow locked all the way thru the release & have your arm close into your body.As you release the ball, point your thumb up to the sky.This will help the follow thru & carry.
 TRY SOME OR ALL OF THESE & GET BACK WITH ME & WE WILL CONTINUE FROM THERE.I need to know how these moves work for you. This will give me a good idea how you are throwing the ball.