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Bowling/Questions Answered by Expert Susie Minshew

SubjectDate Asked
Bowling Balls left in car3/16/2010
  Q: Is it true that if I leave my bowling ball in the car, the heat can crack the ball?
  A: Drastic changes in temperature can definitely affect your ball. I have heard of balls that cracked ...
Rev rate vs speed3/3/2010
  Q: How do I increase my rev rate without reducing my speed?
  A: There are many techniques for increasing your rev rate. Doing it without muscling is the key. Revs ...
breakpoint2/26/2010
  Q: are the modern pro bowlers using a breakpoint management system for targeting and reading the lanes ...
  A: There's no other way to bowl and be effective. The breakpoint is the point where the ball changes ...
PAP2/16/2010
  Q: .. My question is in relation to my PAP. My PAP is 5 1/2 over and a 1/4 up. What does that mean in ...
  A: Tim! You are correct that your PAP is an indicator of your release axis. To really get the answer ...
Help!2/13/2010
  Q: Hey Susie, love your website and hearing you on the Internet Bowling show, Let's go Bowling. ...
  A: Yo, Michael! Thanks for the questions. Jeez, your description sounds so familiar! Can't I play ...
Back up Bowler2/9/2010
  Q: I'm a new bowler and really starting to have fun. I'm throwing what everyone is telling me is a ...
  A: Denise! Great question. the term backup ball refers to the way your ball is rotating. Assuming you ...
identifying old bowling ball2/1/2010
  Q: Its an AMF sumo ball with an id# of 21c8402. Any info would be great. Drew
  A: Drew! Ahh, the Sumo. Quite the ball in its day. The technology of the Sumo is quite old and I can't ...
Carry1/29/2010
  Q: Susie, For us "straighter" down and in players, what tips do you have for getting as much carry and ...
  A: Michael! Carry is dependent on several things, some of which you cannot control, like the alignment ...
Grip and ball placement in hand1/23/2010
  Q: I use a relaxed fingertip grip and have always wondered about where the ball should be placed in the ...
  A: Gordy! Where you hold the ball in your hand depends on what you want the ball to do. Let's talk ...
proper stroker technique1/16/2010
  Q: Susie, I am wondering about proper stroker technique and the "modern" game. I remember watching a ...
  A: Michael! In my opinion, body alignment is the biggest secret in bowling. If you are not lined up ...
possible ball weight change1/15/2010
  Q: Susie, I love your website and enjoyed listening to you on the Lets Go Bowling show. Anyway I have a ...
  A: That's really different. If the ball fits you well, you ought to be able to throw your version of ...
possible ball weight change1/13/2010
  Q: Susie, I love your website and enjoyed listening to you on the Lets Go Bowling show. Anyway I have a ...
  A: Michael! Thanks for the kind words. It's always good to know your stuff is not just floating around ...
Choosing the right ball1/12/2010
  Q: I am currently using a used Ebonite Omega Lion ball to learn how to hook and I want to get a new ...
  A: Erica! Ahh, the Lion. I had one and truly loved it! It was a great ball in its day and that day is ...
averages1/11/2010
  Q: What web-site can I go to in order to find league averages?
  A: If you are bowling in a USBC sanctioned league and your league secretary has BLS and the Perfect ...
bowling1/4/2010
  Q: Can you please tell me where and when is the next Professional Amature Open bowling tournament is ...
  A: Robert! I actually don't know what a Professional Amateur Open tournament is. Usually tournaments ...
thumb hole tape1/1/2010
  Q: where is the proper way to insert tape if needed ie., in back or front or one sides of the drilled ...
  A: LD! Taping is an art. How you place tape in the thumb hole and what type of tape you use is really ...
First ball12/27/2009
  Q: For a right-hander, if the first ball on the 1-3 side is called "Brooklyn", what is it called on ...
  A: Ron! The 'pocket' for a right-handed bowler is on the 17th board, between the 1 pin and the 3 pin. ...
finger placement12/14/2009
  Q: where is the best place to place your index and pinkie. I've tried to tuck it. resulting in mt ring ...
  A: David! Here are the answers to your questions: 1. Yes 2. It depends on what you want the ball to ...
Bowling Shoes12/14/2009
  Q: I bought a pair of Dexters SST1 S8 sole and h5 heel. I threw 2 balls and found the heel digging in ...
  A: Robert, Miss those Linds, huh? :) From a quality and lasting a long time standpoint, you can't beat ...
switching balls in league play12/9/2009
  Q: when should you make a ball change? Last Sat i shot a 256 1st game 268 second game and a 159 the ...
  A: Allen! Excellent question. Since I have no idea what kind of surface and pattern on which you ...
Hook Release12/7/2009
  Q: I've been trying to develop a hook, and I've had some difficulty. I spoke with my Pro Shop operator ...
  A: Joshua! The Freeze is a great entry level reactive ball. Depending on the lane condition where you ...
lane conditions12/4/2009
  Q: What is the coefficient of static friction of the average bowling lane?
  A: Dan! Great question, however, the answer varies depending on the type/manufacturer of the lane. You ...
lack of improvement11/20/2009
  Q: My wife has been bowling for over 5 years and has a 115 avg. She bowls 3 times a week. My wife is ...
  A: James! Averaging 115 is certainly no fun. It takes a lot of skill to throw with a fingertip grip so ...
Dropping ball on approach11/20/2009
  Q: I bowl in a league and there are 1 or 2 bowlers who drop their bowl on the approach before they get ...
  A: Judy! There are numerous reasons that people lay the ball down behind the foul line. It is not ...
timiing/rythymn11/19/2009
  Q: i'm confused now after reading so many bowling tips...might be a dump question to ask but i have to ...
  A: You need a coach who can see what is going on with you. Your timing is late. That's not a bad thing. ...
oil vs. dry11/16/2009
  Q: i'm confused now after reading so many bowling tips...might be a dump question to ask but i have to ...
  A: Oil keeps your ball from hooking. Your ball goes through three phases of motion: skid, hook, and ...
Spare balls11/12/2009
  Q: I've been bowling in leagues for over 15 years. I just got back into it after a 20 yr absence. Iwas ...
  A: Dennis! Welcome back to bowling! As you've noticed, it's a very different game than it used to be. ...
thumb hang up11/6/2009
  Q: This has been happening to me quite frequently as of late. My thumb has been hanging up in my ball ...
  A: Don! Yuk. You are in a very ugly and embarrassing place, not to mention how this problem can hurt ...
rotation11/2/2009
  Q: I have been bowling for two and a half years and would probably be considered a stroker or a ...
  A: Michael! I'm a bit confused by your question. It almost seems as though you are saying that your ...
bouncing a ball10/26/2009
  Q: Lately I am noticing i am bouncing my bowling ball. I have a fairly fast throw, and i put it out ...
  A: Anytime the ball is bouncing, it's not in contact with the lane. That's not a good thing! There can ...
pulling shots10/5/2009
  Q: Im 55 years old and am getting back into bowling after a 3 year layoff. In returning to this great ...
  A: Seems you already know the answer! Training is not about throwing the ball every time it comes out ...
Equipment10/3/2009
  Q: I have been try to find the right ball for my fiance. She just started bowling 2 years ago, but has ...
  A: Kyle! There is an expert ball driller and former board member of the International Bowling Pro ...
Mental aspect of bowling.9/27/2009
  Q: I've been bowling for almost 7 years now. But i only started bowling competitively 3 years ago. I've ...
  A: Ryan! I think you can't deny, nor should you try to suppress, your emotions. We all get juiced. You ...
Getting mores strikes with straight ball9/19/2009
  Q: I am a 60 year woman who has bowled for 30 years. I throw a straight ball due to an injury to the ...
  A: Linda! Curving a ball is generated by a slight rotation of the wrist so I'm curious about this ...
5 Pin9/17/2009
  Q: In canada do you have to play 5 pin on a different type of lane compared to 10 pin, ie will the 10 ...
  A: Rob! I was just in Canada and saw 5 pin bowling for the first time. Canada is the only country with ...
counting boards in bowling9/15/2009
  Q: Does the 7 board count applies to everyone in bowling? Just started standing on 20th board and ...
  A: I'm not sure what the '7 board count' is. My best guess is that you are referring to the ball ...
Mental Game.9/14/2009
  Q: First, I would like to comment that your website was a joy to read. It's very refreshing to see that ...
  A: Rich! Yup. You're human all right! I think it's silly to try and suppress or block these kinds of ...
Bowling Equipment9/12/2009
  Q: I am in the market for a new ball. (The last one I bought was an ebonite NVS) I don't have a ...
  A: Jonathan! You are right to want a difference in ball reaction. All high performance balls do tend ...
Where to put the ball9/7/2009
  Q: I'm a full roller using a cell ball. Where should I put my ball when rolling on the Kegel Main ...
  A: Beverley! It's pretty unusual to be a full roller these days. It's actually not a very effective ...
thumb9/5/2009
  Q: first, congrats on your 42nd question, secondly my question : If I am having trouble squeezing the ...
  A: Curious question. Why would you think that just because you had the fit adjusted, you wouldn't ...
RH vs. LH8/31/2009
  Q: Can a league bowler change switch bowling hands mid frame? Mid game? Example, a left handed ...
  A: Here is the quote from the Rule Book. You can find it at bowl.com under Rules. 328. Changing ...
Bowling Ball8/30/2009
  Q: Well my wife bought me a new ball (Hammer Black Widow Venom) I was out of bowling for a few years ...
  A: Ron! A ball that is still hooking after one year is quite a ball. Most modern balls have a life of ...
breaking in new bowling shoes8/22/2009
  Q: I have purchased a new pair of AMF shoes. I stick badly at the Foul line. I'm a long slider and have ...
  A: New bowling shoes can be way fun to break in as you have evidently noticed! Hopefully, your new ...
marker boards8/16/2009
  Q: When I watch the PBA on TV they have marker boards to hit. Exactly where on the lane are these ...
  A: The lanes to which you refer are made by Brunswick and called ProAnvilane. The additional ...
middle finger8/16/2009
  Q: I have been practicing my bowling, and every time I release the ball it hurts my middle finger bad, ...
  A: Patsy! This is really a serious issue. Bowling is a non-combat sport and is not supposed to hurt! ...
Bowling. New to the game so I dont know much!8/14/2009
  Q: I have some questions. Is it possible to get a Bowling Ball re-finished or reshaped back to the ...
  A: Welcome to bowling, Jason! It's great fun and very therapeutic. You get to knock stuff down and ...
Release problem8/10/2009
  Q: During leagues or practice sessions, it seems that I have no problem with my release. But then when ...
  A: Since you don't have any trouble with the ball during practice or league, it would seem that the ...
Releasing the bowling ball8/9/2009
  Q: How can I stop lofting the bowling ball. Do I need to change the pitch of my thumb in order to ...
  A: Indeed you would be. There are many reasons you could be lofting the ball unintentionally: you're ...
How to get strikes8/8/2009
  Q: 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 ...
  A: It will be difficult to average 200 with such a light ball. A minimum of 14 lbs would be helpful. In ...
bowling adverage 3 or 4 years ago omaha nebraska8/6/2009
  Q: I'm looking for a old bowling average I had about 4 or 5 years ago at Kelly north bowl in Omaha ...
  A: Your best bet for retrieving the data you want is from the secretary of the league in which you ...
bowling8/2/2009
  Q: I have had my black widow pearl for about 1 1/2 years now and for some reason my ball varys alot on ...
  A: Unfortunately, bowling balls die. Sounds weird, I know. The truth of that matter, though, is that ...
Finger Injury8/2/2009
  Q: The following question has been asked before, but I didn't see an answer. This question fits my ...
  A: As humans, we change - and we do so frequently. You should have your fit checked at least yearly. To ...
swollen fingers7/30/2009
  Q: My cousin is going for the national selection for bowling which is due in a week, but has a problem ...
  A: There is almost nothing your cousin can do at this late date. The swelling, if caused by bowling, is ...
PITCH IN BOWLING BALL7/22/2009
  Q: I'm left handed. One pro shop drilled a ball 16th right, 7/16 reverse. Another pro shop drilled a ...
  A: Pitches in the thumb and fingers are based on the flexibility of your hand and fingers and your ...
Middle finger pain7/21/2009
  Q: 2 parter: I recently went to a shop and had my middle finger changed to 7/8 reverse and 7/8 left ...
  A: Depends on how long your span is. That's quite a bit of forward pitch in your thumb. That can be ...
I Have A Columbia 300 Yellow Dot Ball7/19/2009
  Q: I Have a Columbia Yellow Dot Bowling Ball With The Number 6V93937 On the Ball I was wondering What ...
  A: Yellow Dots were from the 1960's or so. Still today, it would be a great dry lanes/spare ball if it ...
Purchasing the right ball7/12/2009
  Q: I am in the market for a new ball. Just got back into bowling and am using my 20yr old 12lb ebonite ...
  A: There are a few things you need to do before purchasing a new ball. How much do you weigh? Are you ...
Having Inflammation Issues7/6/2009
  Q: I took a 20 year break from bowling until my daughter recently expressed an interest in it. It ...
  A: Since your hand is not the same as it was 20 years ago, getting a new fit is imperative. In fact, ...
revs6/24/2009
  Q: I have been bowling for about seven years now and i am not very new to hooking the ball. My problem ...
  A: It takes a lot of work, forearm strength, proper torso tilt, soft hands, and a whole bunch of other ...
wrist lock6/22/2009
  Q: in bowling, I have a 14 pound Hammer Blue Vibe and I am trying to keep my wrist locked. because I ...
  A: The easiest way is to get a Mongoose Lifter from your Pro Shop Operator. This is a brace that does ...
hooking late, too hard6/16/2009
  Q: I've been using a 13 lb Storm Hy-Road ball with a fingertip grip for about 4 months. The ball breaks ...
  A: There are many reasons the ball might make such a dramatic move down lane: not enough speed, the ...
bowling6/13/2009
  Q: Im just starting out to drill my own bowling balls.I've purchased a drill press and ready to go.My ...
  A: I must say your question concerns me greatly. A qualified Pro Shop Professional must be an artist to ...
Should I go to a lighter ball?6/7/2009
  Q: I just started bowling and I got a 13lb RH Tornado since I can't handle anything heavier. I got ...
  A: A fingertip grip gives you much more power and control. House balls make everybody equally bad so ...
oil conditions/type of ball to use6/6/2009
  Q: WHERE I BOWL, THE LANES ARE OILED BUT IT SEEMS TO BREAK DOWN (THE OIL) REAL QUICK SO THAT MY BALL ...
  A: If you watch bowling on TV, you know that the pros roll plastic balls at all spares. Whether or not ...
PBA Bowling6/6/2009
  Q: Are the lanes re-dressed between games in tournament single game match play - step ladder format or ...
  A: It depends on the tournament. For example, if squads of a tournament started at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, and ...
Tournament winnings6/6/2009
  Q: They always say what the winner receives in prize money. Does the 2nd 3rd or 4th place walk away ...
  A: It would be quite rare for a tournament to only pay for first place and it would be widely ...
X-Out bowling ball6/2/2009
  Q: I bought an X-Out bowling ball on E-Bay. The CG/Mb/Pin are in line. Will I have a problem getting ...
  A: It depends on how close together the CG and pin are. There are relationships between the two that ...
buying a new ball5/24/2009
  Q: I'm buying a new ball for next season. I bowl on medium to heavy oiled lanes. I want a ball that ...
  A: James, Not knowing your rev rate, axis rotation, lane surface and age, style of bowling, and ...

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Susie Minshew

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Expertise

Any question on bowling including the playing field, equipment, the physical game, and the mental game.

Experience

Teaching bowling full-time since 1993

Organizations
United States Bowling Congress Coaches Association

Publications
Bowling This Month magazine Stars and Strikes magazines Fort Worth Star-Telegram Bowling World

Education/Credentials
United States Bowling Congress Gold Coach Dick Ritger Certified Level 1

Awards and Honors
Two time USOC Bowling Coach of the Year Past President - International Bowling Pro Shops and Instructors Assn

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