7 Tips That Will Make You A Better Bowler

Emily Rose Bennett | MLive

7 tips that will make you a better bowler

Amy Sherman | [email protected]

Our Michigan's Best team of Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez are searching for Michigan's Best bowling alley. You can nominate your favorite lanes until Monday at noon. In order to get ready for some bowling, we asked Grand Rapids area league bowler Sam Hartson for some tips on how to become a better bowler.

Special thanks to the friendly crew at Northfield Lanes in Grand Rapids for hosting us.

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Emily Rose Bennett | MLive

Start with the basics

First and foremost, make sure you get equipment that fits properly. If you are using one of the lanes balls, try out a few until you find one that is sized right for you. The weight of the ball is a personal preference, but more important is the fit of the finger holes. Your thumb should fit fairly tightly in the hole for best control.

Buying a ball? Add finger grip inserts for both comfort and a snug fit.

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Emily Rose Bennett | MLive

Work on your grip

Bowler Sam Hartson explained his grip to us. "First, set the depth of your thumb and fingers in the sockets. Your thumb should be relaxed, not gripping. The ball should have contact with the upper parts of your hand, you should not be palming it. Last, keep your fingers spread out as far as you can for better control."

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Amy Sherman | [email protected]

Be a repeat offender

Have you ever watched a pro bowler? Noticed their elaborate routine before they even walked up to the lanes? There's a reason for that Hartson said. "You get a routine, and this creates a muscle memory. Every time, you repeat it, you are reminding your body what you are about to do. This can help an athlete create consistency." Hartson always dries his hands over the blower, then dries his ball with his towel, before approaching the lanes.

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Amy Sherman | [email protected]

Oil and water don't mix

Bowling lanes are oiled so that the ball glides right over the top without hooking constantly. Every lane is oiled in different patterns, and the pattern changes through the day as more balls are thrown and the oil is distributed across the lanes. The point here is that oil and water don't mix, and for optimum glide, you don't want moisture from your hands affecting your throw. Decide if you are a resin bowler, or an air dryer, and use accordingly.

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Emily Rose Bennett | MLive

Line em up

You can either line up your stance with the pins, or the marks on the floor, just pick one. If you are right handed, you are aiming for the "pocket" between the front pin and the pin directly behind and to the right. Lefties are going for the same thing on the other side. Knowing how you bowl is key to figuring out how to line up. By the end of the game, as the lanes dry up, you may need to adjust your line up a few boards over.

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Emily Rose Bennett | MLive

Crankers, tweeners, strokers

What kind of throw do you have? Crankers are hard power throwers, with a big hook. Strokers bowl slow and straight. Tweeners are just what you'd think, kind of in between, with a medium speed, and a gradual hook. There is also a new trend in bowling, using two hands, where the ball spins like a top.

Figure out your style, and then line up accordingly.

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Emily Rose Bennett | MLive

Power up, power down

Usually, a powerful throw is what you want, because the harder the throw, the more pins will fall. When trying to clean up the lanes with a spare, power down your hook by adjusting your wrist position and follow through, for more accuracy. You are still gong to throw hard, just different. Adjust your positioning according to pin placement.

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Emily Rose Bennett | MLive

Good form, from start to finish

Approach each frame with a strong stance, work your personal warm up, and throw the ball with power. Follow through each throw with your whole body, extending both your leg and you arm. If you are new to bowling, you might be a bit sore the next day, as your muscles get used to these new movements.

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Jackson Citizen Patriot

Life long fun

The best thing about bowling, whether you are a beginner or a pro, is that it is a life long sport that can be enjoyed by everyone. A great indoor activity, especially during a long Michigan winter, there are over 250 bowling centers in Michigan where you can hit the lanes and clear some pins.

Have a favorite bowling alley in Michigan? Be sure to let us know in the comments. The Michigan's Best team is taking nominations until Monday January 16, and then polls will open for your votes on Tuesday January 17.

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