Any Bowlers on NT?

[keebantot]

Just curious.. lol.
Been bowling for the past 9 years of my life.

What do you throw?

 

[651akathepaul]

I do not at all consider myself a bowler, but I love bowling. One of my favorite past times.

 

[keebantot]

It's underrated IMO.. but indeed.

 

[coldcity]

might go tonight dollar bowl

 

[johnson1]

Last year threw a 211 at Alameda Bowl, highest score ever.

 

[the4fifteen]

I've actually been wanting to take up bowling as a hobby lately.

  If one were to jump in, what kind of ball/shoes would I need to get?  Any info is appreciated.

 

[josednk1068]

I like to bowl but I am not good, was in a casual league last year. I can bowl anywhere from 110-165, not consistent feelsbadman.

 

[cornzilla]

Highest I ever got was 200 and something. 

 Never got that high again

 

[dland24]

Most inconsistent bowler ever. I love it though. Went bowling for my brother's birthday a few weeks ago. 153, 101, 167 were my scores (the 167 was an all time high).

Bowling is really fun. Wish I was better.

 

[rawex5]

I love bowling.

My highest score is 205.

I bowl straight, too.

 

[s0lefunk]

Haven't bowled competitively in a few years but I was doing leagues and tournaments for about 10 years. I finished with an average in the 180s and my high game was a 267. I still remember that day like it was yesterday..

A girl had already rolled a 300 in the first game and the place was going crazy. My third game came along and everything was falling the first 9 frames. Had like 3 shots go Brooklyn but it didnt matter. Tenth frame comes and of course there is a huge crowd now. Its my turn and as soon as I step to the lane all I hear is "SHHHHHHHHHHHHH". Aint never heard the place get that quiet before. Hands all sweaty but instead of taking my time I just wanted to act cool and get it over with. I go into my approach and on my backswing I feel my fingers sliding out. Luckily I held my grip and averted a Wii Bowling crowd toss

Ball comes out a little awkward and went wide of my target but it held on. Hit the pocket weak and left the 10 pin

Missed the spare too..

Bowling has always been therapeutic for me. I'd go bowl when I was mad about something and usually left still mad but about my bowling instead

So many childhood memories revolve around a bowling alley because my parents would take me when they had league nights. Man I miss those days..

I always recommend picking it up. Easy to get started, teaches you a lot about yourself, and its just a good time. I need to get back into it myself

 

[frenchblue23]

Haven't bowled competitively in years. Highest score was 247.  Always wanted to bowl a 700 series, but it hasn't happened.  

 

[rashi]

Highest game in league play was 280. In non-league play 298. 

 

[la kb24]

i used to play carpet bowling when i was little

 

[addict4sneakers]

I can't bowl to save my life. I blacked out once in college and bowled a 180- something.

Usually cracking 100 is an accomplishment. I try to spin the ball and everything too.
My post strike dances are

 

[keebantot]

Originally Posted by The4Fifteen

I've actually been wanting to take up bowling as a hobby lately.

  If one were to jump in, what kind of ball/shoes would I need to get?  Any info is appreciated.

Nice stories fellas. I've been bowling for the past 8 years %#% and I've bowled a 300 before. Pretty sweet, it was crazy though.
Oh and as a hobby, go visit your local bowling pro shop. They'll be more than happy to help you out.

I would recommend a pair of shoes that look good, especially if you won't care about performance as much.

And as for a ball, I'd say maybe a plastic ball, or a beginner's reactive ball. No hate with the "beginner's" or anything.

 

[shabooyah1124]

I haven't bowled since I moved to NYC, but I bowled every week in college. My high is 242, but haven't come near that since. Average is about 165

 

[jayvee1220]

I've bowled since i was 10 but haven't done so in a while now. my father and brother are real competitive, both each have the coveted 300 ring. when i was really into it my high was a 279. it's funny that the previous poster who shot a 267 said how all the attention goes to you when you have a lot of strikes in a row. i felt all that pressure. i remember that game vividly. i was in the "zone" for real. started off with a 9/ then threw 10 in a row and finished with another 9/. my brother keeps pressuring me into teaming up with him. there's a lot of money to be made in his leagues.

 

[diew its james]

highest i've ever got was 256, average about 180. usually bowl once a week during the winter/summer.

 

[thejrob]

One time I was real drunk and had

quite a bit and bowled a 170. I know, I know, cool story bro, but I was real excited

 

[the4fifteen]

As a beginner, what kind of ball is good for hooking?  I'm a straight bowler, but cannot for the life of me get down hitting the pocket with a hook.

  Also with that said, any tips on hooking with the house balls at my local alley?  I watch others do it so effortlessly but mine just hooks way too much and goes straight into the gutter.  

 

[s0lefunk]

Originally Posted by The4Fifteen

As a beginner, what kind of ball is good for hooking?  I'm a straight bowler, but cannot for the life of me get down hitting the pocket with a hook.

  Also with that said, any tips on hooking with the house balls at my local alley?  I watch others do it so effortlessly but mine just hooks way too much and goes straight into the gutter.  

You wanna win ugly or look good losing? 

Good, consistent hooking is a product of the ball surface, finger grip, ball core, weight blocks, and... practice.  Most house balls are plastic with one-size-fits-all drilling that are really not meant to hook.  They can but its pointless in the grand scheme of things at that level.  Also you can really mess up your wrist trying to hook house balls without knowing what you are doing.
   
Urethane, resin, and particle balls are meant for hooking depending on your technique and the lane conditions.  But really, its pointless to get into all of that now.  You gotta crawl before you walk like the rest of us and learn the very basics.  The key to bowling is consistency.  Learning to hook comes after perfecting your approach, release, targeting, etc... 

Just check out a shop and ask about some basic lessons.  Start out with a plastic ball because they are cheap and dont react as much to lane conditions.  This is ideal for getting consistent in your technique.  Then you can get it re-fitted for a finger tip grip which is used for hooking.  Your natural release will put rotation on the ball causing it to hook.  Then you can experiment with different ball types that are really meant to hook.

 

[krazyl3gz]

Picked up a Storm Marvel earlier this year and I love it.

 

[jthagreat]

bowled a 158 once. i was proud. my ex gf bowls in leagues now. she got like bowler of the year and S!!!

her brother has bowled 300 a couple of times.... ehh

 

[the4fifteen]

Just picked up a Brunswick TZone and some shoes to start off with.  I figure I might start at the bottom and work my way up in terms of balls.  Hopefully this gets me going in the right direction.  With the plastic ball, I will try to get my technique and release down and start hooking.  Couldn't deal with the house balls anymore 

.  Whats everybody's average?

I might be thinking too early, but when should I start looking to get an entry-level performance ball? (Slingshot, Tropical Storm, etc.)