bowling for beginners

Do you like bowling? Just started? Keep throwing money down the drain? Never fear, 'coz as a beginner myself, here are some tips that you may want to take a look at.

1. Selection of a ball weight that suits you
- the experts(not me) said its roughly not more than ten percent of your body weight.
For example, if you're a male and weigh 65kg then you should take the 14 pounds ball or less. If you're a female and weigh 50kg, then should take the 11 pounds ball or less.

2. Don't rush. Take your time (but not your own sweet time!) at the startup. I've seen many a case where the person will just take the ball, step up and started throwing. Sometimes its because of the stress that others are waiting for you, sometimes its because you're 'gan cheong' etc. No matter what, don't rush as bowling requires a fair amount of stability and concentration. Bowling is also a mental game. Many mistakes that beginners made is, they felt they can't hit the pins even though they haven't try yet. This is a battle half lost if you have this mentality!

3. Holding the bowling ball. Experts say there is no right or wrong way. But get a good fit for the ball, if you don't wanna hurt your fingers. And yeah, clip those long fingernails first! I've seen cracked nails and worse blood from chipped nails when girls with long nails played...tsk tsk!

4. Look at the arrows for goodness sake. Yeah, notice those arrows at the first one third of the lane? They weren't drawn for nothing. Look at it as it acts as a guide for you to where you want your ball to go. But usually, I'll just aim for the middle with a slight right as I can only throw straight ball. No curves for me (sadly). So, aim the middle pin, throw in slightly from the right and voila, the chances of hitting a strike is there.

5. Steps to throw the ball.
a. Step up, and concentrate.
b. Start moving, and push away the ball.
c. Swing slightly as you take your second step.
d. Remember your backswing must not be higher than your shoulder (else the back benchers, watch out!!! Heh... kidding, but yeah.. not higher than shoulder) Don't bend your arms.
e. Sliding step. Release the ball when you're at the sliding foot position. Don't throw your ball. Just release and let it roll, but remember to follow through with your arms.
f. Follow through. Means at the split second after you release your ball, you let your arms follow the swing up (without the ball of course, because released already!). No need to swing so high up la.. Why must do this step? This is to prevent the release from becoming weak. No follow through would means that the power is reduced.

6. Etiquette. Yes, bowlers need to observe some etiquette too.
For example: When two bowlers step onto the approach at the same time, the bowler on the left hand lane should step to the back until the bowler on the right hand lane has delivered. At that point the left hand lane can make their address and delivery while the right hand lane steps back. This is to allow each bowler to concentrate without being distracted.

7. Watch the professionals and Develop your own style.

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There you go. You can also find out more from the Internet if you're interested. But having these rules in mind, let's all play a better game, starting from today. However, practice does make perfect, so don't worry. The average score of below 50 today, may one day be above 100. When I first started, my average was 40-60. Today, my personal best is 149. Not bad for a casual bowler, I would say.

Disclaimer: All information were sourced based on experience and also from the internet