In my entire bowling career, I have been asked by many bowlers to solve their problems. And do you know what I get asked most frequently? “Why is my bowling ball rolling too farther left or right?” Well, it can happen for many reasons. But what exactly is causing yours? Well, you gotta find that out yourself. What I can do is guide you through the problems and mention some of the most common reasons, and you can see what you can relate to. So sit back, relax, and give this article a go.
4 Main Reasons behind your bowling ball goes left
If your bowling ball is unintentionally veering to the left or right, there are several reasons behind this problem. Let me mention some of the common ones.
1. The reason your bowling ball is rolling to the left is often that you are bowling across your body. But that is applicable if you’re a right-handed bowler. For left-handed bowlers, the bowling ball is going toward the ten-pin again and again. Generally, lefty bowlers twist their torsos and tend to bring their arms across their chests. But when you do the opposite, your bowling is rolling to the left.
2. It can also be because you are dropping your shoulder or your feet. To know whether that is exactly what’s happening, see if you’re walking in a straight line. If the ball is repeatedly going toward pin 7 and your bowling arm is straight, then I gotta blame your footwork for your ball’s wrong movement.
3. Another big reason for your ball going in the wrong direction is that you are not setting your target correctly. You’re probably not paying enough attention to where your bowling swing is going. And when you don’t know that, you are making mistake during eye dominance. Not figuring out your eye dominance can be really problematic if your bowling ball is consistently going to the left or right.
4. It can also be a timing issue during your ball release phase. Bowling hand and feet coordination is so important that when fail to do that, your ball will naturally fall off the intended board. When bowlers miss syncing foot-hand timing, they yank their bowling hand during their ball’s downswing and pull the ball insufficiently.
When you pull back during your ball’s release point, your bowling ball goes to the left. Just when you’re about to release the ball on your follow-through, keeping your palm upwards and flat gets your bowling ball to the left. However, when a bowler swings the ball up in a handshake motion, your ball rolls just fine.
How do You stop pulling to the left?
I have seen so many bowlers with the problem of pulling the ball to the left. So how should they correct this flaw? First of all, bowlers should keep an eye on their target. If you’re missing your shot, even just by one or two boards, it can cause your ball to pull to the left as the alignment will be off.
Another reason behind your poor alignment might be your eye dominance. If your eyes are coming off your aim too early, it can lead to the wrong body position at the foul line. So keep your eye on the target till the ball is released from your hand. I know, it sounds easy, but it actually isn’t.
The best possible way to not pull your ball to the left is to set your eyes still on your intended target even at the point of release. This might be surprising to you, but your armswing follows where your eyes are set. When you get your eyes off prematurely, when your ball gets out of your hand, you have a high chance of pulling the ball to the left.
A hack to keep your target steady is by visualizing a path for your bowling ball through the lane with the help of the focal point method. This will naturally enable a better follow-through and of course, a flawless ball release.
Hand positioning is another important and critical factor to nail your bowling style. Usually, bowling balls tend to follow your thumb’s direction. Make sure your thumb points to your target. Proper form, right-hand and finger positioning, and a steady eye-dominant target at the foul line will help your ball stay on the line for longer and add more consistency to your game.
The best way you can overcome your problem is by visualizing and practicing it consistently. Once both the mental and physical practice is done, you will bowl better and your ball will go the way you intend to. Just follow the tips I have given here.
Conclusion
So do you now know why your bowling balls go left (or right)? Practice the methods I have suggested here in this article. Be extra cautious during your quality practice time. After enough practice, reinforce all of your lessons in your bowling routine. Try to work on the given instructions and gradually increase your areas of expertise. Remember not to throw your bowling ball. Instead, just roll it down the lane while keeping your target steady. If you have any more queries, feel free to reach out to me whenever you want. Good luck and keep on practicing and rolling your bowling ball! See ya later, my friends!
Passionate Bowler and Bowling Enthusiast
Jess Pinelli is a dedicated bowling enthusiast with a deep love for the sport that spans over 6 years. With numerous strikes, spares, and a few gutter balls under hes belt, he has honed his skills on lanes across the country. Pinelli’s journey in the world of bowling has been a remarkable one, from casual weekend games with friends to competitive league play and even a few local tournaments.
Driven by her passion for the game, Pinelli decided to channel her expertise and knowledge into the digital realm, becoming a prolific author on this bowling website. She’s your go-to source for everything bowling-related, from mastering the perfect hook to choosing the right bowling ball and even navigating the world of bowling etiquette.
When she’s not busy writing informative articles or reviewing the latest bowling gear, you’ll likely find Pinellis at her favorite local bowling alley, helping newcomers improve their game or enjoying some friendly competition with fellow bowlers. She firmly believes that bowling is not just a game but a community, and she’s committed to fostering that sense of camaraderie both online and offline.
