How to Become Professional Straight Bowler? I pay my deepest respect to the bowlers who have masted bowling straight and hooking equally. Each has its own specialty. But if you ask most bowlers they will say they either love bowling straight or hooking. And just because some love to bowl straight doesn’t mean they are not as good as other bowlers.
I am aware of many professional straight bowlers who are undefeatable! Their averages are almost as same as other bowlers who hook. To clear out any remaining misconceptions about straight bowlers, I’m writing this article today. So why don’t you read the whole thing to know more about straight shooters?
how to become professional straight bowler: Straight Bowling Tips for Beginners:
Any of you bowlers who have recently learned how to bowl or maybe been in leagues for a while, you often need to release straight balls. Some of you struggle with that a lot. So here are some tips for those who would like to get better at straight bowling.
Stance and Approach:
The first thing you need to do is obviously the proper initial alignment. So where do you position yourself on the approach? If you intend to bowl from the inside, you should take your stance a bit to the side. Similarly, if you want to bowl a bit from the outside, stand in the middle for your approach.
Ball Weight:
It is a known fact that lighter bowling balls are a bit better for hooking. So, for straight shooting, you can go a size higher than your optimum ball weight. A heavier ball will deliver a better direct path.
Ball Grip:
There are three methods you can use to grip a bowling ball – 1. conventional, 2. semi-fingertip, and 3. fingertip. What is more suitable for a straight bowler? Well, the conventional grips are best for straight bowlers because they offer better control. To master the conventional grip, first, put your fingers into the drilled finger holes.
Place them from the second joint of your fingers and then all the way to the tip. After placing your fingers into the drilled holes. Now, span your index and small fingers out. Make them as wide as you possibly can, but make sure your grip is still comfortable. Now, use your other hand to cup the bowling ball and position it in front of you during the stance.
Ball Swing:
During your ball swing, bring your bowling ball in front of your body and align everything properly. After you angle your shoulders, aim toward the pocket and take your steps to roll down the ball. Do not drop your shoulder when you swing your bowling ball. Doing that will throw off body and ball alignment and the ball might roll right into the gutter.
Ball Release:
As a straight bowler, you should release your bowling ball aligning with the target. Keep your wrist straight and don’t wist your hand. Get the fingers out of the ball at the same time. During your follow-through, bring your palm up to your forehead to ensure proper ball release. Continue practicing that till you can do it without making any mistakes.
Do Pro Bowlers Bowl straight?
Typically, pro bowlers bowl straight only when they need to. I am giving you the general scenario here. If you observe how professional bowlers like Jason Belmonte, Dom Barrett, and Kristopher Prather, you will notice that they hook their bowling balls a lot! This indicates that their bowling ball makes a curve when it exits the oil patterns, right before the ball hits the pins. So clearly, their bowling balls don’t roll straight into the pocket or pin(s).
Professional bowlers use the straight bowling strategy when they need to pick up a spare. This is only when they bowl straight, simply because they are compelled to. For spare shooting, straight bowling benefits a bowler greatly! By picking up the spare a bowler gets to make sure they get a decent final score. This is why straight shooting is an essential skill that every professional bowler gains so that even if they miss a strike, they can end up closing the frame with a spare for the best possible score.
You can only find a few pro bowlers that use straight bowling techniques throughout the game. Some of them are— Michael Haugen Jr., Norm Duke, Walter Ray, François Lavoie, Parker Morse Bohn III, and Rhino Page. If you look at how these bowlers bowl carefully you will see that their bowling balls don’t make too sharp angular hooks. Plus, they are very good at picking up the spares because they throw their bowling balls straight and they are good at it.
I have seen some of these bowlers bowl and noticed their ball going straight. However, one time I heard a commentator say that this is an old-school style that is on the verge of dying in pro bowling. When these bowlers play, they don’t actually roll the ball in a geometrically straight motion. What you see is actually a very small hooking angle. That’s what it’s about, except for spare shooting, of course. This is when the ball can go as straight as possible.
Can a Straight bowler score 300?
This might be new to many of you, but yes, it is possible to bowl a perfect game without nothing but straight shots. But do understand that it is “theoretically” possible, but extremely difficult to achieve. The reason hooking was invented was that it allowed a bowler to knock down more pins and eventually more strikes.
If you want to bowl an entire game with no curve whatsoever, you will be needing a lot of luck and pro-level skill at straight bowling. There are so many rules in bowling, but none of them says that the pins must be knocked down in a particular way. So you have the freedom to knock down the pins in any way you want. Even if it means you want to hit the headpins first to do that, then sure, go ahead, do it.
You will be needing a very aggressive and powerful straight bowling ball that can fly the pins despite your angles of entry. You would have to practice all kinds of oil patterns to achieve that kind of success. Flatter and heavy volume patterns are less likely to work for such consistent straight bowling.
FAQs Of How To Become Professional Straight Bowler!
1. What is a Straight Bowler in Bowling?
- Answer: A straight bowler in ten-pin bowling delivers the ball in a straight line towards the pins without any intentional hook or curve. The ball travels directly down the lane, aiming to hit the pocket (the area between the 1 and 3 pins for right-handers or 1 and 2 pins for left-handers).
2. What Techniques Should I Focus on to Improve as a Straight Bowler?
- Answer: Key techniques include:
- Proper Grip: Use a comfortable and secure grip to ensure you can control the ball throughout your swing.
- Stance and Approach: Start with a balanced stance and develop a consistent approach. Your steps should be smooth and coordinated.
- Release Point: Release the ball at the right moment, aiming straight down the lane. Keep your wrist firm and avoid rotation to maintain a straight trajectory.
- Follow Through: Ensure a strong and straight follow-through with your arm extending towards the target.
3. What Equipment Should I Use as a Straight Bowler?
- Answer: The right equipment can make a big difference:
- Ball Type: A straight bowler typically uses a plastic or polyester ball, which doesn’t grip the lane as much as urethane or reactive resin balls, making it easier to maintain a straight line.
- Ball Weight: Choose a ball weight that is comfortable for you to control while maintaining power in your shots. Typically, this is around 10% of your body weight.
- Shoes: Invest in good bowling shoes that provide the right balance of slide and traction.
4. How Important is Accuracy in Straight Bowling?
- Answer: Accuracy is crucial for a straight bowler:
- Targeting: Consistently hitting the pocket is key to maximizing strike potential. Practice targeting specific arrows or markers on the lane to align your shot.
- Adjustments: Learn to make slight adjustments based on lane conditions, such as moving your starting position or adjusting your release point.
- Consistency: The ability to replicate the same motion and delivery repeatedly is essential to maintaining accuracy.
5. How Can I Develop Mental Focus and Strategy as a Straight Bowler?
- Answer: Mental focus and strategy play a significant role:
- Concentration: Stay focused on each shot, blocking out distractions. Develop a pre-shot routine to help maintain consistency.
- Lane Reading: Learn to read the lane conditions, such as oil patterns, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Game Strategy: Develop a strategy for different frames, such as focusing on picking up spares and knowing when to go for strikes.
Additional Tips:
- Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key to improving your straight bowling technique.
- Seek Coaching: Consider working with a coach who can provide personalized tips and feedback.
- Watch Professionals: Study professional bowlers who use a straight bowling technique to learn from their style and strategies.
Conclusion
There you go, homeboys! Now, you know that you can also use your straight-shooting power to great use. But it needs a lot more precision and tons of practice. With enough practice, you can prove them wrong that straight bowlers can also become a pro and do great. So keep up your practice. And if you need any further help, you can leave a comment down below for any inquiries, or you can ask your local bowling instructor. Till then, keep on bowling with full enthusiasm and good luck!
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.
