THE TEN PIN IS YOUR FRIEND

A fellow bowler once took a series of golf lessons. One of the sessions was entitled; The Sand is Your Friend. Well, I am here to tell you that so is the 10 pin (7 pin for the left handers). Let me start by explaining why I believe leaving the 10 pin is not such a bad situation as some might think.

First, the bowler’s primary responsibility is to deliver the first ball of any frame and have it reach the pocket. Strikes are produced most often when the ball enters the pocket. However, it only takes a small change in the release or ball speed to have a ball that is in the pocket leave the 10 pin. The more often you are in the pocket…the more chances to strike, but also more chances on that off delivery to leave the 10 pin.

Too often I have seen a bowler carry a couple of strikes and then leave a solid 10. The bowler gets upset that the 10 pin didn’t fall…fusses and fumes….then steps up and misses the spare. In many cases the rest of the game is affected in a negative way.

Secondly, there are only ten pins to knock down. On the first ball, if you get nine, you’ve knocked down 90% of the pins. Take a test in school, 90% is usually an ‘A’ or a ‘B’ at the worst; both great grades. Keep a positive frame of mind, step up and convert the spare. Still not a believer? Here are some helpful hints on how to better convert the 10 pin the next time you leave it.

1. Stand far left and use the middle arrow as your target. (Left handers stand far right) By using the middle part of the lane you have a better angle of attack and there is generally more oil in the centre of the lane to help the ball go long and straight

2. Check your sliding shoe after you have delivered the shot at the pin. You should slide at or toward the channel side of the last foul line dot

3. You may choose to use a ball that doesn’t hook as much as your strike ball

You may choose to change to a hand position that encourages the ball to roll straighter. And by the way, often the fear of leaving the 10 pin and missing it affects our confidence on the first ball. Remember, you are very close to carrying a strike when you leave the 10 pin.