SOME THOUGHTS FROM LARRY ELY
For quite some time now we have talked about working and living the “Process”. Well part of the “Process” is, "The Process of Elimination.”
That is, of course, if you have anything to eliminate or change. For instance, Don, it sounds like you are where you want to be, correct?
However, I am not where I want to be yet, so I am still going through “the process of elimination.” This goes back to what I call, “Keepers”.
There are certain basics for timing and ball speed and release where you get to a point where you say to yourself, “That is a keeper”.
However, sometimes what you thought were “Keepers” end up just being band aids, so you end up eliminating them.
So, each one of us has certain items that fit nowadays and certain items that do not and you have to be honest with yourself on what those are. (I have found myself kidding myself about what I think should work, but really doesn’t and shouldn’t be based on today’s “modern game.”
If you go back to the big article that we all shared some time ago where we were told that, “Old School no longer works,” it was definitely correct, but how do us older guys compensate?
Do we completely alter our games to convert to the new style? Can we even do that? If so, how long would it take? Or do we just take a closer look at what we can do with our own games to make it the best that it can be? I do not know about you, but I for one will not be converting to the “New Style” of bowling.
So, what can we do? We can look around us and see what works and what doesn’t work. We can look around us to see who is scoring and who is not and try to figure out why.
What I see is those that are scoring do not necessarily bowl “New Style”, but they have certain things in common:
1. Good ball speed.
2. Not too many revs, so the ball works the way it is designed.
3. Bowl more straight up the lanes.
4. Use new equipment that is very strong.
In other words, they are matching speed, revs, line and ball to match the lane conditions today. They are giving themselves margin of error and, thus, better carry.
Now, I have to look at my own game; and, by analyzing what works today, and understanding how I can get close enough to what works, in order to start scoring again.
1. Ball Speed: The only way that I have found for me to get enough ball speed to go straight up the lane is to “suitcase” the ball (Fingers on the side with a broken wrist).
2. Less Revs: Currently I throw way too many revs and not enough ball speed to go with it, so one of the ways that I can get less revs, but enough rev up at the pocket to carry is by going to the “suitcase” shot.
3. Straighter up the lanes: Again, the only way that I can consistently go straight up the lanes is by using the “suitcase” shot. I have tried going flat up the back, but I am very inconsistent doing that.
4. New equipment: The only way that I could use a new, strong ball is by “suit casing” the shot, because otherwise I will hook the entire lane with these new balls. However, I could go to urethane, but I think the real solution is good ball speed, less revs and a strong ball.
So now you see where my process of elimination has brought me. Again, this is just me analyzing my own game……. we are all different and do not all have the same problems.
Do you fall short in any of the areas that I listed and, if so, what is the solution for you? Also, do you feel that anything I have listed should or should not be on the list and/or do you have more to add for thought?
