10
- DECEMBER 2014
Q. My ball quit reacting in the back end and I did not want to buy a new ball at this
time. So I I put the ball in the oven to extract the oil out. I set the oven at 350. You
have most likely guessed the ball melted. What is the proper temperature to set the
oven at to extract the oil?
A
. Sorry! I am not going to give you an answer for this question. As you found out
putting the ball in oven at any temperature is a bad idea. Most of the time the best
result you will get from putting a ball in the oven will be the opportunity to purchase
a new ball. Most pro shops are equipped to rejuvenate the ball this combined with
resurfacing the ball will get a few months more life out of the ball. If you secretly
wanted a new ball anyway just go buy one. Forget the oven.
Q. Recently I have been pulling the ball way too many times, I went to a coach to
see if this was timing or early turn. He did not see either. He just suggested more
practice. Do you know of any other tricks that might help?
A
. Several years ago I read an article that said Bill Taylor a well recognized coach
for many years had an unusual practice method to help with trusting your shot. You
start your approach and in your slide step close your eyes. What this does is helps
concentration you have to keep you eyes on on the mark you want to hit. That mark
has to be the last thing you see when you close your eyes or there is no chance to
get close to it. Closing your eyes blocks all outside interference. You won't notice
anything around you. You will feel your arm swing like never before. It helps you
to stay down and completely frees up your arm. This stops any muscling of the ball.
It helps you gain full extension of the arm during your follow through. You will also
learn how to post after the release. Posting is holding your position after release and
stops you from pulling up or back too early. You will learn to have complete trust in
your physical game. It is a great practice tool. It is also fun after you get over the
fear of where you might throw the ball.
As a footnote I tried this a few years ago for a full season during league and even
tournaments I averaged 220+ finished high in several tournaments and even had a
300 in Las Vegas at a Senior High Roller. I still go back to it even during competition
when my game is off.
Don't do it in competition until you get very comfortable doing it. Do it in practice it
will really help your confidence and game. The best part I can honestly say I shot a
300 with my eyes closed.
Q. I have been bowling for several years now. I average in the low 200's and my
goal is to get a 300 game. But so far every time I get on a string my nerves kick in
and I throw a bad shot. Do you have a suggestion on how to calm the nerves?
A. This will sound like a cliché but take each shot one at a time. Do not make the
major mistake of thinking ahead of the shot your making now. You can't throw the
12
th
strike before you throw the 9
th
strike. Remember a 300 game is not 12 strikes in
a row. It is one strike in a row 12 times. Stay in the present not in the future. Good
Luck!
To ask a question write to
ASK BOB
By Bob Korth
Bowling Ball in
Oven…..Not!
