Some women bowl for recreation and comradery, and some are serious tournament bowlers. Whichever the case may be, the expert advice of bowling professionals can help you improve your skills. by heeding just a few tips on technique and knowing which bowling ball to choose, you could avoid injury and achieve your highest score.
Identification
Professional bowlers may have up to seven different balls they bowl with during a game. The Bowling Coach recommends that all beginner and intermediate bowler have at least two different balls: a strike ball and a spare ball. Spare balls are covered with smooth plastic, are lighter and do not grip the lane as well as strike balls. They also take a straighter path. Strike balls are heavier and may have a more porous and coarser surface, which helps in gripping the lane more and hooking toward the pins as they hit, creating a better chance for all the pins to go down.
Weight
Choosing a ball that is not the right weight could result in injury; a light ball may slip from your grip, and a heavy ball may injure your hand or shoulder. The average weight of bowling balls found at bowling centers ranges from 6 to 16 lbs. According to the Improve Bowling website, women should choose a ball that weights between 10 and 14 lbs. Also select a ball that is 10 percent of your body weight; if you weigh 120 pounds, use a 12-lb. ball. But your overall strength is the determining factor: if you strain to pick a ball up, it is too heavy.
Holding the Ball
Another factor when choosing the correct bowling ball has to do with how you hold the ball. There are two preferences: the fingertip grip and the conventional grip. According to The Bowling Coach, a conventional grip ball has deeper holes; the fingers fit to the second knuckle. These balls usually go down the lane straight with little to no curve. With a fingertip grip ball, the holes are not as deep, which leaves the bowler's hand more exposed and able to grasp the ball. If you are looking to put some spin on your ball and to provide more power when releasing it, use a fingertip grip ball.
Proper Form and Release
A proper bowling stance includes a slight bend in your knees with your spine slightly angled forward. You must hold the ball against your body even with your waist while you approach the lane; smaller women may hold the ball higher to add more power to the swing. According to Help With Bowling, when the ball is about to be released, rotate your fingers just a little bit to produce a hook shot as the ball hits the pins. You will know if you have proper form when you release the ball and finish, if your arm is pointing upward.
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