For the older group of bowlers, there is a way that you can improve and aid in your technique and style and still enjoy the advantages of seniority. This is will be good way to start the New Year of 2003.

After all, we all want to improve on our bowling game and the older group of bowlers have the best knowledge because you have been there and experienced all the ups and downs of the bowling game.

Balance with seniors is an integral part of bowling, and good footwork can help you with that. You need to work on having a solid feeling with your steps. You want your head to stay centered above your fee as you take your steps. If your head gets out in front of both of your feet, you will feel like you have awkward footwork and just trying to maintain your balance will be too much of an effort.

You should take heel-to-toe steps, similar to your normal walking steps. In most cases, you should glide, don’t take heavy-heeled steps. A good solid pair of bowling shoes can make a big difference. You need support as you bowl the same as when you’re walking. If your shoes are vintage 1970, you should really think about getting a new pair. You need to look for a pair with a sturdy sole because that will give you a solid feel.

Your release needs to be consistent if you want to bowl well. You should develop a release that you perform the same way each time you throw. One of the important aspects of the release is to keep the ball in close to you at the release point. To do this, make sure that you non-sliding leg clears out of the way to let the ball swing through on line and close to your body. If you were to superimpose a clock on the floor where you finish – with 12 o’clock pointing straight ahead – you would want your non-sliding foot to finish at about 7 o’clock. This keeps the ball closer to the center of your body, which is where you are strongest, and it allows you the greatest opportunity to do the same thing over and over again.

In most bowling texts, a good finish is described as having a strong knee bend. But this is not absolutely necessary for good bowling, especially if you have knee trouble. You can fudge a little here and get away with it. Do your best to get your hips down a little as you finish and clear your non-sliding leg.

The height of your follow-through will depend on your swing strength and your flexibility. In the most general terms, you want your biceps muscle to finish near your right ear if you are a right-handed bowler. If your follow-through does not go that height, make sure it stays on line and your elbow stay relatively straight. Don’t try to hook the ball by grabbing it and snapping up hard with your fingers. You want the motion through your release to be smooth.

When your are choosing a ball, you need to consider three factors, each which is equally important. First, determine the right weight of bowling ball to use. This is the area where many seniors struggle. It is a fallacy that you have to use a 16-pound ball to score your best. It is better to thrown a lighter ball with more speed and more consistency than to throw a heavy ball too slowly and inconsistently. If you feel tired after bowling or you throw the ball slower than you want to, then you may want to try a lighter ball. In most cases this is a great choice.

The second consideration is your grip. If you experience more than just normal aches in your hand, see your pro shop operator. He may be able to drill the holes in your ball at a different angle and take the pressure off your hand.

The final consideration is choosing the right ball. The newer reactive resin balls can hook more and can hook too soon if you throw the ball slowly. If the ball hooks too soon it has little energy and will not hit hard enough. A urethane or plastic ball is a better choice. Your pro shop operator can be a big help here.

Today, many centers strip the lanes each day and oil them each morning. If you bowl in a morning league, you may notice that your ball reacts a lot when you first start to bowl. The lanes will settle down as the game progresses because with each shot you take, a little oil will be transferred down the lane. This will make the ball hook a little less because the oil helps the ball slide down the lane. You may have to move a little bit in the first game to keep your ball in the pocket. Just be aware that this happens and keep an eye on the ball each time you throw it. It will tell you that you need to make a change. Usually the middle of the lane has more oil than the outside, so if your ball is hooking too much, move toward the middle. If your ball is going too straight, move toward the outside part of the lane.

The mental game is where the seniors really shine. Most of you have experienced everything and any situation that you can imagine. You have been there and experienced the most trying times on the lanes. This is where you need to use your patience to your advantage and don’t be in a hurry. Make your shot boldly and if it doesn’t work, there is always another shot. Just be sure to give one of your shots your best effort and that way you will know what is working for you. Just take a deep breath, it keeps you calm, which will help you think more quickly.

There are a lot of factors in the game of bowling, and just because you may be a senior bowler does not mean that you cannot bowl with the best of them. Just have the confidence in your game and most of all the confidence in yourself.