Tips from the Coach

Monthly Bowling Tips from Coach Ray

Let me introduce myself. My name is Ray Muir. I have been bowling for over 50 years and have also worked in Management in many bowling centers. I retired from bowling alley management in 2000 and went to school at the USA OLYMPIC and USBC SCHOOLS. I currently have a Silver Level Certification and have been giving bowling lessons and coaching for the Royal Pin Bowling Centers since 2001. I have helped hundreds of people in learning how to bowl correctly and better.

Starting in May 2011, we will be giving a tip of the month on bowling and how to make your game better. Please look for it on this web page. Our tips come from many years experience in the sport of bowling.

We would love to hear from you and answer any questions you might have about your bowling game. Remember, to enjoy the great sport of bowling better you must learn the basic fundamentals. We will talk about this more in our monthly article.

Please email me your bowling questions to raymuir@royalpin.com
Or post a comment to this blog. I will get back to you as quickly as I can.

Bowling Coach

Monday, March 5, 2012 by Ray Muir

In the past couple of weeks I have been working at Woodland Bowling center

giving bowling lesson and helping our fun/casual bowlers enjoy the sport much

better by learning the basics of bowling. I am at Woodland Bowling Center

from noon to 4:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays throughout

March.

Bowling in Indianapolis can be a fun sport for all ages. Learning the basics for

bowling thru bowing lessons can help you immensley.

1. Find a house ball that fits your hand
Put your thumb in the bowling ball.

It should be snug but not so tight that you have a tought time getting your thumb

out. After inserting your thumb in the ball stretch your hand over the ball

with your fingers (two middle fingers) over the two finger holes. The fingers

should be lined up with the holes even with your second joint.

They also should go in your ball with little effort (snugly) up to your

second joint and be easy to release them from the holes.

Weight of ball should be: Adults - from 10 lbs to 15 lbs. Small children - 6 lbs to 8 lbs.

Older children-8 lbs to 12 lbs. If the ball is too lite you will have a hard time controlling

the ball.

2. Roll the bowling ball down the lanes correctly

Once you have located a house ball (if you have problems ask the attendant at the

counter for help), now it is time to teach you how to roll the ball down the lanes correctly

with little effort in keeping it on the lanes. Put your hand in your ball hold it waist high.

Hold the ball in a positioin simular to you carrying a suitcase or a purse along your side.

Your thumb will be pointing to 10 o clock for right handers and 2 o clock for left handers.

3. Four step approach
The most common amount steps you should take on the approach is four. See illustration.

4. Schedule a lesson

If you have questions or would like lessons please email me or look for me at Woodland Bowl Saturdays and Sundays in March.
For bowling coaching Please call Woodland Bowl at (317) 845-4099 for information.

The secret is to learn how to bowl from the beginning.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 by Ray Muir

Bowling can be an excellent fun, social sport that everyone can enjoy.
The secret is to learn how to bowl from the beginning. Don’t develop bad bowling habits. These habits can lead to not enjoying bowling because you are not improving and possibly feel soreness in your arm, wrist, shoulder. This is because you must allow the bowling ball to do the work. You must guide and set the ball on the proper course down the lane to score well.

BOWLING LESSON ONE - A

We do this by learning the basic four step delivery of the ball. If you are a right hander, step off with the right foot and a the same time pushing in unison with your step. On the second step you allow the ball to start the motion of a pendulum on a clock.

The ball comes down being held in the bowlers right hand and Moves completely in a swing to the rear on your third step. All the while close to your right side. When the ball reaches the completion of the back swing it begins to move forward, continually in a pendulum motion to the point of release. You do not at any time pull the ball forward. Let the ball come forward freely to the point of release on your fourth step.

BOWLING LESSON TWO - A

When you place the ball in your hand placing your inner two fingers and the thumb in the ball. Position your hand like you are shaking hands or carrying a suitcase. The thumb should be pointing to 10:00 o’clock. At the point of release we do not throw the ball down the lane. We roll it. If the ball was square we would throw it.

GENERAL - A

In our next lessons we will talk about where to aim the ball. Everyone right from the beginning wants to roll strikes, but we must first work on how we get to that point. The bowling center has rental shoes and house balls for use. It is OK to start bowling with their equipment, but you will find out later that you might want to have your own personal equipment.

PUSH THE BALL--LET IT FALL--POINT TO THE WALL--STAND TALL

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 by Ray Muir

I got this tip from one of the best teachers in the world - Bill Taylor - The guru of bowling. We will talk more about how this applies in future tips.

Again I'd like to hear from you. Trust us. We can help you become a better bowler.