how many bowling fans are there here?

[MikeA]

So, what's different these days?  Back in the 70's when I was league bowling, the serious bowlers usually had two or three balls.  One for oily lanes and one for dry lanes (yellow dot was soft for oily and white dot was hard for dry lanes).  From that question, you can certainly tell that I am out of the loop on modern bowling.

[shadowman]

So, what's different these days? am out of the loop on modern bowling.

 
Got a few hours.
 
First,  the balls. The surfaces provide much more friction which leads to improved carry. In addition, the weight blocks have been enhanced to produce almost any kind of hook that is desired. Bowlers now carry as many as 8 balls to tournaments (or even more).
 
Second, the pins. Double void pins fly around a lot more. How many messengers did you see 20 years ago? Now, even I can get them.
 
Third, the lanes. They pretty much legalized blocked lanes. If you can hit within a 4-5 board are at the arrows you end up in the pocket. Pretty much takes accuracy out of the equation.
 
I haven't touched on everything but I think you get the picture.
 

[MikeA]

Good grief!  It would be like learning a totally new game!  A lot like golf I guess.  With the technology in ball construction and the unbelievable advances in club design and structure, some of the pros on the Senior Tour are hitting the ball as far or further than they did when they were the cream of the crop on the Pro Tour!That pin change intrigues me.  There was so much "dead wood" or "lack of messengers" back when I was bowling.  If I thought my back would stand up to it, I'd get back into it again <sigh>.

[EDC1977]

  So nice to hear bowlers, not posers talk about the game as it is and was. I have a yellow dot(beat up) somewhere but my equipment is now reactive urethane. I have a particle ball but don't use it too often. BPAA and USBC are constantly having to alter oil patterns to keep up with the hits-like-a-truck bowling balls introduced. That said, theres an 87 year old guy in my Wed. nite league who averages 175 with a 13# Hammer. Nothing unusual except he says he just throws it and its almost pre-programmed.

[jc1656]

Is any of you going to attend the tournament? If so and you can catch me not competing or in the casino please say hello as I have not met anyone. If you can't guess who I am my name is Jason Couch.

[EDC1977]

Is any of you going to attend the tournament? If so and you can catch me not competing or in the casino please say hello as I have not met anyone. If you can't guess who I am my name is Jason Couch.
 Mr. 3-peat? Hope you get well soon. Ur a long ways away from Florida though! Whats the story with Hoskins? I haven't seen or heard of him for awhile.

[jm002546]

I asked this question because I will be in VEGAS next week to bowl in THE TOURNAMENT of CHAMPIONS at RED ROCK. I had surgery on my knee in JULY and I AM NOT 100% but I can't resist a trip to VEGAS! I won't be playing my usual $1 or $2 ddb since I haven't bowled a tour stop since APRIL but I will still have fun!  Hey, Jason, just crank it up from the North side (I'm assuming it's your right knee).  Was it Shadow who switched sides and improved their average?Good luck!  And, I can Vouch  that quarters are still lots of fun. (I wondered why the telecasts have been so blase)

[EDC1977]

 Boy if Patrick Allen were to go out, we'd have a REAL blase 90 mins. I don't care for cockyness on the lanes but a little trash talking amongst friends helps to find the inner competitor. Some folks don't care for the trash talk and those are the folks you  DON'T  address it to.

[MikeA]

 Boy if Patrick Allen were to go out, we'd have a REAL blase 90 mins. I don't care for cockyness on the lanes but a little trash talking amongst friends helps to find the inner competitor. Some folks don't care for the trash talk and those are the folks you  DON'T  address it to.You want "trash talk", tune into World Series of Blackjack.  Dave Sands (Holywood Dave) is a master at it <LOL>  He can back it up with some outstanding play though so I wouldn't get in his face with it!  It's not surprising that some of the other more "serious" appearing BJ tournament players have kicked it up a notch in that arena too.  It makes for "good TV".

[EDC1977]

  One bowling TV incident comes to mind when Norm Duke bowled against Dave Traber. Lots of back-and-forth until it was time to put up or shut up. Both punched out to force a roll-off. Not much talking then but you could see the blood in their competitive veins! As Eduardo would say" hoochie mama" Just fantastic bowling under pressure.