Vol. 3, No.1
Fall 2007

Growing Fit
Adapt your game and equipment to your changing needs

Change. It happens all the time and how you deal with it can determine your success. That's true in all aspects of life – bowling's no exception.

Kids grow and get stronger. Longer legs take longer strides. Larger hands mean increased finger span. Stronger muscles pack more power.

Don't let your growth cramp your style. Here are a few ways to keep your game fit.

To maximize your muscle strength, use the heaviest bowling ball that you can lift comfortably.

  • A good rule of thumb is to bowl with a ball that weighs about one-tenth of your body weight. (For example, if you weigh 120 pounds, try a 12-pound ball.) For a simple ball weight test, stand up straight, keep your arms at your sides and hold the bowling ball in the palm of your bowling hand. Raise your arm slowly. If you can't raise the ball above your hips, the ball is too heavy for you. If you can still hold the ball easily in your palm when it is at shoulder-height, the ball is too light for you. If you can hold the ball comfortably at your waist, the ball's weight is just right for you.

If you're using a house ball, compare all the balls of similar weight to see which one fits your hand span the best.

  • Insert your two middle fingers up to the second knuckle, then insert your thumb all the way up to the fleshy part of your hand. Your palm should be touching the ball surface. If your palm arcs away from the ball, then the ball span is too small for you.

If you have your own bowling ball, use the weight and span tests above to see if it's time to get your ball redrilled or to move up to heavier equipment.

  • If so, work with your bowling pro shop professional to get a custom fit.

Don't forget your feet.

  • Do your bowling shoes pinch? Maybe it's time to move up a size. If you are getting your own shoes, talk over different options with your pro shop manager to learn how shoe features can affect your slide and balance. This is especially important if you're a left-handed bowler

Get comfortable on the approach by finding your best starting point.

  • Stand at the foul line with your back to the pins. Take four-and-a-half normal walking steps, then take special note of where you're standing in relation to the lines of dots on the approach. Turn around to face the pins, taking care to maintain that same distance from the foul line. This should be your starting point if you take a four-step approach. You'll have enough room to maintain your footwork and still have some room to slide.

Even if you don't think that you've grown that much, take the time to find your best starting point every time you bowl at a new center or at a center where you haven't bowled in a while. You'll get your bearings and be able to concentrate on other parts of your game.