Each week I write about how to do this or you need to practice that. So I am stunned when I provide all this information and the tools to help each and every one of you bowlers a chance to get better. Why do so many people decide to veer from the teachings? Is it a lack of commitment or does that individual bowler say they want to improve but what they are really thinking is I want to do that but I really don’t care? This week I would like to challenge my bowlers out there to take a look into themselves and see if they really mean what they say or they don’t believe in it.
I deal with customers from the entire spectrum of bowlers. Some just do it for a reason to get out of the house for a few hours. Some people do it because it’s just something they have done since they were kids. Some bowlers are the seasoned veterans and really take this sport to heart. So which one are you? This article is more geared to the seasoned bowlers.
I have traveled this great country of ours for bowling. I have bowled in different cities and states and have seen a lot. One thing I still see out there is the passion of bowlers to bowl well. I also see the stereo type minded people who see bowling not as a sport but as a recreational activity. You know the beer drinking out of shape mentality. That is fine for some people, but I tend to see things in a different view. The sport of bowling is exactly that, a sport. Bowlers have to have endurance when competing as well as the flexibility and muscle memory to repeat shots and stay competitive. The same could be said for a bowlers mind. Bowlers need to constantly learn and educate themselves on the sport. What type of oil pattern is being used? What type of bowling ball surface will work on the given lane condition? What type of bowling ball layout will give me the best chance to score? What ball speed should I use? What hand position will work the best for this condition? What type of lane surface is this? There are so many questions and variables that are involved with bowling at the highest level. Back to my original opening, if you have the opportunity to learn this at your fingertips then why do you not take advantage of it? If you have a coach that is willing to share and pass on this knowledge to you then why not take it?
I have been involved in the bowling industry since I was 15 years old. As soon as I was able to work at a bowling center I did. You name it and I have done it in the bowling industry. But the one thing that has always been my passion is education. I love to take a bowler and pass on the knowledge I have collected from my years and watch the bowler grow into a competitive player. So this basically comes down to the title of this week’s article, commitment. A large amount of bowlers want to learn but I see this all the time, they are not committed to doing it. They will take the knowledge that they have learned, try it that time, and then push it off to the side. I can tell you, if you want to get better and you have been given the knowledge from someone to apply it to your game, then you have to be committed to using it. Getting better in a sport takes commitment. Just as with everything else in life, you have got to be committed to it. I can go on and on for hours about this but I won’t. I am going to wrap this up with a couple key things about having the commitment. First, take the knowledge you have been given and work with it. I don’t mean once or twice. You need to understand it, embrace it, and believe in it! Secondly, you need to apply it. If you have the drive to learn, you have the drive in you to get better. Last thing is to find time. I know everyone works and has families and other things to do, but if you want to be serious about something and you are passionate about it, you will find the time to do it!
T.J. Yeip is the Manager of GLC Bowling and the Lead Technical Advisor. He is an IBPSIA Advanced Certified Member and former PBA member. You can email your questions to him personally at thomas.yeip@glcbowling.com
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