In past few weeks I have been writing about the bowling ball. The fit, the finish, the drilling, even where to throw the ball.  Just as important to your game as the bowling ball, is the fact that you need great footwork.  I don’t mean timing, although you may see an article on that again soon.  What I am talking about is your shoes.  This week I want to cover some tips on how to pick out and purchase the right pair of bowling shoes. 

As a Pro shop operator and coach, I see a lot of people that that tend to sacrifice their balance and form because of there shoes.  Bowling shoes are designed for you to slide and maintain your balance through your delivery.  If you have improper balance, this causes errant shots.  Not having the proper amount of slide and braking ability, can lead to muscle strains, pulls, or worse.

Bowling shoes used to be made with leather soles to help you slide.  Today we have new materials and designs to help aid in your slide and balance.  Bowling shoes can either have sliding soles on both shoes (universal), or one shoe will be equipped with a slide and the other will be a push off shoe.  The hybrid shoes are designed to aid your power step or the last step in your approach before you slide.  They also improve your balance and power.  

If you’re a once a week recreational bowler then the universal shoes will be just fine.  In these tough financial times these shoes are normally more affordable and will do the job you are looking for.  If you’re a more competitive bowler, then you may need to think about buying a pair of shoes that have one traction sole, and one slide sole..  These shoes are specific to the hand you bowl with, and tend to run a little higher in price than the universal shoes. You need to make sure that when you are looking for shoes that you make it a point to tell your local Pro Shop operator which hand you bowl with.  

There are also shoes that have removable or interchangeable sliding soles. These shoes are designed for the more advanced player that may bowl in several different bowling centers.  They allow you to actually adjust the amount of slide based on the material of the approach. These tend to be the highest priced shoes on the market.   

With this brief intro to what types of shoes are out there, you still can’t forget one thing:  They have to look good on you!  Well with all this said, why should you look into purchasing a new pair this year?  It’s simple, balance and consistency and overall protection of yourself.  If you do not maintain a certain amount of slide during your delivery, you can adversely affect your release, targeting, and physically injure yourself.  Bowling shoes that do not give you proper slide, will cause your body to stop more abruptly thereby putting further strain on your knees and lower back.  How many of you complain about your back or knee being sore after league?  One reason might be your shoes!  

So let’s recap.  If you are not sliding properly and are always sore after bowling, then go into your local Pro Shop and pick out a new pair of shoes.  Please note that when you go out and try your new shoes take a few practice approaches without a bowling ball to test them out.  You need to give your shoes a test drive.  Some shoes may need to be broken in at first.  Of course make sure you purchase within your game and budget.  You don’t need t most expensive pair.  One more thing, look at the bottoms of your bowling shoes.  If you see that they have built up foreign materials on them, or water spots, then it’s time to part with them.  If you see they are looking pretty bad, and you don’t want to spend the extra money on bowling shoes, take a clean wire brush and clean off the soles.  Make sure that you run the brush heel to toe and not across the side.  Going across will clean them too, but they will also ensure your shoes to have less slide.  I hope to see all of you with new bowling shoes this season. 

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