ASK BOB #14

ASK BOB
By Bob Korth 
1/25/05



Q. When shooting spares to the left I line up a target ten boards right 
of the target and my curve goes right in. But when I try this shooting 
right I always-go right of the target. I have found that when shooting at a 
ten pin for instance if I aim right at the pin, my ball starts out right and 
curves back to the target. If I aim right it goes straight to the gutter. 
Is this some kind of optical illusion?

A. The reason the ball goes right on you when shooting 10 pins is 
because of the way lanes are oiled today the center of the lane has the most 
oil. Many times the ball will actually back up through the heavy 
concentration of oil. On most house shots you want to move as far left as 
you can and throw over the middle arrow or 20 board. You go straight at the 
10 pin at most lanes this will work. To get other right side spares you can 
make adjustments with your feet. This is for right handed bowlers for left 
handed bowlers this may work for you also just move right with your feet.

Q. My teammates have been trying to help me with my game. They tell me 
I am bending to far forward at the foul line. I am just trying to get low, 
as I have read in magazines. But since starting this, my ball does not seem 
to hit with any authority. Could this be the problem after all?

A. Staying low at the foul line is a good thing but not by bending at 
the waist. When you see this in magazine articles they mean bend your knees. 
Try to keep your head no further forward than your knees. When the head goes 
beyond the knees leverage is lost and you ball reaction will suffer.

Q. During league last week I strained tendons in my hand. It feels like 
the ring finger mostly. I know I should rest it but our team is in first 
place and I don't want to let them down. Is there a way to help tendons heal 
quickly or would a wrist device help?

A. I am not a Dr. but as far as I know there is no quick way to help 
strained tendons. Ice, heat and rest are all I know that you can do. I also 
know that after you get them healed or at least the soreness gone. You might 
want to try to strengthen the muscles around the tendons with so weight 
training. This will go a long ways toward keeping strains at bay. You need 
to seek advice from an expert for this condition. As for a temporary measure 
so that you can keep bowling. Wrist devices are meant for the weak wrist not 
for hand tendons they probably won't help. You can try taping your little 
finger tight to your ring finger. The little finger tendon helps to support 
the ring finger tendon and you may be able to bowl somewhat pain free. But 
try it with some care and if there is any doubt see a doctor or get to a 
sports medicine clinic. Make sure you are not going to cause further harm to 
yourself by continuing.

To ask a question write this publication or email 
sosbob@charter.net. I answer all

Questions by return email.