Q. The lanes I bowl at have a speed (MPH) reading on them. My speed seems very slow to me 13 mph. I don't throw a lot of hook but I do turn the ball. I was wondering are those readings accurate?

A. They are accurate where the reading is taken but the reading is recorded at the back end of the lane. This means this speed is after the
ball has slowed down. You will notice that when you throw your spare ball the reading will be faster by as much as 1 or 2 mph. This happens because you throw a plastic ball usually in the oil there is less friction created and this means the ball loses less speed and a higher speed is recorded. For a more accurate ball speed you will need to find a CATS system and check it on that. CATS checks the speed at set intervals on the lane and this gives the proper reading. CATS stands for computer aided tracing system. This system gives other information as well and can tell you what areas of your game need attention.

Q.  I am right handed and a stroker and where I am bowling right now the lanes are very dry. My favorite line is around the 2nd arrow but the shot I am on forces me to play deep inside. Sometimes as deep as the 4th arrow, this is way out of my comfort zone. Is there a way I can adjust my game to stay out near the 2nd arrow?

A. You might be able to use a ball that hooks less such as plastic or regular urethane but that is not the best solution. The best thing is to learn to play the inside line and make it a part of your comfort zone. I always say that my favorite part of the lane is wherever the best shot to score is. It doesn't matter if it is the 1 board or the 25 board. If that is where the lane plays then it is in my comfort zone. Learning to play different parts of the lane is part of the challenge of the game of bowling.

I want to take this time to wish all of my readers a happy New Year I can't believe it is already 2007. I want to leave you with a list of bowling resolutions. I personally am going to try hard to do this in 2007. We could all use these:

1. I resolve to take some lessons this year.

2. I am going to practice more this year.

3. I am going to try harder on my spares.

4. I will take better care of my equipment.

5. I will not blame lane conditions instead I will make better adjustments.

6. And first and foremost I WILL HAVE FUN.

I really hope to get to at least the end of January before breaking most of them.

Seriously doing these things would improve our games and increase the FUN.

 If you want to ask a question write askbob@clearwire.net