ASK BOB March 04
Q. I have trouble with approaches being either too slippery or to slow.
I have heard there are alternatives to regular bowling shoes now. What can you tell me about these new adjustable shoes?
A. Yes there are choices in bowling shoes today. Linds makes the Lind Extra that has leather slide soles with holes in the sole in which you can place different textured buttons to adjust your slide. You can get smooth leather or Teflon, softer textured leather or you could use rubber to slow down your slide. These holes are in different spots on the slide sole and you can use a combination of buttons. Lind's are still made in the old regular bowling shoe look. They are well made and last a long time. They aren't quite as comfortable as the next two styles but are still very good shoes. Their web site is
www.linds.com Then you can get Dexter's they have a newer modern look and feature interchangeable slide soles and heels. They start at very slow slide and progress to a very slick sole for long slide. They also come with the interchangeable heel for the same reason they range from sticky to slick for those of us who come down on the heel. Dexter's are very comfortable and the higher end shoe has a very wide footprint for better balance. The Dexter web site is www.dextershoes.com. Type bowling into the search box. Then there is a new comer to the bowling shoe world the ABS it is distributed by Dyno-thane, yes the bowling ball company. They have the Tour Ultra the uppers are made from Kangaroo leather it is very strong flexible and lightweight. Some say they are like wearing slippers. They too have a wide footprint for stability and come with interchangeable soles and heels. You have a choice with ABS between a solid sole or you can easily make them into a button type sole for more slide combinations. Check with your local pro shop for more information or you can check them out on the web. The ABS web site is www.dynothane.com. None of the shoes listed above are cheap but most are less than a new ball and last many years longer. For the advanced bowler these shoes can be just as important as the right ball.Q. How can I get information on the Las Vegas High Roller tournaments?
A. You can call their toll free number at 1-800-257-6179 or go to the website at
www.high-roller.com. Don't forget the dash between high -roller to get to the correct site. Here you can get information, tournament schedules, brochures, and results from previous or on going tournaments.Q. When you leave a split in a game do you always go for the spare or is it best to get the best count you can?
A. I believe it is most of the time best to take the count especially if you are on a strike. Now there are times when you do want to go for the spare, let me explain. If it is a baby split you do have a reasonable chance to pick it up. Same with some of the other not so tough splits like a 5-10 or 5-7, even the 4-9 or 6-8. Now big splits 7-10, 4-6, the big 4 or those types of combinations most of the time you just want to save count. The only time to go for them is late in a game and making it is your only chance to win. Now let me tell you a story as to why you want to go for count. In the 1997 Thanksgiving Senior High Roller I was in the final match bowling for $30,000 dollars. I left a big 4 early now I did not mean to miss them but I did not take enough time and my ball hooked into the left gutter. I was on a strike and this miss cost me 4 pins. Missing 2 on a strike costs 4 pins. It was early and I thought I could make them up but a solid 10 and a solid 8 pin stopped me from getting the double that I now needed. I lost that match game and the title by 1 pin so that missed count cost me $15,000. The difference between 1st and 2nd and a prestigious title. So take it from my first hand experience and get the pin count. I know I will from now on.
To ask Bob a question write this publication or email sosbob@charter.net.