Center News

Fall League Schedule

Fall Leagues Now Forming

Company League, Neighborhood Leagues or Just a Group of Friends

Lots of groups are now forming their own bowling league-why not you? In the past we have provided many different league opportunities to you-but we forgot to ask what you wanted, shame on us! Here’s your chance to do it your way.
You form a league of your own with friends, family, co workers or members of an organization that you’re a member of. You decide the time of day, day of week, number of sessions that you want to bowl. Then tell us how often you want to bowl weekly, bi-weekly or once a month. We’ll just provide the lanes for you.
Finally you will have a league you can enjoy with all the benefits you want including a great social activity and a FUN time with friends. Because this is your league you tell us the rules and how much time you want to spend with us.
Leagues can be formed with as few as 8 bowlers (4 Teams of 2). An extra benefit of bowling in a league with only a couple bowlers on each team sessions can be limited to 90 minutes or less too – no longer do you need to mark the entire night/day off your schedule.

For more information please contact Bowl-A-Roll Lanes at 585-427-7250 or email us at bowlarol@rochester.rr.com.  

Bowling 3-6-9 Spare System

Bowling Tips: 3-6-9 Spare System

A very important key to improving your bowling scores is learning to convert spares effectively. If you are a beginning bowler or one who is averaging 130 or less currently and wish to improve your spare shooting capabilities, then learning the bowling 3-6-9 spare system will certain help. The bowling 3-6-9 spare system is one which has been around the game for literally decades of time and is extremely easy to learn and to implement.

First, it is vital to establish a initial strike alignment method and then base your spare adjustments off of your strike target line. In most bowling centers, the house lane condition allows bowlers to line up somewhere around the second arrow or tenth board from the edges of the lane (right side for right handed bowlers, left side for left handed bowlers). Also, bowlers will typically place their sliding bowling shoe on or near the center guide dot on the approach, which corresponds to the 20 (twenty) board or the center board.

Placing the instep of the sliding bowling shoe (left shoe for right handed bowlers) covering the 18 board with the instep of the shoe will position the outside of your bowling shoulder aligned with of the 10 board (2nd arrow). An initial alignment usually means targeting or spotting the 10 board, or very near that 10 board, (perhaps at the 8 or 9 board or even the 11 board depending how straight your ball travels or how much it hooks) at the targeting arrows about 15 feet beyond the foul line.

The bowling 3-6-9 spare system is based off of lateral adjustments either right or left of the initial strike alignment positioning with your feet on the approach. One simple factor must be remembered in properly aligning to spares:

For spares on the right side of the lane, move your feet left. For spares on the left side of the lane, move your feet right. Use your strike target for spares. It is that easy.

It helps to first learn and understand the bowling pin formations on the pin deck and how to identify the pins by their numbers. The key pin in any spare combination is the one nearest you.

The following are positioning adjustments on the approach for the key pin in formation and for using your strike target in the 3-6-9 spare system:

For the 2 pin, move right 3 boards

For the 4 pin, move right 6 boards

For the 7 pin, move right 9 boards

For the 3 pin, move left 3 boards

For the 6 pin, move left 6 boards

For the 10 pin, move left 9 boards

Here are a few tips for using this spare system successfully:

1. When adjusting your feet either left or right on the approach depending on the key pin left standing on the pin deck, point your toes of your bowling shoes very slightly toward the key pin of your spare. This will influence your hips and bowling shoulder slightly to face the pin squarely so releasing the bowling ball to your same strike target remains an easy task. During your approach, try and maintain your hips and shoulder facing the key pin or pins left standing.

2, If you are a right handed bowler (opposite for left handed bowlers) and you hook the ball modestly or perhaps quite even a bit, then we recommend for the 10 pin spare that you move to the far corner of the approach and use the the center arrow (or just to the right of the center arrow (4th arrow)) for the ten pin spare. Point the toes of your bowling shoes toward the ten pin but try to maintain a straight walking path to the foul line.

3. If your 3-6-9 adjustments are not enough of an angle change because of the lane oiling condition, then it is very acceptable to modify your system to a 4-8-12 system or perhaps even a 5-10-15 system so the adjustments change your delivery angle sufficiently to convert the spare so long as you use your same strike line target for each spare combination.

4. Using the same strike alignment target for spares is important because if you are aligned properly to the pocket, then the lane condition actually assists your ball motion similarly for spares as for strike deliveries.

5. Avoid drifting left or right with your steps from your adjusted starting position on the approach for any spare delivery. Try to walk a straight line based on your adjusted positioning of your bowling shoes on the approach for strike and spare deliveries alike.

6. Deliver your bowling ball the best you can at the same ball speed you use for strike deliveries. Avoid trying to roll the ball harder than you practice as you may not effectively control the ball path to the spare.

7. Use a polyester or plastic bowling ball for corner pin spares if the ball you choose for strike deliveries hooks too much and you are having difficulties holding the line to the spare. A spare ball can be very useful in converting the challenging corner pin spares.

 

Raising your bowling scores requires a dedication to improving your spare shooting abilities. Don't forget to make deposits in your spare bank! We hope this spare system helps.

Beginner Bowling Tips For Kids

Try these helpful beginner bowling tips for kids and enjoy more strikes and higher scores.

Choose a good pair of bowling shoes that fit

Bowling centers require everyone participating to use bowling shoes. They will rent bowling shoes to you, and it’s a good idea to make sure the shoes fit right because it’s a challenge to keep your balance when bowling. Approaches can be slippery because bowling shoes have leather soles and are designed to slide. Since the rental bowling shoes cost a few dollars every time you go bowling, you may want to buy a pair for a few dollars more. 

Select a bowling ball that fits

When I was a kid my first custom bowling ball was very special. I remember how it fit so good and allowed me to bowl with less effort. Even if you don’t have your own ball, try to find one at the bowling center that really fits. The right fit enhances a bowlers ability to control the direction and speed of the bowling shot. Consider a custom drilled beginner bowling ball.

Choose a bowling ball weighted “just right”

Choose a bowling ball not too heavy and not too light. A bowling ball too light won’t knock as many pins over as a heavier one. Kids that are smaller often struggle to throw a bowling ball that is too heavy and can easily lose control of their shot. A “just right” bowling ball weight gives a child the right combination of control and power into the pins.

Use bowling lane arrows when aiming

Bowling beginners often just look at the pins when throwing their shot. Bowling lanes have arrows about fifteen feet past the foul line that are much easier to hit. That is the reason the arrows are there, for aiming. Every fifth board there is an arrow and they are typically used for aiming and to make adjustments.

Use the bowling approach markers

The approach markers are helpful to the bowler because the allow you to begin your a bowling approach in precisely the same position. This combined with the lane arrows is an effective method for aiming and even a beginner can become consistent very rapidly. You can also adjust the length of your approach allowing you to finish near but not over the foul line.

Start far enough up on the bowling approach

Many beginners make the mistake of finishing too far behind the foul by several feet making the game harder in a couple of ways. The lane is already sixty feet long so adding a few feet obviously makes it harder. Also, the approach doesn’t have oil on it and the lane does, if you have any kind of hook on the bowling ball it will hook instantly when released onto the approach and not onto the lane itself.

Learn basic bowling timing

Bowling can be a difficult game. Learning to aim, timing the bowling approach, and adjusting to mistakes make it a big challenge. The ability to throw the bowling ball in the same direction every shot depends on consistent timing. Typical bowling timing uses a five step approach, although beginning kids may want to use a four step approach because it may be a little easier for them.

Use bowling bumpers for very young children

Very small children have difficulty keeping the ball on the lane until it hits the pins. Most bowling centers have some kind of bumper that bounces the ball back onto the lane and guarantees that the child will hit some pins. It is a much more exciting experience for the child.

Don’t go past the foul line

This is obviously a rule of bowling, but another reason for this bowling tip is safety. The bowling center puts oil on the lanes to protect them among other reasons. This oil is incredibly slippery and has caused many accidents for the unsuspecting beginner bowler.

Bowl when it’s your turn and not before

Wait for the lane on either side of your lane to be clear of bowlers. Another safety tip and also a general courtesy to bowlers on the lanes next to your bowling lane.

Consider joining a junior bowling league

Learning to bowl with others is one of the fastest ways to improve. The competitive spirit in a league can drive kids to learn from everyone around them and usually the bowling center will have a junior coach that can help out.

RG And Differrential

RG Differential and RG What Does This Mean?

I will try to address this simply and with as little confusion as possible. I first must tell you I am not a scientist or a ball designer. I am always learning as are you. I am sure some of you have wondered what does some of the numbers on a bowling ball technical sheet mean and how does it affect me, the bowler. Why do I need to know it anyway. First I must address cover stocks and cores. The cover stock is like the tires on a car and the core is like the engine. These two things are what influence the bowling ball motion. You choose a bowling ball to match your style and the lane conditions you bowl on. Because of so many different style bowlers and bowling lane conditions, the ball companies make different types of balls, and are trying to make a ball that will sell. So that is why you see these numbers on a balls specs. sheet. Also, the USBC rates them to have a tolerance.

RG-
RG means Radius Of Gyration. The RG of a bowling ball tells you how soon the core is designed to roll. The lower the RG, the sooner the ball is designed to roll. The lowest allowed by the USBC is 2.43 the highest is RG 2.80. (USBC could change the rule anytime).

The RG Differential (also called just DIFFERENTIAL) -
This indicates the difference between the low RG and the high RG. The Differential indicates the potential for track flare which can be translated into hook potential. The higher the differential, the more hook potential the core possesses. The RG differential indicates the difference between the low RG and the high RG. The maximum differential allowed by the USBC is 0.060.Don’t get this confused with intermediate differential because that is different. This is used in asymmetrical bowling balls to measure the spin time of the bowling ball before drilling.
Note: All numbers on the spec. sheets are before drilling and that is an important factor as the numbers then change.
Ok this is what RG Differential and RG mean. But, the biggest influence in bowling ball motion is the surface of the ball and the force and direction of the bowler’s release. In addition, the condition of the bowling lane must also be taken into consideration...

Now here is a pretty good rule.

A lower RG ball with a low differential will produce an earlier rolling ball with a small arcing motion.
A lower RG ball with a high differential will produce an earlier rolling ball with a larger/stronger arcing motion.
A higher RG ball with a low differential will produce a later rolling ball with an angular backend motion.
A higher RG ball with a high differential will produce a later rolling ball with a strong, somewhat angular backend motion.

On differential:
The lower the differential the closer together the track flare. The higher the differential the further apart the track flare.The cover stock friction on the lane allows this to come together. Coverstock adjustment is needed to adjust to the conditions you are bowling on.Well I hope this helps and does not confuse you too much.

Good Luck and Good Bowling

Motion Of The Bowling Ball

The study of bowling ball motion are something that most bowlers know nothing about. In brief, there are three basic stages, or zones, a bowling ball must go through. These stages give the ball the proper reaction on a bowling lane. This has been the principal in bowling for the thirty years I’ve been in the game. Most bowlers don’t realize that a bowling ball goes through these stages.The bowling ball motion are as follows:


1. Slide – A bowling ball will first slide for a certain length of a bowling lane after it is released by the bowler. This is known as the head portion of the lane.

2. Hook – After the slide zone of the ball motion it will then transition into a hook zone.

3. Roll – Following the hook zone a ball will go into a roll stage. 

In summary – The stages of bowling ball motion are slide, hook, and roll.

You could Picture this like a rocket taking off from the earth to the outer space.

1. You must have a take off part so the rocket can get off the ground. = The slide.

2. After the rocket is off the ground it must transition to get out of the atmosphere. = The transition and hook.

3. Then transition again to adjust to the outer space itself. = The roll.

This is the same kind of concept involved in the study of bowling ball motion. 
Which is also true in bowling lane conditioning. The bowling lane conditions and the bowling ball motion must match for the best reaction.

If a ball slides, hooks, or rolls too early you will get roll out. If roll out is too early the ball stops and goes straight. If a ball slides, hooks, or rolls too late it will never grab the lane and could skid out. A bowler should study a ball rolling down the lane and realize that these stages happen. The study of Bowling ball motion is essential.

How To Position Yourself On The Appraoch

How To Position Yourself On The Bowling Approach

As a relative beginner bowler or newcomer to the game, learning how to position yourself on the bowling approach is a big step to improving accuracy and targeting the pocket or spares. A good way to begin is to first understand where the guides on the approach are located in reference to the foul line and to the targeting arrows about 15 feet past the foul line. By knowing a little about the "lane geometry", you will more easily understand how to position yourself on the bowling approach.

The arrows are located about 15 feet past the foul line toward the pins and are in a triangular configuration. The arrows are also commonly referred to as "guides" or "dovetails." From bowler's right to left (for right handed bowlers), the arrow nearest the edge of the lane is referred to as the "first arrow" and is located on the 5 board of the lane surface, about 5 inches from the edge of the lane. Continuing to the bowler's left, the next arrow is the "second arrow" which is located on the 10 board. The "third arrow" is located on the 15 board, the "fourth arrow", or center arrow, is located on the 20 board, "the fifth arrow" on the 25 board, the "sixth arrow" on the 30 board, and the final "seventh arrow" on the 35 board. The arrows are symmetrically placed on the lane. Using a reverse reference system is recommended for left handed bowlers.

The circular guides embedded or stamped onto the approach just behind the foul line correspond to the 7 boards of the arrows down the lane. The largest guide is located on the 20 board, the center board of the lane and aligns with the center of the 7 targeting arrows. Each guide at the foul line, both to the right and to the left of the center guide, is positioned 5 boards apart from the adjacent guides in the same manner as are the arrows. If you trace back from the foul line, you will find another set of guides on the approach 12 feet behind the foul line and yet another set of guides 3 feet further back from the 12 foot guides. Usually, there are 5 guides at the 12 foot position on the approach and those guides align on the same boards as the center 5 guides at the foul line and down the lane with the center 5 arrows. The same is true 15 feet from the foul line where the center 5 guides align with the 5 guides at the 12 foot [position on the approach. There is generally seven to nine guides at the 15 foot position near the back of the approach.

The approach guides are used primarily for alignment to the targeting arrows. Since the maintenance team at any given bowling center typically sets up the lane oiling machine to apply the heaviest concentration of oil on the front end of the lane between the foul line up to a distance perhaps of 20 feet (just beyond the distance where the 4th arrow is located) and across the lane between the 2nd arrow and the 6th arrow (the 10th board from both edges of the lane). In this case, it is suggested that a bowler will align his strike ball delivery to the pocket in such a way as to roll the bowling ball toward the second arrow with an appropriate angle from the release point just beyond the foul line as to allow the ball to continue down the lane to the pocket. 

If a bowler rolls a slight curve or hook delivery, then the ball should contact the lane just beyond the foul line on about the 12 or 13 board, roll over the 2nd arrow (the 10 board), and then the ball will change directions about two-thirds of the way down the lane at the break point and head toward the pocket located at the 17.5 board. If this example of releasing the ball on the 13 board just past the foul line is used to target the 2nd arrow down the lane, then where shall you stand on the approach to properly position yourself before you walk to the line and deliver the bowling ball?

In the case if you are a right handed bowler, if the center of your bowling ball is released on the lane just beyond the foul line about 1-3 feet distance past the line, then your sliding shoe is normally the left shoe. The slide shoe should enter the sliding area of the approach very near the foul line (ending perhaps 2-4 inches behind the line) and the instep of the shoe should slide into the line pointing fairly straight so the toe faces the pins which also helps keeping your hips and shoulders aligned to your target down the lane. The instep of your sliding shoe is located about two boards right of the exact center of your slide shoe.

If you allow about 1 inch of space between the inner side of the bowling ball as it passes by your sliding shoe, then the instep of your sliding shoe will cover the 18 board on the approach at the foul line and your toe will point to the 20 board or the center guide. In this example, the reference to this alignment positioning on the approach goes as follows:

• Stand on 18 board - (with the instep of your sliding shoe covering the 18 board)


• Walk a straight line to the foul line and slide on the same 18 board - (if you walk either right or left 2 boards, as example, from your initial starting position on the 18 board, then adjust your starting position 2 boards to compensate)


• Slide with your sliding shoe covering the 18 board at the line.


• Release the ball where the center of the ball contacts the lane on the 13 board - (the diameter of the ball plus a small bit of room so the ball does not contact your ankle or shoe passing quickly into the release zone).


• Target the 2nd arrow (10 board) 15 feet down the lane. (you may have to sight to the right 1 or 2 boards of the 2nd arrow since most right handed bowlers miss the board they are sighting by 1 or 2 boards left of the target)

The 18 board is a good place to initially position yourself on the approach and the 2nd arrow is a good place for an initial alignment but it is not necessarily the correct board to stand or to sight when targeting the pins. You may have to use a board located to the right or to the left of the 2nd arrow and make the correct adjustment in order to roll your ball and contact the pocket depending on your type of delivery, the speed you roll your bowling ball, and the ball surface and core construction you select. 

Different Types of Bowling Balls

The Different Types of Bowling Balls 

 

 

Here are some of the different types of bowling ball cover-stocks and cores to date. First there are 5 types of cover-stocks that I am going to talk about they are plastic,
reactive pearl, reactive solid, reactive hybrid, and particle.

There are 3 main types of cores in a bowling ball which include 3 piece, 2 piece symmetrical, and asymmetrical. Now in more out lined detail
listed below.

Cover-stocks 

1. Plastic - is usually used in 3-piece cores.  It does not have much traction on the lane and is lower in price.  It is mainly used as a spare ball or a beginner ball.

2. Reactive Pearl - is used in all types or cores.  Normally it has more of a skid snap reaction.

3. Reactive Solid - is used in all types of cores.  It has an earlier and smoother reaction than the pearl.

4. Hybrid Reactive - is mainly used in 2-piece symmetrical and asymmetrical cores.  This type of cover is made to give the bowler the best of both worlds as it has a combination solid reactive and pearl reactive.  It is mainly used on over and under bowling lane conditions.

5. Particles - This was a cover-stock that was made to combat heavy oil.  It had pieces, or particles, in the reactive cover to help it grab the lane surface.  There are not many companies making particles anymore, but there are a few. It was mainly used In 2-piece symmetrical and asymmetrical cores.


Note: Urethane Cover-stocks that were popular in the 1980's are now making a comeback.  They are not as aggressive as reactive bowling balls and are more powerful than plastic.  In addition, they are usually smoother in transitioning but do not have the hitting power of the reactive balls.

Bowling Leagues

Form your own bowling league!

Company League, Neighborhood Leagues or Just a Group of Friends

Lots of groups are now forming their own bowling league-why not you? In the past we have provided many different league opportunities to you-but we forgot to ask what you wanted, shame on us! Here’s your chance to do it your way.
You form a league of your own with friends, family, co workers or members of an organization that you’re a member of. You decide the time of day, day of week, number of sessions that you want to bowl. Then tell us how often you want to bowl weekly, bi-weekly or once a month. We’ll just provide the lanes for you.
Finally you will have a league you can enjoy with all the benefits you want including a great social activity and a FUN time with friends. Because this is your league you tell us the rules and how much time you want to spend with us.
Leagues can be formed with as few as 8 bowlers (4 Teams of 2). An extra benefit of bowling in a league with only a couple bowlers on each team sessions can be limited to 90 minutes or less too – no longer do you need to mark the entire night/day off your schedule.

For more information please contact Bowl-A-Roll Lanes at 585-427-7250 or email us at bowlarol@rochester.rr.com.  

Spring Leagues Now Forming

Where Good Friends, Great Times And All Around Fun Come Together 

It’s where you make friends. It’s where you break records. It’s where you reconnect with old pals and create new memories.  Join a league today to earn and get great deals on bowling, dining, and so much more. Your
lane is waiting. 

For more information please contact Bowl-A-Roll Lanes at 585-427-7250 or email us at bowlarol@rochester.rr.com.

Key To The Best Arm-swing In Bowling

The correct arm-swing is back and forth motion that is straight like a pendulum. There are a couple of common things that a lot of  bowlers do instead, which can adversely affect the result of their delivery.

A significant percentage of bowlers to want to hold the bowling ball in the middle of their chest when they're in the stance. You're forced to move your arm sideways and back around your body for the back-swing if the ball is this far inside. This will throw everything out of whack.

Instead, hold the ball out to the side of your body (on the same side as your bowling hand) so you can swing straight back and forth.
 

Bowling Lane Play - The 3 Basic Lines

Information on How to Play the Lane.

Bowling Lane Play. - There are 3 basic types of bowling lane lines; open, medium, and direct. (Note: this is for right handed bowlers – reverse everything for left handed bowlers.)

Information on How to Play the Lane.

Bowling Lane Play. - There are 3 basic types of bowling lane lines; open, medium, and direct. (Note: this is for right handed bowlers – reverse everything for left handed bowlers.)

1. Open Line - The open line is inside from the 14th board on the bowling lane. The ball angle is directed toward the 6 pin as it is released. This is described in the illustration below. High revolution bowlers like this angle most the time.

2. Medium Or Indirect Line - The medium or indirect line is from the 13th to the 8th board, or the track area, on the bowling lane. The ball angle is a medium line directed toward the 3 and 6 pins as the ball is released. It is also described in the illustration below. Power strokers or tweener type bowlers like this line.

3. Direct Line - The direct line is outside from the 7th board on the bowling lane. The ball angle is directed toward the 1 and 3 pins, or the pocket, as the ball is released. It is also described in the illustration below. Most strokers like this line or angle.

The 10 pin in bowling - why we leave the 10 pin in bowling

First there are 2 different types of 10 pins. 

One is the flat or weak 10 pin the other is the wrap or ringing 10 pin.

1.  The Flat 10 Pin - The first type of 10 pin in bowling is the flat or weak 10 pin. This is when the bowling ball rolls weak into the pocket and is due to a loss of energy. There are two reasons why this happens. Either the ball has never gone into a roll, or the ball has rolled too early and lost all of its energy before it gets to the pocket. So you must recognize two things. One being which type of 10 pin you are leaving. The other is whether the bowling ball is rolling too early or not rolling early enough. To determine whether you are leaving the flat 10 or the weak 10, look at the 6 pin. If the 6 pin is lying in the gutter, it indicates a weak or flat 10 pin. If you are leaving a flat 10, you need more angle or a ball that breaks later and sharper. You can do this with a change in the ball surface, hand position, type of ball, ball drilling layout, or a change in ball speed. If the bowling ball is rolling too early, you need to roll it harder. If it is skidding or not going into its roll, you may need less ball speed.

2.  The Wrap 10 Pin - The second type of 10 pin in bowling is the wrap 10, or ringing 10 pin. This occurs because the ball rolls into the pocket with too much angle or too much speed. The bowling ball does not have enough end-over-end roll. If the 6 pin goes around the 10 pin quickly, then you are leaving a wrap 10. A reason for this may be you are rolling the ball too hard. If you are leaving the wrap 10, you normally need earlier roll or more end-over-end roll. You can do this with a change in ball surface, hand position, reducing your ball speed, type of ball or ball drilling layout.

A Basic Rule of Thumb. 1. If the 6 pin is lying flat in the gutter, it is a flat 10 pin. 2. If the 6 pin flies around the 10 pin, it is a wrap or ringing 10 pin. Let the 6 pin be your guide in recognizing your adjustment. Note: Learn to recognize the type of 10 you are leaving, then learning how to adjust. This is the key to increasing pin carry and a higher scoring potential..