Opinion about the Amateur Mental Game article this month

[Simon_Sez]

When I read Jowdy, Torgeson, etc., I pay attention. I also implement their ideas as much as I mentally and physically can because their work is successful.

But reading this amateur's article about the mental game was a tremendous disappointment. From a 180 average league bowler? C'mon, I expect better from the BTM.

[oldvalefty]

IMO all articles in our great magazine are chosen by our editor
with care. Personally, I look forward to every issue and read
all articles regardless of the author.

Keep up the good work BTM.

Lee

[DugBark]

Simon,

You said something I find intriguing.

You talked about how Jowdy, Torgensen, Taylor have all been successful so you read them. How does a person become successful?

As a participant in the judging of the articles, I was very impressed with the quality of thoughts and material submitted.

Personally, one of the the things I've learned, as I try to say in articles, is, that if you are a really good bowler does not make you a good coach, and if you are a good coach, it does not mean you have to be a good bowler. Being a coach and being a bowler is two different skill sets.

Just some thoughts.

Dug Barker

[GDRiley]

Wow! I came here to make a post and ask people to me nice to me and mail me trashbound copies of their July issue. I didn't expect to find commentary on my article.

First of all, this was a writing contest, not a bowling contest. As someone with a degree in writing, who teaches writing, and has been published in other venues - I have oft lamented that some of the really great bowlers who write for this magazine are incredibly competent writers. I think Dug would probably agree that writing is a third skill set from bowling and coaching.

I didn't set out to teach people how to bowl. I set out to write an interesting and entertaining article on a topic not previously covered in this magazine.

Secondly, as to my credentials, I averaged 180 - a year after a horrible compound fracture of my right forearm bones and wrist. My arm and hand do not line up normally any more, on two different axes. I can't lay the back of my hand flat on a table, for example. Moreover, I have a blown disc at L5/S1 that limits what I can do, and limits my practice time. After not bowling for 20 years, a year and a half after the broken arm, I average 180 - bowling 16 weeks a year, 6 games a week with one ball. On a synthetic surface, in high-altitude desert-climate Colorado Springs, where the oil evaporates so fast you can see it. The house I bowl at had a $300 bounty for a league-game 300 that hung for 3 years, and the guy who won it used 4 different balls that game. So, I think I am a pretty good bowler.

Thirdly, I am a lot better at mental discipline than I am at bowling. There are many people who can beat me at bowling, chess, pool, archery and poker - but I don't think there is anybody who can beat me at all of them. So, my advice on mental discipline is probably more valuable than my advice on bowling.

Finally, to address Simon directly: Simon, if you are trying to do all the things taught by all these coaches, in all their articles, in all these issues - you probably suffer from what I call "Too much mental game." You might benefit more from this mantra approach than most people. To clear the clutter and get a chance to bowl, as Susie has defined it, "out of your mind."

[DugBark]

GD,

You have a great point. Writing is absolutely a third skill set. One I have had to work harder on then my coaching or bowling. It's just not something that comes easily to me. I'm sure it sometimes shows in my articles.

Can I use what you wrote for my college team?????

It was and is really good.

Hopefully we can meet down the road.

Don't let people who are naysayers discourage you. If I had listened to what people told me I never would have ended up on staff with BTM!!!!!

My thoughts,

Dug

[GDRiley]

One writes to be read, and I'd be honored to have you teach from my article.

[oldvalefty]

I'm glad to see two authors are now in agreement......

Lee R