Coach, I’ve Got a Question! – March 2022

In this recurring feature, I’ll be answering questions from Bowling This Month readers, or questions I’ve received from bowlers I work with, that might not require the depth of a full-length article, but that can definitely benefit more than just the person who happened to ask. Think of it as a Dear Abby column for bowlers.

If you have questions, please leave them in the comment section below so that I can address them in a future article. Please note that I can only answer a few questions each time, so if your question is not answered this month, please be patient and I’ll be sure to address it in a future installment of Coach, I’ve Got a Question!

I am a typical down-and-in type of player, but I currently see more success moving left with my feet and using more of the oily part of the lane. It’s not what I am used to, and I am feeling stuck between the old and new ways to play the game. Any suggestions?

Every possible answer to this question involves some kind of investment in time, effort, money, or all of the above. While I’m always in favor of playing the lanes the way they want to be played, the fact is that for league bowling, there is often more than one way to attack the lanes. Many bowlers end up feeling like you do when they are forced into a new zone. The big question is whether your lack of comfort in the “right” part of the lane yields better or worse results than being more comfortable in the “wrong” part. There are essentially three solutions to this problem.

First, let’s discuss the option that potentially requires the most time and effort: getting comfortable in the new zone. If the deeper line is truly the best (or only) effective way to attack the lanes, then spending some time practicing in that zone is a must. Investing some time ...