Loved PAR Bowling book, read it front to back taught me a lot. Made me a very good women bowler. 74 years young still average in 180's bowl four days a week. I will not stop.
I'm 71 and yeah, everything is harder today than it once was. As you know, old age ain't for the weak. Truth is, it's as much mental as it is physical, maybe more. Thanks for giving us all a nod, Phil!
I'm pretty sure the game has passed me by. I've not picked up a ball since October 2021, and it's not like I've had any true desire to do so. That said, in my previous bowling incarnation (2014 to 2021), I suppose I did a lot for myself in the relatively short time that I was back (after then an 18-year absence from the game.) I won high-level scratch tournaments and cashed in a couple of geezer regionals, including advancing to Sunday matchplay, while bowling essentially on one leg. Then I had hip replacement surgery. I worked hard to be competitive again, which I was, as I managed to stay on scoring pace and/or bowled in the black in the couple of geezer regionals that I competed in. And I found myself being the oldest among the cashers in the high level scratch gigs that I bowled in. I'm now a super geezer. I'm looking at these 35 or so pieces that surround me. I don't want to get rid of them. I'm willing to invest in new equipment. But I also know it will be even more difficult to work my way back to being competitive should I return.
Phil…I certainly get that the game today favors those who have high revs and create area and better pin fall for themselves. Arthritis has taken about 125 revs and a few ticks from my ball speed…but two months ago I shot my first 300 and I’ve averaged my highest in 47 years of bowling last season and this season. I’m still accurate and learning different hand positions to maximize my ball roll/rotation/reaction. I’m going to keep at it until they roll my coffin into the bowling center for one last throw.
When I first saw this, I felt thanks a lot Phil, the game has passed me by, very encouraging. Thinking about it, It's time, and not the game, that has passed us by. "Professional Bowling" an oxymoron if ever there was one, still has one thing in common with other professional sports, it's for the young.
Loved this. I was quite a stud in my day...pretty strong...athletic....good hand eye., but I can't bench much anymore...can't stuff a basketball ball..can't throw a baseball 80...can't wake board...hunting is harder. Plus EVERYTHING HURTS. I took up bowling this year at age 61 and even this I have to do in moderation. I can really only bowl 6 or 8 games effectively. Soooo getting old isn't for babies! You have to adjust and enjoy. I just bowled league and 3 games warm up and I'm excited to go to bed!
You are so right Phil. I am going on 64 and while my physical game is just as strong as it was 20 years ago the game itself has indeed changed. If I use the new equipment I just get over reactions and unpredictability no matter what layout I use. It is like having to guess where I am going to stand the next frame. As a result, I went back to the old black hammers I have for my strike shot. One is drill with a Mo hole but plugged. The ball even though an old Black Hammer from the 80's still has flare from the Mo Hole layout. The other Black Hammer is just drilled like the old negative weight straight up layout. Went from playing the big hook third/forth arrow using the Pink Black Widow Hammer with 70% hitting the pocket with some big splits in between to playing straight up 2nd arrow with a 91% hitting the pocket. Yes carry is less. About 70%, but I have gone from shooting 550's to 610's with the new equipment to 680's to 700's with the old. I rather sacrifice some carry for being able to have a clean series - no open frames.
@@marke219 Thank you. Another thing about switching back to the old urethane Black Hammers from the new reactive coverstocks is that instead of having to move around 15 to 20 boards left during a three game series I now only move 1 to 4 boards.
I have to agree with what Norm Duke said on this subject. As we get older less practice and work out more. A lot of core exercises and stretching can help us compete longer. Power comes from the legs. So don't skip those leg workouts. 😁
I agree with phil's take that the game has evolved toward revs and speed...just look at the young 2- handers and you can see it in spades!...my question is whether the ball manufacturers have also jumped on that bandwagon with coverstocks and cores that are more amenable to "revs and speed" but are over aggressive for us old "down and in" bowlers ..
At 62 I can still compete winter league this year I have shot two of the biggest series I have ever shot a 680@ had my first seven hundred two weeks ago 730!! BRING IT!!
I’m only 56 years old but man I definitely see how the game is evolving and I’m not lol 😝. I bowl on a league and our team is mostly seniors. One of my teammates is 81 and shot a 701 with a 289 game awhile back!
You're quite right Phil! I continue to become more comfortable like you say and work on my game. I've found that by reducing my angles while shooting spares has helped me a lot and primarily on those left side spares. These days I standing with my left foot on about board 30 while shooting the 4-7 combo, etc. I've worked on getting my thumb out of the hole quickly before the release point and backing off my hand as well. My rev rate has increased and I see a bit more reaction down lane. Nice! I'm now looking at some of the old balls I have and taking off the old polish and reworking the surface a bit. Maybe I can use them again rather than spend more $$ on new ones. Hopefully I'll have success picking the right methods to match them up with the house shot I'm on. Nice show Phil! Thanks...
I’m 61…not too old to bowl, but yea, the stars have to align for me to compete anymore (or get on certified string pins, which seem to level the playing field just a bit) … so i just do it it for fun … and to get out of the house.
I agree it is extremely frustrating to literally hit the pocket 95% of my shots on a house pattern, but probably have a 30% carry rate, while guys that throw it harder with more revs hit the pocket maybe 70% of the time but get more strikes and can string more together. With far more open frames than me, they still score higher. I would never consider them better than me, but the scores say otherwise. I’ve had six open frames the past three weeks, two each week, yet only had two 600 series, the highest being 640. I used to routinely average in the 230’s, and those recent series would’ve been 100 pins higher 15 years ago. I’m not even sure I’ve lost that much speed or revs, I’m certainly at least as accurate, but just cannot knock 10 pins down. I’m trying to understand it all.
It will be interesting to see how long the current Pros can keep rolling the modern way. 1 handed and 2. At 60 im just happy im still bowling without injury.
A lot of it is the lane conditions and equipment. The older I get, the less aggressive equipment I need. I'm sure in 15-20 years I will just be throwing lower performance stuff (if bowling still exists)
I just turned 70 had 30 clean other day felt good have not done that in long time. 199 this year last 200 avg. I know league not same as tourn 190 tourn. AvgStill have muscle memory when remember lol. Have to work harder but I enjoy it not PBA material but still can compete.makes me feel young when I see these 80- 90 years old guys and girls still doing it.not bad either.
Age is nothing but a damned number to me and I'm 54 years old. I've been bowling for 29 years and will stay competitive until I die. I might not put a lot of revs on the ball put I have a lot of strengths in my game and continue to learn to bowl newer lines on the lane I never have. I could careless about the regular PBA Tour and I don't follow it. I follow the PBA Senior Tour. I workout 5 times a week along with practicing 2 times a week along with bowling in 2 leagues. Plus i prefer to bowl in scratch tournaments and not handicap tournaments.
My game behind the line is solid and I've maintained my accuracy, but the game now is all about carry and creating area. These area bowlers slinging high friction assyms all over the place and switching balls every time they don't strike absolutely destroy the shot. Some days it's just impossible to read the conditions. Old man rant finito.
Loved PAR Bowling book, read it front to back taught me a lot. Made me a very good women bowler. 74 years young still average in 180's bowl four days a week. I will not stop.
I'm 71 and yeah, everything is harder today than it once was. As you know, old age ain't for the weak. Truth is, it's as much mental as it is physical, maybe more. Thanks for giving us all a nod, Phil!
I'm pretty sure the game has passed me by. I've not picked up a ball since October 2021, and it's not like I've had any true desire to do so.
That said, in my previous bowling incarnation (2014 to 2021), I suppose I did a lot for myself in the relatively short time that I was back (after then an 18-year absence from the game.)
I won high-level scratch tournaments and cashed in a couple of geezer regionals, including advancing to Sunday matchplay, while bowling essentially on one leg.
Then I had hip replacement surgery. I worked hard to be competitive again, which I was, as I managed to stay on scoring pace and/or bowled in the black in the couple of geezer regionals that I competed in. And I found myself being the oldest among the cashers in the high level scratch gigs that I bowled in.
I'm now a super geezer. I'm looking at these 35 or so pieces that surround me. I don't want to get rid of them. I'm willing to invest in new equipment. But I also know it will be even more difficult to work my way back to being competitive should I return.
Phil…I certainly get that the game today favors those who have high revs and create area and better pin fall for themselves. Arthritis has taken about 125 revs and a few ticks from my ball speed…but two months ago I shot my first 300 and I’ve averaged my highest in 47 years of bowling last season and this season. I’m still accurate and learning different hand positions to maximize my ball roll/rotation/reaction. I’m going to keep at it until they roll my coffin into the bowling center for one last throw.
When I first saw this, I felt thanks a lot Phil, the game has passed me by, very encouraging. Thinking about it, It's time, and not the game, that has passed us by. "Professional Bowling" an oxymoron if ever there was one, still has one thing in common with other professional sports, it's for the young.
Wow, I think that was a direct comment to me 😊
You are not alone. My goals have changed to "no splits-clean games". A night with no open frames is the thrill of shooting 800.
@ agreed!
Loved this.
I was quite a stud in my day...pretty strong...athletic....good hand eye., but I can't bench much anymore...can't stuff a basketball ball..can't throw a baseball 80...can't wake board...hunting is harder. Plus EVERYTHING HURTS. I took up bowling this year at age 61 and even this I have to do in moderation. I can really only bowl 6 or 8 games effectively. Soooo getting old isn't for babies!
You have to adjust and enjoy. I just bowled league and 3 games warm up and I'm excited to go to bed!
Oh forgot lol thanks for video great stuff.
You are so right Phil. I am going on 64 and while my physical game is just as strong as it was 20 years ago the game itself has indeed changed. If I use the new equipment I just get over reactions and unpredictability no matter what layout I use. It is like having to guess where I am going to stand the next frame. As a result, I went back to the old black hammers I have for my strike shot. One is drill with a Mo hole but plugged. The ball even though an old Black Hammer from the 80's still has flare from the Mo Hole layout. The other Black Hammer is just drilled like the old negative weight straight up layout. Went from playing the big hook third/forth arrow using the Pink Black Widow Hammer with 70% hitting the pocket with some big splits in between to playing straight up 2nd arrow with a 91% hitting the pocket. Yes carry is less. About 70%, but I have gone from shooting 550's to 610's with the new equipment to 680's to 700's with the old. I rather sacrifice some carry for being able to have a clean series - no open frames.
Loved your input
@@marke219 Thank you. Another thing about switching back to the old urethane Black Hammers from the new reactive coverstocks is that instead of having to move around 15 to 20 boards left during a three game series I now only move 1 to 4 boards.
I have my signed copy of PAR bowling by the late great Tom himself.
I read it as a kid 20+ years ago.
Sound advice. Adapt and enjoy.
Phil does not age. He just further cements his status as a legend!! I could listen to Phil's knowledge for endless hours.
dang Phil.... Thanks a lot! 😂😂😂😂
I'm with you Phil...1st 300 was with Blue Roto Grip... the Whale got it for me from Port Chester NY.....the good old days
I'm 62 and my first 300 was also with blue roto grip! Haha
I have to agree with what Norm Duke said on this subject. As we get older less practice and work out more. A lot of core exercises and stretching can help us compete longer. Power comes from the legs. So don't skip those leg workouts. 😁
I agree with phil's take that the game has evolved toward revs and speed...just look at the young 2- handers and you can see it in spades!...my question is whether the ball manufacturers have also jumped on that bandwagon with coverstocks and cores that are more amenable to "revs and speed" but are over aggressive for us old "down and in" bowlers ..
Enjoyed the video as always! Is Radical going to come out with something to replace the attack line, also the Break away, Deadly Rattler
At 62 I can still compete winter league this year I have shot two of the biggest series I have ever shot a 680@ had my first seven hundred two weeks ago 730!! BRING IT!!
I’m only 56 years old but man I definitely see how the game is evolving and I’m not lol 😝. I bowl on a league and our team is mostly seniors. One of my teammates is 81 and shot a 701 with a 289 game awhile back!
Theres a shim for everything, hopefully a balance is found , just keep enjoying the game!
You're quite right Phil! I continue to become more comfortable like you say and work on my game. I've found that by reducing my angles while shooting spares has helped me a lot and primarily on those left side spares. These days I standing with my left foot on about board 30 while shooting the 4-7 combo, etc. I've worked on getting my thumb out of the hole quickly before the release point and backing off my hand as well. My rev rate has increased and I see a bit more reaction down lane. Nice! I'm now looking at some of the old balls I have and taking off the old polish and reworking the surface a bit. Maybe I can use them again rather than spend more $$ on new ones. Hopefully I'll have success picking the right methods to match them up with the house shot I'm on. Nice show Phil! Thanks...
I’m 61…not too old to bowl, but yea, the stars have to align for me to compete anymore (or get on certified string pins, which seem to level the playing field just a bit) … so i just do it it for fun … and to get out of the house.
I agree it is extremely frustrating to literally hit the pocket 95% of my shots on a house pattern, but probably have a 30% carry rate, while guys that throw it harder with more revs hit the pocket maybe 70% of the time but get more strikes and can string more together. With far more open frames than me, they still score higher. I would never consider them better than me, but the scores say otherwise. I’ve had six open frames the past three weeks, two each week, yet only had two 600 series, the highest being 640. I used to routinely average in the 230’s, and those recent series would’ve been 100 pins higher 15 years ago. I’m not even sure I’ve lost that much speed or revs, I’m certainly at least as accurate, but just cannot knock 10 pins down. I’m trying to understand it all.
It will be interesting to see how long the current Pros can keep rolling the modern way. 1 handed and 2. At 60 im just happy im still bowling without injury.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. I feel this video was exactly for me. 5 years ago I averaged 235 everywhere. Today I'm 60 and I'd kill for a 650 series.
Yeah but i have only average revs but mastering surface on the balls greatly makes up for that.
A lot of it is the lane conditions and equipment. The older I get, the less aggressive equipment I need. I'm sure in 15-20 years I will just be throwing lower performance stuff (if bowling still exists)
I just turned 70 had 30 clean other day felt good have not done that in long time. 199 this year last 200 avg. I know league not same as tourn 190 tourn. AvgStill have muscle memory when remember lol. Have to work harder but I enjoy it not PBA material but still can compete.makes me feel young when I see these 80- 90 years old guys and girls still doing it.not bad either.
I’m 70 , my bowling hand and wrist are arthritic . I have dropped to 13 lbs, now thinking of going to 12 lbs after that I will be done!!!
I haven't slowed down, the world has sped up. Sounds about right.
Me at 43 just starting out... I've been injured almost the entire time.
A little over 500 is the top of the Pike. I see alot of guys 450 and under on the TV shows
Age is nothing but a damned number to me and I'm 54 years old. I've been bowling for 29 years and will stay competitive until I die. I might not put a lot of revs on the ball put I have a lot of strengths in my game and continue to learn to bowl newer lines on the lane I never have. I could careless about the regular PBA Tour and I don't follow it. I follow the PBA Senior Tour. I workout 5 times a week along with practicing 2 times a week along with bowling in 2 leagues. Plus i prefer to bowl in scratch tournaments and not handicap tournaments.
I increased my rev rate by 75 (to 375) with better technique but it killed my league averages.
Cool video talk tech bowling radical phil
My game behind the line is solid and I've maintained my accuracy, but the game now is all about carry and creating area. These area bowlers slinging high friction assyms all over the place and switching balls every time they don't strike absolutely destroy the shot. Some days it's just impossible to read the conditions. Old man rant finito.
HRT/TRT is the fountain of youth for men. Look into it please do you and yours the favor. Get rid of the stigma and live life.
No
The game is passing everyone who does not have high speed and high revs by. It's not the sport it used to be.