HnF #6 "Strike!" - Bowling

When I mention bowling, I get "Pins" "Strikes" "Heavy Balls" "Air-cond" "Fingers" as keywords.


I started to bowl when I was 10 years old but I start learning bowling when I was 12.


Part of the reasons that my family support me play bowling even though it takes up more cost than other ball games are

1. Bowling is play in a fully air-conditional place and my mum don't like to see me sweat.
2. My sister is a bowler too, so it's always good for parents if your children play in the same sports.
3. My house is near sunway and there is a bowling centre.
4. You don't see people smoke in a bowling center and yes adults have a mindset that bowling is like golf, where only high class people play them.


Well, as I mentioned these are the reasons why I get to bowl but after I bowl, I'll tell you that


1. I always seem that I am showering when I was bowling in this fully air-conditioned place.
2. Me and my sis played the same sport, and we compete with each other as in our bowling styles are never the same.
3. There is a nearby one, but we always went to play around the centers in town. We used to play at Summit, The Mines, IOI and of course sunway.
4. I do see monkeys in bowling centres sometimes. Those that smashed the lane with ball, those that stand on halfway of the lane and of course those that throw balls at once.




So actually I believe Malaysians are quite familiar with bowling because we do produce world class bowlers. And so a lot of my friends asked me, why those national player seem so cool and easy with these heavy balls on finger and just bowl. The answer is simple, they went through a lot training.




Bowling is actually a weird sports, you may score high even till the full marks when you know nothing, and you could beat an experience player if you have luck.


But this is not the reason why bowling should be taken as easy sports. Bowling is named as bowl... because we are not suppose to throw, fly or whatsoever to made the ball hit the pins.


I've scored 200 with a house ball (those ball that are ready in the center) and so I started to get my own bowling merchandise. We spend 300 over for a bag that can store 2 ball and 2 pairs of shoe, and me and my sister get a ball and a pair of shoe each. My ball is weighted 11 pound and after the holes it reached around 10.5.


And this is the starting point that change my whole bowling perception.


You love it when you have your own bowling ball, a ball that fit your fingers perfectly (because the holes are made according to your size). You can now feel that the ball has an end, house balls always give me a feeling that my fingers never reach the end. The materials are just different. Both may made use of plastic like polyester and urethane. But the compositions are different. You always feel lighter and easier using your own bowling ball, at least your fingers feel that.


So my bowling journey start on that day I have my own ball. Like all bowlers will do, I tested the ball immediately. I scored 60 on the first game, 82 on the second game and 47 on the third game. I remember this because it's my worse bowling day in a year time. And the shop owner is kind enough to tell me that all my techniques will house ball shouldn't be brought forward to this ball. It's a hook ball. So from the days onward, I know that I have to play like those national player where the ball either show me a S or C curve before hitting the pain. And then I started out to get a coach.


Coaching never seem fun. I've been asked to train on the steps and walking with the ball for the first few lessons. And after that, scores are not allow to display, learning from letting the ball bowl out smoothly while the right leg crossed to left and keep the position until the ball hit the pin. And I only have lessons for 2 months and then like normal bowlers do, the coach ask us to keep training and improve ourself.


Yes, even after the lesson end, my hook is still not even 40% in my control. But this is the fun of bowling.


You may have 3 strikes in a row, but in order to get the 4th, it's always harder. The consistency made bowling a tough games. The strength you put into the bowl, the angle you land your ball, the posture that you hold and even the spin you made when hook. They are matters how your ball move and hit.


There are no rules on what ball you use in competition, but you often see professional bowlers have 3 to 5 balls. Because different balls have different characters, the degree of hook, spin and track that the ball should follow are all different. Mastering one type and move on to another type, will enhance your control and ability to bowl.


Bowling is actually a simple and easy sports if it's for leisure. However, in proper technique of bowling can harm your fingers and wrist or even shoulder.


Do not put your fingers into the ball and carry the ball up from the ball tray. It is a risky action as in your finger in tension with weights and wrist is definitely suffering.


Do not fly the ball when you bowl, as that hurt your wrist more than anything with the load of weight and strength on that fragile part.


And for ethnic and code, there are no black and white.


But you shouldn't shout or run around as in it disturb other bowlers.
Do not smashed the lane or ball or whatever reasons as bowlers appreciate each and every facilities and vandalising is bad.
Do not use others' ball before you ask. I did encounter people took my ball and just use as they see it so special than the house balls. But it's my ball. I feel heartache when people just smashed it. "Aduh!"
Consider asking before you use other people's ball. I did let people used my ball when they asked.


Well bowling merchandise can be pricey but the choices are always up to you. The range is big, you can choose what should you and have some bargain, what matters the most is, you show your passion by walking in the shops and inquire about these merchandises.


If you are not going for pro, by leisure, bowling will just cost you when you rent shoe and lane for games. Well things that you can save is wear your socks whenever you know you will go to bowl. And wearing socks is a must! Will you want to wear shoes that been wore by people that do not wear socks? This is about hygiene.


To sum up, bowling is a good game for almost everyone even children can request for size6 ball and "drain coverage" and they can enjoy hitting the pins down. And most of the centers have catering service where you are able to order drinks and food, chill out with family and friends while playing sports.