Why Have a High Average?

[Isom]

It used to be, that if you had a high average, it showed the bowling world that you are good bowler and that you probably make a good amount of money in the sport. When did that change? In this day and age if you average 220, its getting almost impossible to make money. There are hardly any scratch tournaments with decent prize funds and when you try to make it in the handicap tournaments the sandbaggers have that area on lock.

It's gotten to the point now that if I go into a handicap tournament, it's difficult to find people to bowl with, because they know I'm not going have any pins to help the team out. Even when I do bowl great, the handicap bowlers come in, barely bowl anything scratch, but with their handicap blow my scores out the water. At what point did my skill become a liability instead of an asset?

It's not always dishonest sandbaggers that cause the problems though. Often the bowlers follow the rules, but the tournament just doesn't have strict enough rules to keep the tournament fair (such as a 10 pin rule, or limiting the amount of handicap).

From what I've noticed, lessor skilled handicap bowlers make more money than scratch bowlers. It's gotten to the point, that it makes no sense to EVER carry a high average. It also now seems that it makes more sense to carry a mediocre average than it does to apply yourself and average what you can. I'm asking the general public, what are your views on this matter?

[johnnie jackson]

I agree with isom about this topic. Educating yourself about bowling balls,surface adjustments,lane conditions and practicing to perfect your skill level means nothing in todays environment of bowling.Bowlers who just picked up a bowling ball for the first time three or four years ago are wining most of the local tournaments here in the Atlanta Area not because they are sandbaging ( even though that does go on. ) but mainly because the handicap system is flawed after years of bowling on easier conditions. Handicaping bowlers based on skill level was to make bowling more competitive or equal the playing field, not to give the bowler with less skill or ability an advantage. There needs to be a better way of making handicaped tournaments fair to both the scratch and handicaped bowlers. If you want to make money at any sport you should have to put time and effort into getting better. It should not be given to you. Ten pin rule, current averages in leagues with 21 or more games should be used for every bowler. Asking bowlers to report how much money they've won over the past 12 or 24 months should not matter, because if the rules are fair then you bowl well you should make some money. Everyone is bowling tournaments to win money not trophies. It should never matter how much money a bowler wins,because if he or she bowls the best on that day. he or she should be rewarded for their great bowling. Tournaments are not being ran by officals trying to lose money, and bowlers scratch or handicaped are not standing behind the foul line talking about on this ball i'm going to take three of the right or this ball i'm going to break 7. Its about strike&spares and the person who throws the most strikes and spares should win. Not a flawed system helping bowlers with less skill have advantages.Great Rules,Great tournament for scratch and handicapped bowlers the Lilac tournament in Rochester N.Y. Other tournaments in the local area could learn a thing or two from that tournaments rules and regulations. We are all bowlers scratch bowlers need handicaped bowlers and handicaped bowlers need scratch bowlers period. Without proper rules there will always be confusion and choas.

[Darwin Ratleff]

I am with you one hundred percent on that matter. But as a person with handicap, not much handicap though, I also feel the beatdown of a below average bowler who just out of the blue gets hot. Almost as if they have been a scratch bowler all of their lives.. Me myself, I'm working hard to become a scratch bowler... but I do know where you're going with this. And believe me, I'll bowl with you anytime you need a partner...LOL

[Walter Ferrier]

I agree with you Isome but you havent seen anything until you bowled in Houston (Lol).Its a buisness now. The integrity the sport has gone out the window for the most part. It was a time when you bowled to do your very best at all times. Now you almost have to hold back just to keep up with the jones of the bowling world. See You in Memphis. LOL

[Chase]

The real problem is in the Tournaments that call themselves "USBC Sanctioned" but don't follow the rules of the USBC.

I am a prime example of someone that has made a LOT of extra money from bowling in handicap tournaments...because the tournaments allowing me to use a 160 book average, and right now I am averaging about 216 at one center and 206 at another. BUT, I didn't make the rule... it's the people who run the tournaments… and they do it to increase the number of average handicap bowlers to feel like they have a chance to win so the tournament can MAKE MORE MONEY.

Is it fair…? Not really. Can it be avoided? YES. When the 10-pin rule doesn’t apply, tournament directors need to put a “cap” on what handicap may be used…and strictly stick to it. Or, just use the 21 game rule like the USBC has in their rule book.

There is GREAT info here:

>>> When the previous season’s average is used, and at the time of bowling an entrant has a current average for 21 or more games that is 10 pins or more higher than the prior season’s average, the current average must be used. (Commonly Asked Questions (CÁQ) #188) Interpretation: This rule seems to be one of the rules a lot of tournaments forget to use. Example: If your tournament uses a previous season average, you should be verifying that a bowler’s current average of at least 21 games is not 10 or more pins higher than the previous season’s average. Suggestion: Specify in rules and confirmation letter that you require all bowlers to bring their current league sheets (you can specify a specific week (like a week prior to your tournament)).

[G Light]

Wassup Ice...... Man I never thought a high roller like you was really concerned with sandbaggers like that. I mean I understand exactly where you are coming from with all the hard work, time, respect, practice, and MONEY that you have put into being one of the best bowlers in the South its kind of disheartning and disappointing to see people purposefully sandbag but it happens all the time in league play which has a direct effect on tournament play. I for one have never and will never sandbag. Neither do I support changing lane conditions so "high rollers" "FOREST PARK FULTONS FINEST" cant score. I feel that a "high roller" has to make a good shot to score on a easy shot just like they have to make one on a difficult shot. I dont think the initial purpose of tournaments was to make money but as the times have progressed it has evolved to that so you find people trying to get any edge they can. Gone are the days of competion for the sake of competing. I agree with you on limiting cap and having a max not only in tournaments but in leagues as well because thats where the sandbagging begins.

BTW.....if you ever need someone with a little cap to roll wit cha holla at cha boy! NO JOKE!

G-Light

[Randall Harville]

Good topic Isom. To average 220-240 is a great accomplishment but, in today's game, it's not going to get recognition. A high average bowler has to hit the mega bucks tournament trail or the PBA. In a recession, bowlers can't afford to participate as much in mega bucks tournaments and to be a pro bowler takes a lot of money to compete weekly without the right sponsorship. When handicap tournaments are based on a 200-220 average, 221 and above average players have to go to a higher level of competition because the handicap bowlers will force you to shoot 900 to win a dime. The proof is in numbers. There are more average bowlers participating in handicap tournaments than it is 200 plus average bowlers participating in mega bucks tournaments or the PBA. Now you ask the question, Do I want be a high average bowler or do I want to sand bag and try to win money in handicap tournaments where there are more particpants? That is the question.

[Tim McNair]

The problem starts with handicap tournament directors not enforcing the rules for the sake of entries. Also i think if tournament directors would experiment with using modified house patterns it would even the playing field, where shooting lights out required some skill. A scratch bowler will always be caught in the middle because handicap events are geared to reward handicap bowlers and they out number scratch bowlers by a very wide margin.....thats where the money is, in bowling. And as you very well know there are just not that many quality scratch tournaments out there and the bowlers that carry scratch averages are apprehensive about bowling in them, which affect the money that can be made. I think tournament directors need to continue to be more creative in how they design rules and formats so that both handicap and scratch bowlers can succeed in the same events.

[F.O.X]

FANATASTIC TOPIC.... YET, LET'S LOOK AT REALITY.

WE, THE PEOPLE, I WILL NOT SAY ALL OF US, HAVE MADE THIS MONSTER WHAT IT IS TODAY.

BOWLING IS A BUSINESS AND A SPORT. BUSINESSES ARE IN BUSINESS TO MAKE $$$$$$. IF WE WERE TO BRING BACK SOME CREDIBILITY TO THE SPORT BY "TIGHTENING" UP THE SHOTS DURING LEAGUE PLAY, DO YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN? THERE WOULD BE A LEGION OF PEOPLE "CRYING" THE SHOT IS TOO " HARD" OR THEIR BALL WON'T HOOK, ETC.

THE BOWLING ALLEYS ARE IN BUSNESS TO MAKE $$$$$$. THEY MAKE THEIR MONEY BY PLEASING THEIR CUSTOMER. IF THEIR CUSTOMER WANTS EASY "SCORING" CONDITIONS. THE CUSTOMERS ALSO WANT TO THROW THE LASTEST AND GREASTEST HI-TECH BALLS. THE PRO SHOPS HAVE TO MAKE $$$ TOO. HEY, I HAVE TO FEED MY KIDS AT HOME TOO, SHORTEN UP THE OIL AND GIVE THEM SOME BACKEND SO THEY CAN SCORE. THEN YOU LOOK AROUND AND THE WHOLE CITY IS DOING IT.

UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE WHO ARE ADDRESSING THIS TOPIC ARE THE "MINIORITY". WE HAVE TRIED TO ADVANCE OUR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL LEVEL OF THE GAME SO WE CAN BE "VERSATILE" BOWLERS. TO BE ABLE TO MAKE ADJUSTS WITH EQUIPMENT AND "HAND ACTION" SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO PERFORM WELL. YET, THE "MINORITY" IS BEING PENALIZED FOR CARRYING HIGH AVERAGES. AT TIMES YOU HAVE TO "DETUNE" YOUR GAME JUST TO BOWL ON WHAT'S OUT THERE. I FOR ONE, DON'T LIKE WHEN THE HEADS ARE SEMI-DRY AND THE BACKEND IS FLYING. I'VE FOUGHT WITH THIS FOR FAR TOO LONG BECAUSE ALMOST EVERYWHERE I GO THE PATTERNS ARE SHORT AND THE BACKEND IS FLYING.

I'VE "SURRENDERED". I TRY NOT TO TURN THE BALL ANYMORE UNLESS NECESSARY. I'M THROWING THE "WEAKEST" OF MY EQUIPMENT THAT WILL ALLOW ME TO IMPART SOME HAND ACTION AT TIMES, BUT WON'T HURT ME. MY "GOOD" BALLS STAY AT HOME FOR THE MOST PART NOW.

LEAGUE HAS CATERED TO THE "MAJORITY", WHICH ARE HANDICAP BOWLERS. WE EITHER ADAPT OR FALL TO WAY OF THE DINOSAUR. WE BECOME EXTINCT. LIKE THE CREDIBILITY OF THE SPORT AT THE PRESENT MOMENT.

[Wayne Gibson]

The way to do it is to slowly make the shot less wide open. By slowly changeing most will not notice. Only problem with that is all the centers would have to get together and do the same thing and we know that will never happen. As we know if one center tightens up the shot they will lose some bowlers to an less open shot. Kegel has some good ideas on patterns that could work if done. They are still scorable but have to earn the scores.
http://www.kegel.net/patternlibrary/default.asp

[F.O.X]

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH EARNING THE SCORES. IT SHOULD NEVER TURN INTO A CARRY CONTEST.

THERE SHOULD BE PREMIUM ON MAKING SPARES. THAT'S WHAT KEEPS YOU IN THE GAME. I WAS GUILTY OF MISSING A TON OF SPARES. I WOULD STRIKE A LOT, BUT OPEN A FEW TIMES WHILE STRIKING AND WATCH WHAT IT DOES TO YOUR GAME.

I ACTUALLY LIKE WHEN THE SHOTS ARE TIGHTER, IT THEN ALLOWS ME TO USE THE THINGS I'VE LEARNED TO BOWL WELL.

AS FOR LEAGUE, I SEE MYSELF EVENTUALLY SHOWING UP WITH ONE BOWLING BALL TO THROW ALL NIGHT......

[randy hicks]

I say go back to 80% of 200 or 210 at the most. 90 of 220 is rediculous. Handicap should be a help not a crutch. Sand baggers eat up 90 of 220 by bowling bad for 3 or 4 weeks then just simply start bowling normal. If they see they are losing a game they just dump and keep their ave. low. I've seen it happen.
I do know we need handicap bowlers as much as they need us, so we cant take away the opportunity for everyone to have a chance to win. We should put a cap on team average for leagues so scratch bowlers can't load a team. Then set the handicap by 80 of 200 or 210 depending on the amount of high average bowlers you have.

Everyone should have the drive to improve. If you set the handicap high, then make it about money, people will use stradegy instead of ability to win. I believe it encourages cheating IMHO.

As for tournaments, you have to enforce the 10 pin rule. TD's should verify averages, and enforce the rules. ( The next time I am putting money up in a tournament, and a certian bowler is using chemicals on his towel while wiping his ball off I WILL PROTEST) The sad thing about this is that the bowler I am talking about has been mentioned on some of the top 10 lists.

CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER, IS IT REALLY WORTH CHEATING?

[Sean "2SMOOTH"]

I agree. My Monday night league the handicap is 90% from 220. Every week you hear the doubles being won by so and so with a 220-240 game. But with handicap its 308,310,320. Its gotten out of hand. I bowl to do the best I can every game. But when I shoot 288 on the end and can't win because of getting blown away by handicap.