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Every year I look forward to the
challenge of the US Open. We anticipate tough conditions and a
lower scoring pace. The mere size of the field creates
challenges that are different from a typical PBA tournament. When
you have this many bowlers with a very diverse skill level it is
easy to recognize how different the environments effect the
bowlers. It makes you wonder if it is the bowlers or the
environment. I think it is a wonderful opportunity for bowlers
of all levels to see how they match up to the Professionals. It
is also an eye opener for the professionals as well. In all the
years I have been watching the U.S. Open I seem to fall in the
same trap. I preach and
preach to bowlers about playing their ball roll instead of the
pattern. But as soon as I see a couple days of the tournament I
start trying to figure out a way to play ball reaction. I know
better than this and wonder why it happens. Maybe it is the
constant barrage of questions about how to play the lanes? or
what ball do I need? And just like the players I find myself
trying to find that magic ball.
The problem is you don't have
enough time to find the magic ball for each pair and in some
cases each lane. And if you don't really understand the ball you
are using, it is hard to figure out if it is the bowler, the
ball or the lane. It is much easier to read a lane when you are
familiar with the ball you are using. Bowling against the best
in the world and moving pairs is tough enough to be trying to do
it with balls you don't understand. The other trap I see bowlers
fall into is trying to do something physically that they don't
know how to use or repeat. As the week progresses it is usually
obvious that certain styles have an advantage and you start to
see bowlers trying to duplicate the area and style of those that
seem to have a natural match up. When this happens the lanes
start to transition differently as well.
It is a cycle I see in most
open events and have learned to appreciate. |
