These Guys are Good!

Ever wonder what it takes to be one of the best 58 players in the world, the ones who have that magical
exemption for the tour? This month I’d like to talk about some things to look for when you watch the best
players in the world practice their craft on the biggest stage in bowling.
When I’m talking about the great players, the ones in the top 20 year after year, they all have some very
common traits. First, they all have fluid arm swings that allow gravity to do most of the work for them. Brian
Voss and Norm Duke have relaxed, repeatable swings that allow gravity to send the ball in the same
direction every time at the bottom of the swing.
Great players are consistent. They are able to repeat shots, and send them in the same, intended direction
shot after shot. Direction and speed control are very critical when bowling on demanding lane conditions
that change quickly. Not only can these players be consistent with speed and direction, they can change
both on command. The ability to add or subtract on mile per hour on your ball speed as the condition
demands, or move from the extreme outside of the lane to the fourth or fifth arrow quickly take a great
swing, a strong mental game, and courage.
Did I mention a strong mental game? Yes, in order to get to this stage, you must be a courageous player
who will make any adjustment at any time in order to gain competitive advantage over the lanes and your
opponents. Players like Mike Scroggins, Mika Koivuniemi, Michael Haugen are all players who are mentally
tenacious, believe in THEIR game, and play the lanes to the best of their ability from the strengths of their
games. Always combine your strengths and the lane condition to maximize your scoring potential. In
particular I’ve watched Mika combine his skills and the lane condition to win in Reno a couple of years ago
on the Denver stop pattern, when most people would not have thought this was possible.
The great players are great spare shooters. They understand their spare games, use tactics that make
them immune to the lane conditions, and are robotically consistent in making spares. There are many good
players, including marginal tour players, who are not great spare shooters. These players never become
great players over a long career.
Today, many of the great players have an amazing understanding of their equipment, when to use the
equipment, when to change balls and why. In today’s environment, if you are totally ignorant about
equipment, you have no chance to succeed.
Finally, great players never stop learning. Ask Walter Ray Williams if he has learned anything in the last
year that has made him a better player, and you might get a half-hour of stories about various events that
allowed him to learn new things about himself and his game that helps him to continually improve. Players
like Tommy Jones and Chris Barnes had to learn to modify their roll and their games slightly to be
successful on tour. The good players may think they’ve got this bowling thing down, but the great players
never stop learning.
When you watch the tour, take a look at the greats and see if you see the same things I do.
As always, if you’d like to see a specific topic discussed, e-mail me at proshop@denverbowling.com.
Mike Dias is a PBA Regional Champion, USA Bowling Silver Level Coach with 20+ years
coaching experience with players of all levels, and an IBPSIA certified Pro Shop Professional.
Mike is co-owner of Coach’s Corner II Pro Shops at Brunswick Zone Heather Ridge, Lone Tree,
and Lakewood. Their website is www.denverbowling.com.