NEW research reveals 32% of Brits are not very confident when it comes to bowling a strike, with 25% admitting to never hitting a strike in a single game.
Ahead of May Half Term, Hollywood Bowl has partnered with England team bowler and rising star Ben Marston, known online as ‘TenPinBen’, to create the ‘Perfect Strike Formula’, translating science and pro techniques into five simple steps designed for even the least skilled bowlers to try on their next game.
The research of over 2000 adults revealed while almost half still don’t let their lack of striking deter them from enjoying bowling (46%), a small number of bowling fans are embarrassed about their technique (17%) with eight in ten Brits (79%) knowing very little to nothing at all on how to bowl a strike.
Hollywood Bowl partnered with seasoned professional ‘TenPinBen’ to create a snappy system to achieving that sought-after perfect strike.
· Step 1: Set your stance – Start with a neutral, middle-of-the-approach stance, then move slightly left or right based on the ball reaction. Point your feet roughly where you’re aiming – your body will naturally follow. Keep a small, athletic knee bend and a comfortable 50/50 weight balance; the more relaxed and natural your stance feels, the easier it is to repeat consistently.
· Step 2: Don’t rush to the line – A lot of beginners try to run at the foul line and throw the ball hard. Slow everything down and walk in control to feel more balanced and the ball will come off your hand cleaner.
· Step 3: Keep two hands on the ball – Let both hands support the ball on the approach then let your non bowling hand come off naturally as you get to the release. This helps keep the ball steady and stops it getting thrown all over the place.
· Step 4: Swing like a golf swing – Think smooth and connected, rather than snatching at it with your arms. Let your body and shoulders work with the motion.
· Step 5: Pick ONE target – Pick one target and stick with it for a few shots – changing every throw teaches you nothing. Repetition lets you see what the ball is really doing.
David Williams, Operations Director at Hollywood Bowl said: “There’s no better feeling than hitting that perfect strike! There are a lot of myths out there on what it takes to achieve a bowling strike – many of us think it’s just about throwing the ball as hard as possible but there’s so much more to the technique. It is great that we can help customers and bowling fans make small changes to be able to produce the winning formula for a ‘Perfect Strike.'”
For those wanting a ‘scientific’ deep-dive, there is further research out there that measured a number of factors, including using 18th-century mathematical equations, to assess what constitutes ‘perfect’ bowling strategies.
Dr Curtis Hooper added: “The ability to strike regularly is crucial for bowlers should they wish to obtain those all-important high scores. Our research found that the position of the ball as it hits the pins is important – the front pin should be hit slightly off centre to have the best chance of bowling that perfect strike.”
Visit the Hollywood Bowl website where you can pre-book a game for your next visit to practise your techniques, see your local centre’s details and view the T&Cs: https://www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk
