Don't Grab At Your Bowling Ball During Your Swing

By: bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 3/22/16; Updated: 1/26/2024

If you are averaging between 150 to 170 and find yourself rushing your release and making poor deliveries, then don’t grab at your bowling ball during your swing.

Avoid forcing your shot. Fear, the pressure in competition, coupled with the desire to strike can cause you to grab at your ball at the top of the backswing and force your shot.

Pressure does strange things to all bowlers such as hurrying steps, turning the ball too early, taking eyes of the target, and so on.

Forcing the shot, hurrying your release, is a common mistake you must try and avoid when bowling under the gun.

If you tense your swing muscles ( neck, shoulders, and arm muscles) you might cause your timing to become a little late. Late timing can cause you to force your shot because tension in your arm slows your swing speed a bit and activates your hand action at unpredictable times.

Seeking more power in your delivery can be a reason why you might force your shot and grab at the ball.

Avoid grabbing at your bowling ball when your backswing arrives at the top of the backswing. You can do so by avoiding adding too much gripping pressure with your thumb and fingers.

Retain constant grip pressure throughout your swing right up to the time you release your ball and you will reduce the risk of forcing your shot.

Squeezing your ball so much during your stance position will also lead to errant shots.

Forcing the shot can lead to pulling your ball off of your intended ball delivery path.

Trying to add more power to your release because you feel that more hook will help you overcome a poor ball reaction is a reason why you may be grabbing at your bowling ball forcing your release.



The trick is to retain a smooth timing sequence by not tensing your bowling muscles, avoid hurrying your steps, and do not use excessive gripping pressure at the top of your backswing and you will reduce your chances of making a poor shot.

Rely on gravity to help your ball drop transition smoothly from the top of your backswing into your downswing.

Next time you are bowling in a clutch situation, trust your swing and your avoid grabbing at your bowling ball.