If You Want To Bowl Your Best, Double Check The GAP In Your Game

bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 8/28/2014; Updated: 9/25/2022

If you want to bowl your best, double check the GAP in your game.

Three key factors to setting yourself up to perform well in competition are the GAP in your game.

GAP - Grip, Alignment, and Posture!

When setting up on the approach in your stance position, check the gripping pressure you apply on your bowling ball. Make certain your fingers and thumb are properly inserted into the ball every time so you get a dependable and consistent feel with the ball.

Hold the ball with a uniform gripping pressure each and every time you prepare to bowl.

Select the best possible alignment on the approach based on your walking directional pattern and based on where you wish to introduce your bowling ball into the lane surface and at which angle of attack.

Alignment is very critical for playing the best delivery path based on the lane oil pattern and in gaining and maintaining a dependable ball reaction so you hit the pocket consistently.

Establish and athletic posture on the approach before you begin walking to the foul line.

An athletic posture pre-sets your knee flex, tilts your upper body forward perhaps 10 or 15 degrees, and positions your bowling shoulders directly above your knee caps so you are in a rock solid, well balanced position before starting to walk.

The bottom of your chin should be at shoulder level or slightly higher.

By paying attention to how you grip your bowling ball when setting up to bowl will help you retain a consistent swing tempo and will ensure you release your ball precisely and the bottom of your forward swing arc.



In order to properly release your ball, you must first grip your ball. A good grip technique is extremely important when holding and swinging your bowling ball and in getting the best possible ball reaction.

Aligning yourself on the approach in such a way as to position your hips and shoulders in a pre-set manner which in turn, allows your swing to deliver your ball on your intended swing path.

Beginning your approach with a well balanced and athletic posture will help you retain balance and body positioning to finish your approach in good form and with accuracy in delivering your ball toward your sighting target.