Left Hand Bowlers And The 7 Pin

By: bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 4/1/17; Updated: 11/8/2021

It can be tricky for left hand bowlers and the 7 pin spare conversion but there are methods which can help.

It largely has to do with the build up of lane oil conditioner in the front and center portion of the lanes.

If the middle of the lane has a good amount of lane oil to help you skid your bowling ball down the lane to reduce the chances of the ball hooking early and away from the 7 pin, the job of converting that corner pin spare becomes reasonably easy.

If, however, the lane condition has a very small amount of oil in the center of the lane, your job picking up the 7 pin becomes challenging.

In the first case, you can either use the center arrow as an aim point and stand cross lane (far right) on the approach so you use the oil build up in the center of the lane to skid your ball to the spare.

If their is a lack of oil in the center of the lane as in the 2nd case, you must determine if the build up of oil is located elsewhere and then align to the 7 pin with a new angle of attack.

In this example of little oil in the center of the lane you are likely to find some oil build up nearer the 3rd arrow instead of the center (4th) arrow. You would not need to adjust quite as far cross lane on the approach and you would target the 3rd arrow so you get some benefit from the ball skidding in the direction of the 7 pin.

There are other tips which can contribute to picking up the 7 pin.

Use a plastic bowling ball to gain maximum skid instead of risking an early ball reaction by using a reactive ball.

Avoid the temptation of trying to hook the ball but rather stay behind the ball with your bowling hand and roll the ball more end over end to reduce hook.

Walk your straight line to the foul line after you adjust your feet positioning to the right side of the approach. Walk your line without drifting back toward the center of the approach thereby cutting off your angle of attack to the 7 pin.

Keep your left shoulder behind your right open about one inch and your left hip open the same. This helps you face the 7 pin while you walk and swing your bowling ball. Pre-set your hips and shoulders open before you begin walking but still walk your line.

With a little effort and time spent on a practice lane, you can improve your 7 pin spare conversion rate by using the oil build up in the center of the lane, by using a plastic ball, and by facing the 7 pin while avoiding drifting with your steps back to the approach center. Bowl two games of practice delivering your ball toward the 7 pin. You should get a minimum of 20 deliveries unless you pull the shot and get a strike. Always do what is best for your game. If you have an alternative way to pick up the 7 pin reliably, use it. The key is to practice converting all of your spares as well as the 7 pin spare. It takes a desire to improve your spare shooting to work on spares during practice instead of having fun trying to strike and record a high score. Use your time and budgeted money to spend time on converting spares and watch your scores rise.
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