Ball Speed & Arn Swing

Question
I am 73 years old and left handed.  My ball speed at the pins was 12.5 mph before I started trying to increase it.  My average was mid 170's.  I was trying increase my ball speed.  I raised the ball up and pushed it farther forward out front.  This did increase my ball speed. I got to 16 mph at the pins without muscling the arm swing. However my game went bad.  It took me a while to understand what was happening.  Once my back swing get pass a certain point my arm moves out to the left which would cause me to miss my mark by up to 6 boards right.  To fix the problem I have to rotate my shoulder as I swing the ball back or limit my back swing and muscle the ball to get ball speed.  I used to call those who rotated the shoulders big bird delivery. What new problems would I get into if I started to rotate the shoulder as I swung the ball back then back square when I released.  One of the best bowlers in my area rotate his shoulder every time and does real well.   

Thanks

Answer
Old Art,
Your trying the most obvious idea to increase your speed. If you accelerate the ball it will come off faster. True enough but the momentum created messes up you timing as you've discovered.

If you want to roll the ball faster, rather than adding a bunch of additional actions with your shoulders/arms/torso, try backing up on the approach, hold the ball low in your setup (with the idea of getting it into the swing quickly), quicken you footwork pace (not longer strides, but quicker steps), which will have you walking away from the ball quickly, bump the swing a bit higher and allow the longer/higher swing to travel faster, thus increasing the speed off the hand and down the lane. Try NOT to accelerate the downswing, let the ball fall. Practice this idea a little and you'll quickly get a feel if this is doable for your style/skills.

In the modern game, speed is a terrific asset when lane conditions are easy/high friction. The true problem, older bowlers, younger bowlers, and women don't typically roll the ball very fast (or oil the lanes!!!).

Your attempt to generate speed sounds like an issue of an arm with tight muscles (typically from needing to hang onto the ball). You may benefit from a grip evaluation (the ball should just hang in your hand, minimal to NO grip pressure necessary, therefore less tense muscles).

You can try the open and closing the shoulders technique but at your age your shoulders and torso may complain. A key to getting the shoulders closed, is using the off hand rather than bowling arm. Get the shoulders back perpendicular to the target path by using the opposite hand and arm #in a swimming motion) rotating the right shoulder back keeping the left arm/shoulder less tense/more relaxed. The more focused you get on the bowling arm side of the body the more mechanical you're trying to become. Ease and a relaxed swing and delivery will serve you very well as you spend years bowling. It's hard to imagine but the sport is easier the more relaxed you can be.

The more psychical your game is, attempting to achieve speed, revs, projection, whatever the more success depends on consistent physical execution. Time is making that more difficult for both of us. Thanks for the question. I hope I gave you enough to think about. please drop a note if you have questions.