QuestionSome of these synthetic approaches are like ice. I feel like I tip toe to the line and this kills my shot. I cant just go buy new shoes. Im wearing a sneaker type bowling shoe and dont usually have problems.
Answer
True Bowler Adjustment
Hello Dan, I totally understand that it hurts your game to have slippery approaches. Often its a result of someone putting e-z slide on their shoes. Like you, not all bowlers can afford to get the $150 pair of shoes with the interchangeable soles. So there is a constant battle between you and the folks that like to slide to deliver their bowling balls. The synthetic approaches are here to stay, that's for sure. Economically and for long term service they are the right thing for our day and time.
You can try three things that may help. 1) Contact the desk and have them come and quick clean the approaches on both lanes. There should be no foreign substances on the bowling ball or the approaches when bowling! Just watched a lady loose her investment here in Las Vegas because someone prior to her moving to the set of lanes she ended up on, used e-z slide. Announcements immediately came for the rest of the day banning e-z slide anywhere in the settee area. However, the damage was done and approximately $500. went down the drain!
2) You can keep a brush in your bag for the shoes you have. Just like the roughing up the surface on the ball to grab earlier, perhaps this will allow you to have more area on your shoe sole to grab the lanes. 3) Often, bowlers think that if they get their shoes wet it is better to go back to the carpeted concourse and wipe their feet, to dry their shoes. "This only helps to a point." Wiping your shoes on the carpet often will make the shoe "more tacky." The carpet will remove the floor dust from the bottom of your shoes, which helps you slide.
If bowlers need to slide as part of their game, they truly should rely on a good pair of shoes (more expensive, yes!) however, those interchangeable inserts are worth there weight in gold! If you do buy the interchangeables, be sure to "break in every level of skid" for at least 10 to 15 games on each set of inserts or soles. They do not come "pre-worn in." You need to do it, so you can super slide, or get maximum traction. Again, you have to break your soles in after purchasing them.
Dan, I don't slide much on the approach, so I know your particular headache. However as a PBA player I truly realize the importance of having a good pair of shoes so that no matter what the approach conditions are, I have a fighting chance of not losing my hard earned dollars should the situation arise where I just have to deal with ugly lanes, ugly approaches, and no help from the desk sometimes. From my heart, I know your balance at the line is very important to your game! It impacts that consistent speed and good release.
In summary: Get the desk personnel involved as soon as you notice the problem. No need to get into a argument about it with anyone. For somebody it's going to be too dayum sticky, for someone else too slick! A clean approach is the only approach everyone should have. Next, keep a shoe brush just in case. Lastly, you can try wiping the sole of your shoe on the carpet and follow it up with the brush to create more surface contact. This will remove dust or foreign powder quickly, and hopefully give you more traction. (Caution - on the carpet its very difficult to tell where someone has spilled water or some other substance so BE CAREFUL with this one!(smile)
Hope I helped a little! Remember that it's a two way street, however I expect you to find a way to handle your business so the approach is never a concern in the future for you, just the other bowler. Be well and bowl great!!!
-Gary
Las Vegas, NV
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com (it's a great book!)
