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Strikes Are for Show, Spares Are for Dough
You've heard it a million times, and it's true. You can throw all the strikes you want, but if you can't pick up your spares, you're never going to be a consistent, high-average bowler. It's the boring part of the game, but it's the part that wins you matches and money.
Think about it. The best pros in the world only strike about 60% of the time. For a good league bowler, it's more like 40%. That means you're leaving spares on more than half your shots. If you miss half of those, you're throwing away 30-40 pins a game, easy. That's the difference between a 160 average and a 190 average.
So, how do you get better at shooting spares? You need a system. You can't just guess and hope. You need a simple, repeatable way to hit any pin on the lane. That's where the 3-6-9 system comes in.
The 3-6-9 System: Your Spare-Shooting Cheat Code
This is one of the oldest and best spare-shooting systems out there. It's simple, it's effective, and it takes the guesswork out of the game. Here's how it works:
- Find your strike line. Figure out where you stand and what you look at when you're throwing your strike ball. This is your starting point.
- For spares, you're going to move your feet, but keep your target the same. You're going to change the angle of your shot by moving your starting position.
- The amount you move depends on the pin you're shooting at.
For a right-handed bowler:
- For the 2, 4, or 7 pin: Move your feet 3 boards to the left of your strike position.
- For the 3, 6, or 10 pin: Move your feet 6 boards to the left of your strike position.
- For the 9 pin: Move your feet 9 boards to the left of your strike position.
(For lefties, just reverse it. Move 3, 6, or 9 boards to the right.)
That's it. That's the whole system. You don't have to change your target, you don't have to change your release, you just move your feet. It's all about geometry. By moving your feet, you're creating the angle you need to hit the pin
Your Secret Weapon: The Plastic Spare Ball
Now, here's the real secret to making this system work every single time: you need a plastic spare ball. I know, I know, you love your hook monster. But that ball is designed to find friction and hook. When you're shooting at a 10-pin, the last thing you want is for your ball to hook past it.
A plastic ball goes straight. It doesn't care if the lanes are oily or dry. It just goes where you throw it. It takes all the variables out of the equation. You can get a good plastic spare ball drilled for under a hundred bucks, and it will be the best money you ever spend on your game. I guarantee it.
We had a guy, Dave, who was a solid 180-average bowler, but he missed way too many 10-pins. He finally broke down and bought a plastic ball, and his average jumped to 195 in a month. He said he couldn't believe he'd been so stubborn for so long.
Stop Guessing, Start Making
Spare shooting isn't glamorous. It's not as fun as throwing a big, booming hook. But it's what will make you a better bowler. Stop treating your spares like an afterthought. Give them the same focus and attention you give your strike ball.
Come on in to Fastlane and we'll get you set up with a spare ball and help you dial in your 3-6-9 system. It takes practice, but once you get it down, you'll be amazed at how many more spares you pick up. And your average will thank you for it.
