Low entries in Scratch tournaments!

[Eric S Greene Sr]

I think that the low turn out numbers for some of the scratch tourney's in this area, is most scratch bowlers don't like bowling other scratch bowler's! What does everyone else, think?

[Megan Kimbler]

In my short experience in bowling in the south (about 3 months), I have noticed that many "scratch" bowlers do not like to consider themselves scratch bowlers. I come for a very large bowler area in Northern Illinois and a scratch bowler averages 190 plus. In the south, it seems as though the scratch bowler needs to average 220plus to consider themselves scratch. The bowlers who should be bowling scratch like the comfort of getting handicap...that is my impression so far.

[mike shoop]

That's the same reason not many people like bowling the PBA Experience leagues. Scratch bowlers don't like averaging 190!

[Erik Lee]

EGO: It is very hard for some scratch or so call scratch bowlers to average 190 or to bowl on difficult lane patterns, which will make them below the 200 mark.

[Kenny Taylor]

Bowlers in this area don't like bowling tournaments, scratch or handicap too much. The scratch tournaments allow the top regional bowlers to participate. Many of these bowlers would be full time touring pros if the PBA hadn't gone exempt a few years ago. Handicap tournaments are dominated by the top local scratch bowlers who are 10-20 pins over the individual handicap cap, and the usual out of towners with the 180-190 averages that come out of nowhere and shoot 100 pins over average. Making the lanes more competitive keeps the scores closer but who wants to spend $200.00 bowling on a shot you've never seen before. No wonder the local bowlers go to Biloxi, Ft Walton Beach, Huntsville, Cincinnatti, and Chattanooga rather than stay in town and bowl on obstacle courses.

mike shoop said:

That's the same reason not many people like bowling the PBA Experience leagues. Scratch bowlers don't like averaging 190!

[Kenny Taylor]

I bowled 2 PBA experience leagues nad for some strange reason they were handicap. Both leagues were won by lower average bowlers that don't have to worry about ball reactions ( because they have little or none) and can throw it straight. Also many nights the PBA experience played nothing like they were supposed to. So in my opinion , the league was a waste of time and money.

mike shoop said:

That's the same reason not many people like bowling the PBA Experience leagues. Scratch bowlers don't like averaging 190!

[Kenny Taylor]

Bowling averages are relative to lane conditions. I've bowled in houses where anything under 220 is an average game or "par" and I've bowled leagues where everyones average dropped 10-20 pins and 200 is a challenge. The USBC recognizes this and Red, White and Blue will put averages in perspective.

Megan Kimbler said:

In my short experience in bowling in the south (about 3 months), I have noticed that many "scratch" bowlers do not like to consider themselves scratch bowlers. I come for a very large bowler area in Northern Illinois and a scratch bowler averages 190 plus. In the south, it seems as though the scratch bowler needs to average 220plus to consider themselves scratch. The bowlers who should be bowling scratch like the comfort of getting handicap...that is my impression so far.

[Akil Razzak]

Mr. Taylor looks to me like you're spreading alot of wisdom on here!!!

Kenny Taylor said:

Bowling averages are relative to lane conditions. I've bowled in houses where anything under 220 is an average game or "par" and I've bowled leagues where everyones average dropped 10-20 pins and 200 is a challenge. The USBC recognizes this and Red, White and Blue will put averages in perspective.

Megan Kimbler said:

In my short experience in bowling in the south (about 3 months), I have noticed that many "scratch" bowlers do not like to consider themselves scratch bowlers. I come for a very large bowler area in Northern Illinois and a scratch bowler averages 190 plus. In the south, it seems as though the scratch bowler needs to average 220plus to consider themselves scratch. The bowlers who should be bowling scratch like the comfort of getting handicap...that is my impression so far.

[Nick Smith]

It appears to me that the term "scratch bowler" is used alittle loosely. Real scratch bowlers want to bowl on things that are fair, they dont need to be walled up or super hard just fair. Real scratch bowlers do not appreciate or like getting out struck by local hacks that have no clue. Real scratch bowlers do not like strike fests because it relies more on ball reaction than shot making. As far as PBA leagues my opinion is there is no clear cut blue print that says every pattern should play a certain way everytime its put on the lanes. They depend so much on lane surface more so than your normal house shot. Also the oil volume determines how a pattern will play and breakdown. As long as the pattern makes you be accurate on every shot then its done its job and to say it was a waste of money because they didnt play like you were told or have seen them play before is slightly off, however i do understand that this is all opinion based.

[ron evans]

I`m sure this may be met with some consternation...but its my opinion...is it financially worth it to spend 100.00 and have to finish in the top 5 to get your money back?...or spend 285.00 and have to finish in the top 25% to make 100.00 profit.....I think its more an issue of whether or not its worth the effort from the people that I`ve talked to.......and for those of you that subscribe to "the love of the game theory" ...I understand that particular angle.......and to Mr Taylor I agree that bowling on the more difficult shots for most people are a rude awakening...I have tried to encourage local proprietors for years to have certain days/or day set aside where they would provide a few lanes with a challenging shot provided..

[Dominique Hodo]

I think it is two reasons, one they are scared of competition and I don't think that they want to bowl on harder patterns which they fail to relise will only make them better