I’ve watched enough of you stare at a single 7-pin or 10-pin like it’s a math problem you can’t solve. You stand in the middle of the lane, chuck it hard, and hope for the best. Usually, the best involves the ball falling into the gutter or missing the pin by three boards.
Picking up spares isn’t about feeling the shot. It’s about geometry. If you want to stop leaving money on the table, you need a system. We call it the 3-6-9 System, and it’s a lot easier than the algebra you forgot in high school.
The Cross-Lane Rule
The biggest mistake I see is people trying to shoot a corner pin by standing on the same side of the lane. If you’re shooting at the 10-pin (the one on the far right), why would you stand on the right side? You’re making the target as small as possible.
Always shoot across the lane.
- Shooting at pins on the right? Stand on the left.
- Shooting at pins on the left? Stand on the right.
This gives you the biggest window to hit the pin. You have more lane to work with, which means you have more room to be a little bit off and still get the mark.
The 3-6-9 System (The Easy Version)
This system uses your Strike Target at the arrows. You keep your eyes on that same target, but you move your feet on the approach to change the angle.
For a right-handed bowler shooting at pins on the left:
- The 2-Pin: Move your feet 3 boards to the right of your strike position.
- The 4-Pin: Move your feet 6 boards to the right.
- The 7-Pin: Move your feet 9 boards to the right.
Aim at your regular strike arrow. Because you moved your feet right, the ball will naturally angle further left. It’s built-in math. You don’t have to aim differently. Your body does the work for you.
The Straight is Great Policy
If you’re trying to hook the ball at a 10-pin, you’re asking for a headache. The lane oil we talked about last week is always changing. If you hook at a spare, you’re guessing how much it’ll turn.
If you throw it straight, the oil doesn’t matter. The ball goes where you point it. I don’t care if you use a plastic spare ball or just flatten out your hand. Take the curve out of the equation and your spare percentage will skyrocket.
Bob’s Tip: Don’t Watch the Pin
I see so many of you staring at the pin while you’re throwing. The pin is 60 feet away. Your target (the arrows) is only 15 feet away. Which one do you think is easier to hit?
Pick your mark on the lane, trust the 3-6-9 math, and keep your eyes on the board, not the rack. If you hit your mark, the pin has nowhere to hide.
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