Bowling: How to Master the Game [BARGAIN PRICE] (Paperback)

by Parker Bohn (Author), Dan Herbst (Author), Simon Bruty (Photographer), John Mutrux (Photographer), Drew Carey (Introduction), Johnny Petraglia (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The most definitive guide to the sport of bowling, this book is sure to take your game and your average to the next level.

Parker Bohn III, the 1999 Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year, clearly explains everything you need to know in order to shoot your maximum potential--from equipment, mental preparation, and practice regimens to stroke lines, spare conversions, and strategies for different lane conditions. Written for the beginner as well as the advanced bowler, the book features more than thirty detailed computer-generated lane diagrams that show the best paths to the pocket for both left and right-handers. Plus, a preface richly illustrated with vintage photos takes a fascinating look back at how the game came to be one of America's most-loved pastimes and how it is fast gaining popularity around the world.

Parker Bohn III reveals the secrets to success including:
how to exploit the technology of ball composition and drilling
the basic skid-roll-hook strike shot's trajectory and pin carry
recommended foot positions and targets for splits and spares
how lane conditioner (oil) and its breakdown affect your shots
pro-proven strike line strategies for conquering difficult land conditions
how to pinpoint problems and develop customized practice sessions
pointers for building a rock-solid mental approach
plans for reaching the college, amateur, and pro levels

You'll learn how to achieve perfect form in a skills section with photos showing how to position yourself at each step in the delivery:
starting stance
pushaway
armswing
release
wrist positions
timing
balance

Brunswick pro contributers include all-time favorites and new stars:
Mike Aulby
Chris Barnes
Cindy Coburn-Carroll
Johnny Petraglia
Mark Roth
Kim Terrell
Tammy Turner

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Universe Publishing (November 11, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 0789304945
• ASIN: B001H55M2I
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,455,509 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding photography, Useful insights, January 13, 2001

By	Marc Friedman (Kensington, MD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bowling: How to Master the Game (Paperback)

Worth the price just for the photographs. Unlike other books on bowling, each of the 160 8-1/2 x 11 pages is in full glossy color (watch out for fingerprints on the paper!), including many excellent photos and graphics. The layout makes it easy to flip through the pages and get a feel for the sport of bowling without even reading the text.

As for the subject matter, this book is also very different. The two best books on bowling that I'm familiar with (Par Bowling and Knowledge is the Key) take a systematic approach. This book reads more like a personal lesson on bowling by Parker Bohn III, along with other top professional bowlers. Of course it is also more up-to-date, focusing on the issues that are important to today's bowlers.

The book's coverage is broad, including equipment, strategy, and the mental game, along with fundamentals and an interesting history of the sport. The section on spare shooting is particularly useful, since it focuses on the hard-and-straight method used by most top players, as opposed to the strikeline-relative approach presented in other books.

The downside is that the discussions do not contain the kind of detail that would be necessary to learn to bowl from the text alone, making this book best suited for intermediate players. Then again, the best way to learn to bowl is from a coach, not a book. Advanced bowlers may learn a few things too, but are probably better served by specialized publications such as "Bowling this Month" magazine.

Finally, this is a must-have for left-handed bowlers. It is the first book I have seen that gives lefties equal treatment in discussions and diagrams, instead of telling southpaws to "just reverse it in their heads" (Parker is a lefty himself).

Bottom line: if you are looking for a textbook on bowling, this is not it. But, if you want to learn about the sport as it is played by the best in the world, buy this book!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parker is awesome, October 29, 2001

By	Geoff Nash (Sarasota, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bowling: How to Master the Game (Paperback)

Just saw Parkers book for the first time and it is a great book.The pictures are alone worth the price of the book. Having met Parker is class with a capitol C. Parker is the nicest person you will ever meet. I can see why this book is written so well it does come across as being cocky or do it my way or the highway. I feel this book took time to write and is written very well. Hope you feel the same way as well after you read the book. Keep winning out on tour Parker.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the better books..., October 17, 2005

By	Blaine K. Masumoto "b." (Honolulu, HI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bowling: How to Master the Game (Paperback)

very informative book with great diagrams and pictures. even though parker is a lefty the book really explains bowling from both hands. one of the better books i have read so far.