Bowling ball, meet pins: our pro on the go steps back all the way to her first day of bowling to guide beginners through the game

Bowling Digest, Spring, 2004 by Kim Adler

Also, if you are eating finger foods, you might want to eat with your "non-bowling" hand. A greasy hand doesn't give you a good grip on the ball. As a professional bowler, and having been strictly coached on this tip since my bowling infancy, I now eat most finger foods exclusively with my left hand (I am a right-handed bowler). Yes, this is just one of the windfalls of wisdom I can share with you from my bowling life.

Your lane area should be clean when you start playing, too--if you and your friends pay for a lane and the floor is covered in chips and spilled drinks, claim no responsibility for it. Get it cleaned up right away by asking the bowling center to come down and sweep up.

ETIQUETTE

There is a certain amount of "etiquette" that needs to be employed when bowling. Show good manners: If there is someone hi the next lane who is about to bowl, wait for him or her to throw before you step up on your lane. Stay in your lane at all times. Be ready when it's your turn. Keep the ball rolling in the direction of the pins (not behind you, smart guy). Smile at the people bowling next to you. Help older ladies to the line so they can throw their ball, if they need help. And don't pout when you roll one in the gutter ... just play it off and say you were "distracted."

PERMANENT ADDITIONS

The best thing for you to do if you find yourself bitten by the bowling bug would be to spend some money and get your own pair of bowling shoes and custom-fit ball. Shoes start at about $50, and a ball with fit and drilling in the pro shop starts at about $100.

Look into a "urethane" or "resin" material ball. The polyester material balls are pretty, but they don't hook much, and can't knock down pins as well as urethane or resin balls.

You can get a cheap ball from a sporting goods store or eBay, but you will still have to pay for a fit and drilling from the pro shop. Do not get a fit and drill from a department or sporting goods store--they do not specialize in bowling balls. If you want to save some money, get your towel and bag from eBay or a sporting goods store--don't scrimp when it comes to your ball.

There me "fun" balls out now that glow in the dark or have your favorite baseball player or NASCAR driver on them. But keep in mind that if your "favorites" change with time, your ball will not be able to change along with your change in taste; consider this in your purchase. Also, the fun polyester balls are much more difficult to get to hook on the lane because of their surface material. If a big, arcing hook into the middle for a strike impresses you more than "glow in the dark," then opt for a performance ball.

DEAR ABBY (OR KIM, PARKER, BILL, JOHN ...)

Whom do you listen to for bowling advice? Well, you are reading this magazine, so that's a very good start. Typical bowlers use their teammates, friends, and/or family for advice. As a professional athlete and instructor, I can tell you that like with almost any new endeavor, having friends, family, and teammates help can be good--or bad. The obvious pro and con arguments are the same ones people give me when I tell them I am not sure about my husband teaching me how to drive a standard transmission!