Bowling

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 76, 31 March 1934, Page 18

Bowling

By ."Number Two."

LENGTH

KEEPING A CHECK

SOME GOOD ADVICE

I Among the many essential attribute* necessary to the "make up" of the aspiring bowler is the need for the 'hecking of one's length on the green, says a writei in "Bowls News." Tln» may best be described as exercising the faculty of .weight, and is accounted an instinctive faculty which leads us to put forth muscular effort proportionate'^ tne cffoit to be overcome, and some people claim that the faculty also peri cones "the direction of force." Ona icadily realises, therefore, the importance of this in bowlers, a feature one will find highly developed in ourfbremost playeis, and, indeed, in the more prominent exponents of all games w which the hand or ringers are nsed'as propelling agencies. • Ono frequently hears the expression, "No idea "of Hr?f h • , This is reallyan aßserti°* that the player "in question is. lackjnff in discrimination as to the amount' of muscular effort necessary to bowl, Ha' wood to the jack—in other words, the player is minus the faculty of weight. Whilst the faculty is a natural endowment and cannot be acquired" by those whom J»ature has overlooked in this respect, assiduous practice will do much .towards remedying the defect. Concentration is absolutely essential if the player is to get the best out 'of himself. . •

Closely associated with, the faculty of weight is the sense of touch. Touch is a sensation of simple pressure; and, next to the tip of the tongue, is" most highly developed under the surface 'of the end of the third finger. It is quite possible that Nature has endowed those lacking in the faculty of weight with a marked delicacy of touch, thus greatly minimising an apparent defect in the complement for a successful bowler. - When standing on the'mat-the'aver-age player gives little "heed to anything but the one idea of sending his'bowl'as near to the jack' as possible. This is proved by the weird antics and gestures indulged in by a large number .of players in their vain endeavours to" rid©'" their bowls to the desired position. The intent features, outflung arms," and twisting bodies all bespeak' the.keenest concentration on,the run of the;bowk What misapplied mental effort! And what useless anxiety over the rolling wood! Once it has left the hand the player's influence over it is lgone,,'ajid no amount of '..gallery play or gesticulation will alter the run of the bowl. If the bowler would only realise that all these antics do not help him .to improve, but rather to retard his progress, one would see fewer" exhibitions of "gallery" play on the greens.' It Is generally recognised that the man iwhb indulges in "gallery" play can.seldom be depended upon to improve.his second shot. His antics are attributable to one of two things, either'nervousness'or extreme love of approbation— both disadvantageous, if not prohibitive, to a high.standard/of play! i Opposed to the former type is*" the methodical, deliberate player, who, as a rulej is void of antics and is not .affected by any outside influences. This is the type of player that will be found ito improve with each successive shot and head, and' who, quietly observing 'the flight and final position of his bo.wl, will reflect over the weight -or. touch, applied to the shot just "playeclj "and "fai compare these faculties in relation "to their exercise in the previous effort. Orilf. : by such-comparison can errors'be ailjusted,^ some requiring- .such• 'delicacy; that one may well sympathise with:a certain bowler who refused to wash-Ms, hands at the afternoon tea adjourn-' ment for fear ho would wash, off ;liij "touch."""'