From Gutterballs to Strikes

What could be any handier than a book that references mistakes in your game and how to correct them?!? You start with some select books and DVDs on the game and learn the fundamentals. Then you go out and do your homework by practicing what you have learned. Eventually, you test yourself, perhaps in a bowling league. But what do you do when the test reveals areas for improvement? You assess what areas to improve and pull out your copy of "From Gutterballs to Strikes" and you get the complete picture of why you're making the mistakes and how to correct them. Nothing could round out your collection of bowling texts any better than this book. It lays out the mistakes, one-by-one in numbered fashion, so you can always quickly refer back to that item, and contains illustrations to help. It's well worth the purchase and using it will help emphasize what you learn through practice and through your coach. As always, texts provide the foundation tools to master your game, but a coach will help you objectively assess your game and implement what you've learned so that you can perfect your game.

I've never been a particularly apt bowler. At my peak, I struggled to bowl over 140 in a game and more recently as a very occasional bowler it was all I could do to crack 110. After reading this book, I decided to focus on just a few of the most basic issues such as how to hold the ball, how to aim correctly, etc. to see what it would do for me.The results were dramatic. After struggling for a game to adjust to the new mechanics my score shot up by 40 pins the next game. Even more amazing, I didn't bowl again for 6 months, then went out and shot a 177 which was the best score of my life. If I hadn't tightened up the last 2 frames I would have broken 200. An essential primer in the fundamental mechanics of bowling, this book is a great resource for recreational or beginning bowlers. Practice what the author preaches and you'll be a much better bowler!

A great book for people who are willing to drop their major bad habits in bowling. This book gives you great tips on things that work. I'm new at the game (only 2 years at it) but couldn't get my average over 155 despite reading several books to see if I could correct whatever I was doing wrong. This easy-to-read paperback quickly put me on the right track with simple, yet important, tips on almost every aspect of bowling I had questions about. The book is more of a workbook since advice comes in short chapters which makes it possible to test yourself with the techniques incrementally. Despite my tendencies to revert to my bad habits, my average has improved by over 20 pins since I got the book 3+ months ago. When I follow the book's tips consistently, I'll hit 200+ every time. Well worth the few bucks!

This is the first book I have bought on the subject of bowling, so I have no measuring stick by which to rate it. However, I have found that working on correcting each common error individually is leading to a more consistent game. There are some very helpful tips (how to keep your thumb from sticking in the hole) as well as useful instruction (jutting out your chin to keep your sliding foot under it.) Overall, I'd have to say that it's a perfect book for working on individual parts of your game.Jason

I bowl regularly in an extremely competitve league. During a purple patch, I found my scores dropping from 200 to 140, which isn't good. I decided to get some help from Mike Durbin and his book, and what I got in return was some real help. This book focuses on the common errors that plague any serious bowler, like your pushaway, your timing, and so on. It also contains some extremely helpful tips, which Durbin gives on past experience (any experience from a bowler like Durbin is sure to improve your game), such as wrapping your thumb in a facial tissue and then inserting it into your thumb hole, all to gain a better fit. Although not still at my best, I gained some pinfall, and a little bit more. However, it is best not to buy this book if you are just a recreational bowler, who wants to learn more about the game. It is more of a "2nd time" book; good for those who have a good understanding of the game. I suggest, for beginners, buying "Bowling: Steps To Success", by Bob Strickland.