A FEW DON’TS.
Don’t try to learn in a day.
Don’t use too much speed at first.
Don’t grip the ball too tight.
Don’t loft the ball.
Don’t play the side ball until you have mastered the centre delivery.
Don’t swing the ball more than once before delivering it.
Don’t start with a jump; walk one and run two steps.
Don’t deliver the ball with the right foot in front.
Don’t step on or over the foul line.
Don’t think you can change the course of the ball after it has left your hand.
Don’t expect a “strike” every time you hit the head pin.
Don’t blame the pin boys if you get a split. They will spot any pin you call their attention to.
Don’t throw away a “spare” because you think you were entitled to a “strike.”
Don’t use any unnecessary motions.
Don’t exert yourself. Take it easy. A slow accurate ball is better than a swift wild one.
Don’t put your whole thumb in the finger hole. One joint is enough.
Don’t use a large finger hole. Big holes make a ball lop-sided.
Don’t roll a ball down the alley when there is a ball in the pit.
Don’t use a wide grip if you have a small hand, or two narrow for a big hand.
Don’t use chalk on your shoes. It not only cracks the leather, but leaves the runway in bad condition for whoever follows you.
Don’t think your wrist is gone if it hurts after bowling a few games. Change your grip and throw the strain somewhere else.
Don’t bend your back when delivering the ball. With your feet far apart and knees bent you can start the ball with little or no sound.
Don’t be superstitious—13 is a better start than 12.
Don’t think it necessary to be a Sandow. Many lightweights bowl well.
Don’t get discouraged, you can learn. Any able-bodied person, with ordinary nerve and a good eye, can become quite expert with little practice.
Don’t let an alley owner use pins that are worn out.
Don’t think you can sandpaper a ball without injuring it. It takes an expert mechanic to true up a lignum-vitæ ball.
Don’t lay a lignum-vitæ ball away DRY, if you don’t want it to crack.