How to Become a Professional Bowler

If you are reading my article then I am assuming that you want to play in the big leagues. The first place that will come to your mind is the professional bowling association or PBA.  I always inspire my fellow bowlers to dream big and strive to achieve more than they are capable of. The best bowlers, in my opinion, are those people who have qualified to play in the big leagues. Keep in mind that it takes a lot of patience, hard work and determination to become a pro-league bowler.

You will be surprised to hear that many good bowlers do not bother to play in the big leagues because big tournaments are not cheap. It often takes a lot of time and energy to try to qualify for a tour. It is a matter of a lot of money.

Tips on Becoming a Professional Bowler

This is where I can help by providing you with the necessary information on how to become a professional bowler. I will show you the way only. You will have to walk the path by yourself.

What is the “Professional Bowling Association”?

Every bowler in the world has heard about the Professional bowling association at least once. If not, then they are not bowlers at all. Every bowler in the world must have done some research on the PBA who wants to know more about how to become a professional bowler.

Whether you are from or outside the U.S, it is a dream of any bowler in the world to become a part of this prestigious association. Most of them will be dying to know how to become a PBA member.

If you are still confused about what is the professional bowling association, it is nothing but the main body responsible for professional ten-pin bowling in the United States. Consisting of more than 4000 members, it is the largest of its kind in the world.

It arranges four tours namely PBA Tour, PBA50 Tour, PBA Regional Tour, and PBA Women’s Series. Only the PBA50 tour requires that you should be 50 years or older. I am assuming you know who is eligible to play in PBA Women’s Series.

The Average Requirement for Playing in PBA

So, you thought that you would be able to qualify for playing in the PBA with an average score of only 120? Are you kidding me! With this score, you still have a long way to go, my friend! Your journey on how to become a member of the PBA begins from here.

If you cannot score a minimum of 200 points in your last 36 games, maybe professional bowling is not for you! Likewise, an average of 190 is required for any league sanctioned by the USBC.

You also have to Cash in a Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) regional tournament as a non-member.

Don’t you think that it is time for you to start taking the game of bowling a bit more seriously? With a little effort from your side and my guidance, I am certain that you will meet the average PBA requirements in no time.

PBA Regional Tournament

The PBA is responsible for organizing various tournaments all over the United States. The regional tournament of the PBA is organized in seven parts in the U.S.  If you are reading this article from Japan, I have some good news from you. Japan is the only other country besides U.S where PBA arranges a regional tour. You are very lucky indeed, my friend! So, this is the way you’re on how to become a professional bowler begins.

The Seven regions in the U.S areCentral, East, Midwest, Northwest, South, Southwest and the west.

Many good players, which includes the occasional PBA stars to enhance their skills before going to play in the big leagues on the PBA and PBA50. Those who have 9-5 jobs often play at this level during the weekends if they are held near their homes. Also, the people who excel are often rewarded with good prize money.

Those who are not members of the PBA can also compete in these tours, provided that they meet the minimum entrance requirements stated in my last section. Non-members will not be entitled to the benefits which a member enjoys.

Bowlers who do not meet the minimum age requirements can still play in the league with permission from their parents under the condition that their prize money will be paid into a scholarship fund.

Many of these events also offer incentives such as discounts on entry fees, double format and also one-day tours for those people who have little free time. There is no discrimination in gender since both men and women are allowed to participate.

PBA Tournament Prize Money

You should not aim for the top prize yet since you have not learned the necessary things on how to become a professional bowler. But still, we are all playing for money, aren’t we? If it was not the case, why were we interested in playing this sport in the first place?

Sorry to disappoint you but you will not become a millionaire in a year by playing bowling. It will take many years to make a fortune. If you are playing the sport to become rich overnight, then you should go into acting or play in the NBA instead.

Recent statistics have shown that only 40 PBA players have made a fortune of greater than $1000000 in PBA’S more than 50-year history.

Then why do people spend their time bowling? The answer is very simple, for glory and passion. By the way, an NBA player earns more than $500000 per year when compared to a player from the PBA.

You must have guessed by now that the prize money in a PBA tournament is not very high. For example, in the recently concluded DHC PBA Japan Invitational 2017, the prize money for the winner EJ Tackett was a paltry $42,970.00 when compared to an NBA player.

Another tournament called the FireLake PBA Tournament of Champions has maximum prize money of around $50000. You might be thinking, why am I even reading this article to earn only $50000 for being a winner in a tournament where I have little chance to qualify. Especially being a beginner bowling ballplayer?

Before you go any further, let me talk a bit more about how a bowler earns money.

All professional bowlers earn a bonus from sponsorships by bowling ball manufacturers and also bonuses when they are signing for a particular brand. Still, I have to admit that the salary and earnings of a bowler have gone down in recent years. It has also occurred to many of my closest friends involved in the sport and other professional bowlers.

list of bowling equipment

A piece of good advice on how to become professional bowlers that you should buy your equipment. Never make the mistake of borrowing from others or take the ones available in the alley. Let us have a look at the list of all the equipment you will need to carry to your bowling alley.

Even if you forget to bring the ball or your shoes, do not forget to bring your ball! I am not saying that you should bring your ball only, all the things are equally important. More is given below:

• Bowling bag: it contains all your bowling balls.
• Bowling accessories such as tools to maintain your bowling ball, grip sacks, cleaning equipment for your bowling ball and so on.
• Special shoes for bowling which should have a sole which is not too rough.
• You should wear casual clothes since most bowling arenas are air-conditioned.

If you are tight on budget, you can buy less-expensive equipment. Otherwise, you should try your best to buy only the best equipment. I do not recommend that you rent even one piece of equipment from the bowling center because you do not know whether they will suit your play style or not.

Also, never rent your shoes. I remember that I forgot to bring my shoes once so I borrowed a pair from the alley. I got what I deserved. The sole of the shoe was rough so I could not throw the ball properly. I lost the game by a huge margin.

Pro Bowling Hall of Fame

The name Ray Bluth will come into your mind when talking about the PBA hall of fame in pro bowling. He was one of the first inductees in the category of performance in the sport. Most of the inductees are men in PBA hall of fame. Only two inductees are women so far. Around a hundred men and women so far have been honored with the title.

The Hall of fame pays tribute to the real legends of the sport. These sports stars have devoted their entire lives and energy to bowling and PBA wishes to honor them for as long as possible. Recent inductees such as the great  Del Ballard Jr are a testament to that honor.

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Some tips on how to become a professional women bowler

Most of the requirements for men are the same for women regarding how to become professional women bowlers. However, a common mistake that I have seen many women make is in timing the ball. They are often slow in this area. Other problems include a problem in balance, rushed backswing, not aligning swings correctly and also a lower revolution rate than men.

Also remember to buy the ball which is suitable for your gameplay, wear smooth-soled shoes and practice a lot before a major game. It all lies in practice.

 Conclusion

Becoming a pro bowler does not narrow down to how you can become one, but the time you will require to become so. I hope that you have started dreaming about becoming a member of the hall of fame of PBA. If not, then I am afraid that you are wasting your time reading this article. I am sure that by now you have a guideline on how to become a professional bowler in the shortest time possible.

If you are a woman, I hope that you will be the third woman to be inducted into the hall of fame! The two women who are in the hall of fame were not inducted because they were the best players. Now, I have got your attention,  haven’t I? I am sure that I have.

Good luck with your future endeavors and I hope to see you as an inductee into the prestigious hall of fame.

Thank you for reading my article about how to become a professional bowler.

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