Let me tell you something about bowls that most beginners don't realize until it's too late - this game that looks so simple on the surface actually demands more mental discipline than physical skill. I've watched countless players struggle with the basics, much like how Tolentino struggled in that recent match where he went 6-of-17 after returning from his hip flexor injury. When you're coming back from any kind of physical setback, whether it's a hip flexor in basketball or a shoulder issue in bowls, the mental game becomes everything. Your body remembers what to do, but your mind holds you back with hesitation and doubt. That's why my first essential tip is to develop what I call "muscle memory confidence" - trusting that your body knows what to do even when your mind is screaming warnings.
Now, I need to be honest about something that might surprise you - I actually think most bowls coaches overemphasize the technical aspects while neglecting the psychological preparation. When Joshua Munzon stepped up with those 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals, it wasn't just about his physical capabilities. It was about his mental readiness to carry the team when someone else was struggling. In bowls, you need that same mindset - being prepared to perform under pressure regardless of what's happening around you. I've developed this technique I call "pressure simulation" where I practice as if I'm down by one point in the final end of a championship match. You'd be amazed how this changes your approach to ordinary games.
The second tip I wish someone had told me when I started is about reading the green - and I don't mean just looking at it. I mean truly understanding how the terrain will affect your bowl's path. I remember playing in this tournament last summer where the green had this subtle slope that nobody noticed during practice. By the time we figured it out in the third end, I was already down 12 points. Now I spend at least 30 minutes before any serious match walking the green, feeling the texture with my shoes, observing how previous bowls curve, and making mental notes of every slight variation. It's like being a detective investigating a crime scene - you're looking for clues that others miss.
Here's where I might differ from traditional coaches - I believe in what I call "controlled aggression" in delivery. Most beginners are taught to be gentle and careful, but I've found that sometimes a more decisive, confident delivery actually yields better results even if it means occasionally overshooting. Think about it - when Munzon took those four steals, he wasn't playing cautiously. He saw opportunities and went for them aggressively. Similarly, in bowls, there are moments when you need to play what I call "disruptive bowls" - shots that not only score but also mess up your opponent's formation and strategy. This approach won me three local championships last year alone.
My third tip revolves around equipment, and I'll be blunt here - most people are using the wrong bowls for their style. I made this mistake for years until a veteran player pointed out that my bowls were too narrow for my delivery style. The right bowls should feel like an extension of your arm, not like separate tools you're manipulating. I recommend testing at least six different sets before settling on what works for you. And don't just go by price or brand reputation - some of the best players I know use relatively inexpensive bowls that perfectly match their technique.
The fourth area where most bowlers fail is in reading their opponents. I've developed this habit of studying my opponents' warm-up routines, their body language when they're losing, even how they react to good and bad shots. You can learn more about a player in five minutes of observation than in five games against them. When I noticed that one particularly tough opponent always touches his ear before making an important shot, I started watching for that tell - and it helped me anticipate his strategy. This level of observation takes practice, but it separates good players from great ones.
Now for my fifth and most controversial tip - I believe in breaking conventional rules occasionally. Traditional bowls strategy says always draw to the jack, but sometimes a forceful drive that scatters everything can turn a losing game around. It's like in that Northport game where they lost 113-96 to Rain or Shine - sometimes conventional play isn't working, and you need someone like Munzon to change the dynamic with aggressive steals and scoring. I've won games by making what others would call "reckless" shots because I read the situation differently. The key is knowing when convention serves you and when it limits you.
What ties all these tips together is what I call "adaptive consistency" - being consistently good but adaptable enough to change when circumstances demand it. I've seen too many players stick rigidly to techniques that clearly aren't working, much like how Tolentino kept shooting despite his obvious struggle with 6 successful shots out of 17 attempts. The real mastery comes from recognizing when to persist and when to pivot. After fifteen years of competitive play, I can honestly say that the players who reach advanced levels aren't necessarily the most technically perfect, but those who best understand the relationship between mind, body, equipment, and circumstance. The beautiful thing about bowls is that you never stop learning - each game teaches you something new if you're paying attention.
