First and foremost, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a belated Happy New Year. In many respects, 2020 probably won’t go down as a year that I look back fondly upon. It was a rough year. The... [Read More]
2020: The Year in Review
About Bill Sempsrott
Bill is the founder of BTM Digital Media, LLC and he manages the day-to-day operations of Bowling This Month. He has a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, he developed the Powerhouse Blueprint ball motion simulator, and he has been an avid bowler for more than 25 years. He also currently develops Bowling Unleashed, a realistic bowling simulation game available now for both iOS and Android devices.
Spare Shooting For the Rest of Us
Tips for developing YOUR best spare game
Let's start with a huge generalization: most of us could probably stand to improve our spare games. We know that spare shooting is important, we know we should consistently practice our spares, and we know that certain spare shooting techniques... [Read More]
An Introduction to Axis Rotation and Axis Tilt
What they are, how to measure them, and how (and why) they affect your ball's motion
Almost every day, I feel like I see or hear something that is completely incorrect about axis rotation or axis tilt. Sometimes, people just mix up the two terms and say "tilt" when they should have said "rotation." Other times,... [Read More]
Life After Balance Holes
A guide to filling the void
If you've been paying any attention at all over the last couple of months, you're likely already aware of the recent USBC rule modifications affecting how bowling balls can be drilled. Just to recap, here are the relevant changes1: Balance... [Read More]
The Effect of Static Imbalance on Bowling Ball Performance
Living in a 3 ounce world
As many of you are likely already aware, the USBC recently announced that they will be implementing some new equipment specifications rule changes in the very near future that will affect how bowling balls can be drilled. You can read... [Read More]
A Look at the USBC’s Bowling Technology Study
Some thoughts on differential, balance holes, static imbalance, and coverstock oil absorption rate
About a month ago, the USBC published the results of a recent research project that examined bowling balls and their impact on the bowling environment. This project, which they are calling the Bowling Technology Study, primarily examined bowling ball RGs,... [Read More]
Some Random Thoughts on Pin Carry
Pin carry is an important topic to bowlers. Whether or not all the pins fall consistently on pocket shots can have a huge impact on a bowler's scoring pace. A couple of corner pins left at the wrong time can... [Read More]
The Fundamentals of Target Line Adjustments
Getting (and staying) lined up by moving your feet and/or target
There are dozens of possible adjustments that we as bowlers can make to change where and how our bowling balls are entering the pocket. The first adjustment we typically learn—usually very early in our bowling careers—is how to move our... [Read More]
Pin-to-PAP Distance and Its Effect on Bowling Ball Motion
An exploration of its importance (or lack thereof)
Pin-to-PAP distance is one of the dozens of factors that can affect the on-lane motion of a bowling ball. It is defined as the distance, measured along the surface of the ball, from the bowler's positive axis point (PAP) to... [Read More]
Bowling Ball Balance Hole Fundamentals
The basics, some examples, and recommended best practices
Let’s start with a quick question: Have you ever heard a fellow bowler say any of the following statements? “I just don’t like balls with balance holes. They don’t roll well for me.” “I’m going to have a weight hole... [Read More]