The Great Debate

Recently the topic of my bowling sober vs not sober has been raised. A certain bald friend of mine has insisted for years that if I simply did not drink while bowling that I would bowl much better. I always insisted that it wasn't impacting my bowling (of course, all drunks say this, right?) and besides, I'm in it for fun anyway. What's the point of bowling if you're not drinking I've always said.

It seems that I couldn't finish. I could have a couple good games and lose it in the 3rd (see numerous posts in this blog backing that up). My 3rd game average is nearly 20 pins less than my 2nd. I figured I was just getting tired, the lanes were breaking down, etc.

Well, looking back on it I've always had some of my best nights when I was feeling under the weather. I always attributed that to the fact that being tired I slowed down and took my time. What I didn't realize was it probably had more to do with not drinking because I was sick.

For the past month or so I've struggled to average 185 or so, bringing my average down to right around the 200 mark. But Saturday, we were watching my nephew and I didn't feel like drinking (was I already sick???) so I just had water. I finally bowled decently and shot a 662.

Then on Wednesday I was still recovering from the fever I had Tuesday and didn't drink anything but water again. This time I shot a 713 with a 279 and 258. Ok, some how I shot a 176 in the 2nd game, which is typically my best game. Don't ask how I did that, I still don't know what happened.

So, what have we learned. Bowling while drinking beer: average about 200. Bowling while drinking water: average about 230. The funny thing is that I still had fun even without the drinking and I didn't have to worry about watching out for cops on the way home.

Does that mean I'm not going to drink while bowling? I haven't decided yet. We only have 2 weeks left and we're out of it. I think next week I will give it one more shot since I still have a chance at getting high series (should have had it this week).

Guess that SOB just might have been right all along.

Next thing you know he'll tell me I'd probably golf better sober too!