Good Strike/Spare Percentages & First Ball Average

[jab5325]

I've recently started keeping track of my stats/scores via PinPal, and it got me thinking:

What do you all consider to be "good" strike/spare percentages, and first-ball averages?

[NewToBowling]

I'm happy with 6-7 strikes a game. Ideally would want the rest to be spares.

But for spares game with very few strikes, would prefer at least 8 spare frames

[Mark O]

I've recently started keeping track of my stats/scores via PinPal, and it got me thinking:

What do you all consider to be "good" strike/spare percentages, and first-ball averages?

I track my stats as well, have been doing so for 2 seasons now and currently I'm averaging 198 in one house and 202 in another. My first ball average is 9.1, my strike percentage is 49% and my single pin spare percentage is 89%. Those numbers pretty much get you what I am, a 200 average bowler. I feel it's unrealistic to expect my single pin spare percentage to rise much higher than that so the key for me now is to increase my strike percentage which in turn will increase my first ball average and my actual average.

I'm sure each person has different percentage levels that they would consider "good" but for a lower average bowler I feel strike percentage should be third in importance behind the other two. A first ball average near or at 9 tells me you're consistently in pocket and a single pin spare percentage at 80%+ tells me you can convert what's left behind. Numbers much lower than that tell me you might be a bit of a spray can and need to focus a little more on where the ball is going after it leaves your hand.

[jab5325]

Mark's post made me realize I didn't put my own stats in!

Since I've started keeping track, my first ball average is 8.89, 42% strikes, and only 75% single-pin spares with just 45% spares overall (multi-pin is only 30%). I've got a way to go in that category, but I'm happy with the trajectory where I'm going.

Most of my spare misses are due to timing, and yanking the ball across my body. Once I get to the 80+ percent level on single-pins, I'll be happy.

[mc_runner]

It really all depends on what your goals are. If you're new getting to 30% strikes and 75% single pin might be a realistic goal. If you're averaging 220+ you might want to get to 65% strikes and 95% single pin.

For me this season across 2 leagues I'm at 45% strike and 90% single pin, with first ball at a 9.00 exactly. I'm pretty happy with my strike % this season as it's 6% points higher than last year, and 90% is pretty much my benchmark for single pin. If my goal next yaer is a 200 average, I'm aiming for 48% strikes and 90% single pin again. My big area for improvement, personally, is knocking down on the number of splits I've left this year.

I agree with Mark on that strike % is lowest priority. For me, picking up spares is priority #1. Get more accurate with that and your first ball accuracy will improve as well.

[Mike White]

Mark's post made me realize I didn't put my own stats in!

Since I've started keeping track, my first ball average is 8.89, 42% strikes, and only 75% single-pin spares with just 45% spares overall (multi-pin is only 30%). I've got a way to go in that category, but I'm happy with the trajectory where I'm going.

Most of my spare misses are due to timing, and yanking the ball across my body. Once I get to the 80+ percent level on single-pins, I'll be happy.

Why are you yanking the ball across your body on your spare attempts.

Do you also yank the strike shots, but that hasn't been a problem?

Or do you try to make spares a completely different way than strikes?

Trust me, when you get to 80% on your single pin spares, you still won't be happy.

When you get comfortable making single pin spares, the though process is...

I stand here, and throw there, just that simple.

You'll find that you feel you should be able to do simple things more often than 80% of the time.

[Mike White]

I track my stats as well, have been doing so for 2 seasons now and currently I'm averaging 198 in one house and 202 in another. My first ball average is 9.1, my strike percentage is 49% and my single pin spare percentage is 89%. Those numbers pretty much get you what I am, a 200 average bowler. I feel it's unrealistic to expect my single pin spare percentage to rise much higher than that so the key for me now is to increase my strike percentage which in turn will increase my first ball average and my actual average.

I'm sure each person has different percentage levels that they would consider "good" but for a lower average bowler I feel strike percentage should be third in importance behind the other two. A first ball average near or at 9 tells me you're consistently in pocket and a single pin spare percentage at 80%+ tells me you can convert what's left behind. Numbers much lower than that tell me you might be a bit of a spray can and need to focus a little more on where the ball is going after it leaves your hand.

If you're averaging 9 on you first ball, and making 50% strikes, that tends to say you're averaging 8 pins on those shots you don't get a strike.

[NYMIKE]

Bought pinpal which is the first app I ever paid money for of any kind. I like it. Scores were 137, 140, 147 424 total, above my average, but like Mark wrote was 1 for 5 on single pin spares, and 10/24 on spares overall, for me to average 150 next season those spare percentages have to be much higher.

[vdubtx]

Pinpal is my go to app for bowling score keeping. I use it every single time I bowl league or any tournaments. I don't bother using for practice as I don't practice for score.

Here is my stats so far this season in 2 leagues:

[Hampe]

Vdub, he asked what "good" percentages would be, not "amazing"

Those are damn good numbers for an amateur bowler.