There are so many factors that determine whether or not you will get a strike if you hit the pocket, it will make your head spin.  Here are just a few:

1. • Ball entry angle
   

2. • Ball rotation
   

3. • Ball speed
   

4. • Type and condition of pins
   

5. • Type and condition of the lane
   

6. • Type and condition of the kickback plates
   

7. • Type and condition of the flat gutters
   

I am sure there are others that I am leaving out, but I think that’s good to get us started.  So let’s begin with the things you can control and forget about the others.  They will effect your carry, but at least they will stay constant.

First off, if you are leaving a lot of corner pins, the first thing you want to do is stay under control.  We all have a tendency to get frustrated, annoyed or even angry.  All that will do is lead to breaks in your concentration, missed spares and probably missing the pocket all together.  Remember that every single pin spare you miss, will cost you at least 11 pins. 

The best thing to do when leaving corner pins is to adjust your mark on the lane or where you stand on the approach.  You will have to take in account your ball reaction and the way you are leaving the corner pins to know which way you should adjust. 

To be continued...