This is just a quick thanks to everyone who filled in the survey, or forwarded it on to someone else who did. The next part of the process is where I compile all the results, clean up any data quality issues and produce the first round of results.
Obviously I need to focus on writing the book now, but I will try to post some interesting findings along the way over the next few months.
There’s also the little matter of a publisher. If you do know a publisher who would be interested in Passion on the Green, please send them my way. In the modern age of self-publishing, a good old-fashioned published can still be worth their weight in gold.
Another interesting finding from the best bowlers is how much they draw on their sports experience when they play bowls. Take a look at this chart.
The premium level players draw on their life and sport experiences to a “very very high” degree. In contrast, the average players are much less likely to draw on their experiences.
This explains quite a lot about the best players. They have a strong sporting history, and they are drawing on everything they’ve learnt during life.
The average player doesn’t bring all that knowledge to the green, and their results show it.
Thanks to everyone who has completed the survey, and please remember it will close this Saturday 12th April. So, use this link to fill in the survey.
It’s too early to be definitive about any results from the worldwide bowlers survey (Just click here to take survey) but in the first results there are two interesting charts looking at which grip is better – palm/claw/cradle grip versus fingertip grip.
Palm grip versus the fingertip grip
The fingertip grip is certainly more common. So far, around 3/4 of bowlers report that they use a fingertip grip compared to 1/4 using a palm, claw or cradle grip.
Fingertip bowlers do better on every skill
So, to the first piece of data. Fingertip bowlers report that they perform better on every skill than palm/claw/cradle bowlers.
All skills are performed better by fingertip bowlers
But wait…that doesn’t quite square up with the next chart. So far, the percentage of palm/claw/cradle bowlers in the “Premium” category is actually higher than the percentage of fingertip bowlers.
Hmmm! This means there must be more to the story.
We are going to need some more data, and some more checking. Maybe we’ve just accidentally got more fingertip players who are are higher standard except for our Premium group. In other words, the data might just be random.
On the other hand, fingertip bowlers might just have a higher opinion of themselves!
More surveys please
Thank you to everyone who has completed the survey so far, and keep the comments coming as well.
Remember that everyone is welcome to complete the survey, whether you are a champion or a beginner. Just click here and off you go.
Most sports have the advantage of a huge body of research. Lawn bowls has very little, so I decided to change all that.
The secret ingredient – a survey of bowlers around the world. Everyone is welcome to complete the survey. Just click here.
Passion on the Green is a bowls book with a difference. It’s based on interviews with world champion bowlers and coaches, plus real research from real bowlers.
Soon, I will start to share some of the results, and the book will follow later this year. Please come back and check out the progress through the year.
