WRISTGUARDS - MY JOURNEY, MY CHOICE 💪🎳

Wristguards – My Journey, My Choice 💪🎳

Hey guys!

So I just wanted to start a little discussion about wristguards. You’re probably thinking, “Why does my opinion matter?” or “What do I even know?” Well... I bowled with a wristguard for over ten years — but I also bowled my first 300 without one. Then later, I bowled two more 300s with one on. And a couple of years ago, I took it off... and bowled my first 800 series.

Sooo yeah — I’d say I have a worthwhile opinion and some experience when it comes to wrist braces.

But what’s wild is how much stigma there is around something that’s literally just a tool. Something anyone and everyone is allowed to use! Yet I’ve heard it so many times —

“It’s cheating!”
I’m sorry… what? 😂 Cheating?! If anything, sometimes it felt like it barely helped! (Kidding. Kind of.)

At first, I was completely against it. I thought I was doing just fine without one. I didn’t get why I’d need it, I didn’t want to deal with the comments, and honestly… I just didn’t understand it.

So why did I try it?

Because I trusted my coach. He had more knowledge than I did and was thinking long-term. He thought it would help my consistency and prevent injury, especially with my smaller wrist. And he knew I already had a strong release — this would just help me lock it in and repeat it more consistently.

So I gave it a go.

I tried a bunch of wristguards until I found one that fit right. And then came the hard part — the frustration, the tears, the feeling of “I’ll never get used to this.” And of course… the comments. So. Many. Comments. 🙄

But I shut them all out. I worked hard for a year and a half. And eventually…
✨ I won my first tournament with a wristguard on.
✨ I represented Australia.
✨ I represented my state.
✨ I started stacking wins and 300s.

I stopped listening to everyone else and focused on ME.

When I got the chance to move to the U.S. on a full-ride bowling scholarship, the comments started again.

“Why?”
“Do you really need that?”
“What’s it even doing for you?”

I explained myself over and over… but in the end, my results spoke louder. I was proud of my game, proud of my choices, and proud to educate people who didn’t understand. I became an advocate for wristguards — and that felt pretty awesome.

Then after college, I started competing more and realized I was mostly bowling on house shots. Having the wristguard on (especially since I always took it off for spares) started to feel like more of a hassle. Then one day… I left it in another state after a tournament 😅 and had no choice but to bowl league without it.

It was scary. It felt weird. And honestly… it hurt a little. But I had no choice.
And since then, I haven’t gone back.

I’ve thought about practicing with it again. I know my release has changed. It’s scary sometimes, for sure. But I just keep telling myself — I can achieve anything I set my mind to.

Now, I definitely have to be more mindful of my wrist position. It’s no longer locked into place. But with that change came freedom, and the chance to build even more strength.

At the end of the day — it’s about YOU and no one else.

I loved my wristguard. But I love bowling more.
And I’ll keep making whatever decisions I need to in order to keep growing and getting better.