I've written in the past about my wish to be a better golfer, and I keep trying. At least I have a few rounds here and there, and a shot or two every time I play, that make me happy that I still tee it up.

But my bowling game is quite a different story. I used to be an above average bowler. It's true. In fact, I used to know something about the game.

Sadly, I'm not only out of touch with a lot of the modern equipment -- although I've been doing some research lately -- but my bowling game is also deteriorating even quicker than my golf game.

At least in golf, there are so many reasons why scoring is difficult. It's a terrific game which requires various skills and mental acumen. Nobody ever conquers the game completely, not even Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus.

But bowling, at least locally, is another story. On a house shot, you should be able to keep on top of your game with all the modern equipment out there. Most of the time, the house shot that a proprietor puts out is reasonable. The good bowlers can eat it up, and the above average bowlers can remain competitive.

I've gotten real old, real fast, because I can't bowl at all anymore, especially when the lanes break down a bit. I'm a member of two daytime leagues -- I work most nights -- and it's not fun to struggle so much, especially when I write a weekly column and cover bowling events.

Maybe I'm just too old and out of shape to ever get better, but I will keep on trying. I visited my old buddy Kenny Hall, a former touring pro who runs a pro shop at Olympic Lanes in Menands, and got a new ball drilled up. Maybe some lessons will turn things around for this old kegler, but I'm sure it will take more than just some new equipment.

Any interested coaches out there who can turn a former semi-cranker into a modified stroker capable of throwing the ball relatively straight and make a few 10-pins for a change? Most of my bowling buddies just shake their heads when they watch my spinner slide in the oil or take off in the dry.

Bowling used to be my favorite recreational sport. Now, recreation isn't quite what I would call it.