A Tradition of Bowling Rules

Learning the bowling rules is not something I see going on a lot.  I understand that it is not particularly fun…or as kids are prone to say these days, “its boring,” but learning the fundamentals of any sport is important and learning the basic rules of bowling are part of those fundamentals.

I can remember when I was a kid growing up and learning how to bowl.  My grandfather taught me.  Each summer I would visit my grandparents for 4 weeks and I would always look forward getting to spend most days in the bowling alley.

My grandfather made it a point to teach me the rules of bowling, and ensured that I both understood the rules and followed them.  He was a stickler and if I was not showing respect to the sport he would drag me out of the bowling alley before I knew what was happening.

This same philosophy went into the care and maintenance of the equipment as well.  He had purchased me a used ball and bag, and after he saw that I was serious about the sport after a few years, we bought a pair of bowling shoes also.  After every use I had to come home and clean my equipment and put it in its proper place.

Times have changed, I get it.  But I do miss a little bit of what my grandfather had to teach.  Learning and following the bowling rules are important for the enjoyment of the sport by all of us.  Spend a little time learning the rules or teaching them to a young bowler…you will be glad you did

It’s All about Those Styling Bowling Shoes

Bowling shoes are an important part of the game, and are essential if a bowler would like to increase scores and improve bowling performance. A casual bowler may think that all bowling shoes are the same, what they don’t know are that bowling shoes contribute immensely to the performance of a bowler. If someone would like to excel in bowling, then he/she may want to consider getting their own pair of bowling shoes.

Bowling shoes also help preserve the lanes, the soles of the shoes do not scuff up the lanes and as if normal shoes were allowed. With street shoes the lanes would eventually form grooves and the wear and tear would disrupt the way the ball rolled.

Popular Bowling Terms You Should Stick in Your Mental Glossary

Bowling balls may seem simple to the common eye, but they are much more than solid spheres with finger holes in them. The balls are designed to perform on various surfaces, and to compliment the style and strength of each individual bowler.Popular Bowling Terms You Should Stick in Your Mental Glossary

If you’re a newbie bowler, sometimes hitting the alley can be a little intimidating. It can seem like everyone has been bowling longer than you have. Also, in many places, the bowling alley has its own little community talking its own language and lingo that may sound like Greek when you’re the new kid on the block. So can you start to fit in? Take a little time to learn some common bowling terms, and soon no one will be able to tell you didn’t know your break point from your foul line a few weeks ago.

The words you should concentrate on learning first are the words associated with the equipment and basic scoring. Most people know what a strike is – knocking down all the pins – but some people may not know that a strike can only happen on your first ball. Knocking all the pins down with your second ball, whether you hit any balls the first time or not, is known as a spare. When you approach the lane to make your shot, the line at which you must stop and throw your ball is the foul line – step over that, and your shot will be disqualified. If your ball rolls off the lane on either side, it will be in the gutter and called a gutter ball. If your ball moves from side to side when it hits the pins and knocks some down on each side, it is called a hurricane. If it goes directly down the middle and knocks down those pins, leaving pins on each side, it is called a split.

You should also familiarize with the words for a few common bowling techniques. Straight bowling is the “point and shoot”, straight down the center lane style of bowling that most beginners rely on. Hook balls are balls that thrown so that they arc out and then hook back in to knock down certain pins. Hook balls are the primary balls thrown when bowlers want to aim at a specific target. Axis tilt refers to how much vertical spin you put on the ball, and axis rotation refers to how much horizontal spin you put on the ball. Axis tilt and axis rotation all influence how, when, and where a hook ball makes its turn. The point where the hook ball does begin to turn towards its target is known as the break point.

If you’re getting into league bowling, there are a few league related terms you should take note of. The anchor on any bowling team is the player who bowls last; usually the best player. The first person who plays is called the lead man. The foundation frame is the last frame of a match, and a box is any single frame. If everyone fails to get a strike in any particular frame, the frame is called an open frame. If someone talks on your team tells you to hit the barmaid, they’re talking about the pin behind another pin. Slow balls are known as creepers, and if you roll a gutter ball, it might be also called a poodle. ABC stands for the American Bowling Conference – the people who make the rules.

Like most sports, bowling has tons of slang, and some of it is regional, so getting to know all the little ins and outs of bowling lingo will take some time. Get to know these basic terms, however and you won’t sound like the odd man out at the bowling alley. Pretty soon you’ll be telling the keglers (bowlers) to watch their chicken wings (elbows) when throwing their apple (bowling ball).

These Balls Aren’t for Juggling – Bowling Ball Characteristics

Bowling balls may seem simple to the common eye, but they are much more than solid spheres with finger holes in them. The balls are designed to perform on various surfaces, and to compliment the style and strength of each individual bowler. The wooden lanes used in the game of bowling are treated daily with mineral oil. The mineral oil is used to protect the lanes from the action of the bowling balls. There are various types of bowling balls available, but they all have the same general characteristics. The circumference of the average bowling ball is usually between 27.002 and 27.704 inches.

The balls have varying weights to accommodate the varying strengths of many consumers. A bowling ball can weigh from 6 pounds to 16 pounds. The weight of the ball encompasses everything from the coverstock (material) to the core, which contains the weight block. The coverstock is the material used to make the outer surface of a bowling ball. There are four types of coverstock used in the making of bowling balls. The four coverstocks are polyester, urethane, resin, and particle. The material of the coverstock determines how a ball will roll. In general, the harder the coverstock, the straighter the ball will roll down the runway. Polyester balls are usually recommended for beginners and casual bowlers. On the other hand, urethane balls are the high-performance alternatives for professionals.

Polyester bowling balls have been available since the 1960s. They tend to skid, and roll straight with a small hook, and are most suitable for extremely dry lanes. In the 1970s bowling manufacturers developed urethane coverstocks, which are softer than polyester. The softer material produces more friction and hooks more than polyester balls. Resin balls are stronger than bowling balls made of other materials. The balls are known for their sharper hooks and greater power, which gives them the greatest strike potential. The resin balls are reserved for the most advanced bowlers, and can be used in all lane conditions. The first resin particles were added to urethane coverstocks in the 1990s. The resin particle additive increased the friction between the balls and the lane, and increased the hook potential of the ball. The resin balls evolved into particle balls when manufactures added ceramics and glass. The added textures increased friction and gave the ball more grip in oil.

The core of a bowling ball is the part of the ball with the largest concentration of mass. The sophistication and position of the core of a bowling ball are key features in the dynamics of a bowling ball. The sophistication and position can be explained by the radius of gyration (RG), which is a property used to determine how easily the ball will rotate. RG is the measurement of where the weight is located inside of the ball (relative the ball’s center). The core position, size, shape and density can adjust the RG. For example, a centralized core locates the weight in the center of the ball resulting in a low RG ball. If the core is placed off-center, the weight of the ball is shifted resulting in a high RG bowling ball, or what is known as a cover-heavy ball. Generally, the lower the RG, the quicker the ball will pick up its revolutions.

Three holes encompass the common bowling ball; two are for the fingers, and one is for the thumb. Usually inserting all three fingers into the ball holds a bowling ball. Alternatively, only the fingertips are placed into the ball. Using the fingertips may give less grip, but a bowler will be able to lift the ball better, and create more hook. There may also be a fourth, non-gripping hole (balance hole) in the bowling ball, which is used to fine tune the ball’s reaction. Twelve holes are allowed in each ball; one for each finger and thumb on both hands, one hole to bring a ball into static weight tolerances, and a “mill” hole to check the hardness of the coverstock just below the surface of the ball.

Helpful Techniques for Beginning Bowlers for a Better Game

When you’re a new bowler, hitting the bowling alley can be a little intimidating. If you’re insecure about your own performance, suddenly the alley can seem to be filled with all pros, all the time. Your first forays into bowling don’t have to be a nightmare, however. Just apply a few basic skills and techniques, and suddenly all the other bowlers will be glancing nervously at you for a change.

Pro bowlers love to say that the game is 90% mental, and that is the first challenge you have to conquer. Approach the game with confidence. Steel yourself for some successes and some failures, and don’t let either throw you off of the task at hand. Work on developing techniques that will help you stay focused and confident so you can develop a consistent game. Many professional bowlers recommend having a routine or ritual you complete before every shot to focus your attention on your shot and drown out all of the distractions that can be found around you in a bowling alley. This routine can be anything from wiping down your ball to deep breathing to repeating a calming mantra to yourself. Develop your own routine that will help you remain calm and confident so you always bowl your best.

Another thing you can do to help you bowl successfully is care for your bowling equipment the right way. If you’re just getting started, maybe you are using simply using the bowling balls and rental shoes provided at the alley, but if you are planning on making bowling a serious hobby, you really ought to invest in your own gear. Go to a professional bowling shop and try out balls in all different weights to find one that works for your. Do the same for shoes – the pro shop staff should be able to help you decide which kind of shoe is best for you and your skill level. Once you have your own gear, take great care of it, especially your ball. Wash excess oil of your ball with rubbing alcohol after every game, soak it in warm water and dish detergent every few weeks, and keep it properly sanded, waxed, and polished. Here again, a bowling equipment retailer should be able to explain in full the proper upkeep for your particular ball.

If you’re anxious about being the new bowler on the block, spend some time learning the lingo so you’ll fit right in. Do the same with the basic rules of the game. You can buy a sports book dedicated to bowling terms and rules, or you can simply take a few lessons or pick the brain of a more experienced bowler.

When it comes to familiarizing yourself with the game, your fellow bowlers can be the resource you have. Get over your fear of being the least experienced bowler in the room and speak up. Check out the way other people play, and ask them for tips. If you see a bowler who seems to be successful, watch them play and try and see what they are doing that you can incorporate some of their moves into your routine. Never worry about embarrassing yourself by approaching more seasoned bowlers – most avid bowlers have a genuine love of the game that they will be more than happy to share with you.

Whether you’re walking into the bowling alley for the first time, or you’ve had a little bit of practice but are still wet behind the eats, never fear. Stay calm, focused, and confident, and make the most of the other bowlers around you; soon you’ll be bowling with ease.

Simple Suggestions to Get your Kids Bowling

There are many fun and simple ways to get your kids interesting in bowling.  Whether you are looking for something fun for your family to do together, or a way to get your child interested in something new, there are many options to explore when you want to get your kids bowling.  Consider a bowling part, or purchasing some cool bowling gear that they can be excited about.  Try playing games while at the lanes, or using bumpers to encourage their confidence.  Bowling is a great way to have some family fun, but it is important to remember to lighten up and have a great time!

Many local bowling lanes will host birthday parties for your kids.  Check with your local lanes for details, but throwing your child a bowling birthday party can be a great way to get them interested in the sport of bowling.  These parties can include food and fun but also will encourage team work and friendship among the participants.  You can reserve some lanes and even invite the parents along for some adult fun.  The kids will love the game as well as keeping score and encouraging each other.  Hosting a bowling party is a great way to have some fun while encouraging and introducing the sport of bowling.

Another great way to get your kids excited about bowling is to purchase them some of their own gear.  Most of the bowling balls at the lanes are too heavy for children, or too large.  By purchasing them their own ball, you can encourage the sport and make them feel like a special participant as well.  There are many kid friendly balls for sale and many of them include images of their favorite characters.  Disney makes a line of kid’s bowling balls that feature their favorite Disney characters as well.  Other bowling gear such as t-shirts and shoes are a fun way to look like the team that you are!

There are many exciting and fun ways to bowl besides the traditional 10-pin bowling games.  If you are looking for a way to include younger children or just have a great time with your family, consider playing the game a different way.  Maybe just dividing into teams or partners will do it, or asking your local bowling lanes for ideas on ways to make the game more fun for children and the whole family is a great way to include kids and make them feel like equal participants in the game!

Many bowling lanes offer the use of bumpers for children.  These are padded rails that lay in the gutters along the lane to prevent “gutter balls.”  Since many children can’t throw the ball straight, or very hard, use of these bumpers can make the game more fun for your kids as well as inspire some interesting ways to roll the ball.  Ask your local lanes about this option as you may have to reserve it ahead of time.  Using bumpers can inspire confidence and creativity in your child and make the sport more fun for everyone.

Bowling is a great way to have some family fun.  Many lanes have family fun nights where there are special games and prizes, as well as other exciting features such as glow-in-the-dark bowling or moonlight bowling.  There are tons of ways to make bowling fun for the whole family and if you want to get your kids excited about it, you should have fun too!  Contact your local lanes to find out what services or programs are available for families, and maybe when and if there are non-smoking hours offered.  Since many bowling centers have league play going on, it is important to find out when the open bowling hours are before you head on in.

The most important thing to consider when getting your kids excited about bowling is to lighten up and have fun.  If your child sees you getting frustrated or pouting about that bad roll, they are not only going to pick up that behavior, but it will make them not want to play.  All sports should be fun and enjoyable for children and if you are looking to get your child to be excited about bowling, the best way is to have a blast yourself!

A Brief History of Bowling

The history of bowling can be traced back to the 3rd century.  The game of bowling was said to have originated in the German church. It was common for parishioners to set up a Kegel (club) representing a sinner, and then roll a stone in an attempt to knock it over. If the parishioner knocks the Kegel over, then the sinner is free of sin. The game eventually moved from the church and into a popular sport among the common people. A wooden ball replaced the stone, and pins were used in place of the Kegel. In the Middle Ages, the sport of bowling was seen throughout Germany, and many events included the sport. Eventually the sport spread from Germany and onto Austria, Spain, Switzerland, and the Low Countries. The game, which was previously played outdoors, was also moved indoors, into covered sheds with lanes made of wood or sunbaked clay.

Dutch colonists brought the game of bowling to America in the 17th century. The colonist’s game consisted of nine pins set in a triangle. The game was most common in an area of New York that is now known as Bowling Green. The sport of bowling was primarily associated with inns and taverns. The game of ninepins was banned in Connecticut in 1841 because of widespread gambling, and later banned in many other states. Some believe that the modern tenpins game was developed to circumvent the laws against ninepins. Indoor bowling became popular in the mid-nineteenth century after the introduction of indoor lanes in New York.

In 1875, eleven New York clubs met to create rules of bowling and standardization of equipment. Although basic rules could be agreed upon, there was no agreement on the width of the lane or the size of the pin. The American Bowling Congress (ABC) was organized at Beethoven Hall in 1895. The score was established at 300, and the distance between pins was set at 12 inches. Originally only New York City, Brooklyn, N.Y., and Buffalo, N.Y. were represented, but the following year Cincinnati, Boston, and Lowell, Mass. were represented. Ernest Fosberg of Rockford, Ill. was the first man to get a score of 300 in five-man league play. The following year E.D. Peifer inaugurated a handicap method for bowling; originally the competition was on an actual score basis.

The first hard rubber ball was developed in 1906, and the maximum ball weight was set to 16 pounds. Up to this point, all balls had been made of hardwood. The sport of bowling gained more popularity in 1920 as the prohibition law led to increases in the game. In 1939, it was established that all lanes should undergo annual inspection and certification before players are allowed to play on them. The National Negro Bowling Association was also founded in the year of 1939. From 1941-1945 the game of bowling grew even more as World War II greatly impacted the sport. Forty-five hundred alley beds were built by the military as a source of recreation.

In the year of 1948, Brunswick introduced dots and arrow markers to their lanes, which drastically improved accuracy for many bowlers. The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) was founded by Eddie Elias in 1958. The PBA originally had 33 charter members. The PBA featured three or four tournaments on the PBA tour, but the number of tournaments grew rapidly in the 1960s, which could be attributed to the influence of television. The “stepladder” format was formed in order to fit tournaments into TV time slots. The competitors in the tournaments begin by rolling a series of qualifying games with the top five finishers advancing into the stepladder round. Fourth and fifth place qualifiers must bowl a match, with the winner advancing to bowl against the third-place qualifier. This process continues up the stepladder, until the survivor meets the first-place qualifier in the final match.

Knock’em Dead with these Bowling Accessories

The sport of bowling has come a long way.  There used to be a time when all you needed was a pair of shoes and a bowling ball.  Even these necessities have become more and more refined and there are now various different kinds of balls and shoes available for those who wish to squeeze any and every advantage from the game.  Yet did you know that there are also other accessories that will make your game more elegant while at the same time will make you more effective at the game?  Do not be fooled by the claims of some retailers who will promise you that the purchase of a certain gadget or brand will turn a hack bowler into one that rolls one strike after another – while accessories will not roll the strikes for you, they will go a long ways to help you turn advantages into disadvantages.

Take for example the bowling gloves that are available for purchase. You may opt for either a complete glove, or you may consider a thumb or index finger support. The goal of the individual finger support is to be guards for your finger against blisters while at the same time it provides a textured material that will help you improve your grip on the bowling ball. Additionally, the gloves and individual finger supports will prevent the formation of unsightly calluses that also hurt when pressed.  Going along with the protection of your hand and individual fingers is also the protection of your wrist. There are several products on the market that serve to strengthen your wrists, and even if you do not feel you need any help with your wrist, you will be interested to know that some of these supports are semi-rigid so as you force your wrist into a proper position.  If you have trouble with your ball release, or if you are trying to find out why your bowling ball is not always going just where you planned, you might want to try out these great products to see if such a wrist support will help you to knock ‘em dead!

If you are not yet ready to invest in a glove, but the holes in the ball are truly doing a number on your fingers and thumb, you may also wish to consider the finger hole inserts you are able to purchase at reputable bowling supply stores. Make sure you specify the grip size to ensure that the inserts fit snugly into the holes. This will take the edge of the grip and make release a lot easier on your fingers and thumb. While you are taking care of your bowling ball, why not take the time to also check out the various kinds of ball cleaners that are available?  They are not all created equal, and if you speak to ten bowlers, the odds are pretty good that you will get ten different answers as to which cleaner is the best on the market.

As a general rule, it is best to ensure that the cleaner is indicated for the kind of finish on your bowling ball, does not eat away at the ball’s surface, and will get rid of any lane oil and dirt you may pick up during a game. If you notice that your ball seems to be covered in dirt or somewhat sticky from oil residue, you may also wish to invest in some cleaning towelettes that will permit you to clean the ball in between rolls. These disposable towelettes do not harm the ball’s surface, and instead permit you to remove materials that might otherwise hamper your rolls.

Fun Bowling Computer Games

Bowling is a game, that has roots that go back for hundreds of years. While most of us are familiar with the traditional bowling game that is played in a indoor bowling alley with either 5 or ten pins, there are actually many variations of this popular game.

If you’ve ever been to a bowling party, such as a birthday party, then you do that bowling is only half the the fun. Anybody at any skill level can participate, and you can have a great time hanging out with friends as well.

While it may same strange to some, bowling can be played inside, or outside (weather permitting of course). As long as you have some sort of area to roll a ball, and possibly some pins or other target to aim for, then you can bowl.

Most bowling game lanes, are rectangular in shape. There may be some square ones, but I haven’t seen any. It’s quite a long rectangle, usually with a length to width ratio of about 20:1.

In the western hemisphere, ten pin bowling has to be the most played. Although five pin bowling would be a close second, and is great for smaller children, who may not have the strength to handle the bigger 10 pin balls.

A nine pin variation is played quite a bit in Europe, and candle pin is popular in the American north ease, and Canada.

Duckpin is an interesting, and older version of ten pin bowling, that is not seen very often, but can be a lot of fun. The pins are kind of funny looking things being that they are shorter and fatter than regular ten pins.

People who play a lot of ten pin bowling, would do very well at duckpin. If you ever get a chance to play it, you should give it a go.

Cocked hat bowling would be really tough, if you think 5 pin is tricky. Using only 3 pins placed as far apart from each other as possible, and you throw a duckpin ball. It’s like trying to throw spares all the time.

I’m not sure I’d like cocked hat too much, but I’d be game to play a few frames, just to see what it’s like.

Feather bowling, is a little bit like curling, and a little bit like nothing else. Everyone takes turns throwing a wheel shaped ball, with the goal of trying to get it as close the the feather at the other end as possible. The lane slopes in towards the middle.