Bowling is said to be a sport that takes only a minute to learn but a lifetime to master.  The bowler’s goal is to knock down all the pins.  A game is made up of ten frames and you get to bowl two balls per frame.  A team is six players and each player takes a turn in the frame.  Knocking down pins scores points.  Bowlers stand at the black line and roll the ball down the alley.  This all sounds so simple, right?  It is simple but there are a few basics any new bowler needs to know.

The bowling lane is made of five different sections.  The sections include the player’s area, the approach, the lane, pins, and gutter.  Your teammates will wait for their turn in the player’s area while you are approaching the lane.  A lane is made of wood or a synthetic and has 39 boards.  The length of the lane is 60 feet. 

Bowling balls have weights of six pounds to sixteen pounds and can be made of polyester, urethane, reactive resin, or particle.  There are three holes in the ball where you place your thumb and two middle fingers.

First and foremost be safe when you bowl.  Keep your hands out of the ball return because they can easily get stuck.  Wear the proper shoes for bowling.  They should fit comfortably and not slip on your heels.  Choose your bowling ball carefully.  It should be the right weight for your body size and finger holes that fit your fingers.  Stay behind the black foul line.  The alley is extremely slick beyond that line.  Try not to bowl at the same time as the bowler in the next lane.  You could be a distraction or be distracted which could cause an injury.

Choosing the right ball will help you bowl your best.  Hold a ball in your hands and if it feels right, it probably is.  Your thumb and two middle fingers should fit comfortably.  Finger holes too small may not be released properly and holes too large can cause blisters and early release.

New bowlers need to know the basics of bowling.  The basics include:

Stand behind the foul line facing away from the pins

Take four or five regular steps away from the foul line, that is where you should start your approach

Line up your feet with a spot on the approach, beginners should use the spot in the middle or just to the side of that spot

Keep your left foot a little in front of the right one and about six inches apart

Cradle the ball in both hands

Step forward quickly, letting go of the ball with one hand swinging the ball behind you

As you near the foul line, bring the ball to the front and release it with a smooth motion

Do not cross the foul line

Scoring is not hard to learn and some alleys have computers that take care of that chore for you.  Each game has ten frames and you are allowed to bowl twice to try to knock down as many pins as you can.  If you knock all the pins down it is called a strike.  If you get a strike on the first ball, you do not need to use your second ball.  A spare is called when you use your second ball to knock down the pins that were left standing.  On the last frame you will get two extra balls if you get a strike, and one extra ball if you make a spare.  The player with the highest number of pins knocked down is the winner.

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