Do you want to learn more about bowling? Review the following bowling information:

 

DID YOU KNOW?

	•	The maximum weight of a bowling ball is 16 lbs. 0 oz. Some bowling balls weigh more than that prior to the drilling of the finger and thumb holes.
	•	The circumference of a bowling ball shall be no more than 27.002". Which makes the diameter of a bowling ball approximately 8.6"
	•	each lane has 39 boards from gutter to gutter.
	•	each lane is 64 feet from the foul line to the end of the lane.
	•	the head (number 1) pin is 60 feet from the foul line.
	•	each board on the lane is about 1 inch wide.
	•	there are 7 target arrows on the lane spaced 5 boards apart.
	•	the target arrows range from 15 feet to 17 feet from the foul line.
	•	the target arrows line up with the pins (the 1st arrows on each side line up with the 7 and 10 pins, the 2nd lines up with the 4 and 6 pins, the 3rd lines up with the 2 and 3 pins, and the middle arrow lines up with the head pin).
	•	the dots on the approach line up with the arrows on the lane.
	•	two types of wood are used to make up the lanes ~ maple for the heads (the 1st 15 feet of the lane) and pine (from the heads to the back end). The back ends (about the last 15 feet of the lane) are maple.

Bowling Ball Materials

Bowling balls have been made from various materials throughout the history of the sport. They were once made of wood, hard rubber, soft rubber, and urethane. Most bowling balls these days are made of a resin material - either reactive or proactive. This material enables the ball to hook (curve) on various lane surfaces and conditions. Many bowlers will also use a plastic ball for spares.

 

 

DO YOU KNOW?

	•	what USBC stands for?
	•	how much of a membership fee you paid to register for this season?
	•	the numbers of all the pins?
	•	how to keep score?
	•	how to calculate an average?
	•	how your handicap is calculated?
	•	the name of your league?
	•	the name of your association?
	•	which bowling centers have leagues in our association?
	•	the name of your team?
	•	who your team captain is?
	•	the responsibilities of a team captain?

 

If you know the answers to all these questions, CONGRATULATIONS!!

If you cannot answer any of these questions, you should do some research to find the answers to them. You might even ask a coach to help you answer these questions.

 

Hitting your mark
Find a mark on the lane - usually one of the arrows. Look at that mark from the time you get your bowling ball set in your hand until the time the ball rolls past that mark. Know whether that ball rolled over the mark or not. It is extremely important to know if you are hitting your mark. It is very difficult to make adjustments if you aren't hitting your mark, or if you don't know whether you're hitting your mark. This takes concentration!! Good luck.
Setting Goals
It is always a good idea to set goals for yourself when you are trying to accomplish something. These goals should be achievable. As an example, let's say you are a 150 average bowler. Your goal may be to bowl your 1st ever 200 game this season.
Another goal may be to increase your average by 10 pins from last year.

 

Equipment:  Bowling Ball Grip

It is extremely important for you to make sure your thumb and fingers fit in the ball properly. No matter what type of grip your ball is drilled for, your thumb should go all the way into your ball and fit snugly. It should not feel loose or tight. There is bowling ball tape available to help adjust your fit. Your fingers should go in as far as your first knuckle for a fingertip grip. They should go in to the second knuckle for a conventional grip. Also, your span is very important as well. The easiest way to explain the proper span in that the palm of your hand should be in contact with the ball. If you put your fingers and thumb in the ball correctly, try to put a pencil between the ball and your hand. If the pencil slips easily between them, your span is too short, and your ball needs to be re-drilled. If the holes in your ball are the right size, but your fingers or thumb do not go into your ball as they should, your span is to big and your ball should be re-drilled.

 

 SCOREKEEPING

Do you know how to keep score in ten pin bowling?  Do you know how the computer is adding up your score?  If you do, that is great!  If you don't, it is time you learn - now!

Click on this link to download information about scorekeeping in ten pin bowling.  If you need help with this, see Greg Haase.