Bowling is a competitive pastime that people can enjoy with family and friends. However, for the majority of first-time bowlers, the sport can be challenging.
When bowling, cupping the wrist can result in more rolls (revs) on your ball. Cupping the wrist in bowling can also bring more power and angle into the pins.
However, a player’s sweaty hands may affect how they grip the bowling ball, which is why it’s hard to break 100, 150, or even 200 in bowling.
Getting a good score depends on techniques and skills. If you want to get better at this sport, this article is for you.
Read about some helpful tips so you can enjoy bowling to the fullest and get better at the sport. Who knows? You might be the next Dick Weber or Aleta Sill.
They also achieved very high achievements by constantly learning skills and practicing repeatedly. Follow their goals and improve your bowling skills through the following tips. Even if you can't reach the same level as them, you will be far better than others in bowling.
If you have a higher level of bowling skills, you can call for some small competitions between enthusiasts and use the Custom Medals you designed and named as prizes. After winning, you will feel very happy looking at the exquisite patterns on the medals.
Bowling Basics
Bowling (also called tenpins) is an indoor game played by individuals or teams on a synthetic floor or a polished wooden lane. In the U.S., about 80 million people actively participate in this sport.
Bowlers roll a ball with two- or three-finger holes for gripping toward ten wooden pins that are 15 inches tall. The pins are arranged in a triangular form, with the headpin 60 feet from a foul line.
Meanwhile, the balls are made of various materials. They're 8.5 inches in diameter, weighing not more than 16 pounds.
A bowling game has ten frames. The bawlers’ goal is to knock down all of the pins on the first try.
The bowler who rolls the ball underhand has a 15 feet runway to release the ball.
When a player knocks all the pins on the first try, it’s a strike. They’re given a score of ten points, with a bonus indicated by the total points obtained in the next two rolls.
Meanwhile, if the bowler knocks down all the pins with the second ball of a frame, it’s a spare. Scoring depends on the number of pins a bowler knocks down.
If a player bowls a spare, they get to add the pins in their next ball to that frame. For strikes, they get the following two balls.
However, if a bowler steps over the foul line, any pins they knock down will not count towards their score.
Tips to Improve in Bowling
1. Focus on the Arrows, Not on the Pins
First-time bowlers are often more concerned about the pins and how to knock them down. Instead of focusing on the pins, concentrate on the arrows.
The arrows on the bowling lane are located 15 feet from the foul line. Make sure to use these arrows to target where you want to throw the ball.
You may focus on a specific arrow and use it to help you get the ball rolling in the right direction.
2. Pay Attention to the Two Lines of Dots
Make sure to avoid stepping over the foul line. If getting your footwork right is a challenge, use the two lines of dots (called approach dots) as a guide.
The first set of dots is 12 feet from the foul line, while the second set is 15 feet from the foul line.
You can take advantage of these approach dots with a bit of practice to get your footwork right and stride accordingly.
3. Take Advantage of the 40 Narrow Boards
A 42-inch wide bowling lane is composed of 40 narrow boards running the length of the lane. You can also use these boards as a target guide.
You can probably use the arrows for reference. You can also use specific boards for the same purpose.
However, considering the bowling ball has to travel 60 feet, and you put it a few inches or more from where you need to, your pins will end up standing instead of getting a strike.
4. Learn About the Oil
Your grip and where you place your feet are essential to a good bowl. However, it would help to understand how oiling the lane can affect a bowler’s performance.
Oiling the lane protects the surface of the bowling lane and affects the behavior of the ball as it progresses down the lane.
Usually, the center of the bowling lane is oiled a bit more than the sides. So if you sense that the oil is affecting your roll, make sure to change your gameplay or change the weight of your ball.
5. Choose a Bowling Center
You’ll only improve as a bowler if you take some time practicing. Therefore, the bowling center you choose can be a critical factor for your skills to develop.
Choose a bowling center that you consider as your home alley. Consider the location, ambiance, food, and comfort when selecting one.
Conclusion
For most people, bowling is simply a recreation to spend time having fun with those who are equally interested in the sport.
However, it takes time and practice to improve your scores in bowling, so be patient with yourself and enjoy the sport. Eventually, bowling will become more fun once you see your scores improve.