Beginner Bowling Tips

Here you are– getting ready for a first date, or a night out with colleagues or friends. They’ve decided on a fun activity– bowling– and the realization is starting to sink in that you don’t actually know how to play. Have no fear! Many have been in your bowling shoes before.

There are many reasons to bowl, and not all include professional gear and training. Bowling can be the perfect recreational activity within families, friends, work associates, and even strangers in a fun league. It is a great activity to let off some steam, enjoy yourself, and do your best to knock down some pins.

Due to the sport’s accessibility and recreational potential, many find themselves in a bowling alley sporting their rented shoes, ball in hand, when they realize they actually have no idea how to bowl. This is okay! It is never too late or too early to learn some pointers. Whether it’s your first time bowling, or you’d just like to amp up your game a little, here are a few bowling tips for all the beginner bowlers out there.

The Aim of the Game

It may seem obvious to some, but the point of the game is to knock down as many pins as possible. Bowlers will get two tries/throws per turn/frame. Games typically consist of ten frames, with two throws in each frame. Knocking down all ten pins at once is called a “strike,” and is of course ideal. If you achieve a strike on your first throw, your turn is then over, as you do not need a second throw. Knocking down all ten pins within two throws in a frame is called a “spare,” which is ideal if a strike was not accomplished on your first throw. If you do not achieve a strike or spare during your turn, you simply get points based on how many pins you were able to knock down. A “gutter ball” occurs when your throw goes too far to one side or another, and falls into the ridge on either side of your lane. Since bowling is a learning process, don’t be too hard on yourself if you throw a few gutter balls–we’ve all been there!

For young children, or anyone who desires, bumpers are usually available at bowling alleys upon request. Bumpers are short walls that block off the gutters on each side of your lane, disallowing balls to fall off completely.

As far as scoring is concerned, a strike counts for ten points plus bonus points equal to the amount of the next two throws a bowler makes. A spare is worth ten points plus bonus points equal to the next roll a bowler makes. If you are not able to knock down all ten pins in a frame, you achieve one point per pin that is knocked down.

Basic Form and Strategy

You may have seen the way professional bowlers approach the lane, using immaculate technique, achieving strike after strike in a seemingly effortless manner. Do not be intimidated; perfect form and bowling technique can take a long time to perfect. In general, there are a few bowling tips you can take note of in order to achieve the best result when going to throw your ball.

First, you will need to choose a ball that works for you. Weight-wise, there is a general “10 percent” rule, that a ball that is 10% of your body weight should usually be a good fit. However, that exact rule does not apply to everyone, especially those recovering from an injury. Choose a ball that feels comfortable to you and that you feel you can throw with ease, keeping in mind that in general a heavier ball is more effective when it comes to knocking down pins.

It is also important to choose a ball with holes that fit well with your fingers. Holes that are too small can trap your finger when you go to release, resulting in a less-than-optimal throw. Holes that are too large for your fingers may be hard to grip, and may also affect your release. The space between the holes should fit with your hand as well to avoid over-stretching; there should be enough room between your hand and the ball to fit a pencil beneath your palm. If it lightly touches both your palm and the ball, then you know that you’re not overstretching your hand or gripping the ball too tightly.

To achieve a perfect hook shot:

Straighten the wrist of your bowling hand (the hand that’s holding the ball). Be careful not to bend or flex your wrist.
Hold your hand straight while you swing the ball out and back.
Begin to rotate the wrist, hand, and fingers on your bowling arm toward the opposite side of your body as the ball comes forward.
If you’re left-handed, rotate your wrist toward the right. If you’re right-handed, rotate your wrist toward the left.
Let go of the ball near your ankle and finish with your hand in the handshake position after you release the ball.
You know your hand is in the handshake position when your thumb is pointing up and your palm is facing the inside of the lane.

To throw the perfect straight shot:

Keep your bowling hand directly underneath the ball and your wrist straight.
The main difference between a straight shot and a hook shot is that you keep your hand straight all the way through the backswing and the release of the ball.
Swing your bowling arm out and back.
As the ball comes forward, release it onto the lane when it reaches your ankle, keeping your hand straight and palm up the entire time.

Do not hesitate to ask a staff member for advice or for additional bowling tips!

Things to Remember

Take the same number of steps each time, whether it’s 3, 4 or 5, whatever is comfortable. This will help you to get into a groove and achieve consistency with your throws.
The last step should be on the foot opposite your bowling hand (your sliding foot).
Adjust the timing of your back swing/approach so that the ball arrives at the start of the lane at the same time your sliding foot does.
Don’t force the downswing. Let your back swing hit the apex and then accelerate through and lift.
Aim for the same arrow (your “mark”) each time and adjust your starting point left or right if necessary.

Achieve Your “A” Game at SpareZ

If you live anywhere around Davie FL, SpareZ is the place for you! Click here to fill out our online form, or call 954-434-9663 to find out more information about our bowling options, joining a league, how to book events, or additional bowling tips! Enjoy yourself to the fullest and accelerate your game play at your best local bowling alley, SpareZ!