Source: Beginner Bowling Tips

Even though bowling scoring is almost always done automatically by an electronic system, it’s still necessary to learn the fundamentals of how it’s done. You should have a general understanding of all the numbers and symbols on the screen, and you should be able to calculate what is needed to reach a certain score or beat an opponent when you’re in the middle of a game. This article will teach you all about keeping a bowling score.

The Basics of Bowling Scoring

A game of bowling consists of 10 frames, each with two opportunities to knock down the pins (except for the final frame). The best possible score you can get is 300, which is known as a perfect game.

If you topple all 10 pins on the first try; this is known as a strike, and your turn is over. If you take two throws to knock down all 10 pins, it is called a spare.

On a scoresheet, you will see 10 big boxes on a horizontal line next to your name. These represent the 10 frames. You will also see a smaller box in the right-hand corner of each large one.

The number of pins knocked down on the first throw is written in the space to the left of this small box, while the number knocked down on the second throw goes in the box. The diagram on the right is an example where a bowler knocked down 6 pins on the first throw and 3 on the second, for a total of 9 pins for the frame, which is found in the middle of the large box.

How to Score Strikes and Spares

On the scoresheet, a strike is marked with an X and a spare is denoted by a / symbol. The reason these are especially valuable for high scores is that you get to add on pins from the next frame to the 10 that you just knocked down. Let me explain how this works.

A spare counts as 10 pins plus the number of pins knocked down on your next throw. (In other words, your score isn’t actually recorded until you have moved on to the next frame.) So if you get a spare and then a 6 on the first ball of the next frame, your spare will be counted as 16.

For a strike, it’s even better, as you add the value of the next two rolls to the 10 pins. For example, if you get a strike and then bowl a 6 and a 3 on the next frame, it will count as 19. The absolute best score you can get in a frame is 30, which would require you to bowl two more strikes on your subsequent rolls. Because of this, bowling a few strikes in a row will have a huge impact on your score.

Check out the example below of the first 4 frames of a game of bowling and see if you can follow along.

The 10th and final frame is the only one where you’ll see something different, as there are three small boxes. If you bowl a strike or a spare, you get the benefit of a bonus shot. If you bowl a strike on your first shot of the 10th, you get two additional shots, and if you bowl a spare, you get one.

Other Symbols Used in Bowling Scoring

There are a couple of other symbols you’ll encounter on a bowling scoresheet.

If you leave a split, which is a setup of multiple pins with a gap in between them, it will be marked on the scoresheet with a circle surrounding the number of pins you knocked down (see right).

Any throw that does not knock down any pins will be denoted by a dash (see right).

Finally, a foul line infraction (stepping over the line when making your throw) will be marked with an F and any pins knocked down will not be counted.

Does this answer all your questions about bowling scoring? If not, be sure to leave a comment and we’ll get back to you right away.

 

Source: Beginner Bowling Tips  

When you’re just starting to bowl, it’s unlikely that you will have your own ball and you’re most likely relying on the ones provided by the alley. These are known as “house balls” and you’ll plenty of them find them sitting on racks near the lanes.

It’s very important to take some time to carefully select your ball. A bad fit can be disastrous to your scores, but a proper match can greatly improve your results on the lanes.

What to Look For in a House Ball

The two main things to look for in a house ball are weight and finger holes. In addition to these factors, you should carefully inspect the outside cover of the ball to see if there are any major dents or chunks that would affect its roll down the lane.

Proper Ball Weight

Most house balls will say their weight right on their cover, and some alleys may use a color-coded system for different weights. If there’s any doubt, don’t hesitate to ask the alley staff.

Female adult bowlers should start out with an 11 or 12 pound ball while most adult men should feel comfortable with a 14 or 15 pounder.

Understand that these are just general guidelines and your ideal weight will vary depending on your body type and strength. You should try these weights but be sure to adjust if it does not feel right.

There is also a simple test that you can try out to see if your ball is too heavy. Hold the ball in the palm of your bowling hand and extend your arm. Place your non-bowling hand below for additional support, and see if you can comfortably hold the ball for about 5 seconds. If you can’t, the ball is too heavy for you and you should move down to a lighter one.

The Right Finger Holes

First, you want the thumb hole to be snug, but big enough so that your thumb can come out easily without too much resistance or a loud pop. If the hole is too big, you will put too much stress on your thumb joint, which can lead to poor shots and even injury.

You want the finger holes to be large enough so that you can insert your fingers fully up to the second knuckle. (This is known as a conventional grip, the only one which should be used with a house ball.) Your middle and ring fingers should be stretched naturally and comfortably.

Even Better – Invest in Your Own Ball

Although their popular for beginners, house balls have some significant disadvantages. First, no matter how long you look, it’s unlikely you will find a ball with an just the right fit for your fingers. You’ll usually have to settle for a pretty good fit, and if the thumb hole fits, the finger holes might seem a little too loose, or vice versa.

Since house balls are drilled to be used by both left and right handers, the two finger holes are the same size. Your middle finger is larger than your ring finger, however, so this also contributes to a less than optimal fit.

It’s very tough to find any sort of consistency when you’re using different equipment each time, and house balls vary greatly in the size and placement of the finger holes. While you can often settle for a decent fit, it’s much better to make the investment in a ball that is drilled specifically for your hand.

 

Source: Kids Learn to Bowl

Balance is one of the most important elements in the game of bowling. If a bowler does not maintain balance they will struggle to hit a target and maintain consistency.

To develop balance without a ball:

1. Move the sliding shoe forward.
2. Bend the knee deeply.
3. Lean at the waste.
4. To check the balance line, pick up the back toe. You may notice a shift in the body to maintain balance. This is the body telling the bowler the proper balance line.
5. Place the back toe on the floor with the it tucked underneath the body. This will allow the swing to stay close to the body for maximum leverage.
6. The back toe should be towards the outside of the shoe to maintain proper hip position.

Maintaining Balance

To maintain lower body balance, keep the back toe on the floor.

To maintain upper body balance, keep the chin towards the sliding knee. For extreme cases, the bowler may need to feel as though the chin is over the sliding knee (in feeling only).

Developing Leverage

The bowler must maintain leverage in the shoulder at the time the ball is released. The shoulders will be tilted with the bowling shoulder lower, but the shoulder does not drop at the time of release.

To develop the feeling of leverage, use a buff-a-bag to re-enforce the feeling. Place a ball in the buff-a-ball and place one handle through the other to create a handle. Place the handle on the bowling fingers and develop a balance position. With the elbow relaxed, leverage in the shoulder and bowling fingers bent, gently swing the ball back and forth. This will teach the feeling of leverage in the shoulder and bowling fingers.

Important note: It is important to have a tilt in the bowling shoulder to allow the swing to be close to the body. The bowler should start with a tilt in the stance and maintain a feeling of leverage when the ball is released.

Proper balance will increase the bowler’s accuracy and consistency.