bowlinguk.com

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Bowling is a complicated and difficult sport to master (yes, it is a sport). The aim of the game is to bowl a round, heavy bowling ball down an 18.3 metre wooden, or synthetic wood, lane and knock down 10 large wooden pins standing at the other end.

XTREME BOWLING !
Imagine how hard it would be to league bowl in a centre like this !!!

Players are allowed 2 bowls (called 1 frame) to knock down the 10 pins. If all tenpins are knocked over in 1 bowl then it is called a STRIKE, that is 10 pins PLUS the next two balls. If all tenpins are knocked over in 2 bowls then it is called a SPARE, that is 10 pins PLUS the next ball only. A complete game consists of 10 frames. The player who knocks down the most pins and therefore gains the highest score is the winner of the game.

Helpful Bowling Hints

1) Keep your wrist firm the whole time you are bowling the ball.
2) Have your thumb facing up when you release the ball.
3) Follow through with your bowling arm; it ensures the ball is less affected by wrist movement.
4) Use your other arm to balance you.
With some practice, bowling should become a game of skill, rather than just luck !

Bowling balls can be made out of hard rubber, urethane or plastic. All balls are 29.6cm in diameter and can be between 6lbs and 16lbs, the legal maximum.

These shoes are available to hire, usually for a small charge, in every bowling centre. They have special rubber soles to help sliding when releasing the ball. The shoes protect the approach area and are normally available in child's size 8 to Adult size 15, (and no, they don't come in another colour!). All pro-shops should sell bowling shoes, with different soles for right and left handed bowlers.

Bowling Pins

Pins are made of wood and they are coated in hard rubber to protect them. Each pin is 38cm high and 12 cm in diameter at the head, and each weighs 1.5 kilos.

Bowling Terms

Strike: All 10 pins are knocked down on the first delivery. You get 10 points for those pins, plus bonus points equal to the number of pins your next two balls knock down.
Spare: All 10 pins are knocked down with two deliveries. You get 10 points for those pins, plus bonus points equal to the number of pins your next ball knocks down. (NB. this is NOT a "half strike" - it doesn't exist.)
Frame: One tenth of a game and also one of the 10 score boxes in which the running total of the game is recorded.
Game: Consists of 10 frames.
Approach: The name given to the area between the bowlers starting position and the foul line
Foul line: Is the starting line at the beginning of the lane.
Foul: Touching or going beyond the foul line as you deliver the ball.
Average: Total score of your games divided by the number of games you played.
A double: Two strikes in a row.
A turkey: Three strikes in a row.
Gutter: The runaway on each side of the lane where balls end up if they leave the lane or miss.

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