BOWLING STUDY GUIDE
BASIC SAFETY & ETIQUETTE:
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Bowling rules of conduct on and off the lanes are based mostly on common courtesy.
Do not take an excessive amount of time before each ball delivery.
The bowler on your right has the right of way. If he/she has taken a stance in the
approach area, wait until the delivery is complete before you begin yours.
As soon as you have completed your delivery and follow through, move away from the
foul line and wait behind the approach for your ball to return. This courtesy allows the
next bowler the make their approach without being distracted.
When a person is bowling with a particular ball, even if it is a house ball (owned by the
bowling alley), it is their property at the time. Do not use it without their consent.
Keep food and drink out of the playing area.
Use regulation-bowling shoes.
Refrain from talking to a bowler once they have assumed their stance.
Return any ball used to the racks before leaving.
Know how to and share the responsibility of scoring.
Throwing the ball as hard as you are able will NOT cause more pins to drop.
SCORING:
The score in bowling consists of the cumulative (on going) record of pins knocked down in each
of the 10 frames. It is a means of comparing the performance of the bowlers within a possible
perfect total score of 300. Each game (or line) consists of 10 frames with a maximum of two
balls rolled for each frame except in the 10th frame. In the 10th frame a third ball can be rolled if a
strike or spare is earned.
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If a strike is rolled it will score 10 points for that frame PLUS the adding of the next two
balls thrown.
If a spare is made it will score ten points for that frame plus the adding of the next (one)
ball rolled.
If a strike or spare is not made, it is an open frame. The total number of pins the two balls
rolled in that frame are totaled and added to the previous frame.
1
2
X
3
X
4
X
5
7|2
6
3|/
30
57
76
85
104
10+20
30+27
57+19
76+9
85+19
7
9|/
122
104+18
8
8|1
131
122+9
9
X
10
9|/
8|/|X
151
169
189
131+20
151+18
169+20
Have you ever wondered why special bowling shoes are required? Bowling shoes have
special leather sole that will allow the bowler to “slide” on the wooden floor when
releasing the ball.
After you have received your shoes and lane assignment, you’ll need to pick out a ball.
Bowling balls are really colorful and range in weight from 6 to 16 pounds. How do you
know which ball is right for you? There are two things to consider: First, the weight of
the ball should be about 10 % of your body’s weight. So if you weigh 100 pounds, you
should pick a 10 pound ball. Second, the finger holes should fit. To check for proper fit,
put your thumb in the thumb hole. Extend your middle two fingers out over the finger
holes. The middle of the finger holes should line up with middle of your knuckles. Make
sure that your thumb fits snugly, but not tight.
The bowling lane is normally 41 inches wide and 60 feet long from the foul line to the
pins. On the lane, you will see locator dots and target arrows to help bowlers aim their
shots. Did you know that bowling lanes are oiled daily? This helps protect them and
reduce the friction caused by the ball rolling down the lane. The approach area is the
portion of the lane behind the foul line. This is where the bowler lines up to deliver the
ball. The approach must be at least 15 feet long. Along each side of the lane is a
channel. A channel is there to catch a ball that rolls off the lane. To prevent you ball
from going into the channel, and increase your score, most bowling centers offer bumper
guards. Bumper guards can really help while you’re perfecting your game!