Bowling is one of the most popular pastimes today. It appeals to a wide variety of people. If you’re looking to kick back and enjoy some quality time with your family and friends, an afternoon at the bowling alley might do the trick. Meanwhile, tournament bowling is the perfect outlet if you’re feeling a bit competitive. You can even turn it into a decent living if you develop your skills.
Like any sport, bowling can be more fun and exciting if you make it a point to learn the fundamentals. Even if you don’t want to go pro, knowing the etiquette, scoring, and basic shots ensure that you look like you know what you’re doing. It often seems that you only need luck to hit the pins, but there’s a lot of technique involved.
Here are a few tips and tricks that will help you become a better bowler.
1. Get the right bowling bowl
One of the first things you notice when you take your position is the selection of bowling balls. Each type of bowling bowl will have a different reaction on the lane, so you need to make sure you get the right one. Feel free to test different bowls: it should be light enough to be comfortable, but not too light that your accuracy and control are affected.
If you want to turn bowling into a full-time hobby, buying your own ball is a must. There’s no assurance that you can find a bowling bowl that will fit your frame and playing style, so it pays to be prepared. As a general rule, look for a bowling bowl between 12 to 14 pounds, although it all depends on your body frame. Go to a specialty bowling store like All American Bowling Equipment.
2. Know where to look
Most people look at the pins when bowling, which is the wrong way of going about it. You’re not going to get accurate shots unless you know where to look. Let’s start by talking about the lane. The line nearest to you is called the foul line. After the foul line are the arrows pointing towards the end of the lane.
Practice looking at the arrows when releasing the ball. You may have to look at different points of the lane, depending on what you’re trying to achieve, so feel free to experiment with different styles. Once you’ve nailed down the basics, your scores will begin to improve.
3. Learn etiquette
Tensions can run high at the bowling alley, and all players must learn basic etiquette to keep things smooth and orderly. After all, no one wants to play with a rude player. There are many rules of etiquette, so I’ll discuss some of the most important.
For starters, keep the approach clear. The approach is the area where players stand and prepare to release the bowl. Only active players should be on the approach, so sit on the bench if you’re waiting for your turn. You should also step away as soon as your turn is over.
Another thing to remember is to only use your equipment. Do not use other people’s bowling bowls unless it’s a shared rental.
4. Learn how to hold a ball
For starters, you’re not holding a bowl; you’re hooking one. Once you have a good bowling bowl, it’s time to practice your hook form. Professional bowling bowls perform differently from shared ones, so what works for one may not work for other situations.
A final word
These three tips will help you become a bowler. But good technique won’t help you if you don’t adopt the right mindset. The key to success in bowling is to remain calm at all times, even if things are going badly. The moment you lose your cool, your performance will be severely affected.