How to Ball

How to Bowl Strikes Every Time, How to Hook a Bowling Ball, and How to Shoot Your First 300 Game!

By Jim L King

Alright, so I am not promising that you will go out and bowl a 300 your first time out, using a house ball. But, I promise I will increase your average, and get you start shooting two-hundred point games consistently.

The two things that every bowler needs to shoot a good game (200+) are: strikes and spares! You may be thinking that is going to be hard, but do not worry, it is not hard. There is only one thing you need to know to start getting strikes, and that is "the pocket". The pocket is between the first and second pins on the right side (the one and three pins). All you have to do, is hit this place, and you Will start getting strikes. Hitting the pocket is most easily (when throwing the ball straight which is not recommended) achieved by throwing the ball at the second arrow (the second arrow simply means hitting the second arrow shaped mark from the right about fifteen feet down the lane) angled towards the pocket.
Next, is how to hook the ball (notice this can be done with a plastic house ball, however, this is surely not the easiest way). First, you need to find a ball that fits your hand. Plastic house balls are drilled so that your entire finger goes in the ball, when really all you want is your finger tips, but we will have to make it work. So, what you do, is while throwing the ball, bring your hand up as if you were shaking somebody's hand upon release of the ball. This means your palm should be facing to the left upon release of the ball (opposite for left handed people). Be sure not to throw the ball to hard or to far in the air, as both of these can reduce the hook of the ball.

How to bowl a perfect three hundred game: Bowl all strikes!

Why Your Bowling Ball's Coverstock Makes a Difference!

Make Bowling Fun For the Whole Family

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Bowlingballs

Why Your Bowling Ball's Coverstock Makes a Diffe

By Sean Lannin

There are lots of bowling ball choices available on the market, but just picking any ole' ball will not improve your scores...there are differences! It is important to understand the differences between the various balls available to us bowlers before deciding which bowling ball to purchase.

A bowling ball is made up of two parts, the coverstock or outer shell and the weight block or inner core. Today we will focus on why choosing the correct coverstock is important. The coverstock is important because it is the only part of the ball that actually contacts the surface of the bowling lane, and will therefore have a tremendous influence on the speed and trajectory of the ball.

There are 4 primary covers used for bowling balls; plastic, urethane, reactive resin, and particle, which is proactive. As discussed above, how they perform and react on the lane surface is an important consideration when choosing your ball. The more friction created the more we can get a ball to hook, and friction will vary depending on the type of the ball's coverstock.

A ball with a plastic coverstock creates the least amount of friction and will therefore provide the least amount of hook potential. A urethane coverstock creates more friction that the plastic balls. Reactive resin creates much more friction and potential much more hook and pin action. It is less durable than both plastic and urethane. The fourth primary coverstock is particle, which provides the most friction because of its "bumpy" surface.

As a general rule the plastic balls are a good choice for beginners as their primary ball, and they are also favored by more advanced players as a spare ball because of their predictability. The urethane ball is a good all around choice for its many favorable characteristics. More advanced players tend to favor the reactive resin and particle coverstock bowling balls. They are less predictable but easier to generate the hooks that better players are searching after.

We will discuss weight block in a future article, but as you can see just the coverstock options alone might be a bit overwhelming to a newcomer. Don't let this deter you...and don't let this make you run out and purchase the first ball you see. Take your time to research the available options, and find the ball that is suitable to your game and skill level.

Make Bowling Fun For the Whole Family

Bowling Ball Reviews to Choose a Bowling Ball

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Make Bowling Fun For the Whole Family

By Kimberly Johnson

If you have ever wondered how the bowlers that get Strikes and Spares do it, then join the crowd! It has always annoyed me when I am bowling next to a bowler that is getting Strikes and picking up Spares left and right and I am doing good to keep it on the lane.

Having been a bowler that gets Strikes,Spares and Gutter balls all in one night, I can tell ya that it is way more fun to get the strikes or spares that the gutter balls! However if you are just out for a night of fun with the family, don't get competitive, don't let gutter balls or a low score get ya down, after all you are there for FUN with the kids! So just Grab your ball hit the approach, stand correctly, walk your 3 or 4 steps to the foul line and go into your slide, and throw the darn thing down the lane.

Then sit down eat some french fries or take a drink of your beer, and let the kids have a turn. I promise you will all have a blast! If you have really young kids you can have bumpers put up on one lane and have the lane next to it for older kids and adults.

If your kids are like mine, it wont take long till they are asking you to take them bowling all the time and wanting their own equipment(ball, shoes, bag) if course I would not buy them their own shoes when they were young, I had a hard enough time keeping them in tennis shoes, let alone bowling shoes. But they did get their own ball cause it just makes it alot easier if you have a ball that is the right weight and drilled for you hand. They have been bowling in the junior league for 7 years now and they have the time of their lives.

And like me they have made some life long friends from the bowling leagues they have been on.

Bowling Ball Reviews to Choose a Bowling Ball

Learning to Keep Score is Part of Knowing Bowling Rules

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Bowling Ball Reviews to Choose a Bowling Ball

By Sean Lannin

If you are in the market for a new bowling ball, one way to make an informed purchase is to read bowling ball reviews to determine what the right fit is for you. We review a few of the more popular brands and models below to provide information to help you choose a bowling ball.

Bowling balls are made from a wide variety of materials, each has their strengths and weaknesses, and each performs differently on the lanes. Rubber, plastic, and urethane are the most popular substances used in the industry.

Most bowlers start out renting a ball at their local alley. Some bowlers never purchase their own ball and continue to rent for as long as the play the sport, this is fine, and an option to consider. However, once you begin taking the sport a little more seriously it might be time to consider purchasing a custom made ball.

Brunswick Scorchin Inferno - One of the best selling models in the Brunswick lineup, this is a high performance ball that has proven popularity. This model is a step up from their mid level Ultimate Inferno ball, and is a good choice for intermediate and advanced players. This ball works best on lanes with heavy oil.

Columbia Action Packed - This high performance ball is another good choice for the intermediate and above player. If you generally play under medium lane conditions this is a good choice.

Elite R43 - Our third choice is the R43 that performs on lanes with both light and heavy oil conditions. This ball is designed to transfer energy from the ball to the pins at the last second, increasing your chances of knocking down more pins. Its unique design allows the weight block to transfer its energy only at the point of impact.

Once you have made your decision and ordered your ball you will want to ensure you properly care and maintain your ball. Proper care will ensure that it lasts for a very long time and will continue to perform at a high level.

Care should be taken to prevent dropping which can damage to the ball, and possibly injure someone. It is a good idea to purchase a bag to store and carry your ball as well, this ensures safe transport of the ball and provides additional protections. When not being used the ball should be kept at room temperature, and not left out in the garage to freeze, for example.

Carry a clean, soft cloth to remove foreign substances, control oil build-up, and provide a general polish to the ball. It is also advisable to have your pro shop refinish the ball once a year, depending on frequency of use

Bowling balls range in price from $75.00 to $400.00 for a majority of the intermediate balls, and come in an ever increasing choice of designs and colors. There are some custom ball manufacturers that allow you to design your own ball!

Bowling ball reviews are designed to provide you with a general idea of what is available when you are in the market to choose a bowling ball. Remember to conduct thorough research on what is the best choice for you before making your purchase. If you do, you will enjoy the purchase of your new bowling ball and will be knocking down more pins as a result.

Learning to Keep Score is Part of Knowing Bowling Rules

Basic Rules of Bowling Etiquette

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Learning to Keep Score is Part of Knowing Bowling Rules

By Sean Lannin

Properly tallying of your bowling score is a central element to learning the bowling rules. In the sport of bowling the score is used to determine who won or lost, and therefore knowing how to keep score are basic rules of bowling.

Many people shy away from keeping score thinking it is complicated or difficult, but keep score is as simple as adding up how many pins were knocked down. A player is given two attempts to knock down as many pins as they can each frame. The pins that are knocked down the first attempt are added and recorded, and the same thing happens for the second attempt. Then the score from both attempts are added together.

The score from the first attempt is written in the small space in the top left corner of the box for that specific frame, and the number of pins knocked down on the second attempt is recorded in the small box next to the first score. After both scores are tallied together, this total score is recorded in the large space at the bottom of the box.

So, if a player knocks down a total of 6 pins the first frame and 8 pins in the second frame, they have a total score of 14. Pretty easy, right? Well in bowling they have what is known as bonus scoring and this is what intimidates most people from learning bowling rules. Learning this is simple also, so stick with me...

Bonus scoring happens when all ten pins are knocked down in frame, either on their first ball or with a combination of the first and second ball. Knocking down all 10 pins with the first ball is called a Strike, and is recorded by marking an 'X' for that frame. The points are written down after the players next 2 balls, and the score is tallied by adding the 10 points from the strike and the combined score of the next 2 balls in the frame that the strike was thrown.

A spare is handled similarly. A spare is when a player uses both of their turns in a frame to know down all ten pins. A spare is recorded by marking a '/' in the box for that frame. The bonus scoring for a spare includes adding the 10 pins for the spare plus the score of the next ball.

So the difference between a strike and spare is how the bonus scoring is handled, which are important bowling rules. For a strike, the 10 points for scoring a strike are added to the score of the next two balls, whereas for a spare, only the score of one ball is added.

There is one more wrinkle to properly scoring bowling. In the 10th frame if a person bowls a strike they are given 2 extra balls, and if the roll a spare in the 10th frame they are given 1 extra ball. After all of the scores are recorded they are all added up to determine the total score for the game.

Knowing the bowling rules is important, and learning to keep score is one part of the official bowling rules. It really is easy to learn to keep score, but just takes a little practice. A great way to learn is to have someone that knows how to keep score teach you, after a few frames you will know exactly how to score a game.

Basic Rules of Bowling Etiquette

Tips For Bowling Practice

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Basic Rules of Bowling Etiquette

By Sean Lannin

Most people pick up the sport of bowling for the fun and social atmosphere of the sport. In fact, the majority of bowlers never bowl competitively. Their exposure is limited to a few games with friends a couple of times a year or maybe midnight bowling with the kids.

Knowing the basic rules of bowling and basic bowling etiquette makes the game more enjoyable for everyone. So, whether you play competitively on a team or simply share some laughs once a month with friends and family, take it upon yourself to learn the bowling rules.

Here are a few of the more basic rules of bowling etiquette to get you started:

1. All bowlers should learn the rules and guidelines of the game and of the bowling alley. Help younger players learn these rules by correcting their mistakes or rewarding them for favorable behavior.
2. Keep your area neat and clean. Throw food and used drinking bottles in the proper trash receptacle, and don't allow to accumulate. Generally you are not allowed to bring food onto the lanes. Know what rules the bowling alley expects you to follow.
3. Bowlers should understand who bowls first on the lanes, and be aware when it is their turn. The general rule is that whoever is up first is the first to bowl. Have a sense of the other bowlers next to you and their routines.
4. A player should always be ready to bowl. Be prepared to take your turn with no unnecessary delays. Once it is your turn move with purpose.
5. Show respect to other bowlers, your equipment, and the bowling alley at all times. Display proper sportsmanship at all times.
6. A bowler should use the same ball throughout the game. Do not use a ball that is already being used by another bowler. If you switch balls, return the other ball back to the rack.
7. Learn to compete with respect. A healthy competition among players leads to an enjoyable event for everyone.

Bowling is a great game that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is common to see kids of only 4 or 5 years of age, side by side with their grandparents of 70 years old. Bowlers with more experience typically understand the rule and etiquette of better than beginning players, although this is not always the case. Regardless of your level of experience, by learning the basic rules of bowling and the etiquette of the game you will make it more enjoyable for yourself, your family and friends, and your teammates and competitors.

Grip Tips For Bowling

A Beginner's Guide For Bowlers

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Bowling How To

Tips For Bowling Practice

By Sean Lannin

Practice is the best way to improve your game. Try these tips for bowling to focus on specific areas for improvement. This will greatly increase how quickly you see improvement in your game and the improvements will be greater than without these methods.

I see a lot of new bowlers just grab a ball and begin throwing it down the lane when they practice. It does not appear that they have any practice plan or are trying to improve a specific area of their game. One of the best tips for bowling practice is to have a game plan...or better stated a "practice plan".

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses in any area of your life is important, and knowing these for your bowling game is equally important. With this knowledge you can construct a practice plan that focuses on your weaknesses, those areas of your game that you want to improve, and can spend less time on those areas that you already excel.

When practicing, it is best to practice with the appropriate ball. If you are a beginner and use a lane ball ensure that it fits. A ball that does not fit the fingers, a ball that is too light or too heavy is not appropriate, and will negatively affect your practice. If you use your own balls, bring those that you use in games and don't experiment wildly. If you carry 2 balls, a main ball and a spare ball...use the correct ball during practice.

Creating a routine is important for consistent scores. Using a 4-step approach one time and then switching to a 5-step approach will only create problems and will not allow you to improve your game. Use your practice time to develop a routine if you do not already have one, or to re-enforce your routine if you do. Go through the same process each and every time, developing a habit or routine that you consistently use to pick up your ball, take your stance, plan your shot, and execute the shot. This routine will allow you to be "in the zone" more often and prevent you from worrying about all sorts of things while you are in a game.

It is best to avoid rolling a game as practice, and instead focus on specific areas to improve. Often we consider this practice, showing up to the lane, taking out our ball, throwing a couple of games, packing everything up and heading home. Instead, forget about rolling a game and instead focus on a pre-shot routine, pocket consistency, our approach, ball speed, etc. By breaking down the parts of the game and focusing our practice efforts on improving these areas, the sum or total of these parts will improve as well. Not only will our games improve but they will do so much faster.

Having a game plan is important, whether we are talking about our personal lives, our bowling games, or our bowling practice. Try these tips for bowling practice to focus your efforts and practice time, and with it watch your game significantly improve.

A Beginner's Guide For Bowlers

Grip Tips For Bowling

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A Beginner's Guide For Bowlers

By Ruth Cracknell

There are three main categories of bowlers: those who use three steps, those who use four and those who use five steps in their approach to the foul line.A great many bowlers favor taking four steps on their approach as it gives them smoothness, helps their coordination, gives them sufficient time to master release of the ball and radiates rhythm throughout.

With few exceptions, bowlers are readily converted to the four-step method once they realize its potential. Take in a bowling class where a competent instructor is on hand, and you'll hear the chant: "Out on one, down on two, back on three and slide!"You'll find it comfortable, carrying with it a minimum of work and a maximum of pleasure.
Let's take the first step in the four-step delivery. This is where the pushaway comes in and that's the part embraced by the cry: "Out on one." So the first step takes care of the pushaway.

Bear in mind that in the pushaway the ball should be launched forward and slightly to the right in order to make room for your second step and the pendulum swing of your arm. If the ball isn't pushed out slightly to the right you will be prone to hit your right leg with it during the second step.

While you are taking that second step, the left hand (provided you are right-handed) leaves the ball. This is a split-second proposition and will vary. Some bowlers let their left hand drop away from the ball during the pushaway or a split second before its maximum has been reached. But don't let the left hand remain on the ball when you're ready for that second step. That's an invitation to trouble.

"Back on three, and slide." When the slide is completed, the left foot should be approximately 3 inches from the foul line. Don't force yourself into long strides; in fact, short strides are usually your best bet.

The ball goes into its pendulum swing on the second step. Never force it. The weight of the ball itself will take care of everything.

For all bowlers, step No. 3 will find the ball going into the full backswing. By now there's nothing much you can do to remedy any mistakes you may have made already. The "point of no return" actually occurred when you started the pushaway.

Now you go into step No. 4 which is actually the slide and the ball quite easily moves forward, its own weight causing the swing. Once again, it's important that the ball not be forced.

Make sure you bend forward as you go into the slide, and hold your right foot well back to act as balance and, if necessary, to brake your slide. When your slide has been completed your left foot should be approximately three inches from the foul line.

Going from three steps to four, you should bear in mind that the steps should be about the same as you take in walking.

You shouldn't force yourself to take long strides; in fact, shorter strides will be to your advantage. You will even find that some lanes don't give you as much room in which to operate as others and if your approach covers less space all the better for you in the long run.

Another very important factor in your approach regardless of the number of steps, is for you to keep your right arm close to your side. You should almost feel your elbow rubbing your side.

Bowlers should practise this approach and they will never look back!

Grip Tips For Bowling

Do You Know Your Bowling Lane

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Grip Tips For Bowling

Try these grip tips for bowling to improve your game. A lot of bowlers do not realize that there is more than one way to grip a bowling ball. They may have been given a set of bowling techniques by someone when the first started out and have never thought of changing from what they originally learned. While changing your grip might not have you rolling a 300 game next time out, you owe it to yourself to see if a different grip is more suited to your bowling style.

Conventional Grip - The conventional grip is the most popular method for hold a bowling ball, and what most bowlers at your local lanes use. In this method the thumb is inserted into the thumb hole which is drilled to allow the entire thumb to be inserted into the bowling ball. The ring finger and middle finger are inserted into the tow side by side holes to a depth up to the second knuckle.

Fingertip Grip - The fingertip grip is more suited for advanced players that have developed the strength and control in their hands and fingers to control the bowling ball. The key to this grip is that the finger holes are drilled shallow necessitating that only the finger tips are inserted into the bowling ball, while the thumb hole remains the same. This grip will allow the more advanced player to put more of a spin on their ball which will result in the better hook that advanced players want.

Sarge-Easter Grip - The Sarge-Easter bowling grip prevents the bowler from putting a heavy side spin on the ball and instead creates more forward rotation of the ball. If you tend to put too much spin on your ball this grip might be the perfect choice. The thumb hole remains the same, but for this grip the middle finger remains at finger tip depth and the ring finger is drilled to the two knuckle depth. The amount of hook using this grip will be less than the fingertip grip.

There are plenty more grip variations than just these. In fact, some bowlers seem to be in a perpetual search for the "perfect grip", changing grips more often than they change socks. It is not recommended that you change your grip every week, but as your game improves and you build strength in your fingers, hands, and wrists you should experiment with other grips. Try these grip tips to improve your scores and enjoyment of the game.

Try these grip tips for bowling to improve your game. A lot of bowlers do not realize that there is more than one way to grip a bowling ball. They may have been given a set of bowling techniques by someone when the first started out and have never thought of changing from what they originally learned. While changing your grip might not have you rolling a 300 game next time out, you owe it to yourself to see if a different grip is more suited to your bowling style.

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Do You Know Your Bowling Lane

Tips on How to Choose Bowling Lane

Do You Know Your Bowling Lane

The average person may know what a bowling lane looks like, but chances are that they don't know much about how bowling lanes actually work. Bowling lanes all react differently depending on a number of factors.

Let us begin by examining some of the regulations for average bowling lanes. Each lane must be about 63 feet and 11 inches long from the foul lane to the "pit", which is the area just behind the pins. Also, the distance from the foul line to the first, or "head", pin has to be 60 feet. Additionally, all lanes have to have a smooth surface. Aside from these and a few other standard facts, bowling lanes are completely individual.

Due to the fact that bowling balls can hit the bowling lane with an incredible amount of force, a lot of oil is used to try to protect the lanes from damage. Oil is a big factor in making each lane as individual as a pebble on a beach. There are several reasons for that.

One reason is that a good bowling alley proprietor will keep an eye on the use of each individual bowling lane. They will then oil that lane appropriately. Based on wear and tear, each individual lane receives oil in different areas. Some lanes have more oil in the middle, while others may have more oil to one side. This is a major reason why your ball may seem to have a mind of its own during certain games. If you know and understand this fact, sometimes you can compensate for it by releasing your bowling ball at a different speed or angle.

One reason one bowling lane will react differently from another is that a proprietor of one bowling alley may choose to use a different amount or brand of oil than a proprietor of another bowling alley. Therefore, a lane at one alley will react differently than a lane at another alley.

Another reason for the varied effect of oil on a bowling lane is simply the amount of use between oiling. Depending on what time of day the lanes are oiled, as well as how many players have used a lane on a particular day, there can be major changes in how the ball reacts to the state of the lane.

Also, a single bowler may notice a distinct difference in the way the lane works as his game progresses. This is due, in large part, to most bowlers preferring to bowl in a certain area. Some throw the ball on the right, some the left and some down the middle. As these bowlers bowl, they wear oil off of the lane entirely, or move it around. The result is a change in the direction and speed that the ball rolls.

A good bowler is one who uses his first few shots to size up his particular bowling lane and then adjusts his stance and swing accordingly throughout the game. Do not allow yourself to get stuck in an endless string of gutter balls. Know your bowling lane!

by Riley Hendersen

Tips on How to Choose Bowling Lane

Tips on How to Choose Bowling Lane

Bowling used to be a popular game during King Henry VIIIs reign in England, but it originated in Egypt.

Today, bowling continues to be one of the most popular sports in the world with over 100 million people striking pins in each game because bowling is considered to be one of the easiest sports to play. Almost anyone can play the game.

Nevertheless, the simplicity of the game does not necessarily denote the minimalism in the details of the sport. Just like the other sport, bowling haw specifications that every bowler should know.

In the bowling center, the bowling lane is the most distinguishable area. Aside from its instant recognition, the bowling lane serves as the primary area where the bowler displays his or her skills and delivers the best shot he or she can make.

It is also important that the player knows the details of the bowling lane in order to come up with a strategy that would enable him/her to hit the pins.

The concept of choosing the lane is not so much on preference per se, but more on the familiarity of the player with the lane he or she is going to use because if the bowler knows or is familiar with the bowling lane that he will choose, it would be easier for him to locate the �strike line� and deliver more strikes or spares.

Experts contend that the composition of every adjustment, strike, or spare system is established within the dimensions of the bowling lane.

Bowlers who are not yet familiar with the lane dimensions and who do not know how to choose the best strategy that is appropriate for the bowling lane he will use, will find the following tips useful:

1. The general length of a bowling lane, as set by the regulations committee, is 62 feet and 10 3/16th inches. This measurement is only from the foul line up to the pit or the area at the end of the lane ahead of the pin deck. This does not include the tail plank.

2. The length of the lane from the foul line to the area where the pins are standing is 60 feet. Knowing this measurement and calculating the distance accurately can really make a big difference in a bowler�s performance.

Therefore, whether bowlers aim for a strike or a spare, it is important to know the dimensions of the bowling lane to avoid lane hazards.

by The Bowling Coach