Bowling Terms
Bowling is more than just a competitive sport. It is also a fun and easy hobby to learn. As with any sport, it might be confusing at first, especially since there are so many different bowling terms you need to know. However, believe us, once you get the basics down, you’ll be able to follow any bowling game like a pro.
Before diving into the different terms used in bowling, it is important to first understand the game itself.
What is Bowling?
Bowling is a type of target sport. A target sport involves the player throwing an object toward a specific area or point. There are two types of bowling: target bowling and pin bowling.
In target bowling, the player throws a bowling ball toward a target or mark. The goal is to get the ball as close to the target as possible. People play target bowling on different surfaces, such as grass or gravel.
In pin bowling, the player throws a bowling ball toward a set of pins to knock them down. The goal is to knock over as many pins as possible. This type is more common and well-known than target bowling.
There are many types of pin bowling. There are also nine-pin, five-pin, duckpin, candlepin, and kegel bowling. The most popular type of pin bowling is ten-pin bowling, where there are ten pins lined up for the player to knock over.
When people say “bowling,” they are usually referring to ten-pin bowling. The same goes for this article, which will focus on the bowling terms, slang, and equipment used in ten-pin bowling.
History of Bowling
Today, bowling is more than just a popular sport. It is a fun pastime that people of all genders, ages, and skills can enjoy. It is also a game that you can play together with your friends and family. Back then, however, bowling differed greatly from what you see today.
The question “when was bowling invented?” yields a lot of interesting answers. One of the earliest records of bowling was found in Ancient Egypt. In an Egyptian tomb dating back to 3200 B.C., historians discovered nine pieces of stone set up as pins, a stone “ball,” and a marble archway. They concluded the setup was a version of bowling, where players threw the stone ball through the marble archway and hit the nine stone “pins.”
Another historical account for bowling comes from Ancient Germany. Ancient Germans performed a religious ceremony similar to modern-day bowling. Parishioners placed a pin or “kegel” at the end of a runway. They rolled a stone down the lane to knock the pin down. The fallen pin represented the cleansing of their sins.
Over the centuries, the sport continued to develop until it became popular in North America. By then, Europeans had come up with their own rules for the sport. However, New Yorkers questioned these rules, so they formed the American Bowling Congress (ABC) in 1895. Together, they developed standardized rules and equipment for bowling that people continue to follow.
Today, the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) is the official governing body of bowling in the United States.
Basic Rules of Bowling
To better understand the different bowling terms, it is important to first understand the rules well. Here are some of the basic bowling rules every beginner should know about.
Wear the proper attire.
It is best to wear clothes you feel comfortable moving in. When bowling, consider wearing a loose shirt and jeans.
The most important part of the attire is the bowling shoes. Bowling alleys will require you to wear proper bowling shoes before entering the area. Bowling shoes differ from regular shoes as they are made from materials that will not damage the lanes. Most establishments won’t lend you shoes if you aren’t wearing socks for hygienic purposes. While some bowling centers also sell socks, it is better to come in with your own socks just to be sure.
Do not cross the foul line.
This is one of the bowling rules that you’ll want to keep in mind during the whole match. Players are very strict with this rule in particular. Crossing the foul line during your throw will result in a score of zero. To avoid wasting any throws, be sure to throw the ball before the foul line.
A player cannot alter their ball mid-match.
Once a match starts, a player can no longer polish or wipe their bowling ball. Doing otherwise might lead to the player’s disqualification. This is to prevent people from cheating by adding polish or oil that would make their bowling ball shinier or rougher according to the condition of the lane. Players, however, are free to polish or change their bowling balls in between games.
Any pins that a bowl from the gutter knocks over are no longer valid.
Sometimes, a gutter ball might bounce back onto the lane. When this happens, it might also knock down more pins. However, once a bowling ball falls into the gutter, the player’s throw ends. This means that any succeeding pins that the gutter ball manages to knock over by chance are no longer counted in the score.
The first player on the approach gets to play first.
When more than one player steps forward to play, the players are all expected to give way to the first one who stepped on the approach. This isn’t exactly a strict rule in bowling. However, it is proper bowling etiquette.
In case the players are not sure who stepped up to the approach first, then the player on the right goes first.
With the basic rules of bowling down, it is now time to learn the different bowling terms and definitions. If you’re looking for a list that compiles the basic bowling terms for scoring, equipment, and gameplay, then you came to the right place!
Common Bowling Terms
Since bowling is a popular sport, there are a lot of terms that people pick up on just from casually playing or from watching movies or TV shows. Here are some common bowling terms everybody should know about.
Bowling Ball
One of the easiest bowling terms to learn is the bowling ball. A bowling ball for ten-pin bowling has three holes on top. These holes are where the players insert their pointer and middle fingers and thumb so that they can have a better grip on the ball. Compared to balls used in other sports, a bowling ball is much heavier.
However, there are different sizes, weights, and designs. Bowling balls for kids will weigh much lighter than those for adults. They also vary in material, such as polyester and resin balls. Seasoned bowling players have their own collection of customized balls they feel most comfortable using.
Pins
In bowling terms, a pin refers to the white club-shaped objects at the end of the lane. These pins usually have two red stripes around their necks. Other names for bowling pins include “skittles” and “kegels.”
Many often wonder how many pins in bowling are necessary to play a game. This answer differs for each type of bowling. For ten-pin bowling, you will obviously need ten pins. The standard size for ten-pin bowling pins is 15 inches tall and 4.75 inches wide at its base. Its average weight is 3 pounds and 8 ounces.
Pins have corresponding numbers. The center pin or headpin stands at the very front, and this is number 1. In the second row are the numbers 2 and 3, with 2 on the left. From left to right, the third row has the pins numbered 4, 5, and 6. Pin 5 is also known as the king pin or kingpin. The fourth and last row has pins 7, 8, 9, and 10.
House
When bowling players ask you to meet them at the “house,” they don’t actually mean their own home. In bowling terms, a house refers to the bowling establishment or building that houses the bowling alley.
House Ball
One of the most common bowling terms you’ll hear often is the house ball. A house ball refers to any ball that the house or bowling alley provides. These are usually what first-time and casual bowling players use as they do not have their personal bowling ball.
If you do not have your own bowling ball, you will need to rent a house ball for your game. Bowling alleys will have house balls in different sizes and colors, so you’ll find a great fit for you for sure!