Bowling is a target sport and a recreational activity that many people around the world love. People of all ages and fitness can play it which makes it a great family activity as well. The rules are simple, the setup is easy, and it’s a great way to enjoy time with friends. However, there are a lot of little details that you may not know about bowling and others that you might’ve forgotten. This article will go one by one through 4 important things about bowling you probably didn’t know.
1. Types Of Bowling Balls
One of the first things that you need to know about bowling is there are many different types of bowling balls. If you’re interested in getting one of your own, it’s always a good idea to look at bowling ball guides to see which one would suit your style best. However, the main types are:
- 1-pound (the lightest weight) – this one is mostly recommended for children, due to its lightweight. It’s great to use when learning the basics of the game and it comes in an array of colors.
- 3-pound (light) – this one is great for beginners who are moving up to the next weight. The ball itself has a low amount of mass, which makes it easy to use and control.
- 5-pound (medium/heavy) – this is one of the most popular weights for people who’ve been bowling a while and want to move up from 3-pound balls.
- 8/10-pound (heavy) – people who have been bowling for years opt to use this weight because it’s heavy, which helps improve accuracy. It also makes the game easier due to having more momentum behind the ball.
These are the official weights for bowling balls. While you don’t have to buy a ball that weighs exactly what’s written here, it’s important to make sure your ball falls somewhere in the range of these weights. The ball should feel comfortable in your hands and that you don’t struggle to lift it properly.
2. Bowling Score
The next thing about bowling that you need to know about is the scoring system and how points are calculated. There are 2 things you need to remember:
- Bowlers always get a total score at the end of each game
- The bowler with the highest individual score wins the game
However, things do get a bit complicated from there. The score itself is found by adding up all 4 frames of bowling minus any handicap given for bad shots (called gutter balls). If you get more than 10 pins in your final frame, you will get an automatic spare. A spare will then give you the chance to better your score. If you end up getting 10 or more pins in your final frame, it will be recorded as such and no bonus is given.
The next thing to know about bowling scores is what constitutes a good shot for beginners. For example, if you get 50 points in 3 frames and 15 points in your last
3. Origin Story
Bowling originated in Germany and spread throughout the world. It has various names like lawn bowling and skittles and was even played by some Popes and American Presidents. Originally, it was a religious ceremony played on a ‘green’ or grassy surface. A club that looks like a modern-day pin was used and it was called a kegel or kugel. It’s very similar to the modern-day bowling we know today except it was thought that knocking down the kegel meant you were cleansing yourself from sin. Much later, during the middle ages, the sport became so popular amongst nobility that king Edward the III of England had to ban it to keep his knights focused on doing their jobs. This isn’t the only time bowling was banned though. The leaders of the USA thought bowling promoted gambling, so they outlawed it. It wasn’t until decades later that the sport was legalized once again.
4. Diversity
Up until 1917, bowling was classified as a gentleman’s sport which meant that only men were allowed to play the sport professionally. However, in 1917, this all changed. This was the year that the American Bowling Congress voted to allow women to join their organization. Since then, bowling has become a great activity for both genders and people of all ages or fitness levels can participate. Lots of families like to bowl together, which makes it a great family activity. Bowlers can also be found at retirement homes for the elderly, which gives older people a chance to still have fun and socialize. This makes it a great intergenerational activity as well.
Today, bowling is played everywhere around the world by millions of people every day. Not only is it popular but there are also lots of different kinds of bowling out there like candlepin bowlers, duckpin bowlers, and 5-pin bowlers. Regardless of which game you prefer, knowing about the 4 things about bowling mentioned above will help you enjoy the sport even more.