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Writer's pictureSimply Jelly Jam

Bowling Etiquette for Nat'l Bowling Day

Time to brush up your bowling etiquette and hit the lanes!

Still Bowling (Media from Wix)
Still Bowling (Media from Wix)

If bowling is a sport that's right up your alley, then you'd be happy to know that National Bowling Day is coming up this Saturday, 14 August 2021! In fact, it's celebrated in the U.S. every second Saturday in August.


To ensure a fantastic experience, it's time to brush up your bowling etiquette and hit the lanes this weekend! I thought I'd share ten (10) common rules of the lanes that'll ensure everyone has a great time.


1. Always wear proper bowling shoes.

Bowling Shoes (Media from Wix)
Bowling Shoes (Media from Wix)

Have you ever wondered why you don't just wear your regular shoes to bowl? Unlike most regular shoes that have an anti-slip or strong grip sole, bowling shoes have soles that allow a bowler to glide during their release. Gliding helps a bowler maintain control of their forward momentum and balance.


The wrong shoes would damage the approach. Wearing something other than proper bowling shoes could scuff the approach interfering with yours or another bowler’s game.


2. Keep food and drinks off the approach.


Crumbs and spills on the approach would ruin the approach and the soles of bowling shoes resulting in unwanted slipping or sticking to the approach. It could also damage the lanes if food and drinks get onto it somehow.


3. Yield the right of way to bowlers on the adjacent lanes.

Bowling (Media from Wix)
Bowling (Media from Wix)

Many professionals state that you should let the bowler on the lane to your right go first. However, in a casual bowling setting, a good rule of thumb is for the bowler to step onto the approach first should go first. If others are already on the approach preparing to roll, wait until they complete their roll before you step onto the approach.


4. Don't talk to bowlers on the approach.


Of course, be polite and show common courtesy to others. Don't be afraid to chat with the bowlers on adjacent lanes. Sometimes it's fun to chat with others about the sport or other topics.


Just don't talk to other bowlers while they’re on the approach preparing to make their roll. Like many other sports, a bowler requires concentration to bowl a good game.


5. Stay off the approach when it's not your turn to play.

Bowl and Smile (Media from Wix)
Bowl and Smile (Media from Wix)

Even though you don't mean to interfere with another bowler's game, being on the approach is a distraction to those who are preparing to roll their ball.


If you walk onto the approach while another bowler is already in position to roll, you enter their blind spot and distract their concentration. Either they'll roll poorly or stop what they're doing to wait for you to step off the approach, delaying the game by a few minutes.


6. Don't roll your bowling ball until after the sweep bar raises completely.


I've seen many bowlers go to the approach during their turn and release their bowling ball before the sweep bar raised completely. The bowling ball hitting the sweep bar could cause damage to the equipment, including the bowling ball.


The bowling ball could get stuck and everyone on your lane would have to wait for a staff member to assess for damages and retrieve your bowling ball. This may be annoying if you're paying for the lane by the hour and want to complete a full game or two within the allotted time. In this case, time is money wasted.


7. Stay behind the foul line always.


If, for example, the bowling ball stalls on the lane because it hit the sweep bar or was rolled too slowly by a bowler, DO NOT try to retrieve the bowling ball yourself. The lanes are covered with oil from the foul line to the pins. If there's a bowling league the day or night you're there, chances are the lanes were freshly oiled that day making the lanes extra slick.


You're likely to slip and injure yourself if you step or glide past the foul line. If you pass the foul line, whether you slip or not, you'd track the oil onto the approach which could be hazardous for you and other bowlers playing on that lane.


If you're bowling in league or trying to bowl by league rules for practice, going past the foul line results counts as a miss, even if you rolled a strike. No pins would be counted for that roll because your toes went past the foul line.


8. Don't "loft" your bowling ball.

Bowling Release (Media from Wix)
Bowling Release (Media from Wix)

In other words, don't throw your bowling ball towards the pin. I did this when I was younger, ignorant, and new to the game. I'd loft the bowling ball into the air and down the lane because I thought it helped with the accuracy of my aim as it got it closer to the pins faster.


On the contrary, lofting the bowling ball isn't accurate at all. It becomes a game of chance that would damage the lane and bowling ball. I learned my lesson after I chipped my brand new $150 USD bowling ball after a high loft down the lane. Bowling balls and equipment IS NOT cheap and should be taken care of.


9. Stay on your lane and don't cross onto the adjacent lanes.


When you release the bowling ball, it feels right to lean or move in the direction you want the bowling ball to go. When you make a strike, you'd probably want to celebrate by jumping or dancing.


Whatever moves you while you're on the approach, stay in the lane you're in and respect the lanes' boundaries. If you're bowling next to another bowler who's not aware of bowling etiquette, you could be injured if you head onto the other lane during the other bowler's release of the bowling ball.


One time I was on the approach concentrating on my release. I took my first steps and was ready to roll my bowling ball when a child ran across the approach of several lanes including mine. I fortunately didn't release because I wasn't going to hurt a child, but instead I injured myself as I stopped abruptly and lost balance.


Keep in mind that bowling balls could weigh as much as sixteen pounds. My heaviest bowling ball is fourteen pounds, and I can assure you that it'll do damage!


10. Don't use another bowler's bowling ball or equipment without permission.

Colorful Bowling Balls (Media from Wix)
Colorful Bowling Balls (Media from Wix)

This is especially the case if you see another bowler's personal bowling ball that you think looks intriguing. Some bowlers purchase their own bowling balls and equipment. Bowling balls can cost hundreds of dollars making them valuable to the bowler who owns it. My most expensive bowling ball to date cost over $200 USD.


Have I mentioned that bowling balls and equipment IS NOT cheap? This also includes the added cost of having the finger and thumb holes drilled to fit their hand and bowling style. Bowlers buy additional equipment and accessories to take great care of their bowling balls to prevent damages.


Using another's bowling ball without permission is disrespectful, but it could also be harmful to you and/or the bowling ball. If you try to roll with it, you may injure your fingers, hand, wrist, and/or damage the bowling ball because it was customized for only one individual's hand and distinct bowling style.


If you're curious and ask nicely, some bowlers may let you hold and even roll their bowling ball because they like sharing their passion of the game with others.


My Thoughts


Like all games and sports, there are basic rules of etiquette that ensures polite behavior among a group of players.


Whether you're a league bowler, recreational bowler, or an inexperienced bowler, bowling etiquette encourages everyone to be mindful and respectful of other bowlers.


I shared the ten common rules I learned years ago and applied when I bowled recreationally, during league, or while participating in a competition. It makes for a fun bowling experience, and I highly recommend applying bowling etiquette every time you hit the lanes.


Bowling alleys and leagues may have more or less rules, especially for leagues. For example, another common rule of etiquette I didn't mention is to not yell or use profanity.


For the most part, bowlers at my local bowling alley in a college town keep yelling and swearing at a minimum. When I bowled during leagues in a military community, it wasn't uncommon to hear bowlers scream and swear frequently. Etiquette rules may vary depending on the bowling alley.


What's Next?


I'm bowling this weekend! If the bowling alley is too crowded for comfort, I'll probably pull my old Wii and Wii sport from the closet and enjoy a virtual game session at home.


How do you bowl? Login and Sign up to share if you're an inexperienced bowler, a regular recreational bowler, or a league bowler.


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Thanks, and have a great day!

Simply Jelly Jam

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