How to Drill a Bowling Ball: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Preparing to Drill 1 Choose a ball. Choose the bowling ball that's right for you, based its weight and the materials it is made of. Bowling balls can be made of plastic (the cheapest balls), urethane, reactive resin, or particle. Each of these different materials provides differing degrees of friction, power, and control. [1] If you can, it's a good idea to experiment with different types and weights of balls before selecting one. Once you drill a ball, it's yours for good. 2 Choose a hole configuration. Different finger hole configurations will provide differing amounts of control and power. Choosing the configuration that's right for you will require you to assess your own strengths and weaknesses as a bowler. [2] A conventional grip is achieved by drilling holes deep enough so that your fingers and thumb are inserted into the ball up to the second knuckle joint. This is the traditional bowling alley ball configuration because it is the easiest to control. It is the recommended configuration for beginners and players of moderate skill. A fingertip grip is achieved by drilling holes that allow your fingers to be inserted into the ball up to the first knuckle joint.

This is an advanced configuration that is much harder to control, but provides increased lift, power, and spin. [3] A semi-fingertip grip is achieved by drilling holes that allow your fingers to be inserted into the ball between the first and second knuckle joint. This is a happy medium between the grips described above and is easier to master than the fingertip grip while providing more power than the conventional grip. [4] There are also other types of grips, such as the Sarge Easter grip, but the three above are the most common. 3 Measure your span. Measure the distance from the base of your thumb to the points at which the two fingers you will use to hold the ball will bend (some people prefer the forefinger and middle finger while others prefer the middle finger and ring finger). [5] For a conventional grip, this means measuring from the base of the the thumb to the second crease in the appropriate fingers. [6] For a fingertip grip, measure to the crease closest to your fingertip. Using an adjustable bowling ball makes this process much more precise and is strongly recommended. Adjustable bowling balls have movable holes and various depths of finger inserts.

A bowling ball manufacturer, sports and recreation store, or possibly your local bowling alley probably have a measuring ball. If you do not have access to an adjustable bowling ball for measuring your grip, you can simply place your fingers onto the surface of your un-drilled ball and mark around each finger once the placement feels comfortable. This isn't as exact, but it is comparable. Alternatively, you can also measure your span using a compass or calipers, keeping your fingers together and thumb out, and then reducing your measurement by about 1/8 of an inch (or 1/4 for a fingertip grip). [7] To determine the depth the holes will need to be without a measuring ball, measure the distance from the edge of your span to the ends of the fingers that will be going into the holes. 4 Record your measurements. Write down both your finger depth measurements and the distance between holes for reference when drilling. 5 Decide on an angle. Having an angle that fits your hand is crucial for comfort and performance. For example, if the holes are angled forward, the ball will have more lift when released because your fingers will remain inside until the last minute.

This is a decision you'll have to make based on what's comfortable for you, as well as your individual strengths and weaknesses as a bowler. Part 2 Drilling the Ball 1 Clamp the ball in place. Place the ball into a tight clamp to ensure that it does not move during drilling. If the ball moves during drilling, the holes may come out uneven, making the ball uncomfortable to use or difficult to control. 2 Mark the ball. With an erasable marker or piece of chalk, mark the hole configuration, placing a mark at the center of the spot you plan to drill each hole. Use your span measurement to assure the holes will be properly placed. When bowling balls are molded, they are suspended by a small rod that, when removed, leaves a hole that must be filled in. This is called the "pin." You should avoid drilling through the pin, as this may void your warranty and negatively affect the ball's performance. Make sure your nearest hole is at least an inch away from the pin. The pin should be easy to locate. It is usually a different color than the rest of the ball.

For advanced ball drillers, the pin is used to determine properties of the bowling ball's core that can be used to determine the ideal location on the ball to drill finger holes, depending on the qualities you want the ball to have. [8] This will vary from one model of ball to the next, so if you want to try this, you should consult the instructions that came with your ball. It's a good idea to double check your marks against your span measurements before drilling. Once the holes are drilled, they are permanent. 3 Select your bits. Determine the correctly sized drill bits to create comfortable holes for your thumb and fingers. You can determine this easily if you used a sizing ball to get your hand measurements, as these balls also provide information on your thumb and finger widths. If you did not have the benefit of a sizing ball, a good way to determine this is to experiment with different bits, drilling holes of different sizes into a block of wood and then determining which ones most comfortably fits your thumb and fingers. [9] 4 Insert the first bit. Prepare your bowling ball drill with the proper bit for your thumb width. It is strongly recommended that you use a bowling ball drill. Attempting this with an ordinary drill may damage your ball.

5 Drill your thumb hole. Drill the hole slowly at your desired angle, checking the depth often so as not to drill too deep. 6 Switch bits and drill the finger holes. Swap out the drill bit and drill the two finger holes. As with the thumb hole, check the depths often to avoid drilling too deep. 7 Sand the holes. Replace the drill bit with a sanding attachment and sand the interior of the holes until they are smooth and our fingers slide in and out easily and comfortably. Community Q&A If this question (or a similar one) is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know. Video Tips A correctly drilled ball can make the difference between defeat or victory. A serious bowler may wish to have multiple balls with different hole configurations so that he or she can choose the one that works best based on the condition of the lanes at bowling time. [10] Warnings Do not drill a bowling ball without prior knowledge of power tools or drill safety. Bowling ball drilling is usually done by professionals. Improper drilling techniques or tools may void the warranty on your ball or otherwise damage it permanently. If you choose to drill your own ball, you should be aware of these risks.

How to Bowl (with Pictures) - wikiHow Learning the Basics of Bowling 1 Understand the bowling lane. Before you begin to bowl, you have to understand the function of the bowling lane. A bowling lane is 60 feet (18.3 m) long from the foul line, the line closest to the bowler, to the head pin, the pin closest to the bowler. There are gutters on either side of the bowling lane. If a ball veers off the lane, it goes into the gutters and is out of play. The approach area is 15 feet (4.6 m) long and ends at the foul line. The bowler cannot overstep the foul line during their approach or their shot won't count. If a ball goes into the gutters and then bounces out and hits the pins, it won't count. 2 Understand the bowling pins. Ten pins are arranged at the end of the bowling lane at the beginning of every frame. They are arranged in a triangle formation, with the point of the triangle facing the bowler. There is one pin in the first row, which is the head pin, two pins in the second row, three in the third, and four in the fourth.

[1] The locations of the pins are assigned numbers 1-10. The pins in the back row have the numbers 7-10, the pins in the row above the back row are numbered 4-6, the pins in the second row are numbered 2-3, and the head pin is pin 1. All pins will earn the bowler one point if they are hit. The numbers are based on location, not value. 3 Learn the lingo. Before you can call yourself a true bowler, you should be aware of a few different bowling terms. Knowing these terms will also make it much easier for you to understand the rules. Here they are: A strike is when you knock down all the pins with the ball on your first try. A spare is when you knock down all the pins on your second try. A split is when the first ball of a frame knocks down the headpin (the pin closest to you) but leaves two or more pins that are non-adjacent. It's tough to hit a spare in this situation, especially if you have a 7-10 split, which is the hardest split to hit. A turkey is three strikes in a row.

If any pins remain after the bowler's turn, it's called an "open frame." 4 Understand how a game of bowling works. One bowling game consists of 10 frames. Each frame is equal to one turn for the bowler. The bowler's objective is to knock down as many pins as possible in a frame, ideally all of them. A bowler can roll the ball twice in each frame, provided that they do not hit a strike. 5 Learn the scoring. If a bowler has an open frame, then they simply get credit for the number of pins they knocked down. If a bowler knocked down 6 pins after two turns, they simply get two turns. However, if a bowler hits a spare or a strike, the rules get slightly more complicated. [2] If a bowler hits a spare, then they should place a slash mark on their score sheet. After their next turn, they will receive 10 points plus the number of pins they knock down with that turn. So if they knock down 3 pins after their first turn, then they will get 13 points before their second turn.

If they then knock down 2 pins in their second turn, they get a total of 15 points for that round. If a bowler hits a strike, they should record an X on their scoresheet. The strike will earn the bowler ten points plus the number of pins knocked down on the player's next two turns in the following round. The most a bowler can score in one game is 300 points. This represents 12 strikes in a row, or 120 pins that were knocked down in 12 frames. A perfect game has 12 strikes and not ten, because if the bowler gets a strike on the last frame, then they can take two more turns. If those two turns are also strikes, they will have 300 points. If a player rolls a spare in the last frame, then they can take one more turn. Part 2 Preparing to Bowl 1 Find a bowling alley. Go online to find a local bowling alley that suits your needs. Try to find a place that offers bowling lessons or has beginner bowling leagues. If you want to go bowling with friends, find a place that's rated for having a fun environment and maybe some food and snacks as well.

2 Go to the bowling alley you've chosen. Talk to the fellow bowlers and staff, and see if you can even join a game. Alternately, you can go to an alley with a group of friends. If you ask a crowd if you can join their game, make sure it isn't too competitive. You may even make new friends at the alley. 3 Get some bowling shoes. If you're a beginner, you can just rent shoes at the alley. If you want to kick up your game, you can buy a pair of your own shoes. Street shoes won't work for bowling because they'll either make you stick to the floor instead of sliding naturally, or they'll make you slip too much and injure yourself. If you don't wear bowling shoes, you can also damage or leave scuff marks on the alley floor. Rent a pair of shoes unless you want to get in trouble before you even start bowling. Don't forget to wear socks or bring socks to the alley. Some alleys sell socks, but they will be expensive. 4 Choose the right ball. Before you can begin to bowl, you need to find a ball that is the right weight for you and which is the right size for your fingers.

The balls will be labeled based on their weight, so a ball with "8" written on it will weigh 8 pounds. Here's how to find a ball of the right size and weight: [3] Weight. A 14-16 lb ball would work for most adults with bigger hands, and a 10-14 lb ball would work for most adults with smaller hands. Generally, it's better to have a ball that is a little heavier because it will help you gain momentum. A general rule is that a ball should weigh 10% as much as your body, so if you weigh 140 pounds, you should bowl with a 14 lb ball. Size of the thumb hole. Your thumb should fit snugly into the single thumb hole. You should be able to take it out of the hole without it snagging or getting stuck, but the hole shouldn't be so large that you have to squeeze your thumb in the hole to hang on. Size of the middle finger holes. Once you've inserted your thumb, you should lay your middle and ring finger across the other two holes.

If the span is correct, your two fingers should easily and comfortably lay over the two holes so the middle joint lines up with the side of the hole closest to your thumb. Curl your two fingers into the holes to make sure they fit snugly in the hole like your thumb. 5 Find your bowling lane. Once you've signed up at the alley and put on your shoes, you will be directed to a bowling lane. If you get to choose your lane, pick a lane that is away from loud or noisy people. But it's your choice: you may be able to bowl better if you're surrounded by other bowlers. Part 3 Starting Bowling 1 Hold the ball correctly. First, pick up your ball and head to the right spot in front of the bowling lane. Place your middle and ring finger in the top 2 holes and place your thumb into the bottom hole. Hold the ball slightly to your side with your bowling hand underneath the ball and your other hand resting on the bottom side of the ball for extra support. Keep your thumb on top of the ball at 10:00 position if you're right-handed. Use the 2:00 position if you're a lefty. 2 Approach the foul line.

The standard approach consists of standing with your back straight, your shoulders centered squarely towards your target, and your knees slightly bent. Your ball arm should hand straight down by your side. Your back should be tilted slightly forward. Your feet should be slightly apart and your "slide foot" should be placed slightly in front of the other foot. Your slide foot will be the opposite of the hand you use to bowl (a right handed bowler will slide with their left foot). 3 Work on aiming the ball. Your bowling lane should have a series of dots 7 feet (2.1 m) down the lane, and black arrows about fifteen feet down the lane. If you're a beginning bowler, you should aim to roll the ball in the center of these marks. Once you develop your bowling skills, you can aim to the left or the right of the marks when you hook the ball. Even if you aim your ball through the center of the marks, you may not be able to hit the pins because the ball can slow down or roll off toward the gutters. Just notice where the ball rolls when you do and don't bowl a solid frame and adjust your aim accordingly. Focus on aiming at the marks, not the pins. 4 Release the ball.

Maintain a straight forward, non-twisting approach of your body, as your ball and hand position should be held relatively the same -- underneath and behind the ball during the swing. Swing your ball arm smoothly back and then forward to release the ball. Release the ball when your arm has moved as far forward as it can go. When released properly, your thumb should come out first, followed by the fingers. This should help get rotation on the ball, which should help the ball hook and carry once it gets down the lane. Keep your eye on the target you're aiming towards as you release the ball. If you look down at your feet or the ball, you will lose balance and won't be able to aim your ball correctly. 5 Wipe your hands after your turn is over. Make sure your hands are completely dry before you pick up the ball to start bowl each time. Use a cloth to wipe your hands, or at least wipe your hands on your pants if you don't have one. If your hands are still sweaty, the ball can slip out of your hands. You can also use rosin, which can be found in most pro bowling shops, to make your fingers and thumb slightly tacky and less slippery. 6 Keep score throughout the game.

Most bowling alleys will have a computer near the sitting area that allows you to keep score. If an alley doesn't have a computer, then you will be given a score sheet to record your scores. Either way, the process is the same. Here's how to keep score: The area in the upper left of each frame is to record the first ball, and the box to the left is for the second ball and if you have a strike. A strike is marked with a "X" and a spare with a "/". 7 Finish close to the foul line. The distance between the delivery line and you should be of about 6 inches if you want to have an optimal release. This means that the ball is lofted a small distance over the foul line before it makes contact with the lane. Thus, the ball gets further down the lane and it preserves energy when hitting the pins. Finishing too far from the foul line means you’ll have to move closer to it when you start in the stance. Remember that a strike is 10 plus the next two balls, whereas a spare is 10 plus the next ball. If you strike in the first ball in the 10th frame, you get two more balls to determine your final score.

300 is the highest score you can get. Part 4 Improving Your Bowling Game 1 Watch bowling on TV. Carefully observe the professionals and see what techniques they use. You can also watch video clips of expert bowlers online. Try to imitate the bowler's stances in your own home. Just remember that you're watching experts, and that your bowling technique will be much simpler than theirs. 2 Ask for advice. If you want to really improve your game, seek out help from other, more advanced bowlers and from coaches. It will always help to have a critical eye watching you and you will gain new insight. 3 Join a bowling league. This is a great way to keep up a regular practice and to make new friends. Part 5 Bowling etiquette Just like any other game, bowling is supposed to be fun! While browsing through the following rules of etiquette, keep in mind that they have been established to help the game run smoothly. 1 Read carefully and follow all the specific rules that are posted at the alley. 2 While on the lanes, wear only bowling shoes. 3 Don’t start bowling until the pin-setting machine has finished its cycle.

4 Allow the bowler in an adjacent lane to play first if you both approach the runway at the same time. Otherwise, the player who arrives first goes first. 5 Don’t step or go beyond the foul line, even in casual play. Bowling is a sport so play fair. 6 The ball should be bowled down the lane. Avoid any throwing or tossing of the, as it may damage the lane. 7 Don’t play your game on another lane, you should have enough space on your own. 8 Always ask for permission first when using someone else’s ball. 9 Avoid distracting other players while they are bowling. Check your language and limit swearing as much as you can. 10 Be ready when it's your turn to bowl. 11 If this question (or a similar one) is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know. Tips Keep your eye on your target as you are about to bowl. Follow-through is important... for example, if you finish your swing with your hand turned like you are going to give a handshake, it will hook the ball. Bend your knees when you do your approach. This will help you get a straight ball or a little curvy.

Ideally, you want the ball to hook into the pocket (1-3 for right handers) to get the best carry for strike, and straighter is usually better for spares, especially single pin. A ball that is drilled for you by a professional experienced driller will help you not strain yourself trying to hold onto the ball, as well as getting a clean release-which is key to consistently scoring well. Stepping is a very important part in bowling. When you start your turn, have the ball at your waist in both hands with your left foot on the center marker. If you are right handed, step out with your right foot, and move the ball outward too. Then next step, you start tossing the ball backwards. Then your third step, the ball is behind you with a swinging motion in progress. Then your final, fourth step, should be your left leg, about three to eight inches away from the foul line, as you quickly swing the ball outward in front of you in however way you are aiming at the pins. To make your ball go left, turn your hand a little to the left, same with the right hand if you want it to go right. Warnings Continue your swing through after releasing the ball to help in preventing injury.

Don't lose your grip on the ball or it may go flying. Don't swing your shoulder too far back or it may get hurt. Things You'll Need How many holes are there in a ten pin bowling ball? : General Knowledge How many holes are there in a ten pin bowling ball? How many holes are there in a ten pin bowling ball? : QUESTION : How many holes are there in a ten pin bowling ball? ANSWER : 3 Bowling 101 | PBA.com Bowling 101 (Courtesy World Ten Pin Bowling Association) The Lane and Equipment The playing surface is a lane, 60 feet long from the foul line to the head pin 42 inches wide. On either side of the lane are gutters; if the ball goes off the edge of the lane, it will drop into the gutter and be carried past the pins. The approach is an area 15 feet long, ending at the foul line. The bowler, in making the approach, must not step over the line; 60 feet beyond it is the headpin. The pins are arranged in four rows, with one pin in the first row, two in the second, three in the third, and four in the fourth.

They are numbered 1-10; the pins themselves don't carry specific numbers, but the spots on which they are placed do. The regulation pin is made of hard maple; it is 15 inches high and has a diameter of 2 ¼ inches at the base and a circumference of 15 inches at its widest point. Weight must be between 3 pounds, 6 ounces and 3 pounds, 10 ounces. The regulation ball is of solid composition, has a circumference of no more than 27 inches, and weighs 10 to 16 pounds. A ball may have two or three finger holes; most bowlers use the three-holed ball, inserting the two middle fingers and the thumb into the holes. Bowling in ordinary shoes isn't permitted, because it can damage the lanes. The peculiarities of the sport demand an unmatched pair of shoes. The right-handed bowler wears a left shoe with a relatively slippery sole, usually of hard leather or vinyl, and a right shoe with a rubber sole that will help "brake." Progress of Play A game is made up of 10 frames.

Each frame represents one turn for the bowler, and in each turn the player is allowed to roll the ball twice. If the player knocks down all the pins with the first roll, it is a strike; if not, a second roll at the pins still standing is attempted. If all the pins are knocked down with two balls, it is a spare; if any pins are left standing, it is an "open frame." If a bowler commits a foul, by stepping over the foul line during delivery, it counts as a shot, and any pins knocked down are re-spotted without counting. If pins are knocked down by a ball that has entered the gutter, or by a ball bouncing off the rear cushion, they do not count, and are re-spotted. Scoring In an open frame, a bowler simply gets credit for the number of pins knocked down. In the case of a spare, a slash mark is recorded in a small square in the upper right-hand corner of that frame on the score sheet, and no score is entered until the first ball of the next frame is rolled. Then credit is given for 10 plus the number of pins knocked down with that next ball.

For example, a player rolls a spare in the first frame; with the first ball of the second frame, the player knocks down seven pins. The first frame, then, gets 17 points. If two of the remaining three pins get knocked down, 9 pins are added, for a total of 26 in the second frame. If a bowler gets a strike, it is recorded with an X in the small square, the score being 10 plus the total number of pins knocked down in the next two rolls. Thus, the bowler who rolls three strikes in a row in the first three frames gets credit for 30 points in the first frame. Bowling's perfect score, a 300 game, represents 12 strikes in a row--a total of 120 pins knocked down. Why 12 strikes, instead of 10? Because, if a bowler gets a strike in the last frame, the score for that frame can't be recorded before rolling twice more. Similarly, if a bowler rolls a spare in the last frame, one more roll is required before the final score can be tallied.

Lane Etiquette Wait for the bowler to your right to deliver his/her ball if you're both bowling at about the same time. Remain behind your fellow bowler while he/she is bowling. Confine your bowling to your own lane. Observe the foul line, even in casual play. Play fair. Never bowl in street shoes. Avoid using someone else's ball without permission. Limit swearing and bad language as much as possible. Be ready when it's your turn. History of Bowling Bowing has been popular with millions of people for thousands of years. Bowling balls and pins were found in the tomb of an Egyptian king who died in 5,200 B.C. The ancient Polynesians bowled on lanes that were 60 feet long, the same as today. Bowling was part of a religious ceremony in fourth century Germany. Those who could knock down the pins were said to be of good character. Those who missed had to do penance. Even Martin Luther was a bowler. British kings Edward II and Richard II banned bowling because they said people were wasting too much time playing the sport. But Sir Francis Drake played a game of bowls before he went to war against the Spanish Armada.

Bowling has been popular in America since Colonial days. The British imported lawn bowling but German settlers introduced ninepins, the ancient game that evolved into today's modern tenpin sport. Because of confusion over playing standards, the top bowlers of the 19th century decided that the sport needed a standard set of rules. They started the American Bowling Congress in 1895 (now the United States Bowling Congress). The Women's International Bowling Congress was started in 1916. Links United States Bowling Congress: International Bowling Hall of Fame: Follow the PBA | Catch the Action in Real Time Email Signup This form needs Javascript to display, which your browser doesn't support. Sign up here instead Our Sponsors: Drilling a Bowling Ball - What You Need to Know First Drilling a Bowling Ball - What You Need to Know First Get Maximum Performance Out of Your Game With a Proper Drilling Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images By Jef Goodger Updated May 09, 2016. For many, choosing a bowling ball is as simple as walking into the alley, renting some shoes and picking a ball off the rack. You can do that as often as you want, and there's nothing wrong with it.

However, any improvement you seek to make in the game is going to be tempered by the lack of performance you'll get out of the ball. When you buy your first bowling ball, it will come without holes in it (it is possible to buy balls with holes already drilled, but that's almost the same as choosing one off the rack for free at the bowling alley). So, how do you know the best way to get your ball drilled? Find a Pro Pro-shop owners and professional drillers will be extremely important in drilling your ball, and will be able to help immensely with the steps outlined below. It's a good idea to review this article to give yourself a base knowledge of what you'll discuss, then ask any questions of the person who will be drilling your ball, as he or she can work directly with you to give you the best layout for your game. continue reading below our video 10 Best Teams in the History of Baseball The Holes The size of the holes and the distance between them is the thing with which you need to be concerned the least. Your ball driller will measure your hand and fingers and easily be able to determine the proper layout of the holes. The real question is: where do the holes go?

The ball is spherical, but that does not mean the holes can go anywhere and give you the same effect. The location of the holes will dramatically impact how your ball behaves on the lanes. Locate the Pin and Center of Gravity (CG) The pin is marked as a solid, colored dot on the ball. This represents the top of the core inside your ball. When the balls are being made, the core has to be perfectly centered inside, so manufacturers use a pin to suspend the core. Once the mold hardens, the pin is removed, leaving a small hole that must be filled. That's the colored dot you see. The location of the holes to be drilled, in relation to the pin, is what makes the ball behave in different ways. The center of gravity, not surprisingly, marks the center of gravity of the ball. This is a smaller mark, either a small punch or a circle, located a couple inches from the pin. The center of gravity won't affect much how your ball rolls unless you are a highly advanced bowler, but will help your ball driller based on its relation to the pin.

Locate Your Track The track is the ring or rings of oil left behind on your ball after a shot, representing the parts of the ball that contact the lane during a shot. You can use a previously used ball as a reference, or your pro-shop operator can have you throw a couple shots with a similar ball to find your track. If you have multiple rings on the ball, measure the PAP using the ring closest to the thumb hole and farthest from the fingers. Locate the Positive Axis Point (PAP) The positive axis point (PAP) of a bowling ball is different for every bowler. Your pro-shop operator will be able to help you find the PAP, which is the spot on the ball equidistant from every point of the ball's track. Think of it this way: there is one point on the ball that is the same distance from every piece of the oil ring around the ball. That is your PAP. To find the PAP, the best thing to do is rely on your pro shop's equipment. There are tools that can find your PAP immediately, and other methods to use if your pro shop doesn't have those tools. Why Does it Matter? Every bowler is different.

Even if you and a friend have hands exactly the same size and each purchase the exact same model of bowling ball, you should have different drilling layouts due to your individual PAPs (there is a small chance everything would work out that you have the same PAP, but that's unlikely). The point is, the relation of the pin to the PAP is different for everyone, and if you want to get the maximum performance from your ball, you should get it drilled for you and not based on anyone else. When you can approach a ball driller and you know about your PAP and the type of action you want on your ball, it will make things a lot easier on that driller to do a great job for you. Remember, since this article is a general overview, always ask any questions of your ball driller to clear up any uncertainties you may have. Bowling balls look simple on the outside, but are far more complex than spheres with three holes. The more you can tell your ball driller, the better results you'll get. Ten Pin Bowling Home > Product Sitemap > Ten Pin Bowling Ten Pin Bowling Click here to see our selection of Ten pin bowling.

The equipment needed for ten pin bowling: Ten bowling pins – Bowling pins are about 4.75 inches wide at the widest point and 15 inches tall. They weight between 3 pounds 4 ounces and 3 pounds 10 ounces. Bowling ball – bowling balls are made from a variety of materials, from rubber to plastic to reactive resin to a combination of these materials, as well as other materials. Most bowling balls used in ten pin bowling have 3 holes drilled into them, one each for the thumb, middle, and ring finger. Of course, there is no regulation stating that a bowling ball cannot have up to five holes drilled into it, one for each finger. Bowling balls cannot weigh more than 16 pounds. Lane – In ten pin bowling, a bowling lane is 60 feet from the head pin to the foul line. The width of the lane is 3.5 feet. Gutters – Once the ball is in the gutter, there is not chance you are going to be able to hit any pins down. The gutters allow the ball to roll safety to the end and then to begin its journey on the ball return.

Some bowling alleys have “bumpers” that can be blown up and placed in the gutters, making it impossible to get a gutter ball. These are great for children to learn with. Other important terms in ten pin bowling: Strike – A strike is what you are going for. It is called a strike when you hit all of the ten pins down on the very first ball (each player gets two turns to roll the ball down the lane and to knock over as many pins as possible). For a strike, a player gets 10 points, plus a bonus. Of course, the bonus is not standard – the bonus depends on what that person scores with the next two balls (so, if the next two balls were gutter balls, no bonus). Double – What it is called when a bowler gets two strikes in a row. Turkey – Three consecutive strikes. Four-bagger – Four consecutive strikes. Spare – A player gets a spare when at the end of the second ball, all of the ten pins have been knocked down. A spare gives a bowler ten points plus a bonus of the points scored with the next ball. Pinsetter – The machine that sets the pins up in their perfect triangular formation.

Before there was the machine, there was a human pinsetter. In the United States, we call ten pin bowling “bowling.” Elsewhere, like in the United Kingdom, persons refer to ten pin bowling as “ten pin bowling,” namely so that it does not get confused with five pin bowling (played in Canada), lawn bowling, and other types of bowling. We have the best selection of Ten Pin Bowling at the lowest prices! How to Customise a Bowling Ball How to Customise a Bowling ball How to Customise a Bowling ball (Images courtesy of Worldwideinterweb) Customising a bowling ball can help your game by improving accuracy and consistency and as custom balls fit your hand perfectly, they are more comfortable to use. Plus you can get a personalised design, so you'll look like a pro, whether you're scoring 300's or 30's! Here's an all-you-need guide to getting your paws on one such custom ball, from how to measure your hand size properly to choosing the best ball for you. Note that we're showing you the "conventional drilling" approach.

Here's how to measure up: Hole Size Professional tools are available, but you can get a good fit using some simple (and cheap) alternatives. The easiest is to use the Smart Bowling Ball or Ball Fit Ball which can be found at every Tenpin site, usually on the reception or shoe hire collection point. Use this ball to measure your thumb, ring ringer and middle finger. Use the read outs to make a note of which bowling ball size you need (known as your span). This read out will be a letter which you can use to pick your bowling ball on the alley and you'll be guaranteed it will always fit your hand span perfectly. Thumb and finger inserts are sometimes used to better fit a bowling ball if you are struggling to find that perfect snug fit for your fingers and thumbs. The more experienced you are as a bowler the more you may feel the need for these inserts as you will know how to add power and curve to the ball. Hole Position The Smart Bowling Ball will help you measure thumb-to-middle-finger distance and thumb-to-ring-finger distance. Be sure to measure using the hand you're going to bowl with!

You're looking for the distance between the base of the thumb at one end, and the second crease (the one in the middle) of your finger at the other. (See image to the right) For a perfect fit, we suggest taking 3mm off the measured lengths. For most people, the measurement to the middle finger is slightly longer. At Tenpin our house balls are drilled the same distance apart so that both left and right handed guests can use the balls. Choosing a Ball Type There are two factors to consider when choosing your ball: weight and composition. Bowling balls vary in weight from 6 lbs to 16 lbs. Our definition of "not too heavy": a ball that you're comfortable using for at least three games. The composition of the ball (what it's made of), affects how much it grips the lane. Experienced bowlers prefer lots of grip so they can hook the ball in different directions. These balls are made from reactive resin (often urethane). The grip gives them precision and control. Beginners (people who bowl less than twice a month) normally opt for a ball that skids over the surface. This means that the ball travels straighter towards the pins. These balls are typically plastic or polyester.

Design Each to their own on this one! You can choose from an array of colours, patterns and effects and many manufacturers now let you use your own image. Let your imagination run wild. _________________________________________________________________________________________

Question: How many holes are there, usually, in a ten-pin bowling ball?
Answer: Three