Whether you’re just getting started in the wonderful world of bowling or have been playing for years, there’s always something new to learn! Here are 30 must-know bowling terms to help you get up to speed on your bowling game.
1. Back End
The back end of a bowling lane is where a bowler needs to take most advantage of hooking their ball. The back end is the farthest portion on the lane, and there should be a lot of movement or "hook" within this area.
2. Bagger
Commonly used in bowling, is a term that describes when a player gets multiple strikes in a row. For example, if you manage to get five strikes in a row, it would be referred to as a 'Five Bagger'.
3. Ball Rack
Acting like a storage space for the vibrant, colorful balls, this area is where you select your ball before each turn, and it’s also where your ball is returned to after each throw or roll.
4. Ball Track
The ball track is an essential component of a bowling ball, as it has direct contact with the lane during the release. This area of the ball aids in direction, and friction, and predictably affects spin.
5. Breakpoint
The spot on the lane where a bowler should aim in order to cause maximum pin action.
6. Center Pin Spare
A spare that is made by knocking down the headpin and all other pins with one ball (also known as “splitting the headpin”).
7. Clean Game
This is when you don’t leave any pins standing after two rolls in any frame.
8. Cross
When a bowler throws a ball so that it crosses over from one side of the lane to another, this is known as “crossing over.”
9. Double
When you get two strikes in a row, you have achieved a double!
10. Double Wood
Double wood refers to two bowling pins having one directly behind the other on the pin deck, as opposed to a single pin spaced apart from other pins.
11. Finger Holes
Holes drilled into a bowling ball that fit around the fingers of the bowler, making it easier to control their shots and spin.
Finger holes refer to the array of holes on either side of the thumb hole at the top of bowling balls. Not only do these indented nooks provide grip, but they also help bowlers determine which ball fits best for their hand shape and size.
12. Frame
An entire game is divided into ten turns or frames. When the ball is thrown, each frame has two chances for the bowler to try and knock down all remaining pins.
13. Foul Line
The line at which bowlers must stand while delivering their ball down the lane; if they step beyond the foul line, they will be issued a foul shot and any pins knocked down won't count towards their score; also known as “the line of delivery” or “the foul mark”.
14. Gutter Ball
When a bowler throws their ball into either side gutter without knocking down any pins; also known as “gettin' gutterized!”
15. Handicap
Handicaps help level the playing field between players of different skill levels by awarding bonus points to lower-skilled players or subtracting points from higher-skilled players. This helps ensure that competitive matches are fair for everyone involved.
16. Head Pin
The head pin is the first pin at the front end of the lane that must be knocked down for any other pins behind it to fall; also called “the kingpin" or "Number One".
17. House Ball
These are basically bowling balls provided by the bowling alley or house for first-time bowlers or casual players who don’t have their own balls.
18. Hook Shot
A type of shot used by competitive bowlers in which they use spin and rotation to make their balls curve towards their target instead of traveling in a straight line; often referred to as “jailbreak"
19. Lane Oil Pattern
Lane oil patterns are predetermined designs used by bowling alleys to create different levels of difficulty for bowlers by using various amounts and locations of oil on each lane; these patterns can range from easy to extremely difficult depending on what kind of challenge bowlers are looking for
20. Leave
Leave is what happens when pins remain standing after your first roll in any given frame.
21. Open Frame
An open frame is a common occurrence that can arise after two balls. An open frame happens when pins are still standing on the alley, so no bonus points are given for a strike or spare.
22. Perfect Game
A perfect game is achieved when you score 300 points by getting 12 strikes in all ten frames without leaving any pins standing throughout the entire game.
23. Pin Deck
It's the place where all ten pins are set for bowlers to hit down. Located precisely 60 ft from the foul line.
24. Pocket Hit
This term refers to when the ball hits the headpin smack dab in the middle-- giving it an almost perfect strike.
25. Spare
A spare is when a player succeeds in knocking down all ten pins with two rolls in a frame. On the first roll, if there are pins remaining after the first roll, then during the 2nd roll, if the player knocks down any pins left standing, it counts as a "spare".
26. Splits
When two or more non-contiguous groups (or "splits") of pins remain standing after a bowler's first shot.
27. Strike
A strike is when the ball thrown knocks down all ten pins in one go. Hitting a strike in ten-pin bowling is perhaps one of the most exciting and dramatic moments you can experience on the lanes. It's incredibly satisfying to witness that energy of power as your ball rolls along, handing you victory.
28. Tap
A tap is when only one pin remains standing after a bowler's first throw
29. Turkey
Three consecutive strikes in a row.
30. The 7-10 Split
The 7-10 Split is one of the most difficult spares to pick up because only two pins remain standing after the first ball is rolled. This occurs when only the leftmost and rightmost pins (7 and 10) remain standing. Some experts believe that this split requires more skill than any other spare, so it's no surprise that it has its own name!
Conclusion:
There you have it—30 essential bowling terms every beginner should know! Whether you plan to become the next world-renowned bowling champion or just hit the lanes for some fun, it’s important to be familiar with the various terms of bowling lingo.
With these handy terms in your arsenal, you'll be ready to take on your next match play like an absolute pro knocking down all the pins in no time! Good luck out there!
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