Bowling Tips

Bowling Shoes

We offer a wide range of sizes from the tiniest children’s size to a large adult (size 15). Our shoes are designed to allow you to slide smoothly on our lanes whilst taking your shot and also protect the floors for future bowlers.

Bowling Balls

From our lightweight 6s to our heavier 16s, our balls can be used by all bowlers. The balls are colour coded by weight. Simply select a ball, which suits you, not too tight on the grip and comfortable to hold. The middle two fingers should be inserted down to the second joints. For safety purposely, please take care when picking up and putting down the balls to avoid hurting your fingers.

Approach

This is the name given to the runway area before the start of the lane and is also the term given to what the bowler does, just before releasing the ball.

First thing the bowler needs to find is their starting position – most bowlers use a four-step approach, so simply start just over four steps away from the foul line. Begin by stepping onto the leg, which is the same side as your bowling arm, i.e. right step for right-handed bowlers. On the first step, the ball should be pushed out in front of them at arm’s length. This will help to acquire momentum, which is needed, as opposed to strength.

The ball will now go into a natural swing as the bowler continues on his/her approach. On the second step, the opposite arm goes out to the side for added balance. The second and third steps should increase in length and speed.

The final step concludes in a slide, bringing the bowler to a controlled stop. The bowler should arrive at the foul line at the same time as letting the ball go.

Ten pin bowling should be considered a smooth, controlled walk, swing and roll. Accuracy will always triumph over brute strength but you will need to know how to aim properly. Practice your steps before taking your turn to check your distance and make sure you are happy with your technique.

Aiming

The better you aim, the more pins you will knock down.

The ball should be in line with your shoulder, approaching in a straight line, and release the ball and aim for the third arrow on the lane on the right hand side. Let the momentum extend your arm after the release and your thumb should be pointed at the pocket (gap between the 1 and 3 pins) – the ultimate bull’s-eye.

If you line up correctly, aim straight and the ball rolls over the third arrow on the lane, then you should have yourself a very good score.

Ten Pin Bowling Scoring

At Cosmic Bowl our computers will take care of the scoring for you but it’s good to know how the scoring system works.

The Basics

One game of bowling consists of 10 frames, with a minimum score of zero and a maximum of 300. Each frame consists of two chances to knock down ten pins.

Strikes and Spares

Knocking down all ten pins on your first ball is called a strike, denoted by an X on the score sheet. If it takes two shots to knock down all ten pins, it’s called a spare, denoted by a /.

Open Frames

If, after two shots, at least one pin is still standing, it’s called an open frame. Whereas open frames are taken at face value, strikes and spares can be worth more—but not less—than face value.

How to Score a Strike

A strike is worth 10, plus the value of your next two rolls.

At minimum, your score for a frame in which you throw a strike will be 10 (10+0+0). At best, your next two shots will be strikes, and the frame will be worth 30 (10+10+10).

Say you throw a strike in the first frame. Technically, you don’t have a score yet. You need to throw two more balls to figure out your total score for the frame. In the second frame, you throw a 6 on your first ball and a 2 on your second ball. Your score for the first frame will be 18 (10+6+2).

How to Score a Spare

A spare is worth 10, plus the value of your next roll.

Say you throw a spare in your first frame. Then, in your first ball of the second frame, you throw a 7. Your score for the first frame will be 17 (10+7). The maximum score for a frame in which you get a spare is 20 (a spare followed by a strike), and the minimum is 10 (a spare followed by a gutter ball).

How to Score an Open Frame

If you don’t get a strike or a spare in a frame, your score is the total number of pins you knock down. If you knock down five pins on your first ball and two on your second, your score for that frame is 7.

Putting Everything Together

Many people understand the basics but get confused when trying to add everything up. Your total score is nothing more than the sum of each individual frame. If you treat each frame individually, it’s much easier to comprehend the scoring system.

Breaking Down a Sample Score

Confused?

Don’t worry if you find this confusing.  If you are unsure about your score, please ask any member of the Cosmic Bowl team who will be happy to go through it with you.