Bowling Tips - How to Beat Your Friends in Bowling
Nordic Sportsbar | 14 September, 2022
Whether you play bowling for fun or aspire to become the next bowling pro, one thing everyone agrees on is that it's fun when it goes well, and a win never makes you sad. That's why we at Nordic Sportsbar have compiled a list of bowling tips to help you gain an advantage over your opponents.
Tip 1 - Choose the right bowling equipment
It may sound obvious, but choosing the right equipment can be crucial to how well you perform in the alley:
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Bowling Shoes
Step one is, of course, the bowling shoes. In addition to protecting the floor, they are also designed to facilitate your movement on the lane. The flat sole on the shoes allows you to slide on the polished floor and thus make a more controlled bowling throw. Bowling shoes are usually slightly larger in size, so a rule of thumb is to go down one size. The shoes should fit snugly to enable smooth movement.
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Bowling Ball
Now all that's missing is something to bowl with. Most of us choose a ball based only on weight, but there are actually more parameters to consider.
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Thumb Hole
Many people choose a bowling ball with a hole that is too large because they are afraid of getting their thumb stuck. However, this forces you to grip the ball much harder, resulting in a less controlled throw. We recommend trying different bowling balls to see how relaxed your hand feels in each case. If you feel strained when holding the ball, the hole is probably too large.
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Middle and Ring Finger Holes
The next thing to consider is the distance from the thumb hole to the other two holes. As with the thumb hole, you should use a ball where your hand can remain as relaxed as possible. The holes should be placed at a distance where you can comfortably get a firm grip on the ball.
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The Weight of the Ball
The weight of the ball obviously affects the conditions when you start your bowling throw. A heavier ball has a better chance of knocking down all the pins, but the most important thing here is to choose a ball that feels comfortable to throw. You should be able to complete a full swing with the ball without it weighing you down. As mentioned earlier, it's a good idea to test swinging the ball you've chosen before your first throw.
Tip 2 - Use the correct posture before your bowling throw
Now that you have the right equipment, you might feel ready for the lanes, but we have a few steps left before you can get that long-awaited strike. First and foremost, you need to stand and hold properly to throw properly.
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Step 1. Foot positioning & posture.
Your feet should be placed close together with the foot of your dominant hand just behind the other. So if you are right-handed, your right foot should be placed just behind your left. You want to avoid taking too long strides, while also facilitating movement, as in this case, your left foot will move first.
In addition, you should have relaxed legs and a straight posture.
Step 2. Arm positioning
A common mistake is holding the arm too far from the body. Since the arm controls the bowling ball, aim for the tightest placement possible against the body, making the bowling throw much straighter and more controlled. A correct position is with the bowling arm close to the body, where the elbow should be just above the hip.
Step 3. Hand positioning
The hand holding the bowling ball should be placed under the ball, allowing for a more controlled and precise throw. Your opposite hand should also support slightly underneath the ball to reduce strain on the bowling arm.
Tip 3 - Make the right movement in your bowling throw
With the perfect posture settled, it's time for the part that will make you shine the next time you're at a bowling alley: the bowling throw.
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Step 1. The Movement
During the movement from your starting position to just before you start the swing, it's important that you keep the bowling ball close to your body, just like your starting position above. This makes it easier for you to move forward, which will also help you achieve a more central position before the throw.
Your steps should be small, with the opposite foot to your bowling hand (your left foot if you're right-handed) aiming to walk as straight as possible forward.
Step 2. The Swing
When you reach the position to start your throw, you should aim for a straight swing. To do this, first push the bowling ball straight in front of you, then simply release your arm into a backward swing. The arm swings because of the ball, which in turn is guided by the arm.
Step 3. The Release
When the bowling ball passes your nearest knee, it's time to begin the release. You will notice 7 arrows in front of you on the bowling lane. If you are right-handed, aim between the second and third arrow (the opposite if you are left-handed) to successfully get a strike. Your throw will then target just beside pin one, increasing the likelihood of knocking down all the pins.
A tip is to focus on these arrows throughout your entire bowling throw, from start to finish. It's easy to aim for the pins, but it's much easier to focus on the nearby arrows instead.
We at Nordic Sportsbar hope that you feel ready to take on your friends in the alley and are more confident than ever about how to get more strikes! Good luck (although you probably won't need it anymore).