How to Go Bowling

Bowling is a fun activity for a whole family or a group of friends. Bowling centers are open on rainy days, snowy days, hot days and late nights. There's no reason not to go bowling--you can even go at lunchtime and eat while you bowl. Follow these steps to learn how to bowl.

Things You'll Need

• Bowling ball
• Bowling shoes

Instructions

Preparation

1. Get bowling shoes. If you don't want to rent shoes, go to the bowling center while the pro shop is open and buy a pair. Street shoes are not permitted on the lanes. You need shoes with smooth soles that will allow you to slide on the balls of your feet.

2. Get a bowling ball. If you don't want to invest in your own ball, the bowling center has dozens of "house balls" from which to choose. Pick a ball that lets you put your two middle fingers comfortably into the holes up to the second knuckle; your thumb should fit up to the first knuckle. Make sure it isn't too heavy to swing and release smoothly.

3. Get a lane. The central desk can assign your lane and will charge you afterward for the number of games you bowl. A group of more than three people should ask for two adjoining lanes.

The Game

1. Place your ball in the return until you are ready to bowl. Don't pick it up by putting your fingers in the holes. Hold the ball against your chest, place the fingers of your dominant hand into the holes and stand on the second row of dots on the lane approach. (If you're very tall or strong, stand on the first set.)

2. Step forward with your non-dominant foot, take a second step, and then slide on your non-dominant foot, stopping short of the foul line. While you're moving forward, lift the ball, swing it behind you and then forward, releasing it near the floor in front of you. The ball should not drop with a thump onto the lane.

3. Watch the ball as it crosses the row of arrows part-way down the lane and then strikes the pins. Ideally, the ball should strike the "pocket" between the front pin and the one just behind and to the side of the first pin on your dominant side. If the ball doesn't hit the pocket, adjust your starting position, using the arrows as a guide.

4. Count the pins you knocked down. If you've knocked down all the pins, you've just bowled a strike! You needn't bowl again until the next frame. Your score for the first frame will be 10 plus the number of pins you knock down on your next two balls. If you didn't knock down all the pins, you'll have to roll a second ball.

5. Roll your second ball. Adjust your position so your ball will knock down the remaining pins. This can be difficult if the pins are widely separated. If you knock down all the remaining pins, you've just bowled a spare. Your score for the first frame will be 10 plus the number of pins you knock down on the next ball.

6. Count the pins again. If you haven't knocked down all the pins, count the total number you knocked down with both balls; this is your score for the first frame.

7. Continue for 10 frames, taking turns with the other bowlers.

8. Bowl the last frame. You may have to roll three balls on the last frame if you bowl a strike or spare; otherwise, just roll two balls. You've just finished your first game.

After the Game

1. Return house balls to the rack. It's inconsiderate to simply leave them in the ball return.

2. Return to the desk. Pay for the games you bowled and turn in your rented shoes.

3. Bus your area. If you had food or drinks while bowling, throw away your cups, plates, plastic ware and napkins.

4. Make plans to bowl again.

Tips & Warnings

• Most bowling centers have automatic scoring machines which you'll have to set up with the names of the bowlers. Ask for help from a bowling center employee in doing this and in correcting any problems that may come up due to equipment malfunction or bowler error.

• If you leave the pit to go to the snack bar, bathroom or into the parking lot, take off your bowling shoes to keep the soles from getting dirty. Dirty shoes will stick to the lanes, ruining your game and possible causing you to become injured. (It's a good idea to go to the bowling center wearing shoes you can slide on and off easily).

• Bowling etiquette states that you never step onto an approach if a bowler next to you is already on the approach. Wait until that bowler has released the ball to step up. If you and another bowler are ready to step onto the approach at the same time, the bowler on the left goes first.

• If you find you enjoy bowling, consider joining a league. Leagues meet at a variety of times from weekday mornings to weekend nights. Most leagues are handicapped (less skilled bowlers have points added to their scores so they can compete with better bowlers) and some pay cash to the winning teams.

• Be careful not to let the pro shop salesperson talk you into buying towels, resin bags, ball polishers, fingertip balls, expensive bags, bowling shirts or anything else. After you have some experience bowling, you can decide if you want to spend additional money.

• Don't take food and drinks into the "pit." The bowling center takes great care to keep these areas clean so the soles of bowling shoes don't get dirty.