| We're all here to have FUN! | | | | Instead of rushing to bowl as soon as it's |
| | | | your turn, always give way to a bowler in the |
| At first glance, bowling looks as simple as | | | | lane to your right who is ready to go. If you |
| throwing a heavy plastic ball down a shiny | | | | allow other bowlers to concentrate on their |
| wooden hallway in order to knock down ten | | | | games, they will afford you the same |
| pins at the end. As you'll soon find out, | | | | courtesy. |
| it's so much more! It's a sport that requires | | | | |
| physical strength and coordination and mental | | | | 5. Roll, don't pitch the ball. Releasing your |
| strategies that are second to none. | | | | ball on an upward swing, or worse yet, |
| | | | pitching it overhand, will damage the lane |
| Whether you're just going bowling with | | | | and, more often than not, end up in the |
| friends or are starting in a league, you're | | | | gutter. Release the ball on the forward swing |
| here to have fun! There are 8 basic rules of | | | | when your arm is lowest to the ground. |
| etiquette to follow to make the game more | | | | |
| enjoyable for everyone: | | | | 6. Cover any extra holes in your ball. If |
| | | | you're bowling with a ball that has |
| 1. Mind your manners. It's important to | | | | additional holes in it, the rules state you |
| follow the rules of any bowling alley you | | | | must cover them with the palm of your hand |
| visit, to be polite to staff and courteous to | | | | before releasing the ball. If you don't the |
| fellow bowlers. Some of the machinery is | | | | ball doesn't count and is considered "dead." |
| dangerous, and you can be hurt badly by | | | | |
| engaging in horseplay. | | | | 7. Keeping it out of the gutter. We all get |
| | | | them in the beginning. The dreaded gutter |
| 2. Wear appropriate attire. Loose, | | | | ball can be disheartening at first. A gutter |
| comfortable clothing, socks and bowling shoes | | | | ball cannot contribute to a score. With |
| are a must. Most people don't relish the idea | | | | practice, you'll learn how to keep the ball |
| of putting their tootsies where thousands | | | | in the lane. In some leagues, they've |
| have gone before, but it is a necessary evil. | | | | modified the rules. If you bowl a gutter ball |
| Not only do bowling shoes protect the finish | | | | and it hops out of the gutter and knocks pins |
| on the lanes, they protect you from slipping | | | | down, the pins do count. Be sure to ask what |
| and consequential injuries. If you bowl | | | | to do if this happens to you. |
| regularly, you can purchase a pair of your | | | | |
| own at the pro shop in your bowling alley or | | | | 8. If you have a question, ask. The staff at |
| at many shoe stores. | | | | your bowling alley will be happy to answer |
| | | | questions about anything related to bowling. |
| 3. Remain behind the foul line. As tempting | | | | From the rules of the game to how to complete |
| as it might be to get closer to the pins | | | | a scorecard, they are there to help you. |
| (They seem so far away at first!), any ball | | | | |
| bowled from over the line is considered | | | | By following these 8 basic rules of etiquette |
| "dead." In other words, it doesn't count! | | | | at the bowling alley, everyone will have more |
| | | | fun while learning to bowl! |
| 4. Give way to the bowler on your right. | | | | |