3 Simple Tips For Beginning Bowlers

Bowling is a sport that is pretty accessible for most people. Not everyone can be a pro bowler, but if you can lift a bowling ball, you can learn to throw well enough to enjoy a night of bowling with friends or family. Take a look at some tips that can help you get the hang of bowling.

The Basics

A basic throw with a conventional bowling ball is pretty simple. You should be able to insert your fingers into the holes up to the second knuckle. Put your fingers and thumb into the holes and hold the ball so that your throwing hand is underneath the ball. Raise the ball to about chest level and aim for the pins you're trying to hit by using the arrows painted on the bowling lane. Slide forward and throw the ball.

The Fingertip

A variation on the basic bowling ball throwing method is to use a fingertip throw. You can do this with a regular bowling ball if you want, or you can use a fingertip ball made specially for that purpose.

Fingertip balls are made with shallower finger holes, so that you can only insert your fingers to the first knuckle. This is supposed to allow you to get better lift on the ball and exert more control as you throw. If you want to try the fingertip throw but don't have a fingertip ball, you can simply insert your fingers only one knuckle deep into the regular bowling ball's holes.

The Experiment

Once you have the basic throw down, and you know whether you prefer a regular ball or a fingertip ball, go ahead and experiment with your throw and form. Bowling is about more than knowing the technically correct ways to throw a ball – each bowler has their own form that works for them.

For example, in 2011 a high school junior won his state's bowling championship with a two-handed throw. He inserted the fingers of his right hand into the holes, but let go of the ball with his left hand, using the right hand to guide the ball. You won't see many bowling instructors passing that method along to their students, but it works for some bowlers. You may want to give it a try yourself. Remember, the goal is to knock down the pins. If you can find a way to do that that's comfortable and works for you consistently, then you're a good bowler, no matter what your technique looks like.

The best way to perfect your bowling form is to get a lot of practice. Make it a point to enjoy a bowling night once or twice a week at a local alley, like Sparetimes Bowling. You'll have a lot of fun, and you'll be surprised at how quickly your game improves.