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Characteristics of Ten-Pin Bowling

Ten-pin bowling is a popular sport that dates back to ancient Egyptian times. In the U.S., ten-pin bowling is typically referred to simply as bowling. It is a competitive sport that is played worldwide both professionally and recreationally. Although some of the elements of ten-pin bowling vary, there are several characteristics that define the sport of ten-pin bowling. Ten-pin blowing players, or bowlers, roll a ball down a narrow lane and attempt to knock down all 10 pines with one roll.

Lanes
- Bowlers play ten-pin bowling in lanes made up of either wood or polyurethane. The lanes are 39 inches wide and 60 feet long with gutters on each side. These gutters are semicircular channels that the bowling ball falls into if it gets too near the edges of the lane. Players typically have about 15 feet of space in front of the lane to gain speed before they roll their balls down the lane. The lanes are oiled to give the balls more velocity and better spin, as well as to reduce friction.
Play
- Although there are a variety of alternative ways of bowling with ten pins, standard bowling has clearly defined objectives and rules as well as a specific scoring method. The goal is to knock down all 10 pins with each turn. Each turn consists of two rolls and a game is comprised of 10 frames, which means each player gets 10 turns. If you knock down all 10 pins on your first throw, you're awarded a strike. Knocking down all 10 pins between the two rolls of one turn earns players a spare. Stepping into the actual lane, over the foul line, earns a player a foul on that roll, and any points scored are not counted.
Balls
- There are rules and regulations regarding bowling balls for ten-pin bowling. Typical balls contain three finger holes and contain some markings to indicate the brand and weight of the ball. The maximum circumference for a bowling ball cannot exceed 2.25 feet and balls can't weigh more than 16 lbs. Players select bowling balls that are a comfortable weight to hold and roll. Balls range from around 5 or 6 lbs. to 16 lbs. While most recreational players use the balls available at the bowling alley, professionals and regular players purchase their own balls for the perfect weight and finger hole placement.
Scoring
- Scoring in ten-pin bowling can appear complicated when you get into strikes and spares. Since most bowling alleys utilize automated scoring, recreational players really don't need to know now to score a game, however, professionals and league players should have a full understanding of scoring. Each pin knocked down earns the player one point. Points from the two rolls of a player's turn are combined for the score for that frame. Strikes and spares earn a player 10 points, since they involve knocking down all 10 pins. Strikes also earn a player bonus points based on the score of their next turn. Strikes earn players bonus points, too, but only the first roll of the next frame is counted.

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