For many people their first exposure to bowling is a recreational outing of some sort, a birthday party, a school function, a family outing, a date, etc. For many it ends there, they have decided they either had a bad experience, or just have no desire to explore the sport further. Others, maybe got lucky, threw a few strikes and are now hooked, they would like to learn to play the game better, and maybe even bowl in a league, or competitively.

Getting from the raw beginner stage to an intermediate level, does involve some education, just getting on the approach and throwing the ball as hard as you can in the general direction of the pins is not going to allow consistent high scores.

Lets begin with an overview of where the game is played. A bowling center usually consists of an even number of lanes anything from 2 and up; some centers have 80 plus lanes. A bowling lane is 60 feet long, 41 to 42 inches wide, with a 9 and 1/4 inch gutter on each side for errant balls, there is a foul line at the start of the bowling surface that you must stay behind, and an approach area of about 15 feet. At one time all lanes were constructed of 39 maple boards placed on edge and laminated together, however over time wood wears down and needs an expensive refinishing job. Many lanes are now constructed with an approved plastic surface that does not wear as easily; these surfaces are stamped the still look like the original wood boards. When you hear someone refer to the 5 board or really any other board number, start counting at 1 from the right.

Originally, there were no markings allowed on the lane surface, accomplished bowlers would identify a wood grain feature in the area they wanted their ball to cross and use that as a target. Now there are consistent targets in the form of locater dots, arrows, and others embedded or stamped into the surface of the lane, these targets are a great help in controls how your ball gets to your target. The locater dots are allowed at specific distances from the foul line both on the lane and on the approach, the seven arrows are placed from 12 to 16 feet from the foul line starting with the 5 board, then the 10 board and so on and are usually arranged in a pattern with the center arrow farther away, however they could also be in a line across the lane. The other 4 equally placed targets, if used are at about 33 feet down the lane, and are a visual clue as to where your ball should start hooking into the pins.

The approach and basic delivery will be described for a right handed bowler, if you are left handed, you will just reverse most of the instructions.

Let’s begin with the stance and approach, you stand on the approach facing the foul line in a relaxed stance, the bowling ball is held in your right hand, with your hand roughly under and supporting the ball, your arm is positioned to the right side so as to allow your arm to swing back and forward, your feet should be together with your left foot a little ahead of your right. To determine the correct starting point on the approach takes a little experimentation. The correct approach begins with a step forward with your right foot, usually consists of 3,5,or 7 steps ending with a controlled slide to the foul line on your left foot. Now stand on the approach with your heels at the foul line and your back to the pins, walk away from the foul line the number of steps you think you will take in your approach, this will be the approximate distance from the foul line you will start at. Most bowlers will throw a ball that has some amount of natural hook or curve into the pins, this can and should be used to your advantage, your aiming point on the lane should be to the right of a line to the 1-3 pocket of the pins. Throw a few balls to get an idea of where on the lane your ball needs to cross to allow the ball to finish at the 1-3 pocket. Now check the position of your feet in relation to the locater dots on the approach. This should be roughly where you will stand to start your approach and delivery.

The swing is next in the sequence of events, make a normal natural swing back with your hand still under the ball to about waist high, this position should be reached at about the last step before you start your slide step, you immediately begin swinging your arm forward, as you slide to the line the ball is lofted slightly over the foul line and directed at your target, the normal hand position at release would feel as if you are raising your hand to shake hands. Some bowlers try to aim at the pins, however the arrow targets are only 12-16 feet from the foul line while the pins are 60 feet away, accurately hitting the arrows is easier. The normal natural target for a right handed bowler, bowling on a typical league lane condition will be somewhere near the second arrow, or 10 board, from the right. If your ball crosses over to the left, in front of the headpin, then you will want to move your feet father left on the approach, and still use the same target on the lane. If your ball stays out to the right and hits about the 3 pin, you will want to move your feet to the right on the approach, still using the same target on the lane.

I realize that this sounds complicated, however with a little practice, you will find that it gives you a solid foundation to work from, and you will soon begin scoring higher and more consistently.

Bowls can be played on a beautiful green outside as well as inside usually on a carpeted floor. The game all in all has its rules changed quite a lot and you will have to keep up with the ever changing game. The basic point tally works as such, it’s usually the first player to total up 21 points, and you can also play a different variety of set games such as the first team or person to achieve 5 points would win that set and then when the game comes to an end whoever has won the most sets would be victorious.

The initial game is started by tossing a coin into the air to see which team will bowl first. The first player will then have to bowl at around 25 meters away from the white bowl they are targeting, there will be a mat which 1 foot must be kept on at all times when bowling.

You must have a skill when bowling its just like every other sport you must be able to be accurate and know the game inside out, it does get pretty tricky towards the end and that’s when the real skill should come in so you can snatch the game. The reason I am saying this is because towards the end of the game there are a lot of bowls on the ground so you can use them to your advantage.

Ok so the first main tip would be try and focus yourself with control, as you will have to have a good evaluation of line and length. Remember always to never look at the target you are aiming for but the road on which the bowl is to go.

Try not to get nervous as this will ultimately end up tensing your whole body, therefore you will not have the ability to bowl correctly. If you are starting to feel abit if tension take a quick break and walk around with a few breaths.

If you have an audience always remember to keep calm, if you make a mistake no one will laugh at you, they have come to watch you play because they like your game so stay calm and breathe.

Try not to think about being beaten it will give you terrible anxiety and when you go to take your last shot to win a game you might end up screwing it up.

Never feel sorry for yourself this will achieve you nothing at all, pull yourself up and concentrate on your next shot, so what if you done one terrible shot its not the end of the world.

Read up on the rules of the game especially bowls, because bowls is not like football the rules are always changing and you will have to keep upto date to be ontop of your game.

Remember to go to the green earlier than everyone else so that you can get a feel of the playing field and the area around you. This will not only help your confidence and nerves but it should overall help your technique.

The most important tip I am going to give you is to be a good sport, even when you are losing just shake your opponents hands and give them a smile the reason for this is because if you win the psychological game you have all the chance of winning the game on the pitch. If you are losing your opponent will expect you to be angry and ruin your game, if you stay calm and polite the opponent will think what the hell is going on why isnt he getting frustrated and in the long run by using this technique your opponents game will suffer.