Bowling is the only game where strikes are good and big flashing X’s are a sign of a pro. Whether you are an amateur playing for the first time or someone who plays on a consistent basis, it is always a good idea to review your tool every once in a while. Your tools consist of the ball you are playing with, the shoes you are wearing and even the right bowling terms and lingo to make sure you fit right in.

Choosing the Proper Attire

The two most important aspects of bowling are the shoes and the ball; everything else will come with time. It is important to have the right shoes and the best weighted ball fit for you so that you avoid injury. Here is how to pick out your attire when getting ready to bowl:

Shoes – Make sure your shoes give just enough “wiggle” room in the toe. When you are bowling there is a tremendous amount of force placed on your feet during the approach, too much room in your shoes could mean a blister. If you are unsure about what size you need, don’t be afraid to ask the shoe clerk to measure you to get the best fit.

Ball – In general, women should choose a ball between 10 and 14 pounds while the men should go with the heavier ball between 14 and 16 pounds. House balls, the ones provided by the bowling center, are easy to pick out because of the finger holes. If a ball has smaller finger holes, it is usually meant for women or children, larger holes, for men. An important note is that you want a ball where your thumb can slide in and out with ease. Also, most bowling centers only provide right-handed balls, if you are a lefty; just ask the person at the counter if they have any left-handed balls.

Lingo

Knowing a little bowling lingo can help you feel at ease, even if it’s your first time hitting the lanes. Here are some bowling terms you may not have heard before.

Pace – Bowling a strike, spare, strike, spare, strike… eventually ends in a Dutch 200 if kept up the entire game.
Baby Split – The 2-7 or the 3-10, usually the easiest split to pick up.
Bed Posts – The dreaded 7-10 split.
Big Four – 4-6-7-10 split.
Deuce – A game of 200 or more.
Fill Ball – The ball thrown after a spare in the 10th frame.
Kegler – German word for one who bowls.
Turkey – Three consecutive strikes.

During the summer there is nothing better than getting a group of friends together in the Portland metro area and challenging them to a round of bowling, or five. No matter what your level of play, it is always fun to see your score keep rising, and even more so, to get a strike or two. Call all of your friends in the Portland area, grab your ball and your shoes and make the hot summer night a fun time to remember.

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