Rules Of Bowling

Just like in any other sport, rules of bowling are meant to keep the game both fair and challenging at the same time. League bowlers and those who casually shoot a game once in a while are required to adhere to the rules. Some of these may be frustrating to some, but they are important to bowling and some are meant to keep bowlers safe.

1. One of the most important and basic rules of bowling is that bowlers not cross the foul line, which is what separates the approach from the oiled portion of the lane where the ball is thrown. If any part of a bowler's body goes over the line, whether it be a foot, a hand or knee if the bowler falls, the ball thrown will be counted as a foul. They will receive an "F" on the scoring machine with a total of zero for the ball. This usually occurs in a first ball rather than in a spare shot.
2. Bowling balls used are not to be any weight above 16 pounds. The ball must also be 27 inches in circumference and must have three holes drilled into it.
3. All bowlers are required to wear standard bowling shoes. Wearing a pair of sneakers of other shoes is against the rules and can also cause a bowler to slip, stick and possibly fall.
4. Standard bowling lanes must be 60 feet long and approximately 41.5 inches wide. Each side of the lane has a channel, which is also known as a gutter. The lane should be coated with an oil pattern, especially during leagues.
5. The game of bowling consists of ten frames, the first nine of which the bowler has two shots. In the 10th frame, should the bowler get a strike or spare, they receive a third shot.
6. Bowlers are not permitted to switch from one hand to another when throwing a bowling ball in league play. If a bowler is right-handed, they have to always throw with their right hand. However, there may be an exception to this rule if a bowler injures their bowling hand.
7. If a bowler makes a shot where the ball veers off into the gutter but then jumps out at the backend to knock down a pin or pins, the pins knocked down do not count. Once the ball enters the gutter, the shot will be counted as a zero.