INTRODUCTION
Bowling is an interesting game. It is full of fun and energy and can be played by everyone who are able to move around. Bowling is somewhat of an easy game to practice and follow, irrespective of your physical shape and size. While being fit is always an advantage, to have fun bowling a good game, you don’t necessarily have to be an adonis.
Bowling is followed by people of all ages. About a 100 million people play this game, it is said. While this is a huge number, it still has a long way to go to be very popular. Bowling can be considered as easy as walking or even cycling, just to have fun. Just like you need to have skills and stamina to participate in Tour De France, you need similar regimen to take part in leagues and be a professional.
Being in US for sometime now, I happened to learn my lessons and am an amateur bowler. Some of my friends who took some liking to this game have gone further to join leagues and consistently score 230-250s.
For the benefit of the larger audience, let me explain what bowling is.
BOWLING BASICS
Bowling is a game where a player needs to strike down 10-pins arranged in an inverted triangular shape.
X--X--X--X
-X--X--X
--X--X
----X
Each game consists of 10 frames each. Within 10 frames, you are given 2 opportunities to strike down the pins. BAsed on the number of pins you strike down, you are given points. If you hit all 10 pins using a single throw, it is called as strike.
The maximum you can score is 300 which is called as a perfect game. You can achieve this, if you can strike 12 times in 12 chances. The chance for a frame ends, if you have a strike and goes on till 10th frame where you get 3 chances. If you finish of pins in two bowls in a frame, it is a spare and the number of pins you strike in the subsequent frame is added and so on. To get a complete picture, go to https://bowlsearch.com/
The basic needs for bowling are the bowling shoes, a bowling lane and the bowling ball. If you want to go to league and have some grip, it is better to get a bowling glove to be very effective.
HISTORY
Bowling has its ancestry traced to Egypt as far back as 3200 BC. It is also told that Germany had its version in 300 AD. It was in England, in 1366, King Edward III outlawed a similar game for his troops to practice toxophily(archery!!). During the popular (for wrong reasons) Henry VIII ths reign it was very popular. It then spread its wings to rest of Europe. It landed in US finally through the settlers. First famous information about bowling can be seen in the New York Battery area called as ’’Bowling Green’’. (There is a university by the same name and I have seen an apartment complex named after the same, in the place I live.)
In the late 19th century, bowling became a favorite pastime for many Americans along the east coast and some professional associations were formed. Youc an also remember a phrase where Rip Van Winkle wakes up to a sound of a 9-pin hit, from the literature of Washington Irving. Bowling then found its way through these active groups. From small beginnings using a wooden ball and lawn alleys to rubber-balls and then to synthetic balls and fully computerized systems. Owing to its popularity, it became a famous spectator sport as well. The professionals on PBA tours get a lump-sum amount to show their skills in a tournament.
In effect, bowling is an industry in USA. Bowling is getting popular all over the world. I know for sure that there are a few good bowling alleys in India. I think the pricing and the cost of playing this game will go down, depending on the popularity, just like it did in US.
MY FLING
I am still a learner or an amateur when it comes to bowling. Couple of my American Colleagues took me to bowling alley one day as I was curious to know this game when they were talking. We went there one fine evening after work and they taught me how to bowl. I was pleasantly suprised to see that I had to spend $10 to have a great time. Normally the outdoor games such as skiing, rafting and all takes a lot of money!. I scored rather well for a beginner, a well rounded up 98. They taught me few tips about the game which was very useful. I then went to bowling alley quite often with my friends and improvised my skills. I can regularly score 145-160 these days. One of my friend who really liked this game, took seriously and joined a league. He scores regularly in the 240-270 region.
I have always enjoyed bowling though my outings has not gone beyond 15-20 times. I go have a round of fun, whenever I feel like and have some company.
TIPS
Some of the important Bowling Tips (from my friend, my own, colleagues and leaguers) are
1. Have good concentration - This helps you focuse where you want to bowl
2. Have your shoulders square - This would prevent you from bowling a foul line
3. Always keep your back straight- Don’t bend..
4. Always keep your bowling arm straight and as nearer to your body as is possible. - This keeps you have a good swing while bowling
5. Have a bent knee and straighten it as you release.
6. Slide straight while bowling - For proper ball delivery
7. Have a nice follow through after delivery
8. Watch your ball hit the pins and mark - This teaches you something. Don’t just throw and walk away, you are missing some learning, if so.
9. Keep Your Arm Swing Loose when you release the ball
10. You can try 45 degree swing if you are a newbie, with a hand to support the weight of the the ball
11. Watch the professionals bowl, if you can
12. Most important thing is always practice and have fun
BOTTOMLINE
I have always enjoyed bowling as it is an excellent game to enjoy and have fun. The sound of the pins getting dislocated by a beautifully bowled ball is something to cherish. It sometimes teaches you a philosophy about life in a way. If you prepare well, practice and deliver perfectly, you always get a strike. If you just want to throw your life, you can hit a field-goal through the gutter. Sometimes even when you bowl well, you may miss out a pin or two. So, you have to practice and learn from mistakes to enjoy, just like life.
Bowling for me is straight out fun, learning and excitement. Would I recommend this to anyone.... You bet I would. Believe me it is great fun.
I hope you liked the review, chip in your comments, when you find time
Kalil