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Bowling is both an enjoyable pastime and a competitive sport. Like any sport, it takes practice to develop both the knowledge and skill you'll need to advance in the game. Before lacing up your scuff-proof shoes, use the following guide to learn more about the rules and etiquette of the game. 

Rules of Etiquette

Bowling etiquette is a relatively simple set of rules designed to prevent damage and injury and ensure that everyone has a good time. Here is a general list that everyone should know before stepping up to the lane.

  • Avoid standing on the approach—the area at the head of the lane where you'll stand to take your turn—unless you're ready to bowl. If it's not your turn, stand aside to make space for the next player. Likewise, if someone is taking their turn on either side of you, you should wait until they have finished before walking to the approach. 
  • Never take a ball that doesn't belong to you. If you're sharing a ball return with an adjoining lane, remember which ball is yours to avoid accidentally taking a neighboring ball. 
  • Practice good sportsmanship. Do not yell, kick the ball return, mock, or taunt the other players. Never throw multiple balls at once, or attempt to hit the pin sweeper. 

Scoring

bowlingIn traditional 10-pin bowling, scores are calculated based on the shot you make and the number of pins you knock down. A strike occurs when you knock down all 10 pins in your first frame. It is worth 10 points, plus the sum of your next frame.

A spare means you've knocked down all 10 pins between both of your shots. It earns 10 points, plus the sum of your next frame.

An open frame means you did not knock down all 10 pins during either of your shots and is worth the number of pins you knocked down, ranging from one to nine.

The tenth frame is played differently than the rest, earning you an additional two shots for a strike and one shot for a spare. The score for the tenth frame is the total number of pins knocked down within the frame.

 

Put your new skills to the test by visiting Coulee Golf Bowl in Onalaska, WI.  As Onalaska's number one recreation facility, bar & grill, they proudly provide delicious food, a state-of-the-art bowling alley, a scenic golf course, and more. Contact them today at (608) 781-1111 for information on joining a league, or visit their website to learn more about their facility.

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