Glossary

A symbol used to denote a spare on a scorecard.

A variation of bowling played mostly in Canada, with smaller pins and a smaller ball.

A scoring category in which a bowler’s combined pinfall or points from all events in a tournament are used to determine overall rankings and awards.

The bowler who bowls last in a team game, often the strongest or most experienced bowler.

The area of the lane where the bowler takes their steps before releasing the ball.

The seven vertical boards on the lane, used as reference points for targeting shots.

A ball with an asymmetric weight block, producing a more angular ball reaction and greater hook potential.

The direction of the ball’s rotation as it travels down the lane.

The angle of the ball’s rotation axis as it rolls down the lane.

The motion of the bowling arm as it swings behind the body before releasing the ball.

A ball that spins in the opposite direction of a standard hook, used by some bowlers for specific situations.

A team game format where each player bowls one or two frames in a sequence to complete a game score.

A hole drilled into the ball to adjust its balance or reduce its hook potential.

The conveyor belt that brings the ball back to the bowler after it’s been rolled down the lane.

The velocity at which the ball is rolled down the lane, measured in miles per hour (mph).

The path on the lane where the ball rolls, which can indicate the bowler’s release and ball motion.

The weight of the bowling ball, typically ranging from 6 to 16 pounds.

An award given to the top-performing bowler in a league or tournament series over the course of a season or year.

Adhesive tape used to adjust the fit and grip of the ball for the bowler\’s hand.

A bag designed to hold one or more bowling balls, shoes, and accessories for easy transport.

A cleaning solution or spray used to remove dirt, oil, and grime from the surface of the bowling ball to maintain its performance and longevity.

A machine used to drill or plug holes into the bowling ball for custom fitting and layout.

A device used to store multiple bowling balls in a compact and organized manner.

A machine used to clean and resurface the surface of the bowling ball to restore its performance and consistency.

A glove worn on the non-bowling hand to provide additional grip and support during the approach and release.

A store or facility specializing in the sale, fitting, and maintenance of bowling equipment and accessories.

Specialized shoes with smooth soles on one foot and a tacky sole on the other, providing proper traction and sliding ability for the approach.

A cloth or microfiber towel used to clean and maintain the surface of the bowling ball between shots.

A brace or strap worn on the wrist to provide support and stability during the release and follow-through.

A bowling tournament format where bowlers compete in head-to-head matchups, with the winner advancing to the next round and the loser being eliminated.

A term used to describe when a bowler hits the opposite side of the pocket, resulting in a strike or spare from a lucky shot.

The wearing off of the oil pattern on the lane, causing the ball to react differently and making it harder to score.

A frame where all the pins are knocked down after the second ball roll.

A grip style where the bowler inserts the fingers all the way into the holes up to the second knuckle, providing more ball security but less control.

The inner part of the bowling ball, affecting its weight distribution and hook potential.

A bowler who throws the ball with maximum speed and spin, generating a strong hook.

Pins left on the lane after a roll, which must be cleared before the next roll can begin.

A measure of the ball’s track flare potential, affecting the ball’s hook potential and ball reaction.

The dots on a bowling lane are used as reference points for bowlers to aim their shots.

Two consecutive strikes in a row.

A spare that requires knocking down two non-adjacent pins in a single roll.

A bowling competition format where bowlers compete in both doubles and singles events, often used in tournament play.

A league format where two bowlers form a team and compete against other teams in a head-to-head format.

Eight strikes in a row.

A bowling tournament format where bowlers are eliminated from the competition as they fail to meet a certain standard, such as the lowest pinfall in a round.

The moment when the bowler releases the fingers from the ball during the delivery, affecting the ball’s rotation and hook potential.

A grip style where the bowler inserts the fingers only to the first or second knuckle, allowing for greater ball control and spin.

Five strikes in a row.

The motion of the bowling arm after releasing the ball, continuing forward until the arm is fully extended.

The continuation of the bowler’s arm and hand motion after releasing the ball, affecting the ball’s accuracy and power.

Crossing the foul line, resulting in a score of zero for that roll.

The line at the end of the approach that marks the start of the lane, which bowlers must not cross before releasing the ball.

Four strikes in a row.

A round of two rolls, with a maximum of ten frames per game.

The channel on either side of the lane where the ball can fall if it misses the pins.

A recognition program honoring the greatest and most accomplished bowlers and contributors to the sport.

The position of the bowler’s hand on the ball during release, which can affect the ball’s trajectory and spin.

A scoring system that allows less skilled players to compete against more skilled ones by giving them additional points based on their average score.

A league format where bowlers compete with a handicap adjustment based on their past performance or averages.

A bowling tournament format where bowlers compete with a handicap adjustment based on their past performance or averages.

The frontmost pin in the triangle formation, also known as the 1-pin.

A technique where the bowler releases the ball with a spin to curve it towards the pins.

The area of the lane where the ball starts to hook towards the pocket, varying depending on the bowler’s style and equipment.

A lane oil pattern designed for recreational or league bowlers, typically with a consistent volume and length.

The playing surface where the bowler rolls the ball towards the pins.

The fees paid by league members to cover the costs of bowling lane rentals, equipment, prizes, and other expenses.

The person responsible for organizing and maintaining the operations of a bowling league, including scheduling, scoring, and communication with league members.

The rankings of individual bowlers or teams in a league based on their total pinfall or points earned throughout the season.

The upward force generated by the release of the ball, which can affect the ball’s trajectory and speed.

The distance between the foul line and where the ball first contacts the lane, which can affect the ball’s speed and hook potential.

A game format where two or more bowlers or teams compete directly against each other, with the winner being the one with the higher total pinfall or points.

A league format where teams consist of both male and female bowlers.

Nine strikes in a row.

The condition of the lane surface due to the application of oil, which can affect the ball’s trajectory and speed.

The thickness or density of the oil pattern on the lane, affecting how the ball reacts to the surface.

A frame with no strikes or spares, resulting in a score of the total pins knocked down in that frame.

A frame in which the bowler fails to get a strike or spare.

The point on the ball surface where it rotates the most during a roll, affecting the ball’s motion and drilling layout.

A type of bowling ball material that contains microscopic particles to increase friction with the lane surface, resulting in a more aggressive hook motion.

Professional Bowlers Association, the premier professional bowling organization in the United States.

A game with twelve strikes in a row, resulting in a score of 300.

The area at the end of the lane where the pins are set up.

The total number of pins knocked down during a game or a frame.

The machine that automatically resets the pins after each frame.

A ball made of polyester or similar material, used for shooting spares or for beginners.

A material used to fill a hole in the ball or adjust its weight distribution.

The space between the head pin and the adjacent pins, which is the ideal target for most strikes.

The point on the ball surface where it rotates the most during a roll, affecting the ball’s motion and drilling layout.

The axis around which the ball prefers to rotate during a roll, affecting the ball’s hook potential and drilling layout.

The axis around which the ball prefers to rotate during a roll, affecting the ball’s hook potential and drilling layout.

The initial motion of the bowling arm, pushing the ball forward to begin the backswing.

A measure of the ball’s rotational inertia, affecting the ball’s hook potential and drilling layout.

A type of bowling ball material that generates more friction with the lane surface, producing a stronger hook motion.

A ball with a reactive resin coverstock that provides a strong hook and power.

The rate at which the ball rotates or spins, measured in revolutions per minute (rpm).

The action of letting go of the ball and imparting spin or hook to it.

A measure of the ball’s rotational inertia, affecting the ball’s hook potential and drilling layout.

A game or league where bowlers compete without a handicap adjustment, based solely on their actual pinfall.

A league format where bowlers compete without a handicap adjustment, based solely on their actual pinfall.

A bowling tournament format where bowlers compete without a handicap adjustment, based solely on their actual pinfall.

A league format for bowlers aged 50 or over, typically with a more relaxed and social atmosphere.

Seven strikes in a row.

A bowling competition format where individual bowlers compete against each other to earn the highest pinfall or points.

Six strikes in a row.

A pin behind another pin that makes it harder to knock down.

A pin that is hidden behind another pin, making it harder to hit and knock down.

Knocking down all ten pins with two balls.

A ball used specifically for making spares, typically with less hook or spin than the primary ball.

A situation where there are two or more pins with a gap between them, making them difficult to knock down.

A lane oil pattern designed for more skilled bowlers, with varying volume and length and more challenging conditions.

A technique where the bowler aims for a specific board or spot on the lane to target the pins.

A championship format in which the top four or five bowlers compete in a sequence of head-to-head matches, with the winner of each match advancing to the next round until a champion is determined.

Knocking down all ten pins with the first ball.

A ball specifically designed to generate maximum hook and power for striking the pins.

The area of the pocket that provides the best chance of getting a strike, usually slightly to the right of the head pin for right-handed bowlers and slightly to the left for left-handed bowlers.

Getting strikes in the final three frames of the game.

A bowler who rolls the ball straight with minimal spin or hook.

The part of the pinsetter machine that clears the fallen pins and resets them for the next frame.

A ball with a symmetrical weight block, producing a smooth and even ball reaction.

The process of adding adhesive tape to the holes of the ball to improve grip or adjust fit.

A bowling competition format where teams of two or more bowlers compete against each other to earn the highest combined pinfall or points.

The standard type of bowling played in most parts of the world, with ten pins arranged in a triangular formation.

The moment when the bowler releases the thumb from the ball during the delivery, affecting the ball’s speed and rev rate.

The synchronization of the bowler’s steps, arm swing, and release for maximum accuracy and power.

Three consecutive strikes in a row.

Three strikes in a row.

Three strikes with an open frame in between.

A bowler who uses a medium-speed ball with a moderate hook.

A type of bowling ball material that provides a smooth and controllable hook motion.

A ball with a urethane coverstock that provides moderate hook and control.

United States Bowling Congress, the national governing body for organized bowling in the United States.

A difficult spare where the head pin is left standing with one or more non-adjacent pins.

A symbol used to denote a strike on a scorecard.

A league format for young bowlers aged 18 or under, often with coaching and instruction programs.