History of Bowling

Bowling is probably the most basic skill a child learns. Knocking down preset objects with a ball has been a leisure activity for centuries. This indulgence is now pursued professionally, indoors as well as outdoors. Today, bowling is a sport played competitively, as well as for recreation. The professional form of bowling involves the knocking down of pins along a flat surface, usually a wooden or polyurethane lane, with a bowling ball. The game, as it is known today, has evolved from various forms of 'target ball'. The popular ten-pin bowling variation is very popular amongst the youth, at specially constructed bowling alleys. The warmth of the ambiance created at the bowling alleys is responsible for making it a hub for families and retired personnel too.

Historical Overview of Bowling

Recorded history of bowling dates back to ancient Egypt, Finland and Yemen. There are 300 AD manuscripts in Germany that have a special mention of an earlier variation of the game. Bowling enjoys a long history, rooted in the leisure activities of 3200 BC The German historian, William Pehle, refers to a form of bowling that made its way across the continent from England, in 1366. However, it was not until November 9, 1895, that the first professional standardized rules for bowling were established in New York City. The first standard bowling ball, the evertrue, was introduced to the game in 1905. In 1914, Brunswick Corporation designed the mineralite ball, with the rubber compound, as we know it today. The automatic pinsetter was invented by Gottfried Schmidt.

Bowling Facts

Bowling is played in an alley that has 41.5 inch wide and 60 feet long lanes, bordered by semicircular channels called 'gutters'. The foul line at the end of each lane is the demarcation for the area that a bowler's body cannot touch. Behind the foul line is the 'approach', an area designed to give the ball thrust and momentum along a 15 feet long path, before impact. Each bowler is allowed ten frames to knock down the preset pins.

Bowling is now pursued as an anaerobic physical exercise. It is recommended alongside walking and the lifting of free weights, to burn calories in the pursuit of losing weight. The activity is believed to exercise muscle groups that are not usually flexed. The game involves stretching of the tendons, ligaments and joints in the arms and legs. This not only helps the player to develop muscle tone, but also promotes psycho-social benefits.

The outdoor variation of bowling is usually played on a lawn. In this version, the players are expected to hit three 'turkeys' or bowling pins, to earn a 'chicken', or point. The outdoor bowling ball is eccentrically weighted, to aid a distant pitch and get the ball closest to a preset, designated point. The outdoor variations of bowling include bocce, pétanque and Irish road bowling. The game enjoys an entry at the Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, Pan American Games and Special Olympics World Games.

The scoring system in bowling is unique and very confusing to first-timers. The scoring pattern involves 'strikes' and 'spares'. A 'spare' refers to a point that makes a player eligible to earn a subsequent shot that counts twice as much. The 'strike' gives the player the same leverage, but twice over. Every time a player earns a strike on the first shot of the tenth frame, he or she is awarded two more shots. Scores in bowling are greatly dependent on strikes and spares awarded. While the maximum score in bowling is 300, the perfect game comprises 12 strikes in a row.