About Bowling Rules and Equipment

Bowling does not have many rules. The ones it does have govern the way the game is scored, penalties for fouls, proper shoes and the size and shape of the balls, pins and alley. Bowling does not need a lot of equipment, keeping it simple and fun.

  1. Strikes

    • For a strike, you score 10 plus what you get on the next two balls.

    Spares

    • If you get a spare---knock down all pins in two tries---you score 10 points for the number of pins plus what you score on the next ball in the next frame

    Open Frame

    • If you do not get all the pins down with two tries, you score the total of pin count.

    Shoes

    • You are not allowed to bowl in street shoes. You need to buy or rent special bowling shoes with special soles.

    Fouls

    • If a bowler's foot goes over the foul line or he touches any part of the lane over the foul line, the pins do not count.

    Gutter Balls

    • If the ball first goes in the gutter then comes back on the alley, the pins do not count. If it knocks down any pins after bouncing off the back board, the pins do not count.

    Bowling Balls

    • Bowling balls are the only pieces of equipment subject to rules. A bowling ball must weigh between 10 and 16 lbs.