How to Use Lane Arrows When Bowling

It's great to spend a couple of hours at the lanes, hanging out and racking up frames. But if you're tired of constantly getting about the same score, there are a few easy tips that can improve your game. Here's how to use lane arrows when you are bowling, which will help you focus on the pins and improve your score.

Things You'll Need

  • Bowling ball
  • Bowling alley
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate the arrows, keys and dots on the bowling lane. You will find the arrows 15 feet into the lane. These arrows correspond with each pin that is in front of the pin triangle formation. Ahead of those arrows (closer to the bowler) are a set of keys. This is the same type of system which lines up with the same pins. Then very close to the bowler, by the foul line, are the dots. These also line up with the pins in the triangle position.

    • 2

      Decide which markings you are going to aim for when bowling. Most people focus on the arrows since they are 15 feet into the lane and thus give the bowler a good idea of where his ball will head if it rolls over that marking.

    • 3

      Determine the situation in front of you. During the first ball in your frame, you are going to want to focus on the center arrow, since your best shot at getting a strike is by hitting the center pin (also known as the 1 pin). As you move to your second ball in the frame, only a few other pins will be left (hopefully). Your goal now is to determine how to complete a spare by knocking over the remaining pins. Find the arrow that lines up with the pin that gives you the best shot at completing the spare.

    • 4

      Practice bowling over each arrow in a myriad of situations. As you become a better bowler, you will develop a curved or spun ball that approaches the pins. In doing this, the traditional straight-on approach of bowling over the arrows will no longer be relevant, as a ball being bowled at the far side of the lane will make its way back to the center pin.