If you think bowling is oh-so-1950s, think again. Sure, bowling may be retro, but it's enjoying an amazing resurgence because it's a sport that truly offers something for everyone. At one end of the spectrum, families that go bowling find that it is the perfect way to spend time and play together. For teens, the bowling alley is a safe and friendly alternative to trolling the mall. For youth and adults, bowling leagues are an organized pastime that encourages teamwork while honing individual skills. At the other end of the spectrum, professional bowling is a sport that rivals golf in its intensity. Bowling Basics Virtually everyone knows the basics of bowling. The object of the game is to knock down the bowling pins with a bowling ball. There are ten frames in each game, and a player has ten pins to knock down in each frame. If the player knocks down all ten pins on his or her first try, it's called a strike, and the player's turn ends. If the player doesn't knock down all ten pins, he or she gets a second chance to knock down the remaining pins. If the player knocks down the remaining pins, it's called a spare. If not, the player gets credit for the pins he or she knocked down in the frame, and it's the next player's turn. When you first try to learn to keep score, the process may seem confusing. Essentially, a strike counts as 10 plus the cumulative total of the pins knocked down with next two balls rolled. A spare counts as 10 plus the total of the pins knocked down with the next ball rolled. An open frame, where you don't knock down all of the pins, is counted as the total number of pins you do knock down. If it takes you awhile to learn to keep score, that shouldn't keep you from bowling. Most modern bowling centers have electronic scoring systems that keep track of your score for you. Bowling Accessories One of the greatest things about bowling is that, as a beginner, you don't need to buy any equipment. Your local bowling center has racks of bowling balls that you can use, and you can rent bowling shoes from the center. If you begin to bowl regularly, though, you'll want to buy a bowling ball and your own bowling shoes. When you buy a bowling ball, your game will be evaluated and your hand will be measured so that the holes in your ball are drilled for your specific needs. Having your own bowling ball will help you improve your game and ensure that you're using the proper ball weight. When it comes to shoes, renting shoes gets pricey after awhile, and it's worth the investment to buy your own shoes. If you buy a bowling ball and shoes, you'll also need a bowling bag to carry them in. You'll want to throw in a towel to wipe your ball, and possibly a wrist brace. If you join a bowling team, the chances are good that your team will want bowling shirts. Finding Information and Bowling Accessories If you want to buy a bowling ball, you should go to your local bowling center or pro shop. But, for other types of bowling accessories, for general information, and for tips on improving your game, you should check out online resources. You can find a wealth of bowling e-books, products, and other information with a click of your mouse.
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