History of Bowling

Being one of the fastest growing pastimes in worldwide popularity today, the sport of bowling has a
rich and fascinating history. Archaeologists have discovered bowling balls, pins, and other related
equipment in a childs tomb in Egypt, dating the game as far back as 5200 B.C.
Eventually, Bowling became a popular secular sport, spreading through Austria, Spain, Switzerland
and the Scandinavian countries. Bowling greens began to appear in the homes of wealthy European
royalty, and there are many references to the sport in documents from the Middle Ages.
As bowling increased in popularity it unfortunately gained a bad reputation because of its
association with taverns, pubs and gambling. The earliest known legislation against bowling dates
to 14th Century England. It seems the Kings soldiers were spending so much time bowling, they
were neglecting the archery practice that was vital for the countrys national defense during the
100 Years War. Both King Edward III and King Richard II, who reigned during this conflict, banned
the game in the interests of national security.
Although the early English settlers introduced lawn bowling (which doesnt use pins) to the
Colonies, it was the Dutch during the mid-1600s who gave our fledgling country the precursor to
modern day 10-pin bowling. Bowling was originally conceived as a 9-pin game in America, but
because of bowlings association with gambling and taverns, it was banned in Connecticut. One
popular belief is that some enterprising bowlers added the 10th pin in order to circumvent this law,
and thats how modern-day 10-pin bowling was born.
In 1875 the first bowling association, consisting of 9 clubs, was formed in New York City. Called
the National Bowling Association, its main goals were to standardize rules and to eliminate
gambling among its members. Although the organization itself did not last long, the rules it created
are still the basic rules of bowling today. It wasnt until 20 years later in 1895 that the American
Bowling Congress (ABC) was formed. Under its leadership, bowling became popular nationwide,
and more importantly, finally gained respectability due to the virtual elimination of the gambling
associated with it.
Just as the sport of bowling evolved, so too did the equipment that is used to play the game. A
wooden ball eventually replaced the stone, and multiple wooden pins (as few as three and as many
as seventeen) were used instead of the single kegel. The most common form of bowling in America
in the 1600s was ninepins, in which the pins (which were straight, and taller and narrower than
those used in todays 10-pin game) were set up in a diamond pattern. The alley was usually a
plank only about a foot and a half wide and 90 feet long. From a rolling stone, the ball changed
over the centuries to wood, then hard natural rubber, and finally to the variety of resins,
polyurethane and plastics used in todays bowling balls. In addition to the basic bowling ball and
shoes, the marketing of bowling accessories, apparel, and ancillary equipment has grown into a
multi-billion dollar industry today.
With 7,000 years of history backing it, is it any wonder that bowling has become one of the
favorite pastimes of Americans today? It is estimated that approximately 70 million people in the
US go bowling at least once a year, with about 7 million of them competing in league play.

Bowling Facilities
Lane Length
The overall length of a regulation lane is 62 feet 10 3/16ths inches measuring from the foul line to the
pit (Not including the tail plank). It must be 60 feet from the foul line to the center of the No. 1 pin spot
with a tolerance of 1/2 inch permitted. It must be 2 feet 10 3/16ths inches from the center of the No. 1
pin spot to the pit (Not including the tail plank).
Lane Width
The lane shall be between 41 and 42 inches in width. The lane plus the gutters shall not be less than 60
inches nor more than 60 1/4 inches wide.
Lane Surface
The surface must be free of all continuous grooves. A maximum 40/1000th inch will be permitted in
levelness and depth depression.
Lane Approach
Extending back from and exclusive of the foul line there shall be a clear level approach of not less than
15 feet in length. A tolerance of 1/4 inch is permitted on depth depression of grooves.
The Pin Deck
The tail plank must be a Maximum of 2 inches in width and the back line of pins are 3 inches further on.
Each pin is 12 inches from its neighbor in any direction (as measured from the center of each pin) so the
pins are in an equilateral triangle with the head pin 34 and 3/16ths inches from the tail board.
Bowling Pins
Pin Composition: Pins are shaped from Maple wood, which is then coated with a 3/32-inch-thick layer of
plastic.
Pin Weight: The pins weigh between 3 lb 6 oz and 3 lb 10 oz.
Pin Positions: The diagram to the right indicates the pin numbering system that is commonly used.

Equipments used in Bowling

Bowling balls - A round ball made from rubber, urethane, plastic, reactive resin, or a combination of
these materials. Ten-pin bowling balls have three drilled holes in them - one for the ring and middle
finger, and one for the thumb.
Bowling bags - Carries and protects one or more bowling balls.
Bowling accessories - Non-slip grip cream, grip sacks, bowling ball maintenance tools, hand and wrist
grip supports, towels, gloves, bowling ball cleaning equipment and supplies
Bowling shoes - Narrow shoes with a very smooth sole
Bowling clothes - Bowling games usually take place in air-conditioned bowling centers. Casual attire can
be worn.
These are the equipment required in bowling alleys:
Bowling lane - A long plane where a bowling ball rolls towards the pins. Long wooden boards are joined
together to form a 75-foot long and 3.5-foot wide lane. The wooden plane is very smooth. It requires
maintenance by cleaning and polishing.
Bowling machine - A device that places and rearranges the pins.
Bowling ball retriever - A device that retrieves the ball after every shot, and returns it, via a tunnel, to
the player at the other end of the alley.
Players' area - At the end of the tunnel is a ball-sorting mechanism. A hand blow dryer may also be
installed at the bowling ball sorter. A computer and display monitors show players the game points. The
players would have seats and a table. A rack with extra bowling balls would usually be placed beside the
seats.