On September 9th, 1895, the first standardized rules for bowling were established in New York City. Most people are only familiar with only a few types of bowling, but there are actually many different games that involve knocking down pins with a ball.
Ten-pin bowling is the most popular form of the game played in the United States. The ten pins are each 15 inches high and approximately 4.7 inches in diameter at their widest point. These pins are set up in a triangular formation at the end of a long, flat surface called a lane, with the headpin set up at a distance of 60 feet from the foul line. Each pin is set up 12 inches (30 cm) apart, measured from center to center. Each game of ten-pin bowling is divided into ten rounds (called "frames"). A player uses a bowling ball to knock down the pins. The ball ball cannot weigh more than 16 pounds and the circumference of the ball must not be more than 2.25 feet. A player is given two opportunities to knock down the pins in every frame. A "strike" is bowled when the bowler knocks down all ten pins after throwing the first ball and the frame is over. When pins are left standing, the others are swept away and the bowler throws the ball again. If all the remaining pins are knocked down after the second ball is thrown, then it is called a "spare." In general, one point is scored for each pin that is knocked over. When all pins are knocked down in a single frame, then bonus pins are awarded.
Duckpin bowling is a style that is popular along the east coast of the United States. Almost every rule is the same as in ten-pin except for the size of the pins and ball. The balls used in duckpin bowling are much smaller than those used in ten-pin bowling, weighing 2-4 pounds each and having a maximum diameter of 5 inches, and does not have finger holes. The pins are shorter and lighter than their ten-pin equivalents, standing only 9 13/32 inches tall. There are still ten frames in each game. In duckpin, bowlers have three balls per frame instead of two in ten-pin bowling. The maximum possible score is 300 points just as in ten-pin, however, it has never been accomplished in duckpin bowling.
In 1909 a Canadian version was invented called five-pin bowling. It was designed to quicken the pace of the game to fit it into a typical lunch break. Similarly to duckpin, the balls are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. The pins are set up in a "V" formation that points back at the player, and each has a value from two to five points, depending on the position. All pins have a heavy rubber band around the middle to make them move farther. Each player has three chances to knock the pins down, just as in duckpin.
Candlepin bowling is another type of bowling played mostly in New England and parts of northeast Canada that was developed in 1880 in Massachusetts by a local bowling center owner, Justin White before the standardization of ten-pin bowling in 1895 and the invention of duckpin bowling. Just as in duckpin and five-pin bowling, each player has up to three balls per frame and the balls are smaller to fit into your hand with no finger holes. In candlepin bowling, the pins are 15 3/4-inches high, have identical ends and are almost 3 inches in diameter at the center. The pins are set up 12-inches apart and in the same triangular format as in ten-pin and duckpin bowling. Unlike in ten-pin, duckpin and five-pin bowling, pins are not cleared between balls during a players turn. There are also multiple forms of outdoor bowling. In these outdoor variations, the players throw a ball in an attempt to put it closest to a designated point or slot in the bowling arena.
Here at Westbrook Lanes, we offer ten-pin bowling to our players. No matter what type of bowling you decide to try, make sure to have a good time! Although there are many major bowling tournaments, bowling is a fun family sport. You might have a favorite version of bowling, but it is always nice to try different adaptations to add some excitement to the game.
Westbrook Lanes
1 Creek Road
Brooklawn, NJ 08030
856-456-2692
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