It is safe to assume that most people have bowled at least once in their lives, even if it was not a competitive game. Despite the fact that bowling is a well-known game across the world, many individuals are unaware of the many fun facts about bowling. We are here to fix that!
Bowling is a popular sport in both the United States and Europe. As you are going to see, it has been appreciated by various cultures throughout human history. It entails rolling the ball down bowling lanes to hit the most pins possible.
What Are Three Interesting Facts About Bowling?
It Is an Old Sport
The Flintstones’ Fred and Barney were big bowlers. Even though The Flintstones was a children’s cartoon, cavemen bowling may not be too far off the mark! Bowling balls were discovered in Egyptian tombs dating back to 3200 BC by British anthropologists. In 1840, the first indoor bowling lane was built in New York City (New York City is proud to have this accomplishment under its belt), and the sport was first broadcast on television in 1950.
Who would have thought a British archaeologist would have discovered a ball in a child’s grave? Next time you play, think back to how grateful you are for the objects inside that grave.
The Materials of the Balls Have Changed Significantly Over the Years
The bowling balls we play with today are vastly different from those used in the early 1900s. Originally, bowling balls were made of wood, followed by a hefty rubber. Manufacturers began utilizing polyester resin in 1960 because it was light and could be produced in a variety of colors.
Nine-pin Bowling Is a Definite No
Nine-pin bowling is prohibited by law in every state except Texas, which is one of the strange bowling facts. Bowling with nine and 10 pins has been popular in Texas since the 1830s, and you can rest assured that getting a strike with wooden bowling balls was a lot more challenging, not just in Texas.
10 pins are used in almost all bowling games. Previously, bowling games may have anywhere from three to 17 pins. You can use up to 50 pins if you want to. Bowling may be a risky game that can land you in significant legal issues with the state.
The problem is that bowling was previously forbidden by the government as it was quickly associated with gambling. 9 pin bowling was popular at the time bowling was outlawed. So it was “nine-pin” bowling that was prohibited. The problem is that 9-pin bowling is still not allowed today. Hence, instead of 9 pins, 10 pins are employed to play this fun game with your family and friends.
A Few More Fun Facts About Bowling
Did you think those three facts were the only interesting ones about the fascinating forms of the game? Here are a few more fun facts you probably didn’t know:
Bowling Used to Only be for Men
Bowling is now appreciated by people of both genders. Regrettably, this was not always the situation. The American Bowling Congress was once a gentlemen’s club that prohibited women from participating in the sport. The Women’s National Bowling Association was created in 1917, giving women the opportunity to bowl for the first time.
This Is a Life-long Sport
Bowling, similar to golf, is a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. You can go bowling as long as you can lift a bowling ball, which comes in a variety of sizes. Bowling is an ideal sport for your next family excursion because it can be enjoyed by everyone from children to elders.
The Perfect Game Is not 300 Pins
Every bowler’s dream is to hit 300. One of the fascinating facts about bowling is that rolling a 300 does not necessarily mean the bowler knocked down 300 pins. In reality, the ball only needs to contact four pins for an optimum strike. To earn a perfect score of 300, you need to hit a total of 48 bowling pins.
The bowling ball only hits four pins when you bowl an ideal strike. The one, three, five, and nine pins (occasionally the eight-pin) are contacted by a right-handed bowler’s ball, whereas the one, two, five, and eight (or nine) pins are contacted by a left-handed bowler’s ball.
If you hit a 300, you would only hit 48 pins in theory. Consider that for a moment.
Every pin is put at a distance of 12 inches from the next. To throw an optimal strike in bowling lanes, your ball must contact the pocket at a six-degree angle.
The pins in the pocket weigh about three and a half pounds; however, as long as the pin tilts at least nine degrees, you are fine, depending on how many pounds the ball weighs. All pins that have a nine-degree slant fall.
Bowling Is Fantastic for Business Events
If you are weary of the same old workplace gatherings, consider hosting your next event at a bowling alley! When you arrange an event at a bowling center, old stale business parties become a thing of the past with fantastic food and drinks surrounding everyone and a game that all your colleagues can appreciate and have fun with.
Ten-pin Bowling Just Keeps on Getting Bigger and Bigger – Japan Has the Largest Bowling Alley
The Inazawa Grand Bowling Centre in Japan boasts 116 lanes, making it the world’s biggest bowling alley!
Furthermore, the second-largest bowling alley in the world is in Las Vegas, and right next door to this place in Reno is an actual bowling stadium.
Bowling Was Once Banned in Various Countries, Including the US
Excuse me?! Why would anyone wish to outlaw a recreational activity like bowling? This is probably one of the reasons why bowling was outlawed in the first place. Bowling, on the other hand, was prohibited not because it was enjoyable, but because it was previously associated with gambling. Several soldiers in the 15th century preferred to gamble on bowling games rather than concentrate on their duties.
When you consider that the medieval era was dominated by puritans who frowned on all sorts of immoral acts, including gambling, you have a recipe for disaster. Bowling mixed gambling and fun; therefore, it was inevitable that it would be banned. Fortunately, modern bowling is all about having fun with your friends and family.
People Can Drill Up to 12 Holes in Bowling Balls
The conventional bowling ball has roughly three holes, but if you want to customize the balls, you may add extra holes. If you would like, you can have up to 12 holes. Why are there so many holes? You are free to inquire. The United States Bowling Congress advises up to five additional holes for grasping purposes; however, a demonstration is required to demonstrate how to use them; one hole for further balance and up to five separate vent holes for every ball.
There would be some overlapping if you had all of these holes in addition to the three default holes. The three default holes on bowling balls, for example, are actually for better grip. As a result, bowling balls may have a total of 12 holes.
Modern Bowling Was First a Religious Ritual Rather Than a Sport
These ancient “bowling” ceremonies were performed in various German churches around the third or fourth centuries AD. At one end of the runway, a club, or Kegel, was installed. The “Heide” – also known as the “Heathen” (in Germany) – was represented by this Kegel (which looks like a modern-day pin).
You would have had to roll a stone at the Kegel in Germany to get cleansed of your sins. Those who were able to knock out the ancient Kegel were able to cleanse themselves of sin. Thus, the next time you go bowling, you might be unwittingly purging yourself of past transgressions. Isn’t it likely that bowling games would be enjoyable at your church?
The Complex Scoring System Results in the Use of Automatic Scores
Bowling’s scoring system is complicated, particularly if you want to do it manually. If you hit all 10 pins, for example, you score a strike. You get a spare if you can hit six pins. On the following ball you toss, spares and strikes win you points. It can be challenging to add up all of these points, specifically if you have strikes and scores in a single round. Automatic scorers make the procedure of scoring a lot easier. However, the automated scorer may occasionally knock some pins out, necessitating manual counting of the scores to delete the pins knocked out by the balls.
The Bottom line
Indoor bowling, 3200 BC, American Bowling Congress, no 9 pins, the Women’s National Bowling Association, previously banned, a ball made out of wood? The history and forms of law governing this more than a century-old game appear to be quite complex. Who could have possibly imagined that this modern-day game we all play was banned at a stage? You have discovered quite a few facts to share the next time you bowl.
Consider joining a league at your local bowling alley, whether you are a die-hard bowler who already knew all of these fun bowling facts or a casual bowler. Whatever the case may be, you are certainly going to have a blast bowling, and you could even make some new friends.
