Looking for a fun activity you can do with friends and family of all ages? Why not try the sport that nearly 70 million people a year participate in and go bowling?

Bowling is a classic sport for a reason. It’s fun everyone and has tons of health benefits like reducing stress, improving your hand eye coordination, and more.

If you’re not sure where to begin, we’ve got you covered. Our guide to bowling for beginners will have you striking out every time!

Choose the Right Ball

As a beginner, you’ll most likely start out renting your equipment from the bowling lane. Pick up shoes in your size (don’t forget to wear comfy socks) and head over to the ball rack.

A good rule of thumb is to look for a ball that’s about 10% of your body weight. It should be heavy but not uncomfortable to pick up.

Make sure your fingers fit in the holes which shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. Your hand shouldn’t stretch too far when trying to get your grip on the ball either.

How to Bowl

To work your way to a perfect bowling score, you need to learn how to stand and throw the ball. This can be intimidating at first but you’ll pick it up quickly with a little practice.

Your hand and wrist need to work together to hold the ball steady. You’re trying to release in a straight line, so notice if you throw to the left or the right and adjust as needed.

Start with the ball in your dominant hand. The trick is to release the ball when the opposite leg gets to the foul line.

To get your opposite foot to the foul line, try the four step approach. Take four steps while bringing the ball back, then release when your foot gets to the foul line.

Targeting and Follow-Through

Your target isn’t actually the pins. To get the ball where you want it to go, instead focus on the arrows on the lane itself.

Throw your ball low to the lane. If you throw it too high, you can cause damage and ruin your shot.

To finish your throw, take your four steps then bend your knees once you get to your mark. Gently swing the leg closest to your throwing arm away from your body so that it’s not in the way of your shot.

More Tips for Bowling for Beginners

Put all of these elements together — the right ball, the proper stance, focusing on your target, and a solid follow-through — and you’re sure to score! These bowling for beginners tips will help give you a solid base that you can build on.

Bowling can be a lot of fun to learn. Don’t take scoring too seriously at first, just work on your technique and have fun with your friends and family.

Liked these tips on how to bowl for beginners? Check out all of the other useful tips and tricks on our blog!