How to hold a bowling ball
Does your normally graceful bowling alley strut turn a bit awkward as you walk up to the bowling lanes? Do your bowling balls always seem to stray off course, no matter how carefully you plan your throw? The problem might be down to how you’re gripping the ball. Luckily for you, we have done the practical homework and figured out the best grip technique to get you bowling a strike in no time! Explore our bowling tips below.
How to grip a bowling ball
- Two hands are better than one
Although you only use one hand to launch the ball, it helps to use both your hands during the lead up to the throw. This allows more control and prevents you from swinging your ball around in all the wrong directions. Place your fingers in the three grip holes of the ball and use your free hand to support a before preparing to launch!
Quick tip: if you’re struggling to get your fingers into the grip holes, you’re probably using a too-small bowling ball. And vice versa: if your digits keep slipping out, try a smaller one for a better fit.
- Use a traditional grip
For most people, the traditional grip of a bowling ball works best – fingers in as far as they feel comfortable, usually up to the second knuckle. But, once you’ve got some team bowling experience under your belt, try the fingertip (only up to the first knuckle) as this grip can make it easier to hook the ball.
Quick tip: it’s best not to wear any rings on your fingers when you’re bowling, and we’d recommend you make sure your hands aren’t oily as those slippery hands will make it harder to keep grip of the ball.
- Keep a relaxed posture
Don’t let the pressure of a win get to you! Keep your body relaxed and simply let the ball slide smoothly off out of your hands. A relaxed hand also helps to prevent any injuries.
Quick tip: if you want to take your game to the next level, consider investing in a custom bowling ball that’s fitted to your hand. With the right equipment and technique, you’ll be the envy of your bowling league in no time.
How to choose the right bowling ball
Choosing a bowling ball can be relatively easy if you know what to look out for. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ rule when it comes to bowling balls, the key thing to consider is comfortability. If the ball is too heavy to hold properly, choose a lighter option by looking at the numbers on the side of the ball, which is the ball's weight in pounds.
Test out different sizes to find the right one for you, and obviously opt for your favourite colour to make sure everyone remembers it as yours!
How to bowl better
Learning how to bowl is a practice makes perfect process, the more time you spend exploring different techniques and ways of holding a bowling ball the more you’ll start to find out what works for you. Along with our tips above on getting you started with gripping the ball correctly, we have some additional recommendations below when it comes to your stance and swing:
- Keep behind the foul line, especially when it comes to releasing the ball as this could prevent you from gaining any points.
- Wear proper bowling shoes to avoid any accidents or injuries.
- Use the markings on the bowling lane to help you navigate your shot.
- Use your hand to follow the ball through as you release it, this helps the accuracy of your shot.
If you’re new to bowling and want to learn more about bowling rules and scores in bowling, explore our bowling blogs to find out all you need to become a pro on the lanes!
After all that, you’re probably feeling ready to test your new, improved bowling ball grip, so why not head down to your nearest Zone Bowling for some tenpin bowling, and maybe a go on an arcade game or two? We’ll see you there!
