I worked for a country club that had candlepin alleys when I was a kid. I moved from pinboy to being in charge of the Bowl-Mor pinsetters that replaced us setting pins. I learned that sanding and refinishing a bowling alley is time-consuming and expensive. Bowling alley owners do not feel kindly towards having balls thrown.
That is very true, i can agree with them on that lol as well as wearing regular tennis shoes on the approaches instead of bowling shoes, ive seen many bowling owners get a little angry at it. But all in good fun. Im glad that most alleys nowadays have the newer synthetic lanes, that are a bit more durable than hardened wood. Was it pine or oak that the first lanes were made of? I cannot remember
Wooden bowling alleys are made of Pine and Maple. The approach, first 10-12 feet of the alley, and the pin deck are made of Maple for a little extra dent resistance, the major portion of the alley is pine.
That is pretty cool i had forgotten that there were two types of wood used originally. I have seen in some bowling alleys ive bowled in, the different color variations of the wood, lime you said about 10-12 feet down lane
25+ years ago 2-3 nights a week. Got up to around a 190 average with a couple of $150+ (probably $225 in today's dollars) bowling balls. Kids came along, dropped down to 1 night then no nights for about 10 years. Started back up 2 years ago, 1 night a week, with an $125 bowling ball. Average 160-165.
I’m a pretty lousy bowler, but it’s fun and who cares anyway? I can’t think of any other sport where beer drinking is part of the game!
Hi John, I set pins too,at 14 years old it was a cool job. Had to pick up your feet pretty high while jumping from from lane to lane, got hit a few times and have some scars to prove it. Loved when someone would bowl a high game,they'd throw a quarter down the gutter.
I bowl only once a week now because of recovery time -- to the shoulder and wrist... Used to be 203 average -- still am 195, but tougher in the 10th frame when the game is on the line. My anchorman is a 225 average -- and his 15 year old son is already up to 206 and last weekend qualified for the state high school champioships next month.... My league is serious -- very few drink; we are there to bowl... There is a 300 shot almost every week. Ian Lange is high average at 248...Alex Garger is next at 239... And has shot 3 - 300s so far this year... These young 2 - handed kids generate so much revolution it is incredible.... And they are all 220 , 225 average. The game and equipment has changed..... And, yes, bowling balls now cost $ 200 - $ 250......
I bowled for many years and had to quit 25 yeas ago due to an auto accident and arm injuries where I couldn't hold a fingertip anymore. And things sure have changed. Back then if you bowled a 300 you got a diamond ring,now its a atta boy good job.Common nowadays. Then,if you averaged over 200 in 3 different leagues you were able to get a pro card.I did,and was able to get a card for a couple years. 1975-76,Tried some tournaments but averaged barely 190. Pro conditions were tougher than local, particularly in conditioning,more oil, plus the pins were 3# 6oz, instead of 3# 4oz local.What are they now? Equipment and lanes have made a huge difference, today synthetic lanes and oil blocking make it easier to score even if you miss your mark. Used to be conditions changed sometimes every game due to oil being push or moved around depending on line, and adjustments were necessary. We used maybe 2 different hardness balls,I used a Hammer and Columbia white dot.I'm not taking anything away from todays bowlers,they work hard for their scores, just commenting that the scores have increased and averages that were once revered are common. It just moved the expected level of proficiency higher. Our scratch leagues were 1020 total for a team of 5, today that would be be for average bowlers.
I agree, when i see videos of bowlers like mark roth Marshall holman (mightve mispelled that one) and other bowlers of that era. The battled lane transition every shot it seemed. Because they hit their mark almost everyshot and by the end of the game the ball was rolling and hitting the pins a different way than when the game started and seeing what they did to continue adjust and still win matches. I like bowling on wooden lanes from time to time to practice a metric crap ton of little tiny things that may come in handy down the road. New bowling equipment has so much oil absorbancy that it makes lane transition happen almost instantly on older wooden lanes no matter how much oil there is. I still use an original rhino pro and plastic ball from time to time. As well as a newer style urethane ball as well. I did get a ring for my 300 back in 2014 during league though . Its has my name on the side of it
Cool ring, in the 70's it had a diamond in it. I never got one ,289 twice was my best. A 4 pin and 10 pin kept me from the 12th frame,odd how we still remember those things.Todays blocking at the pins make a big difference, belly it out a bit too much and it get in dry and snaps back,pull it inside some and more oil keeps it on line. the dressing and ball material allow more margin for error. I was always a 10-12 board shooter,down and in.Some played 3rd arrow,15 or so board and bellied somewhat if they used a soft ball.I'd love to be able to try again,but physical constraints make it impossible,I watch friends and grankids though.
Now a days most of the people i see bowling try and hook the whole lane instead of playing down and in. I like to play down and in as well, but generally on most house shots i play 20 to about 10 or 12. Sometimes further left sometimes way further right lol i like going to tournaments to watch if im not bowling this way i can be able to hang with my friends and learn something while i am at it. Sorry about the spam like and unlike and then like again. My phone is starting to develope some issues and need a new one soon
I watched the PBA finals toady, even the pros are only averaging 220, pro conditions will do that,how many amateurs you see over 230 today. Most houses create easy conditions to attract leagues,bowlers like high averages. Watching the pro roll it was unreal the drive on the ball, so much I saw more solid 9 pin leaves I ever saw!!
