In bowling, the approach refers to the surface area of the lane between the ball return and foul line; it’s about 15 feet in length. Here, bowlers must be conscious about good manners, too, especially as it’s the most conspicuous place to be in a bowling alley like Brunswick. Here are a few tips to know for beginners.
Stay Off It Before Your Approach
You shouldn’t linger on the approach while preparing to bowl. You have to get ready behind the line, from practicing your throw to psyching yourself up for it, for many reasons. You don’t want the next player to wait while you prepare for 10 minutes, nor become a distraction for the players in the next lanes.
Tip: Stay off the approach while you’re waiting for your turn, too.
Wear Proper Shoes
Even obvious beginners will get the stinky eye from other players if they wear the incorrect shoes on the approach. There’s no excuse not to wear the proper shoes, too, since Brunswick offers shoes rental for players!
There are many reasons for wearing the right footwear while bowling. The inappropriate shoes can cause serious damage on the lane and floors, as well as increase the risk of slipping and sliding for players.
Wait for the Pins
Don’t wait in the approach lane either while the pins are being set – again, because you may become a distraction for the players in the other lanes who are preparing to throw. You have to wait until the pins have been set, and the best indication of it is when the sweet bar has been released.
The sweet bar, by the way, is the white bar that clears the standing pins, if any, and comes up while the pins are being set up for the next set. It will go down when the pins are ready for your throw.
Defer to Your Right
When you are on the approach and you observe another player to your right also getting ready to bowl, you should defer to him or her. Just as with driving, the person to your right has right of way, so to speak, so you should let him make his throw first.
You shouldn’t be impatient, much less make rude gestures and hurry him up, since your turn will come. Besides, when the other player also respects the rules of approach, he will not keep you waiting for long.
And don’t forget to restrain yourself – no flashy movements, no shouting, and other rude actions – while on the approach. You may like to be the center of attention but your best way of getting it in a bowling alley is to get a perfect score.