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See
also:
Glossary
Rules
Download The
Basics of Bowling.
(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
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Personal
Equipment
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Shoes
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When
you become a more serious and regular member, you will want
to have a pair of specific bowling shoes. But for all beginners,
and many others, all you need is a pair of smooth soled shoes
so that you do not mark the green. Tennis shoes, for example,
are ideal, as are many walking shoes.
If you are buying a new pair, choose white ones so that you
don't need a separate pair for white days. As a real newcomer,
this is the only must-have equipment item. |
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Clothing
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All
white, or cream, clothing is required for tournaments, or matching
club shirts. This helps preserve the old traditions of the game
- though, of course, many of us wear shorts in summer (even
for tournaments) which the old Scots never would have done.
On all other occasions, any comfortable clothing will suffice.
Because of the heat and glare, a hat or visor is definitely
a necessity for most bowlers in many parts of the USA. |
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Bowls
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For
beginners and visitors, most clubs maintains a stock of bowls
you may borrow (or rent). But as you play more regularly,
you will want your own personal set that you can enjoy, maintain
and roll predictably. See Resources
section, or contact the club chairman for catalogs and prices.
In the USA, there are only a few sources for these, but they
are the same international quality suppliers.
Each set of four has a unique logo or pattern on them so you
can identify your own in any game. One set of bowls will last
you ten or more years with just the basics of maintenance
and proper storage in their carry case.
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Measure/Chalk
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Special
tape measures exist for bowling to resolve those close calls,
as well as spray chalk to mark bowls that touched the jack.
Keep these in your pocket, especially when you are playing Vice. |
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Name
Badge
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All
members of the club are issued personal name badges. Most of
us wear them on our hats or visors. While we might know you
well, this does help newcomers and visiting club players to
get your name right. |
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Locker
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Free
lockers are available at most clubhouses to store all your equipment.
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Club
Equipment
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Jack
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That
little white ball we roll first and spend all our efforts chasing
thereafter. |
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Mat
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The
starting point for every roll of a bowl. |
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Markers
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These
vary from club to club, but they are generally white or yellow
to mark the boundaries and center of rinks in use that day. |
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Scoreboard
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Traditional
as it is, we all enjoy putting the scores up on old-fashioned
chalk blackboards. |
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Flags
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On
tournament days, you will see red flags marking the minimum
distances for jack placement. This is called the hogline. |
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The
Green
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The
green itself is carefulyl maintained in all cases, often in
conjunction with a city parks and rec dept. Thanks to all our
volunteers who do the extra rolling, raking, cutting, levelling
and care work. Please always treat the green surface with the
utmost care. |
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Equipment
Vendors for USA
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