Last updated on May 26th, 2021
Bowling Pins are the targets used in the game of bowling. There are many types of Bowling pins as well, including ten-pin, five-pin, and nine-pin.
The main objective is to knock off maximum bowling pins to make a score. The techniques lie in understanding the types of bowling pin weights. A bowler uses this knowledge to use the method considering the same to help achieve a higher score.
The Bowling pin’s weight is essential as that determines how easily balls can knock it off. Many new players forget to note this factor. The standard weight of a bowling pin ranges between 3 lbs., 6 ounces to 3 lbs., 10 ounces.
If you have been on the lookout for an informative guide on the bowling pins, then you are in the right place. Read on to know everything about bowling pins to get you started.
7 Things To Know About Bowling Pins
Bowling pins make up an essential part of bowling. A significant chunk of the game is dependent on the bowling pin. Here is some information on the bowling pins.
Bowling Pins
Bowling pins are the target used in bowling. The bowling ball is supposed to knock off the bowling pins; only then would the bowler score. A strike usually means the situation where it knocks off all the bowling pins at the first ball of the frame.
How Are Bowling Pins Made?
The construction of Bowling pins uses gluing block of rock maple wood. These are taken in an approximate shape and turned on a lathe. The lathe helps in shaping the bowling pin.
Later, a coating of plastic covers the bowling pin, and lastly is another coat of glossy finish.
As wood suitable for Bowling pins is not readily available, an alternative is synthetics. The sound of a synthetic pin and a wooden pin is distinguishable.
At present, five-pin, duckpin, and candlepin use synthetic pins. USBC has approved an artificial ten-pin model.
Most often, juggling clubs are confused with the Bowling pins. However, the two are very different in terms of their manufacturing and weight.
Brands Of Bowling Pins
There are three leading brands of Bowling Pins used. They are as follows:
Vulcan Vultex 2
This bowling pin has been widely popular. Many bowling venues prefer Vulcan Vultex 2, a type of mold comprising a surlyn coating. It gives the product a supreme-quality look.
Brunswick PBA Gold Pin
This bowling pin is heavier than the other pins. The Brunswick PBA gold pin weighs 3 lbs., 10 ounces. A colored PBA logo is visible, as they use these pins in PBA tournaments only.
Winsome Pin
These bowling pins are so cost-effective that they have reportedly surpassed the sales of most exported pins. These Canadian rock maple pins are exports in large numbers across many countries in Asia.
Types Of Bowling Pins
Ten-pins
The USBC, or United States Bowling Congress, set the ten-pins specification. They are about 4.75 inches wide. Approximately 15 inches tall. They follow strict implementations of USBC specifications.
Duckpins And Five Pins
Compared to Ten-pins, duckpins are squat and short. The five pins have sizes between the Duckpins and the ten pins. When hit, a rubber band is tied around the pin’s widest part to increase the pin action.
Candlepins
Candlepins is the tallest of all the bowling pins. They are about 15 and ¾ inches tall. As the name suggests, candlepins resemble the shape of candles. They are long and cylindrical.
Kegels
Kegels are the amalgamation of the tenpins and the duckpins. German bowling games are using these pins, known as nine pins. Kegels are small in size, although they resemble standard ten-pin bowling pins.
Aiming At The Bowling Pins
The first step to learning Bowling is learning how to hold the ball. The second step is to aim. Most people confuse the aiming and think that only aiming at the pins helps get a score. Here is something you might be missing out on, and it is the “where should you aim.”
People take two types of aims, while the beginners follow one, the professionals do the latter. This aiming technique is developing over time. The first one is point bowling, and the second is spot bowling.
Point Bowling aims at the boiling pins. It usually doesn’t work, the primary reason being that the bowling pins are almost 60 ft away from the player.
It is not the best shot, and thus beginners must rectify this and form a habit of avoiding this method.
Spot Bowling is an aiming approach recommended by experts and is proven to be more effective. If observed, you would see that there are lines and dots on the lane which lead to the bowling pin placed in the center.
These are like the guiding lines, which are close to you compared to the bowling pins. There are chances of hitting a strike increase with this method. Aiming at a near target is much easier and more accurate than aiming at a distant one.
Another method is to ai, at the center-line. However, in several cases, the ball doesn’t go straight. Therefore, many factors need evaluation while aiming the ball.
Two-Handed Bowling Technique
With time, professionals have switched from one-hand bowling technique to two-handed bowling technique. The main reason behind it is that this technique has allowed players to throw it slowly yet powerfully.
There are observations of more revolutions, and the passage through the pins gets easier. Certain factors need consideration to pull off a two-handed bowling technique. Through their stance, approach, and throw, two-handed bowlers can execute a strike or a high score.
Stance
An ideal stance should be something like this – slightly bent, relaxed knees. The feet should be on the proper board for accurate aiming with the ball waist-high. You should tilt the spine approximately five to ten degrees ahead. A correct stance allows the bowler to get the aim.
Approach
The approach is the technique, which in this case is two-handed bowling. The bowler takes four or five steps before the release. The bowler’s stride can differ; however, you should maintain the pace and the technique.
Throw
The grip, swing, and throw are usually the main steps involved in a bowler’s throw. A powerful throw and a well-executed technique result from the balance between the “grip, swing, and throw.”
A tutorial of the two-handed technique will help you master and score strikes in your next game.
How Much Cost For The Bowling Pins?
There is no fixed price of bowling pins because they depend on several factors. The weight and size of all types of bowling pins happen to be similar. However, the materials used differ in bowling pins. That is why there is no fixed cost.
Supreme quality materials make sturdy bowling pins, resulting in the cost being high. Similarly, shoddy bowling pins cost less due to the inexpensive materials used.
The most economical bowling pins start from $4. The highest price is difficult to state as it all depends on the materials and the cost that goes with it.
The range is, however, said to be between $100 to $170. This range brings good, durable bowling pins that you can regularly use in matches. At the same time, they meet all the standards of a regular bowling pin.
Other Equipment In Bowling
Apart from the bowling pin, there are a few other things that complete this target sport. They are Bowling balls and bowling shoes.
Bowling balls are different for various types of games. The large balls are about 8.59 inches in diameter. They also differ in terms of the weight, size, and spacing of the finger holes. Balls also vary depending on the style of the bowling.
Certain chemicals help balls to form a grip or hook better. Unlike any other sport, bowling has a wide range of balls.
Bowling shoes aim to bring ease to the bowler. The foot that remains stationary is enabled to provide traction by making the sole with rubber. The foot that is supposed to slide has the shoe made with flat and smooth material, allowing the bowler to slide.
Most bowling centers provide rental bowling shoes; however, professional bowlers prefer to carry their bowling shoes.
Summing Up
Bowling pins and their weights make up one of the essential factors in determining the performance of a bowler. For this reason, bowlers should study the different types of bowling pins before stepping into the game.
Every professional bowler will emphasize the need to aim at the bowling pins and techniques correctly.
Proper techniques, such as the two-handed bowling technique, is also an integral factor that helps beginners level up their games. With good practice and understanding of the bowling pin weights, bowlers can see exponential growth in their game.