National Bowling Day
High fashion shoes, greasy balls, and the clack of pins: get together some friends or family for a friendly bowling game, or join a league or competition.
Roll up to join the celebrations for National Bowling Day! This fun occasion aims to get more people involved in the sport.
How to Celebrate National Bowling Day
Whether bowling a strike, a spare or a gutter ball, bowling can always be loads of fun, especially when it is done with friends and family. Consider some of these ideas for observing and celebrating National Bowling Day:
Go Bowling, Of Course!
What else would a person do on this day? Thousands of bowling lanes and centers may be offering free taster sessions in celebration of National Bowling Day, so the ideal way to celebrate is to take to the lanes.
Grab some bowling shoes, a bowling ball and a few friends, and head on over to knock down some pins. It’s possible that you could well be bowled over by how much fun this sport of bowling really is!
Watch Bowling on Television
Many people don’t even realize that bowling is a professional sport. That’s right, the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) has been in existence since 1958 and their games have been televised ever since.
Get involved with watching some of the most excellent of bowlers by catching some bowling on television. In addition to watching it on cable sports channels, it’s also possible to catch some games on Amazon Prime, Hulu + ESPN, Sling and various other online streaming providers.
Buy a New Bowling Ball
Those who are really into the sport of bowling might want to celebrate with the purchase of some new equipment. A new bowling ball or bowling shoes would be just the thing! Not sure which size ball to buy? A good standard is that a bowling ball should weigh 10% of the person’s body weight.
The heaviest legal weight for a custom bowling ball is 23 pounds. Wow! Now that is one heavy ball to roll down the lane.Â
Learn Fun Facts About Bowling
Those who are novices to the game but want to celebrate National Bowling Day in style might want to learn some bits of trivia about bowling to share and raise awareness for the day. Try out some of these fun facts about bowling:
-
The first perfect 300 game of bowling that was televised was rolled by Jack Biondolillo in 1967.
-
Bowling was featured as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea but, unfortunately for avid bowlers everywhere, the sport has never returned to the Olympic Games since.
-
An average person can burn more than 300 calories an hour while bowling!
History of National Bowling Day
Bowling is one of the world’s most popular participation sports, with around 100 million enthusiasts. It appeals to all ages and both sexes, and many people with disabilities are able to be keen bowlers, making it a sport for just about anyone.
This history of bowling may date back to ancient Egyptian times, as primitive bowling pitches have been found in graves from around 5,000 BC.
Much later, Edward, King of England was a keen bowler, but because he didn’t want others to share in the fun, he banned working men from taking part in case they neglected their duties.
Because bowling was considered to be a sport for men, women were originally banned from participating by the American Bowling Congress. However, in 1917, the Women’s National Bowling Association was founded to allow the sport to be played by both genders.
Since National Bowling Day was founded as an event in the USA in 2011, it has proved to be a striking success. The day was first sponsored by the Bowling Proprietor’s Association of America, Inc., with the intention of increasing awareness and participation in the game.
National Bowling Day is now celebrated annually and it continues to gain traction as folks all around the US, and even the world, are ready to spend some time bowling and enjoying the day!
National Bowling Day FAQs
What is the significance of the Southampton Old Bowling Green?
Established in 1299, the Southampton Old Bowling Green in England is recognized as the world’s oldest surviving bowling green.
It has been in continuous use for over seven centuries, highlighting the game’s long-standing popularity.
Why are there holes in bowling balls?
The finger holes in modern bowling balls help players maintain control and add spin. This design emerged in the late 1800s. Early bowling balls were solid wood or rubber and lacked finger holes altogether.
What’s the strangest type of bowling ever played?
Human bowling is a quirky variation where people ride inflatable tubes or carts to knock down oversized pins. Events like this often take place at festivals or promotional gatherings, adding a comedic twist to the sport.
How did Prohibition affect bowling alleys?
During Prohibition, many bowling alleys served as speakeasies. The sport provided cover for illegal alcohol consumption. These hidden bars helped popularize the social aspect of bowling.
What is duckpin bowling?
Duckpin bowling, popular in parts of the U.S., uses smaller balls and shorter, squat pins. This makes strikes harder to achieve. The unique equipment creates a fast-paced, challenging experience.
Why do some people bowl backward?
Backward bowling involves rolling the ball while facing away from the pins, often as a novelty or skill challenge. Enthusiasts enjoy it for its difficulty and entertainment value during parties or competitions.
How does bowling differ in Japan?
In Japan, glow bowling is popular, with vibrant lights and music creating a party-like atmosphere.
Bowling-themed karaoke lanes also allow people to sing between rounds. This combines entertainment with tradition in a fun way.
Did pirates play a form of bowling?
Legends suggest pirates played games knocking down wooden pins using cannonballs.
These games likely kept crews entertained during long sea voyages. However, historians debate how widespread the practice was.
Why does bowling have a perfect score of 300?
A perfect score represents 12 consecutive strikes. The scoring method dates back to the 19th century and rewards consistency and accuracy. Each strike earns points from subsequent rolls, creating the maximum possible score.
What is cosmic bowling?
Cosmic bowling uses black lights, glowing balls, and upbeat music for an immersive experience. It became popular in the 1990s as a way to attract younger players. Many bowling centers still host these colorful events today.
See what else is happening…
There’s always more going on every month at Days Of The Year. Here are our favorites this month!
Also on ...
View all holidays
National Book Lovers Day
Crack open your favorite book, visit a bookshop or library to find your next great read, and enjoy the relaxation and joy of being a reader and book lover.
Melon Day
Savoring the juicy sweetness of summer's bounty, biting into the refreshing fruit that brings a burst of refreshment on a warm day.
National Rice Pudding Day
Try your hand at making your own rice pudding, a sweet, subtly-flavored dessert that is easy to make with just rice, milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, raisins, and cinnamon.
Betty Boop Day
Discover the charm and legacy of an iconic animated character who captivated audiences with her unique style.
We think you may also like...
International Axe Throwing Day
Axe throwing is fun and for many a great way to blow off steam. See if any axe throwing locations near you are hosting a free event for Axe Throwing Day.
Teenager Workout Day
Teenagers, it’s time to get in shape. Parents of teenagers, it’s time to help your kids learn about safe, daily exercise routines that can keep them healthy.
Cheerleading Week
With infectious energy and unbeatable spirit, they fill the stands with enthusiasm and encourage their teams to victory.
