Observation while open bowling

[Phonetek]

I don't know if it's me or if it has gotten worse. Since I've been out of it for so long it may just be me. Maybe I need to rebuild my tolerance. When we went open bowling last weekend I couldn't get over the lack of bowlers etiquette. It seems nobody knows to take turns on the approach by at least one lane over. In the 2 games we bowled it happened more times than not with someone running up along side me after I was already standing up there. Then came a lady with 3 kids all around the age of 5. Each time she bowled all 3 kids would follow her up to the foul line scattered between two lanes, mine being one of them. Finally one time I was standing up there waiting for her kids to vacate my lane and she asked "Oh, do you need them to move?" I wanted to say "DUH! YA THINK?!" but I kindly said "Yes please, I don't want them to get hurt by my follow through or long legs".

Then the unthinkable happened.... They have these little ramps for the kids to place their ball on to aim. Pretty neat actually, I remember the days of old they had ramps for people in wheel chairs. Anyway, I'm standing up on the approach with my ball up near my face ready to take my first step and this dude just runs across 6 approaches sliding one of these little ramps to another lane. I was in awe thinking "Did I just see that?" About ten minutes later he did it again!? I'm a patient person but it took a lot to not say anything. Actually I think he was an employee which makes it that much worse.

Don't get me wrong, this stuff isn't just a matter of courtesy but safety as well. A collision at the foul line or trying to stop 16lbs mid swing can cause serious injury. Could you imagine Pete Weber trying to come to a screeching halt with that high back swing? He would do an epic back flip that would replace the old footage from "The agony of defeat" when the skier wipes out on the jump that we have all seen. So....is it me or is it worse today?

[TCJ]

In general when I go open bowling, I see little to no lane courtesy. When I was learning how to bowl 25 years ago, it was bad, but not nearly as much.

[jamoke]

I refuse to bowl at the "Family Entertainment" bowling centers for just the type of behavior mentioned here.
It's too bad that those type of centers are taking over the recreation industry.

[Phonetek]

I was schooled by an angry league bowler, I was 8 yrs old and 2 lanes away bowling alone. I walked up at the same time as him twice. The second time he gave me the "Come Here" finger and chewed me a new one. I can remember the man's face like it just happened. Needless to say I never did it again. That was 38 years ago. LOL I probably remember it being worse than it really was but when your 8, any adult so much as sneering at you back then was bad. Now a days if I tried that I'd probably get "F you dude!" or my car vandalized or something.

[Phonetek]

I refuse to bowl at the "Family Entertainment" bowling centers for just the type of behavior mentioned here.
It's too bad that those type of centers are taking over the recreation industry.

I guess it is what it is these days. We either have to build up a tolerance for it or quit. The only other thing is to make it obvious that you stepped off the approach with a not so happy look on your face and hope they notice and take the hint. Sometimes it does work. Most people could care less anymore so saying anything has a high risk of going very bad. It's quite sad really

[mishatx]

Your typical open bowler likely has never heard of lane courtesy, and who is there to teach them? I learned it growing up from my league-bowler parents and grandparents, but if the bowling alley is just a place for the occasional Saturday outing, that knowledge is never there.

[Timmyb]

I usually shoot someone a look when it happens. Since my daughters tell me I've scared a few boys off with "the look", I have to assume it gets the message across. I do live in Milwaukee, however, so bowling etiquette is taught in kindergarten, I believe......

[JasonNJ]

Most casual bowlers don't know what lane courtesy is, so I usually wait for them to throw their shots before I go. Like once they start their approach, I'm setting up my stance and I'm able to take my shot before their pinsetters have setup the next rack.

[mc_runner]

Yeah I just kinda roll with it, I don't expect open bowlers to know about etiquette. I don't go at night during cosmic bowling so don't really deal with the packed house/drunk folks doing dangerous or stupid stuff. I generally see it as helping me concentrate, dealing with distractions has helped me be a better league bowler to be honest.

I've only asked to move once, and that was when there was a group next to me with a ramp who were literally just staying on the approach. It was a dad with little kids trying to wrangle them back but was losing the battle... he definitely felt bad and apologized but it was a safety thing - I wasn't mad.

[Phonetek]

I usually shoot someone a look when it happens. Since my daughters tell me I've scared a few boys off with "the look", I have to assume it gets the message across. I do live in Milwaukee, however, so bowling etiquette is taught in kindergarten, I believe......

Hey Timmy, I think that look "the look" is a different look all together. When you're a dad and there are boys around your daughter is in a class all by itself. I'm working on perfecting that look myself, my daughter is 11 yrs old so it's time. I don't want the bowlers next to me to beg and plead for forgiveness, just simply wait their turn LOL

[bdpeters]

I think we all have had the same issues more than once. I feel that we all need to be ambassadors while at the lanes. sometimes we can make a difference by pointing out lane etiquette others are not so responsive to someone else telling their kids what to do. maybe it would be helpful for centers to post do's and don'ts more prominently. I am sure it is tough for a center to keep on top of everyone esp during busy weekends but they should at least make sure their employees know what is acceptable. safety should be the first consideration. I usually try and avoid the high traffic times when all the teen and tweens are out on group dates. of course I have had plenty of similar incidents with adults too.

Nice subject

[RobLV1]

There is another way of looking at the lack of etiquette in open bowling. Whenever I've coached an athlete who has trouble with distractions during league or tournaments, I've always recommended going to the bowling center on a Saturday afternoon as a way of learning to concentrate DESPITE all of the distractions.

[bdpeters]

There is another way of looking at the lack of etiquette in open bowling. Whenever I've coached an athlete who has trouble with distractions during league or tournaments, I've always recommended going to the bowling center on a Saturday afternoon as a way of learning to concentrate DESPITE all of the distractions.

great idea.

[Phonetek]

I wouldn't say there were so much of a distraction as it was a pity to see. I have a wife and 3 kids. When they are all in one room fighting and talking over one another, I have no problem putting it on ignore and noticing the ice maker in the freezer just cycled in the background over them instead. A built in husband / father mechanism I guess. That said, open bowlers are nothing. It was only practice and a night out so I can't say it really effected my game. Practice is practice, score should never be an issue in my opinion

[Eddy]

Most casual bowlers don't know what lane courtesy is, so I usually wait for them to throw their shots before I go. Like once they start their approach, I'm setting up my stance and I'm able to take my shot before their pinsetters have setup the next rack.

Best answer I've seen, and exactly what I do. Be ready as soon as they throw. I may start wearing bluetooth headphones and playing music during play to see if it helps.

[Eddy]

Practice is practice, score should never be an issue in my opinion

Yes, if you are working on specific things like corner pins or whatever. But score is a big indicator of how you are doing. If you are out with the family/friends to have fun, then that's a whole other thing. But practice should be taken seriously if you are to reach the next level.

[Phonetek]

Yes, if you are working on specific things like corner pins or whatever. But score is a big indicator of how you are doing. If you are out with the family/friends to have fun, then that's a whole other thing. But practice should be taken seriously if you are to reach the next level.

Eddy, I agree. Practice should be taken seriously otherwise your just spending money for nothing. However. if in practice I had the first 10 strikes I'm not saying I wouldn't go for the 300. BUT...If I did blow the 11th strike I would be more upset about the fact if I missed the spare to follow rather than upset I didn't throw the strike. Many times in practice I would shoot for the 7 or 10 pin first then throw the strike ball to get the spare. While converting the spare I would switch to 3 different lines (outter, medium and inner) so I would be comfortable shooting anywhere. Unless I was working on something specific regarding mechanics.

Back before automatic scoring I used to put check marks instead of score or ask for a 2 pin rack rather than all 10. Or the other alternative was to not even have a score sheet and pay per the ball meter. Now you have to prepay and you have to have the scorer but most of the time I just ignore it and wait for the lanes to shut off. Score is great and all but if your practice is successful, your hitting your practice pins and converting the spares I believe you will go to the next level regardless of totals at the end. Now those who never practice will never get to the next level. Even worse are those guys who go to practice and if they throw anything but a strike they hit the reset button and sweep it away. That's called throwing money away on a worthless practice.

Being out with friends then it is what it is. If they wanna compete then so be it, if it's just for laughs you can still go through the motions without being a buzz kill.

[Blomer]

I generally open bowl during times when the center isn’t busy. It’s more quiet and don’t have to worry about these things.