What constitutes a "clean" game - (n00b Question)

[zdawg]

New to this site (and bowling), I just joined a league 8 weeks ago, and learned how to throw a hook a few weeks after that. I've been getting noticeable improvement in my game on a weekly basis (easy to do when you're starting out), and today I'm happy to announce I hit a 200 game for the first time (and a 185 and 191 lol).

My question is this, on the 200 game every frame leading up to the 10th was either spare or strike, and the 10th frame was then a spare. With my last ball of the game I hit either 8 or 9 pins (can't remember exactly). SO, for a true "clean" game does the last ball you throw have to be a strike for it not to count as an open frame? Sorry for the beginner question, but I am a beginner

[e-tank]

Congrats on your 200 game!

I would assume the last ball would be a strike to close out the frame. Thats still a feat though

[zdawg]

Congrats on your 200 game!

I would assume the last ball would be a strike to close out the frame. Thats still a feat though

Thanks, and yeah that's what I thought it was - guess next time I bowl 9 clean frames I'm gonna have to hit a turkey in the 10th . This forum looks to be a great source of information, I'm trying to integrate little bits and pieces into my game each week without overwhelming myself LOL.

[e-tank]

Thanks, and yeah that's what I thought it was - guess next time I bowl 9 clean frames I'm gonna have to hit a turkey in the 10th . This forum looks to be a great source of information, I'm trying to integrate little bits and pieces into my game each week without overwhelming myself LOL.

i hear you there. I started bowling a year ago and all the info can be quite overwhelming. My advice is to take it slow and work on your form. If you dont have a ball drilled to fit your hand, get one. And if you have any questions dont be afraid to post em!

Btw if dont mind me asking, what house do you bowl at in SD?

[zdawg]

i hear you there. I started bowling a year ago and all the info can be quite overwhelming. My advice is to take it slow and work on your form. If you dont have a ball drilled to fit your hand, get one. And if you have any questions dont be afraid to post em!

Btw if dont mind me asking, what house do you bowl at in SD?

Yep, just got a ball drilled for my hand 5 weeks ago (which is what prompted me to learn how to hook it), fingertip grips. It's a used Ebonite Cyclone (cost me like $70 with drilling), I still don't know much about balls but I figured I'd get something ok to learn with and once I've progressed a bit I'll invest in a newer, better ball. And its night and day better than the house balls that much is clear.

I've been bowling at Kearny Mesa Bowl for my league, its a sanctioned league one of my friends here talked me into joining his team (he's a former avid bowler that recently started back up) - I just moved to San Diego from the east coast (DC) earlier this year, and he's pushing to get me involved in more social activites here in sunny SD.

That said, I've been down to the Brunswick lanes in Chula Vista (I live downtown), and the lanes up in Mira Mesa, but I recently found out its much cheaper for me to practice at Kearny Mesa Bowl since I get a league discount (I think its like $1.75/game).

[J Anderson]

Thanks, and yeah that's what I thought it was - guess next time I bowl 9 clean frames I'm gonna have to hit a turkey in the 10th . This forum looks to be a great source of information, I'm trying to integrate little bits and pieces into my game each week without overwhelming myself LOL.

E-Tank said he assumes the fill ball needs to be a strike. He is not quoting any league rules or official definitions.

I bowl in a sport league that gives bonus points in the standings for clean games. Our definition of clean says that if you make a spare in the tenth, you only need to keep the ball on the lane for the fill. While some have suggested that you should need to get 5 or more pins on the fill, it's never been brought to a vote. If you get a strike on the first two balls in the tenth, you again only need to not foul and keep the ball on the lane. The tricky part is if the first ball in the tenth is a strike and the second isn't, you must make the spare on the third ball. While I usually manage to blow any chance at a clean game before the 5th frame, I've had a couple make it to that first strike in the tenth only to leave a big nasty split on the next ball.

[zdawg]

E-Tank said he assumes the fill ball needs to be a strike. He is not quoting any league rules or official definitions.

I bowl in a sport league that gives bonus points in the standings for clean games. Our definition of clean says that if you make a spare in the tenth, you only need to keep the ball on the lane for the fill. While some have suggested that you should need to get 5 or more pins on the fill, it's never been brought to a vote. If you get a strike on the first two balls in the tenth, you again only need to not foul and keep the ball on the lane. The tricky part is if the first ball in the tenth is a strike and the second isn't, you must make the spare on the third ball. While I usually manage to blow any chance at a clean game before the 5th frame, I've had a couple make it to that first strike in the tenth only to leave a big nasty split on the next ball.

Interesting, I suppose it does depend on interpretation. I actually didn't even know that they had leagues that gave bonuses for clean games, then again I just learned what a tap league is about an hour ago. I just wanted to know if I can brag about bowling a "clean" game, guess I'm gonna have to bowl one where I close out that 10th frame so there is no question

Actually, my next goal is to break 200 and continue to develop consistency with my approach and delivery.

[vdubtx]

Interesting, I suppose it does depend on interpretation. I actually didn't even know that they had leagues that gave bonuses for clean games, then again I just learned what a tap league is about an hour ago. I just wanted to know if I can brag about bowling a "clean" game, guess I'm gonna have to bowl one where I close out that 10th frame so there is no question

Actually, my next goal is to break 200 and continue to develop consistency with my approach and delivery.

Congrats and welcome to Bowlingboards.

Yes, you can brag about a clean game. JAnderson has the clean game explanation perfectly. If you spare in 10th any ball after if called fill and does not count as an open if you don't strike. Strike and then not pick up spare after ruins a clean game.

Keep bowling and practicing. Looks like you have a good start if you are already hitting 200.

[Mudpuppy]

Clean game = no opens. Last ball of the tenth would not constitute an open because you don't have the chance to pick up the spare. That is assuming you got a spare in the tenth or 2 strikes.

[zdawg]

Clean game = no opens. Last ball of the tenth would not constitute an open because you don't have the chance to pick up the spare. That is assuming you got a spare in the tenth or 2 strikes.

Cool, and yeah that's exactly what happened, I got a spare and then with the final ball 9 pins. Now I just need to be able to do this more consistently