Dealing with poor bowling etiquette ...

[JoeBeavis]

any advice on handling those inevitable inconsiderate people on adjacent lanes? This is common where I bowl. If they were there first I'll usually ask to move to a different lane. I feel though that perhaps educating them to basics not only fixes the issue for me but also other bowlers who may have to endure them in the future. Does anyone have advice on how to handle this without making myself out to be a prude?

[ellisr63]

I usually just patiently wait if i see they are not waiting for their turn, and I go as soon as they throw the ball even if I was there first.

[hddon]

recently I had a fellow league player step onto the approach on the lane adjacent to mine while I was already on my lane and preparing to bowl. I saw him in the corner of my eye but threw any way and this adversely affected my throw. I did not say anything. next time I'm on approach again and he did the same thing with same results. this time I asked him to not get on approach while I was preparing to bowl. he became indigent but got the point and did not repeat this. so it was worth it to say something. this fellow has a habit of doing this and I think he is playing head games so I could not let him do it again

I will always say something when it is a league bowler they should know better. if it is an open bowling session with someone there to have fun I will just bear it. bowling is shrinking enough with out chasing casual bowlers away,

[fortheloveofbowling]

That last thing we want to do is turn off open bowlers to the sport. When i go practice and i am put right next to open bowlers i first try to say hi and engage a small conversation. If they start to jump up after i'm on the approach i will then the next time get up at the same time and try to make an attempt to tell them something like go ahead i'll wait. In other words, try to give them small hints by your actions about lane courtesy and sometimes they get it. If kids are involved it is pretty easy to say to a kid go ahead buddy so the parents care hear you. Then say to the parents, i like to wait till kids get back off the approach so they don't get hurt when they run in front of me. A little kindness and courtesy on our part sometimes gives people a hint.

As far as some league bowler jerk who knows the courtesy just say hey man i'm getting ready to run out this next strike so just wait!

[LyalC52]

during leagues: I will make a polite comment about etiquette. No need to make a big deal about it as I'm sure there are plenty of others who will get on them too.

during open bowl: you never know what may show up next to you, so deal with it as such. For me as long as they stay in their lane and pit, I ignore them and go about my game. If they become disruptive, I go ask the front desk to deal with them and educate them. I shouldn't have to be the bowling police.

[NewToBowling]

First league last week and was pleasantly surprised at the bowling etiquette. Everyone waited for everyone else and no one ever got on the approach when someone next to them was on the lane. Open play generally is ok except for the young ones but otherwise not too bad

[Tony]

During open bowl I generally try to go at times of low use and usually have a lane between me and others, although in cases where I haven't there are sometimes kids that don't care or know any better. If they come up when I'm on the approach I'll step down and usually a couple times and they get the idea. I've had a couple times where I had balls up on the rack and one of them started to try and see if it fit, but I don't think they liked the finger tip grip. lol

In league the things that become bothersome are the guys that stand and stand out on the approach forever looking at the lane, the guys that want 3 lanes clear on either side and the guys that like to stay out on the lane after and celebrate! We have a few guys of each type and the last couple of times with the celebration guy who also is 3 lanes clear and stand for 45 seconds motionless looking at the pins guy too, after he woild get the strike and dances around one of the guys says " OK you got a strike, no more pins are going down why don't you go sit down ! 20 guys on all the lanes around burst out laughing including his teammates!

[RobLV1]

There is nothing that will help you to improve your concentration more than to bowl between two families open bowling, and just ignore what they are doing. If someone comes up next to you, just finish your shot. If you can learn to do this, then virtually nothing that happens during league will disturb you again.

[Tony]

There is nothing that will help you to improve your concentration more than to bowl between two families open bowling, and just ignore what they are doing. If someone comes up next to you, just finish your shot. If you can learn to do this, then virtually nothing that happens during league will disturb you again.

Very good point about using it for training yourself to block out people next to you and make your shot. I'll have to give this a shot.

[Mike White]

There is nothing that will help you to improve your concentration more than to bowl between two families open bowling, and just ignore what they are doing. If someone comes up next to you, just finish your shot. If you can learn to do this, then virtually nothing that happens during league will disturb you again.

That sounds good until what they are doing includes spilling liquids on the floor.