Bowling to the Top Posted on Rabu, 02 Februari 2011 | 0 komentar

In a lane, it's just the player, the pins and the bowling ball. With proper practice, technique and the right equipment, that may turn into a strike.

Bowling has been around for centuries. It was first introduced in Egypt in 3200 BC. Through the years it has spread worldwide with various ways of playing, either indoor or outdoor.

The most popular type of bowling (often seen on television) is ten pin bowling. The surface for this game was originally made of wood but has changed to other materials that imitate the old flooring.

The one thing that has not changed is the bowling ball. It is not really shaped as a uniform sphere because there are holes drilled in it that are needed for the player to grip the ball before rolling it down the lane

The material used in making the bowling ball has changed. Originally, this was made out of wood. The most common balls now used in bowling alleys are made of hard rubber. They come in different weights so that players of all ages can play this game.

Customized balls are ones made according to the player's specifications. Custom made balls are for serious bowlers, especially those who are in competitions. They come in different colors and designs. There are also those that are transparent which are painted in a way that makes it appear that there is a figure or an object inside the ball.

A bowling ball can be held in different ways. The first is called the conventional grip where the bowler's middle and ring fingers are placed into the ball holes up to the second joint. The second is called the finger tip grip. Here, the middle and the ring fingers are placed in the holes up to the first joint. More effort is required by the latter, but it gives the player better control when the ball is released. The third is called the Sarge-Easter Grip. Again the middle and the ring fingers are used but unlike the other two, both fingers occupy one hole which works well with players with high "rev" rates.

The style used to hold and release the bowling ball varies among players. It is best to experiment with the different kinds of grips so that you know which one works best for you.

Bowling is an exciting sport that requires hand and eye coordination similar to basketball or football. Getting the right bowling ball will help the player feel comfortable - a step towards excelling in this game.

Bowling Online - Enjoying the Game Away from the Lanes Posted on Kamis, 27 Januari 2011 | 0 komentar

You set up, shoulders square with the foul line; you eye the target, aligning yourself with the dots on the lane; you raise the ball in preparation, stepping to move forward, slide, swing and let go. The ball travels just as you had envisioned it; and knocks down the split pins at the far end of the alley. The crowd cheers. You've won the tournament! - All from the comforts of your home.

Yes, practically all sports have a digital version of the game available for playing on the computer. It is now possible to "bowl" virtually through a number of computer games available on the Internet.

Some games are serious with considerations for physics as detailed as speed of approach and spin. Then there are others that are purely for cathartic fun. Here's a short list of bowling-based online games that have been making the rounds lately:

There are many free games online that build on the basic alley, pins and ball setup, with little variations. To check out some, try tapping out key bowling phrases on your favorite search engine to find games such as Polar Bowler, Pot Bowling Around the World, It's Raining Pins, and Bowling Evolution. Some details on select games follow:

Gutterball 2 Its creators claim it's the most realistic 3D bowling game. Building on the success of the first version, this one has an added 5 new lanes to its existing library. Rendered in 3D, the game makes for a fun coffee-break companion.

Rocketbowl The traditional bowling game with an explosive twist! Bowling balls are powered by rockets and can propel over all sorts of obstacles like water traps, bridges, and tunnels before knocking down pins. Some pins carry money points with them letting you earn points to buy more exciting balls!

Elf This game was a runaway hit just before the year 2000, when it made its debut during the holidays of 1999. It features Jolly Ol' Saint Nick knocking down toy factory elves on "strike" (can the pun get any more obvious?). With its funny cartoon like graphics, it has developed a niche following and has spawned different versions since its inception. Unfortunately, the game is only for downloading and an online version doesn't exist yet.

So there you are, even if you're not on the lanes, you can still bowl and have fun with the click of a mouse. Albeit there is little comparison to the real game, it does come quite close. Now all that's missing are the sodas and fries!