Looking to hit the bowling alley lanes but are unsure of whether or not you should, given your advanced age? Worry not, because we have prepared senior bowling tips just for you.
If you want to know what you can do to ensure a fun afternoon with friends and family, continue reading!
Bowling Tips and Tricks for Seniors
For some of the readers, years ago, some of the tips on this list would not have been of primary importance. However, as you go forward in age, you must really take time and due consideration to analyze and understand the following tips:
1. Know What Your Body Needs
The first and arguably the most important tip is to actually know what your body needs. No, we are not talking about the shoes that your feet need or the weight of the bowling ball that your arms can handle. We are talking about truly understanding how your body would react or respond to certain situations, especially when it comes to the physical aspect.
If you feel like a certain movement may lead to roll your ankle, or a lack of wrist supports may potentially ruin your grip and lead to a major injury, then perhaps consider another type of sport that does not require much action from the wrist or ankle.
If you have made the proper assessments and believe that the game of bowling and the type of movements involved (the swing, the position, the practice, the footwork, the wrist movement, and others) are acceptable to your body overall, then proceed to the next tips.
2. Have a Warm-up Routine
A long time ago, before sports-related education and scientific studies were prominent, having an extended or comprehensive warm-up routine was not something that a lot of people regarded highly.
Nowadays, a warm-up routine is absolutely necessary for any sport or physical activity, regardless of pace, skill level, or intensity. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that, as a senior bowler, you must have your own dynamic warm-up routine. A dynamic warm-up routine involves stretches and movements that warm-up the muscles in preparation for intense activities.
A great warm-up routine should typically last between 15 and 20 minutes, so make sure to develop a routine for yourself. A good warm up routine that specifically supports bowling for seniors in crucial.
This video demonstrates a great example of warming up before bowling and all seniors should do this before commencing:
3. Have a Cool-down Routine
A cool-down routine is just as important as a warm-up routine. Years ago, a casual stretch of the arms and a stretch of the legs were deemed sufficient but, as mentioned earlier, studies have shown that it is more beneficial, especially long-term, to conduct a legitimate cool-down routine.
In a cool-down, a type of stretching known as the static stretch is most commonly used. This is allegedly more effective because it allows your muscles to elongate and return to their natural form prior to the sport or activity. A great cool-down routine could last upwards of 20 minutes, depending on the needed exercises.
4. Practice Stretching Constantly
This is the last time you will hear the term stretch, at least as far as this subsection is concerned. We have talked about the warm-up and the cool-down, but it is equally important to work on flexibility even outside the bowling lanes.
Whether you are at home or at work (or even at a parking lot), try to take even just 2 minutes to 5 minutes to stretch a little just to ensure that your muscles are active and working normally.
5. Use the Right Ball
The right bowling ball will make a world of difference and this is especially true with the weight. As a senior you will need a weight that is comfortable for you now, so don't be too proud to go lighter if you need to. Experiment with different weights till you find what feels best, and stick with that. We recommend starting with a 12-14 pound ball, as this is generally the ideal weight for seniors.
It may be a good idea to consider getting a custom ball specifically drilled for you. The additional custom drilled holes will assist with improving your grip will give you much better control on swing and release.
6. Buy Equipment That Can Support Joints and Limbs
This sport is not just about bowling shoes, bowling balls, and how you hold the ball (or grip the ball). It is also about having the right gear and accessories on.
Add-ons such as a wrist support for your throwing arm, knee braces, elbow braces, and grip and ankle supports to reduce the risk of injuries are great options to invest in if you plan to bowl regularly.
7. Use the Same Footwork and Technique
Ball speed is one factor that determines good (or bad) scoring, but what we argue is more important is the footwork and technique utilized right before you roll the ball down the lane.
If you already have good bowling ball technique and mechanics, then what we would recommend moving forward is to maintain the same level of speed and spacing as you throw the ball to avoid going past the foul line but still be effective enough to win the game with your ball swing and overall ball technique. Bowl with a purpose, as we would say.
If you are yet to develop a consistent set of techniques and footwork for your bowling ball gather, ball release, and ball swing, then we would recommend consulting with a bowling coach or a professional who can teach you how to bowl effectively. It is not just about not crossing the foul line. There are finer details to how you place your feet and how you swing the ball. Learn from bowlers online or bowlers in your local bowling alley.
8. Find a League
There are several leagues or communities online that cater to senior bowlers. Try to look them up online to check if they also occupy your state or neighborhood.
9. Have Fun
This does not need a lot of explanation, but it still needs to be said. At the end of the day, bowling is all about having fun. You are most likely not here to make a career out of the sport and this would most likely not be a source of income or business development so just have fun out there!
Specific Tips for Preparing the Bowling Ball Shot
Just to add to what was presented above, here are a few more tips to look into in preparing for the bowling ball shot:
- Consider the weight of your bowling ball. If it seems too heavy, feel free to go for a lighter one.
- Have a coach or pro look at your form and technique to check if your approach may lead to higher risks of injuries.
- Your grip matters, so make sure your fingers are sufficiently warmed up before handling the ball.
Is Bowling Good for Seniors?
Any form of sport or play requires the use of muscles and proper technique, which is why it is very important to address the elephant in the room. Is bowling good for seniors? The answer to this question is yes, as there are several perks of different aspects to be gained from an occasional visit to the bowling alley.
Listed below are the major advantages to keep in mind in support of senior bowling players.
Social Benefits
When you bowl, you rarely bowl on your own. Bowling usually entails the involvement of friends or family, in a group of 5 or 6 players on average. With this in mind, senior bowlers can happily spend their time in play with friends and family and adjust their pace or intensity as required.
Senior bowling is not a professional league, after all, so in the spirit of fun and bonding, seniors could definitely take advantage of bowling games. And when you join a league it's a great opportunity to meet new people and form strong friendships.
Mental Benefits
As is the case with most of the sports of today, bowling comes with both a physical and mental aspect. In the particular case of bowling, it is not just "hold the ball, support the ball weight, and swing your arm and release the ball onto the lane." There is strategy involved, which is where the mental capacity comes into play.
Bowling requires a sharp mind and a sharp mind can only be developed if it is used often. Through bowling, you gain control of your mind by utilizing it frequently which effectively improves overall brain function and longevity. Not only can you improve your game with bowling, but you can also improve your brain's ability to think and process, despite being up there in terms of age.
Physical Benefits
Last but most definitely not the least is the physical aspect of bowling. By no means is bowling a sport as demanding as marathons or running in terms of cardiovascular endurance or weightlifting in terms of muscles and overall strength. Bowling is found somewhere in between the two extremes, and can be considered to be beneficial for both stamina (through footwork and movement) and muscles (through lifting a relatively heavy bowling ball).
For older bowlers, the goal is to maintain proper form and position to prevent injury. This is done by controlling the pace and intensity of the game, which the sport of bowling allows. With this in mind, joints and muscles around the knee, wrist, and shoulder will not be stressed too much but will be utilized properly and sufficiently to adjust and create the necessary shots.
As a result of properly using the muscles and moderately stressing the cardiovascular system through moderately-paced bowling exercises for seniors, the physical functions of the body will improve overall and stress levels will be significantly reduced, leading to a lower risk of heart-related diseases or other ailments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Listed below is a list of questions (and our answers) pertaining to senior bowling and bowling as a sport in general.
Is bowling good exercise for seniors?
Bowling is a fantastic exercise for seniors. In certain areas, there are even leagues for older bowlers or senior bowlers that focus more on the casual and social aspects of the game rather than technique, power, and ball speed.
What are the best bowling balls for seniors?
Regardless of what kind of bowling you prefer (casual, competitive or somewhere in between), there are specific bowling balls for seniors. Check out the best bowling balls for seniors guide for more information.
In general, we highly recommend to seniors bowling frequently to use equipment that is lighter than the average just to minimize the risk of injury to the shoulder, arm, finger, wrist, or knee.
What is the average age of a pro bowler?
There are different figures regarding this question, but the most common response is anywhere between the ages of 20 years old and 40 years old.
Take note that this is only the average age, which means that people way younger or way older can still maintain the fun and joy of bowling, regardless of age and experience.
How old should you start bowling?
There is no particular age to start bowling. Whether you are 12, 32, or 62, grabbing a bowling ball and picking up the sport right off your couch is easy as long as you come prepared and willing to learn.
What are special tips for senior bowlers?
To improve your game as a senior bowler, you must really focus on a proper warm-up routine and a proper cool-down routine.
Dynamic movements and stretching are good exercises to do to prepare your body for the bowling match to come. Static stretching and light movements (such as walking) at the end of a bowling game are great to ensure that your body can release the tension and transition effectively into a passive or non-exercise state.
Conclusion
Some of the bowling tips for seniors mentioned may seem too common but what we presented are oftentimes ignored or overlooked. So, next time you strap on your bowling shoes and pack your bowling ball for a casual game, make sure to keep this senior bowling tips guide in mind.