Old-fashioned fun in the lanes
Bowling gets a bad rap for its associations with tacky venues, bad shoe requirements, and the allegation that bowling isn’t a real sport – but that’s what makes this game so exceptional. Bowling is a common game in which players attempt to score points by rolling a bowling ball along a flat surface into ten pins, arranged in a triangular pattern at the end of a bowling lane. The earliest version of this game dates back to Egypt, but these days bowling is considered one of the easiest ways to plan a kids’ birthday party or get the family involved in some healthy competition.
At first glance, you may think that bowling is easy. That’s partly true, in that just about anyone can toss a bowling ball down the lane. But throwing a strike or even posting a decent score is no easy feat. You may also think that bowling isn’t a sport of great intensity. But you’d be surprised – the game can exercise more than 200 different muscles on the body when you’ve got the correct posture.
Tips for First-Time Bowlers
Selecting the right ball is the first step; a ball that’s too heavy or too light is difficult to control. The house balls at bowling alleys vary by weight and finger hole placement, and you want to find one that your fingers can grip comfortably and your arms can swing without too much effort. As a general rule, the ball’s weight should be your body weight in pounds divided by 10. If the ball is difficult to lift and swing, choose a lighter one. Junior bowlers should make a beeline for the lightest bowling balls – the 6- to 8-pound models.
Now that you have a suitable weapon on hand, focus on your swing and release. Before you pick up your ball, carefully observe existing bowlers. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you should copy form without understanding substance, but watching other bowlers can give you some basic ideas on how to proceed.
First, extend the arm holding the ball out and down, stepping forward with your dominant foot at the same time. Second, let the ball swing back down to your side like a pendulum. For balance, stretch out your other arm to the side. As you take the third step with your dominant leg, the ball reaches the top of the backswing, ideally no higher than your shoulder; remember not to bend your elbow. Finally, slide the other foot forward with a bent knee and let the ball naturally roll off your hand, maintaining focus on your target. Once the ball has been released, let your swinging arm continue in a smooth follow-through, ending at about shoulder height.
Dongcheng District
East Gate Plaza
RMB 20/set, RMB 200/hour
B1/F, 9 Dongzhong Jie, Dongcheng District. (6418 1808)
东环广场保龄球馆，东城区东中街9号东环广场地下1层
Dongdan PE Center
RMB 15/set, RMB 180/hour
108 Chongwenmennei Dajie, Dongcheng
District. (6559 6165)
东单体育中心保龄球馆，东城区崇文门内大街108号
Xicheng District
Yuetan Building Bowling Center
RMB 20/set, RMB 200/hour
B2/F, Yuetan Building, 2 Yuetan Beijie, Xicheng District. (6808 3058)
月坛大厦保龄球馆，西城区月坛北街2号月坛大厦地下2层
China People’s Palace Bowling Center
RMB 38/set, RMB 300/hour
B1/F, Bldg B, China People’s Palace, 1 Zhenwumiao Lu, Xicheng District. (6857 6699)
www.zgzgzj.com
中国职工之家保龄球馆，西城区真武庙路1号中国职工之家B座地下1层
Chongwen District
Jintan Bowling Center
31 Tiantan Donglu, Chongwen District. (6702 2083)
金坛保龄中心，崇文区天坛东路31号
Capital Hotel Bowling Center
RMB 30/set
B1/F, Tower A, Capital Hotel, 3 Qianmen Dongdajie, Chongwen District. (5815 9988) www.capitalhotel.com.cn
首都大酒店保龄球馆，崇文区前门东大街3号首都大酒店A座地下1层
Xuanwu District
Jinxuanfeng Bowling Center
RMB 20/set, RMB 200/hour
B1/F, Phoenix Suyuan Hotel, 3 Guang’anmenwai Dajie, Xuanwu District. (6326 7788)
www.phoenixsuyuanhotel.com
金凤凰保龄中心，宣武区广安门外大街3号凤凰苏源大厦地下1层
Norlin Hotel
RMB 20/set, RMB 200/hour
B1/F, Norlin Hotel, 12A Guang’anmen Nanjie, Xuanwu District. (6355 1188)
www.norlin-hotel.com
诺林大酒店，宣武区广安门南街甲12号
Chaoyang District
Gongti 100
RMB 35/set, RMB 200/hour
6 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. (6552 1457) www.beijinggongti100.com
工体100，朝阳区工体西路6号
Jing’an Entertainment Center Bowling
RMB 15/set
B2/F, Jing’an Center, 8 Beisanhuan Donglu, (next to Radisson SAS Hotel Beijing), Chaoyang District. (5108 5532)
静安中心保龄球馆，朝阳区北三环东路8号（皇家大饭店旁边）静安中心地下2层
Haidian District
Jade Palace Hotel Bowling Center
RMB 30/set, RMB 240/hour
B1/F, Jade Palace Hotel, 76 Zhichun Lu, Haidian District. (6262 8888) www.jadepalace.com.cn
翠宫饭店保龄球中心，海淀区知春路76号翠宫宾馆地下1层
Jingchang Bowling Center
RMB 20/set, RMB 150/hour
Guangyuan Mansion, 5 Guangyuanzha,
(Northeast corner of Zizhu Qiao on West Third Ring Road), Haidian District. (6847 3314)
京长保龄球馆，海淀区广源闸5号广源大厦内（西三环紫竹桥东北角）
Shunyi District
Beijing Eastern Garden International
Conference Center
RMB 35/set, RMB 248/hour
Beixiaoying Town, Shunyi District. (6048 5588) www.bjegicc.com
北京怡生园国际会议中心，顺义区北小营镇
Fengtai District
Nanyueyuan Hotel
RMB 25/set, RMB 150/hour
86 Nansanhuan Xilu, Fengtai District.
(5805 3333) www.nyyhotel.com.cn
北京南粤苑宾馆，丰台区南三环西路86号
