64 Bowling Trivia Questions That Will Knock You Over!
Bowling has rolled its way (pun definitely intended) into the hearts of millions, becoming a beloved pastime and competitive sport that spans across the globe.
With its unique blend of skill, precision, and sometimes a touch of luck, it’s no wonder that bowling alleys are common gathering spots for friends and families. But how much do you really know about this fun sport?
As we lace up our bowling shoes and set our sights on the pins ahead, let’s roll into some intriguing bowling trivia questions that will test your knowledge and possibly teach you a thing or two about the sport’s intriguing past and present. Get ready to discover the quirky, the unexpected, and the downright impressive tales from the lanes!
Bowling Trivia Questions – Round 1
1. What is the maximum score a bowler can achieve in a single game of ten-pin bowling?
- A) 100
- B) 200
- C) 300
- D) 400
2. Which of the following is not a common bowling spare pickup technique?
- A) Loft
- B) Brooklyn
- C) Cross-lane
- D) Hook
3. What does the term “Brooklyn” refer to in bowling?
- A) A bowler’s average score
- B) A type of bowling ball
- C) When a right-handed bowler hits the pins on the left side of the headpin
- D) When a left-handed bowler hits the pins on the right side of the headpin
4. What is the term for knocking down all ten pins with two consecutive rolls in bowling?
- A) Split
- B) Strike
- C) Spare
- D) Split
5. Which of the following is not a common type of bowling ball coverstock?
- A) Plastic
- B) Reactive resin
- C) Urethane
- D) Metal
6. What is the term for when the pins are left standing in a difficult configuration after the first ball is rolled?
- A) Strike
- B) Spare
- C) Split
- D) Turkey
7. What is the name of the area at the end of the bowling lane where the pins are set up?
- A) Pit
- B) Lane
- C) Alley
- D) Approach
8. Which of the following is not a common bowling grip?
- A) Conventional
- B) Fingertip
- C) Sarge-Easter
- D) Semi-fingertip
9. Which of the following is not a common spare conversion technique?
- A) Hook
- B) Straight
- C) Cross-lane
- D) Angle
10. Which bowling term describes when a bowler rolls two strikes in a row?
- A) Turkey
- B) Double
- C) Split
- D) Spare
11. What is the name of the arrow-like markings on the bowling lane used for aiming?
- A) Targets
- B) Guides
- C) Arrows
- D) Markers
Round 1 – Answers
1. What is the maximum score a bowler can achieve in a single game of ten-pin bowling?
- Answer: C) 300
2. Which of the following is not a common bowling spare pickup technique?
- Answer: A) Loft
3. What does the term “Brooklyn” refer to in bowling?
- Answer: C) When a right-handed bowler hits the pins on the left side of the headpin
4. What is the term for knocking down all ten pins with two consecutive rolls in bowling?
- Answer: C) Spare
5. Which of the following is not a common type of bowling ball coverstock?
- Answer: D) Metal
6. What is the term for when the pins are left standing in a difficult configuration after the first ball is rolled?
- Answer: C) Split
7. What is the name of the area at the end of the bowling lane where the pins are set up?
- Answer: A) Pit
8. Which of the following is not a common bowling grip?
- Answer: C) Sarge-Easter
9. Which of the following is not a common spare conversion technique?
- Answer: A) Hook
10. Which bowling term describes when a bowler rolls two strikes in a row?
- Answer: B) Double
11. What is the name of the arrow-like markings on the bowling lane used for aiming?
- Answer: C) Arrows
Bowling Trivia Questions – Round 2
- What is the term for the measurement of the diameter of a bowling ball?
- A) Circumference
- B) Radius
- C) Diameter
- D) Span
- How many pounds is the maximum weight for a regulation bowling ball?
- A) 12 pounds
- B) 14 pounds
- C) 16 pounds
- D) 18 pounds
- What is the term for the line that separates the approach area from the lane in bowling?
- A) Starting line
- B) Foul line
- C) Division line
- D) Launch line
- How many holes are typically drilled into a bowling ball for gripping purposes?
- A) 2
- B) 3
- C) 4
- D) 5
- What is the term for a ball that fails to hit any pins after being rolled down the lane?
- A) Gutter ball
- B) Miss
- C) Blank
- D) Zero
- Which term describes the ideal area of the lane for hitting the pocket consistently?
- A) Sweet spot
- B) Strike zone
- C) Target path
- D) Pocket path
- What is the term for the technique used to pick up a spare by hitting pins on opposite sides of the lane?
- A) Split shot
- B) Cross lane shot
- C) Double hit
- D) Wide sweep
- How many pins must a bowler knock down in a single frame to achieve a spare?
- A) 9
- B) 10
- C) All remaining pins
- D) At least one
- What is the term for the board located at the back of the lane, separating it from the pin deck?
- A) Backboard
- B) Rear board
- C) Pin separator
- D) Kickback
- What is the term for a game of bowling in which a player knocks down all pins with each roll?
- A) Perfect game
- B) Strikeout
- C) Clean game
- D) Full score
- What is the term for the series of dots or markings used by bowlers to determine their starting position on the approach?
- A) Guide dots
- B) Approach markers
- C) Starting dots
- D) Positioning dots
- What is the term for the area of the lane where the ball is targeted to hit the pins?
- A) Impact zone
- B) Hit zone
- C) Strike zone
- D) Pocket
- What is the term for the side of the lane that favors left-handed bowlers?
- A) Left lane
- B) Southpaw side
- C) Left-hand path
- D) Lefty lane
- What is the term for a shot where the ball hits the pocket perfectly, maximizing pin carry?
- A) Pocket shot
- B) Perfect hit
- C) Strike throw
- D) Ideal entry
- Can you define the area at the end of the lane where pins are set back up?
- A) Reset zone
- B) Pin deck
- C) Setup area
- D) Rear platform
- What is the term used for a split where the 7 and 10 pins remain.
- A) Big split
- B) Ultimate split
- C) Bedposts
- D) Frame breaker
- What is the term for the type of ball grip where the fingers enter the holes up to the second knuckle?
- A) Conventional grip
- B) Fingertip grip
- C) Semi-roller grip
- D) Full roller grip
- What is the term for the condition where the bowling lane lacks oil?
- A) Dry lane
- B) Bare lane
- C) Clean lane
- D) Arid lane
- How do you call a spare made by hitting pins at an angle.
- A) Angle spare
- B) Diagonal hit
- C) Corner shot
- D) Curve spare
- What is the term for the maximum score achievable in a single game of bowling?
- A) 300
- B) 400
- C) 500
- D) 250
- What is the action of a ball hitting one pin and leaving the others untouched.
- A) Pin kiss
- B) Light touch
- C) Nudge
- D) Tap
Round 2 – Answers
- What is the term for the measurement of the diameter of a bowling ball?
- C) Diameter
- How many pounds is the maximum weight for a regulation bowling ball?
- C) 16 pounds
- What is the term for the line that separates the approach area from the lane in bowling?
- B) Foul line
- How many holes are typically drilled into a bowling ball for gripping purposes?
- B) 3
- What is the term for a ball that fails to hit any pins after being rolled down the lane?
- A) Gutter ball
- Which term describes the ideal area of the lane for hitting the pocket consistently?
- B) Strike zone
- What is the term for the technique used to pick up a spare by hitting pins on opposite sides of the lane?
- B) Cross lane shot
- How many pins must a bowler knock down in a single frame to achieve a spare?
- B) 10
- What is the term for the board located at the back of the lane, separating it from the pin deck?
- D) Kickback
- What is the term for a game of bowling in which a player knocks down all pins with each roll?
- A) Perfect game
- What is the term for the series of dots or markings used by bowlers to determine their starting position on the approach?
- D) Positioning dots
- What is the term for the area of the lane where the ball is targeted to hit the pins?
- D) Pocket
- What is the term for the side of the lane that favors left-handed bowlers?
- D) Lefty lane
- What is the term for a shot where the ball hits the pocket perfectly, maximizing pin carry?
- A) Pocket shot
- Can you define the area at the end of the lane where pins are set back up?
- B) Pin deck
- What is the term used for a split where the 7 and 10 pins remain.
- C) Bedposts
- What is the term for the type of ball grip where the fingers enter the holes up to the second knuckle?
- B) Fingertip grip
- What is the term for the condition where the bowling lane lacks oil?
- A) Dry lane
- What is the concept of a spare made by hitting pins at an angle.
- B) Diagonal hit
- What is the term for the maximum score achievable in a single game of bowling?
- A) 300
- What is the action of a ball hitting one pin and leaving the others untouched.
- D) Tap
Bowling Trivia Questions – Round 3
1. What is the term for when a bowler knocks down all ten pins with one roll?
- A) Strike
- B) Spare
- C) Double
- D) Turkey
2. What is the term for the boards on either side of the bowling lane?
- A) Bumpers
- B) Gutters
- C) Rails
- D) Sides
3. What is the maximum number of frames in a game of bowling?
- A) 8
- B) 9
- C) 10
- D) 12
4. Which of the following is not a common bowling approach technique?
- A) Four-step
- B) Five-step
- C) Six-step
- D) Ten-step
5. What is the term for when a bowler fails to knock down all ten pins with two consecutive rolls?
- A) Miss
- B) Split
- C) Foul
- D) Open frame
6. What is the term for when a bowler rolls three consecutive strikes?
- A) Hat trick
- B) Perfect game
- C) Turkey
- D) Triple
7. Which of the following is not a common bowling hand position at release?
- A) Palm up
- B) Palm down
- C) Fingertip
- D) Thumb-first
8. What is the term for a ball that curves toward the pocket as it approaches the pins?
- A) Hook
- B) Curve
- C) Spin
- D) Slide
9. Which of the following is not a common bowling ball weight?
- A) 10 pounds
- B) 12 pounds
- C) 14 pounds
- D) 16 pounds
10. What is the term for the area at the end of the bowling lane where the pins are reset after each roll?
- A) Pin deck
- B) Return
- C) Pit
- D) Backswing
Round 3 – Answers
1. What is the term for when a bowler knocks down all ten pins with one roll?
- Answer: A) Strike
2. What is the term for the boards on either side of the bowling lane?
- Answer: B) Gutters
3. What is the maximum number of frames in a game of bowling?
- Answer: C) 10
4. Which of the following is not a common bowling approach technique?
- Answer: D) Ten-step
5. What is the term for when a bowler fails to knock down all ten pins with two consecutive rolls?
- Answer: D) Open frame
6. What is the term for when a bowler rolls three consecutive strikes?
- Answer: C) Turkey
7. Which of the following is not a common bowling hand position at release?
- Answer: D) Thumb-first
8. What is the term for a ball that curves toward the pocket as it approaches the pins?
- Answer: A) Hook
9. Which of the following is not a common bowling ball weight?
- Answer: A) 10 pounds
10. What is the term for the area at the end of the bowling lane where the pins are reset after each roll?
- Answer: C) Pit
If you got this far you have to try our Bowling Clue Search Puzzle.
Bowling Trivia Questions – Round 4
- What is the term for a bowling lane that has been oiled in a way that provides less friction?
- A) Fast lane
- B) Dry lane
- C) Slippery lane
- D) Light lane
- Which term describes the technique used to hook the ball from one side of the lane to the other?
- A) Curve
- B) Drift
- C) Swing
- D) Arc
- What is the term for the area on the lane where the ball should be released?
- A) Release zone
- B) Foul line
- C) Approach
- D) Breakpoint
- What is the term for the technique used to pick up a single pin spare?
- A) Precision throw
- B) Straight shot
- C) Corner pick
- D) Single sweep
- Which term describes the condition of the lane where excessive oil has accumulated, making it difficult to control the ball?
- A) Flooded lane
- B) Greasy lane
- C) Slick lane
- D) Heavy lane
- What is the term for the area of the lane between the foul line and the pins?
- A) Runway
- B) Alley
- C) Deck
- D) Lane bed
- Which term describes the spin applied to the ball to control its motion down the lane?
- A) Twirl
- B) Revolution
- C) Gyration
- D) Rotation
- What is the term for the technique used to convert a spare by hitting the remaining pin directly?
- A) Direct hit
- B) Head-on approach
- C) Pinpoint accuracy
- D) Bullseye
- What is the term for the technique used to convert a spare by hitting the remaining pin from behind?
- A) Backdoor shot
- B) Reverse hit
- C) Sneak attack
- D) Undercut
- Which term describes the situation where the pins are arranged in a manner that makes it difficult to pick up a spare?
- A) Challenging setup
- B) Complex formation
- C) Tough spare
- D) Split
- What is the term for the act of releasing the ball with minimal force, resulting in a slow roll down the lane?
- A) Soft throw
- B) Gentle roll
- C) Easy drop
- D) Light release
- What is the term for the area on the lane where the ball first makes contact with the surface?
- A) Contact point
- B) Strike zone
- C) Landing area
- D) Entry point
- Which term describes the angle at which the ball enters the pocket to maximize pin carry?
- A) Optimal angle
- B) Entry angle
- C) Strike angle
- D) Pocket angle
- What is the term for the center pin in a set of ten pins?
- A) Head pin
- B) Anchor pin
- C) Heart pin
- D) Middle pin
- What is the term for the angle of entry into the pocket between the headpin and the 3 pin?
- A) Ideal path
- B) Strike path
- C) Entry path
- D) Pocket path
- Which term used for a split where no pins are directly in front of each other.
- A) Open split
- B) Clear split
- C) Wide split
- D) Blind split
- What is the situation when a bowler fails to knock down any pins with two consecutive rolls.
- A) Strike out
- B) Gutter
- C) Double fault
- D) Open frame
- What is “house shot” in bowling.
- A) Oil pattern
- B) Beginner’s luck
- C) Home advantage
- D) Signature move
- What is the term for the ball motion where the ball rotates away from the bowler’s dominant hand?
- A) Outward spin
- B) Backspin
- C) Fade
- D) Reverse hook
- What is the term for a spare made by hitting remaining pins on the opposite side of the lane?
- A) Cross-lane spare
- B) Diagonal spare
- C) Split conversion
- D) Long shot
- What is the term for the part of the lane where the ball makes contact with the surface?
- A) Impact zone
- B) Strike area
- C) Landing zone
- D) Touchdown area
- How do you call the action of hitting pins 1, 3, 5 and 9 or 1, 2, 5 and 8?
- A) Pocket smash
- B) Pin explosion
- C) Strike blast
- D) Pocket hit
Round 4 – Answers
- What is the term for a bowling lane that has been oiled in a way that provides less friction?
- B) Dry lane
- Which term describes the technique used to hook the ball from one side of the lane to the other?
- A) Curve
- What is the term for the area on the lane where the ball should be released?
- D) Breakpoint
- What is the term for the technique used to pick up a single pin spare?
- B) Straight shot
- Which term describes the condition of the lane where excessive oil has accumulated, making it difficult to control the ball?
- D) Heavy lane
- What is the term for the area of the lane between the foul line and the pins?
- D) Lane bed
- Which term describes the spin applied to the ball to control its motion down the lane?
- D) Rotation
- What is the term for the technique used to convert a spare by hitting the remaining pin directly?
- A) Direct hit
- What is the term for the technique used to convert a spare by hitting the remaining pin from behind?
- A) Backdoor shot
- Which term describes the situation where the pins are arranged in a manner that makes it difficult to pick up a spare?
- D) Split
- What is the term for the act of releasing the ball with minimal force, resulting in a slow roll down the lane?
- D) Light release
- What is the term for the area on the lane where the ball first makes contact with the surface?
- A) Contact point
- Which term describes the angle at which the ball enters the pocket to maximize pin carry?
- B) Entry angle
- What is the term for the center pin in a set of ten pins?
- A) Head pin
- What is the term for the angle of entry into the pocket between the headpin and the 3 pin?
- D) Pocket path
- Which term used for a split where no pins are directly in front of each other.
- C) Wide split
- What is the situation when a bowler fails to knock down any pins with two consecutive rolls.
- D) Open frame
- What is “house shot” in bowling.
- A) Oil pattern
- What is the term for the ball motion where the ball rotates away from the bowler’s dominant hand?
- D) Reverse hook
- What is the term for a spare made by hitting remaining pins on the opposite side of the lane?
- A) Cross-lane spare
- What is the term for the part of the lane where the ball makes contact with the surface?
- C) Landing zone
- How do you call the action of hitting pins 1, 3, 5 and 9 or 1, 2, 5 and 8?
- D) Pocket hit
