Save money and track your bowling scores with these free, printable templates that make game night both fun and budget-friendly.
Download, print, and enjoy tracking your strikes without spending a dime on official scorecards!
Jump to...
Rules of the Game of Bowling
Game Structure
- A bowling game consists of 10 scoring frames
- In each frame, a bowler has two chances to knock down pins
- The goal is to knock down all 10 pins
Scoring
- A strike occurs when all 10 pins are knocked down with the first ball
- A spare happens when all 10 pins are knocked down using both balls in a frame
- Bonus points are awarded for strikes and spares based on subsequent ball scores
- The maximum possible score is 300 points
Lane and Equipment
- The bowling lane is 60 feet long and 41.5 inches wide
- Lanes have gutters on each side, and a ball landing in the gutter is considered a “gutter ball”
- Bowling balls must:
- Weigh between 10-16 pounds
- Be no more than 27 inches in circumference
- Have two or three finger holes
Foul Line Rules
- Bowlers must release the ball from behind the foul line
- Crossing the foul line invalidates the throw, and pins knocked down do not count
Additional Rules
- In the 10th frame, if a strike or spare is achieved, the bowler gets additional throws
- Bowling shoes are mandatory and have specific soles for right and left-handed bowlers
Etiquette
- When multiple bowlers are present, the bowler to the right typically bowls first
Free Bowling Score Sheet
Download for free the PDF format of the JPG format.
