Where you look decides where the ball goes. Most bowlers stare at the pins 60 feet away and wonder why they miss. The bowlers who hit their mark have learned a simple truth: aim at a target close to you, not at the pins. This guide covers how to aim in bowling so you actually hit your line.
Stop aiming at the pins
The pins are 60 feet down the lane. That is a long way to aim accurately. The arrows are only about 15 feet away, and the dots even closer. A nearer target is far easier to hit consistently. This is called spot bowling, and almost every good bowler does it.
Use the arrows
There are seven arrows set into the lane about 15 feet past the foul line. They are your main aiming targets. Most right-handed bowlers play through the second arrow from the right, which sits on the 10 board. Lefties use the second arrow from the left. The arrows give you a precise, close target to roll your ball over.
Pick an arrow, commit to it, and roll your ball over that exact spot. Do not watch the ball travel to the pins. Pick your spot, hit your spot, and trust your line.
Use the dots too
There are dots on the approach where you stand and dots near the foul line. The approach dots help you set your starting position consistently. The dots near the foul line give you an even closer target if you want to aim closer than the arrows. Together with the arrows, the dots let you build a precise, repeatable line every shot.
Build your target line
Your line is three points: where your feet start, the spot you roll over, and your intended breakpoint down the lane. Lock in a starting position on the approach dots, choose your arrow, and let the lane take the ball to the pocket. When all three points are consistent, your shot is repeatable, and repeatable is what scores.
Looking at dots vs arrows
Some bowlers aim at the arrows, some at the dots closer to the line. Both work. Closer targets can be easier to hit but give you less of the lane to read. Try both and use whichever lets you repeat your shot best. There is no single right answer, only the one that works for your eyes and your game.
Adjust your aim when the lane changes
Aiming is not set and forget. As the oil breaks down and your ball starts hooking more, your old line stops working. The fix is to move. A common adjustment is to move your feet and your target together in the direction your ball is now over-hooking, a board or two at a time, until you are back in the pocket. Reading the lane is part of aiming, and our oil patterns guide walks through it.
Straight bowlers can aim great too
If you throw it straight, the same rules apply, and accuracy is your superpower. Pick your arrow, line up your feet, and roll straight over your spot at the pocket. A straight bowler with sharp aim and a clean spare game can beat a wild hooker every night. Speaking of which, do not forget your spares.
Frequently asked questions
Should I look at the pins or the arrows when bowling?
Aim at the arrows, not the pins. The arrows are about 15 feet away, while the pins are 60 feet away. A closer target is much easier to hit consistently. This is called spot bowling and most good bowlers use it.
Which arrow should I aim at?
Most right-handed bowlers start at the second arrow from the right, on the 10 board, and lefties use the second arrow from the left. It is a reliable starting point. Adjust from there based on your ball reaction and the lane.
What is the difference between aiming at dots and arrows?
Dots are closer to the foul line than the arrows. Aiming at the dots gives you an even nearer target, which some bowlers find easier, but less lane to read. Arrows are the most common target. Use whichever you repeat best.
How do I adjust my aim when I stop hitting the pocket?
When the lane changes and your ball over-hooks or under-hooks, move your feet and target together a board or two in the direction the ball is now missing, then watch the reaction and adjust again. Small moves are best.
For more free coaching, the USBC Bowling Academy is a great resource.
Bottom line
Aim close, not far. Use the arrows and dots, build a consistent three-point line, and move with the lane when it changes. Pick your spot, hit your spot, trust your line. Stay Hungry.
