Own business: riding school.

As you can see for yourself, no two bowling alleys are exactly alike. The surest way to familiarize yourself with the track is to take your usual starting position as soon as you find yourself on a new track for you. Release your balloon as usual normal speed. If it behaves the way you would like, then you only need to make minor adjustments. However, if the ball misses pin 1, then you should know that it is a fast or over polished lane. If the ball bounces off pin 1 to the left instead of going into pocket 1-3, then you are dealing with a slow lane. Either way, you need to make changes to your tactics. Observation of the behavior of your ball, launched from its usual starting position and at a normal speed, from the very first attempts will tell you what kind of track is in front of you. The reason why your ball behaves unusually on a fast, or over polished, lane is because the high slip makes the ball take longer to spin to grip the surface of the lane. Therefore, you should move more to the right in your run-up zone and give the ball a wider trajectory along the lane. Thus, a ball that does not have good grip will be able to hit pin 1.

On a slow, lightly polished track, the spin of the ball is faster, since it no longer skids helplessly on the slippery surface of the track. The effect of the ball will therefore increase and it will land on the left side of pin 1. In this case, it is wise for you to move closer to the center, giving the ball more room to hit pins and, in particular, to hit pocket 1-3. Never, however, move to the left of center on a slow lane, which will cause the ball to deflect too much on contact with the pins, and you will clog it. Instead, if your ball doesn't behave as it should on the slow lane, simply increase its speed so that the hook doesn't form as quickly. If you've moved as far to the right as possible and the ball still doesn't reach pin 1, slow down your send speed.

How the lane behaves matters a lot, so keep these fundamental principles in mind:

1. On the odd lane, keep a close eye on how your balls move as you send them from your regular rack.

2. If the ball does not reach pin 1, then the lane is fast and has no grip on the lane, and you should move to the right side.

3. If the ball touches the pin in front with left side, then the path is slow and the ball is moving too fast, then it is advisable for you to move to the left.

4. On the fast lane, where you still missed pin 1 by taking the right position, you should reduce the speed of your send.

5. On a slow lane where your ball still hits pin 1 on the left, even if you are near the center of the lane in the runway, increase your ball speed.

Greek-born Pete Taunas came to the United States when he was thirteen years old. In Hammond, Indiana, he took a job at a bowling alley setting up pins. “I started bowling with other guys,” he recalls. “Then I joined the league and in my first season I averaged 195 points.”

Turning pro, Pete Taunas finishes fourth in the ABC Masters and repeats his success in the next. In "The Master", he wins twenty-one events in a four-game series, breaking the 800 mark, an achievement that the American Bowling Congress called "one of the greatest records in the history of bowling." Pete's first PBA victory came at the Waukegan Open, then Taunas won the Toledo Open. His highest streak is 827 points; the maximum number of points scored by him is 801. He also has one officially approved game of the 300 category.

I think one of the most noticeable differences between professional and amateur bowlers is the relationship of both to the lane. For many lovers, the track is only a flat wooden surface, which connects the run-up area and the area where the pins are set. However, for a professional, it means much more. He perceives it as fingerprints, among which you will never meet two identical ones. For him, each track has distinctive features, which must be taken into account when sending a ball to it. Before making any recommendations about when, how, and how much to adjust your ball send, let's take a closer look at a standard bowling alley.

The American Bowling Congress sets the following lane requirements:

length - 62 feet and 10 3/16 inches from the throw line to the pit (receiver); 60 feet from the throw line to pin 1; width - 41 1/2 inches; horizontal - 40/1000 inch (maximum tolerance).

Make a path out of wood. Over the past two decades, only pine and maple have been used for this purpose. Maple goes to the construction of the first 25 feet of the lane and to the sector in which the skittles are located. Pine, more soft rock, which cannot stand the test of maple, is used for balance. The wood of both species is joined end-to-end. A number of players choose the joint closest to the throw line as a guide, but it is too far away and ineffective in this regard.

Almost every bowling player has an idea of ​​standard targets (landmarks). They are divided into two rows. The most popular target is located at a point about 12-16 feet behind the throw line and consists of 7 small triangles arranged in a large triangle. They are often referred to as rangefinders, but these elements are also known as targets, darts, diamonds, triangles, and target indicators. The point is not in the name, but in their correct use. With the point method of orientation, they are indispensable. The second row of targets includes 10 miniature round arrows embedded in the track. It is parallel to the throw line and 6 to 8 feet from it. They are also used by those players who have adopted the point method, but not as often as triangles. After the track is built and the arrows with triangles are inserted into their places, the surface is cleaned with sand until its horizontalness meets the specifications.

When the track is brought to the proper degree of readiness, it is covered with several layers of a very durable and quick-drying varnish. Previously, shellac was taken for this purpose. Compared to the lacquer used today, shellac was softer, and the balls rolled along the lanes coated with this compound left a rather deep mark on them, stretching from the throw line to the 1-3 pin area (the so-called pocket). The whole game was about hitting that trail exactly. A direct hit on him could not but provide good result. Lacquer coatings, currently used, give the tracks a mirror shine. There can be no talk of any trace.

The process of preparing tracks is not limited to this. Oil is sprayed on top of the varnish finish coating, which usually starts a few feet from the front pin and ends a few feet before the throw line. Then this thin layer oil coating is polished by rotary machine. A similar operation is done every day, and with great care. Lane care is a complex and somewhat mysterious science. Each bowling center owner has his own idea of ​​how lanes should be prepared, so there are hardly two bowling centers where they would be prepared according to the same method.

At one center, you may find yourself hitting the pocket over and over again. But in another, located nearby, you will rarely hit a strike (all the pins), even if you send the balls along the same trajectory and to the same place. You will be surprised to find that your ball is either too big or too small. Often this is explained by the way they monitor the condition of the lanes in a particular bowling center. In one bowling center more oil is applied, in the other less; in the first - it is polished intensively, in the second they are not so zealous. The lanes on which it is more difficult for the ball to hook, i.e. those that are covered with a large layer of oil, are called fast lanes. In contrast, the paths on which the ball easily makes a hook are called slow. Natural lanes are those where the player sends the ball in the hope of getting a strike.

The number of factors that go into making a track fast or slow is quite varied. Even the processing time matters. Of course, immediately after applying the oil coating, it becomes fast, and over time - slow. The second important factor is the number of games played on the lanes. After thirty or forty games, it becomes slower than the one you just started playing. The condition of the track can be affected by temperature and humidity, even the season. In rainy and summertime, the same path will behave completely differently than on a frosty winter day. Whenever you visit a bowling alley, the first step is to determine the condition of the lane. First, try out the run-up, especially the section where the slide is carried out in front of the throw line. Practice sliding, make sure the soles of your sneakers do not stick to the surface. Then move on to sending the ball. Send the ball several times, trying to get a strike, in the place where you usually send it. Pay no attention to how many pins you knock down. Just follow the trajectory of the ball you sent. After a number of tries, you will have a clear idea of ​​whether the track is slow or fast. By watching other players, you will also learn something about the state of the tracks adjacent to yours.

With each sending of the ball, it is necessary to take note of the data on the nature of the track. Have you ever paid attention to why the pros score more points towards the end of the competition than at the start? This is because players improve their style on every track from game to game. Some professionals even keep a diary where they record the characteristics of each track, and check the records before throwing. As far as a typical 24-lane bowling center is concerned, the professional will have complete information about them, except for maybe one or two lanes.

Let's say you set a track to be slow. How to adapt to it? The standard method is to shift slightly to the left of your starting position in the runway from where you would normally be. However, you should not move more than one or two boards. At the same time, stick to the same reference point, that is, the point that you have chosen on the track to send the ball. By doing so, you will send the ball in a wider arc, thereby delaying the sharp turn of the ball somewhat. If the ball continues to hit the front pin off-center or bounce to the left, move slightly to the left. On the fast lane, do the opposite - move your starting position to the right, which will allow the ball to move in a straighter line directly into the area between pins 1 and 3.

Sometimes you may come across a track so fast or slow that moving the start position alone is not enough to eliminate abnormal conditions. Even if you move as far as possible to the left in the runway, on such a dry lane, the ball will continue to hit the center of the pin in front. In this case, try to adjust the rotation speed of your ball. On a slow track, it is necessary to accelerate the roll of the ball. This will reduce the traction and the ball will not make a big hook. On the fast track, accordingly, the roll of the ball should be reduced. This leads to the opposite effect, i.e., the friction of the ball increases, due to which its ability to move along a curve (hook) increases. Never try to speed up or slow down your swing to control the speed of the ball. To do this, there is a much simpler way: the removal of the ball from the chest and the swing (pendulum) movement of the hand. If you want to increase the speed of the ball, lift it up more high level, taking the starting position. If you are used to holding the ball at waist level, raise it up to chest level to give it more speed. By doing this you will increase the arc of the swing and your ball will therefore roll faster.

A third way to adjust to changing lane conditions is to move your aiming point on the lane to the left or right. Your starting position remains unchanged. Let's say your aiming point is the second rangefinder on the right side of the lane. On a slow track, the board immediately to the right of it becomes the target. Instead of targeting the tenth board on the right side (the one with the second rangefinder on the right), you shift your sight to the ninth. This will slow down the curvilinear motion of the ball. On the fast track, you should make the opposite decision - move the target to the left, to the eleventh board. Depending on the conditions, you can move not one board, but two. It must be said that adjusting the target or the speed of the ball is one of the least popular means of overcoming the not quite normal state of the lane that you have had to deal with. Most pros simply prefer to shift their starting position, taking their original stance to the left on the slow track and to the right on the fast track.

During the testing of the track to determine general conditions, in which it is located, you should also pay attention to dangerous places, that is, zones that cause the ball to retreat from a given trajectory. Even the slightest deviation can turn a potential strike into a split, and a small spot on oil coated track leads to skidding of the ball at the critical point. Sometimes the tracks warp as a result of changes in humidity, with the boards protruding or settling. In addition, the structure of a single board may contain extremely wide grain (although, as a rule, they try to get rid of such boards in the construction of lanes), which causes the ball to bounce and deviate from its intended course. When places like this appear on bowling alleys, they are the source of the real challenge. You just have to send the balls in such a way that they bypass this problem area from the outside or inside. To do this, you must choose one of the methods discussed above: move the starting position to the right or left, adjust the speed of the ball, or select a new landmark on the track. The matter, to be honest, is not so simple. These bowling lane defects are eliminated during its re-coating. This operation is carried out at least once every two years. Resurfacing means sanding the lane from the throw line to the pit (pin receptacle). The entire lacquer layer is removed and the track is brought to a “raw” state, then it is re-varnished. If you play a track that has been so surface-treated and familiar to you in the past, you will notice how all of its previous characteristics have changed. It will be completely new, and you will have to get used to it again. Chances are you'll find the new track too fast. The run-up area of ​​the track also deserves close attention. This zone must be at least 15 feet long with a 1/4 inch horizontal tolerance. For the construction of the runway, maple is used, which is treated with a durable varnish, as well as the track itself. Small round arrows in three rows are embedded in the track, and they are as important to the player as rangefinders. The maximum number of keys in each row is 7. They are parallel to the throw line. One row is 2 to 6 inches from the throw line, the second row is 11 to 12 feet from it, and the third is 14 to 15 feet.

Before sending the ball, always use one row of guides to find the most comfortable starting position for you. They will help you navigate both horizontally and vertically. Before realizing your attempt, orientate yourself on the arrows in order to be sure of the correct distance to the throw line.

The arrows will help you adjust your position to the left or right. For example, some players put their left foot on the center arrow in the back row of the runway to know that the ball will be in line with their chosen reference point, the second rangefinder on the right side. Arrows can also serve as an effective straight-line approach control to see if you're leaning to the right or left. If you start your run with your left foot, which is located on one of the center arrows behind the runway, then your left foot must be oriented along the center arrow located in the row in front of the line of throw, at the moment the run-up is completed and the ball is sent.

The run-up area of ​​the bowling alley must be kept in such a condition by the attendants that its surface provides good sliding and, at the same time, sufficient grip to prevent the player from falling. Typically, this balance is achieved by polishing the runway daily with a bag of fine steel wool inserted into a rotary machine. Despite careful maintenance, you may sometimes be faced with the fact that the current state of the runway does not satisfy you. The surface of the track is either too slippery, or, conversely, its grip on the shoes is too great. However, such a state of affairs cannot always be blamed on the leadership of the bowling center. Thus, some viscosity of the runway zone may be due to high humidity. Cold frosty weather increases the player's tendency to slip.

If such a state of the runway zone takes place, draw the attention of the Directorate to this circumstance. Sometimes it is enough for technical personnel to treat a slippery place with steel wool to correct the situation. However, the blame may lie with the player himself. Perhaps the sole of his left shoe was clogged, making it hard to slip. Always inspect your bowling shoes carefully before entering the runway. If you don't think the left sole looks clean and smooth, go over it with steel wool. Usually such shavings are available in a bowling center. Never attempt to touch up the runway with powder, rosin, or any other substance. It's straight breaking the rules which read: “No one is permitted to mark or apply to any part of the runway or lane any substance that could injure or injure a player or cause the runway or lane to be in such a state that other players would not be able to compete on an equal footing ". When the runway is too slippery for you, act in the following way: take the key and scratch the sole of the sneaker that you have is sliding with the sharp part. Thus, you will increase the strength of its adhesion. Of course, in a certain way, sliding can be controlled by adjusting the amount of flexion in your left knee. The more you bend it, the stronger your slip will be.

Every bowling player knows that the throw line is the place that separates the runway from the actual lane. The width of this line is set from 3/8 to 1 inch. One cannot ignore the fact that the throw line does not exist exclusively between the runway and one lane, but stretches virtually the entire width of the bowling center, through the chutes, ball return equipment and dividing boards. Any number of pins knocked down does not count towards the foul, but the ball is potted if it has been bowled.

Modern centers are equipped automatic devices fixing fouls. Such a device sends a light beam to the throw line. When you close it on a foul, a beep sounds and the machine resets the pins. When you go outside the line, it is considered a foul, regardless of whether the detector reacted or not. Sometimes the device fails, sometimes it is not turned on. Don't be dismissive of logging your errors, even if the control equipment has failed. The best way avoid punishment for the mistakes made - do not make them. I am often asked what, in fact, can be attributed to a foul. Recently, a bowler asked if he would be penalized for having his pants cuffs cross the throw line. Oddly enough, this is a violation of the rules. The rules clearly state that a foul occurs when "any part of the player's body is on or over the line of throw and touches any part of the lane equipment or structure..." and the cuffs of the pants can be referred to as part of the player's body. This requirement also applies to the hem of a women's skirt.

It is not a foul if your ball falls behind the throw line, even if it is detected by the "electronic eye" and the alarm goes off. The ball itself is not to blame for anything. At the same time, a foul is not counted against a player from whose pocket an object, such as a match or a coin, falls onto the track beyond the throw line. A foul is called only if you complete your try. If you approach the throw line, cross it, but do not release the ball from your hand, such an action is considered a delay, and not a foul. In addition to the lane and the run-up area, the bowling center has equipment that, in one way or another, is designed to improve your skills. In this regard, the side partitions between the tracks at the edge of the pit, called screens, play a very significant role. Outside they are covered with fiber plates. In some bowling centers, the screen plates are coated with a durable varnish to improve appearance and increase the rebound potential of pins from them. Pin ricochet is also affected by the type and Maintenance the back cushion, the area of ​​the troughs adjacent to the pin block, and the block itself.

A few words should be said about skittles. In the days when bowling alley owners covered their lanes with shellac, the condition of the bowling pins was less carefully monitored than today. Previously, each pin was made from a single piece of wood and had no coating. When the pin showed signs of wear, it was sanded and its base trimmed. This resulted in pins that were lighter and even shorter, but players rarely complained as the pins were easier to knock down. Now, of course, things are different. In addition to the white plastic sheeting, modern laminated maple skittles have a durable synthetic base. This eliminates excessive wear and the likelihood of the pins being chipped or sheared.

The bowling pin should be 15 inches high and approximately 4 3/4 inches in diameter at its widest point. The base is 2 3/4 inches in diameter. Sometimes you may get the impression that in a particular bowling center the pins are taller and closer to you. This false perception is explained by the fact that the skittles are lit differently. Although the difference in lighting may only last a few seconds, it is enough to negatively affect your result. Skittles are arranged in a triangle with a side of 36 inches; distance from the center of the place of each pin to the center of the same place standing next to the pin is 12 inches.

ABC has set the following weight parameters for pins:

Solid Wood Plastic Coated Pins 3 lb 2 oz - 3 lb 10 oz Synthetic Pins 3 lb 4 oz - 3 lb 6 oz. However, the weight of each pin in any set of 10 may not vary by more than 4 ounces. Few bowlers know how much the pins they knock down weigh, although the weight of the pins has a significant effect on points scored in competitions. It is rare for anyone to successfully perform when the pins are too heavy or too light in front of him. The ball passes through light skittles without scattering them in different directions. Heavy skittles do not have enough elasticity to cause the necessary spread. Those who go to the bowling center once a week, i.e. players who average between 150 and 160 points, usually achieve the best result with medium-weight pins, i.e. those that weigh from 3 pounds and 5 oz to 3 lb 6 oz. For more strong players players using weighted balls, the pins must weigh one or two ounces more, otherwise they will not be able to score a large amount of points. If it seemed to you that the skittles were too light in front of you, the most effective solution there will be a transfer of the starting position one or two boards to the left. During a send from such a rack, the ball will approach the pins in a wider arc, thereby increasing the number of objects being knocked down. You can also try to decrease the speed of the ball. When faced with heavy pins, reverse the technique.

In addition, one should take into account the factor of significant influence on the pins of temperature and humidity, since the tree acquires additional elasticity in cold and dry weather. In this regard, it is impossible not to mention the machine that sets the skittles. The machine works so well that you hardly notice it. However, the machine can put the player in a difficult situation, when he simply cannot do without a thorough knowledge of the rules. For example, sometimes when lowering the setting table, the machine inadvertently knocks over one or more pins. Pins knocked down in this way are set anew, and each pin is placed in the place intended for it. Consider another situation: in the case when the machine has set the pins, and one or more pins are missing, the attempt to use the ball is not subject to offset. After correct installation all pins it repeats.

After reading the above lines, you probably will not come to the conclusion that in bowling an ordinary player is pursued by continuous misfortunes. Generally speaking, you can go bowling for a very long time without knowing what a slippery run, a bouncing ball on the lane, heavy pins, or a malfunction of the pin setting machine is. Nevertheless, you may encounter the listed problems, and they are reflected in a certain way on the points scored. Therefore, the more you play, the more often you can meet them. Approach them fully armed.

Lane markers consist of 7 small triangles embedded in the lane 12 to 16 feet behind the throw line and also include a row of 10 small round arrows embedded in the lane and placed parallel 6 to 8 feet from the throw line . The path is called slow if the ball sent along it moves along a wide curve (hook). On the fast track, it is difficult for the ball to impart curvilinear motion. To adjust to the slow lane, move your starting position slightly to the left, increase the speed of the ball, or move your landmark one or two boards to the right. On the fast lane, the opposite action should be taken. Three rows of arrows are built into the canvas of the track in the runway zone; the maximum number in each row is 7. One row is located 2-6 inches from the run-up line, the second is 11-12 feet and the third is 14-15 feet from the specified line. Arrows embedded behind the runway are used to determine your starting position. The ones near the throw line are for testing your final position. Never attempt to change the runway with powder or any other substance. If the run-up area turned out to be viscous for you, rub the sole of the sneaker with which you slide with fine steel wool. In case of excessive sliding, walk on it with a key. A foul occurs when a player or any part of a player's body or clothing is on or crosses the throw line and touches any part of the lane equipment or structure. The foul is recognized regardless of whether the alarm device worked or not. Bowling balls must weigh between 3 pounds 2 ounces and 3 pounds 10 ounces, and the weight of individual pins in any set of 10 pieces must not vary by more than 4 ounces. If the pins are too light, move the starting position to the left to give the ball a wider trajectory (hook principle) or reduce the speed of the ball. For excessively heavy pins, take the opposite action.

For a bowling alley with a minimum size, it is necessary to provide 80 m 2 of building area for each lane. AT ideal 94 m2 of center area per line is required.

The width of the hall is determined by the number of lanes.

A) If there are no columns in the hall, take the width of the required number of tracks from table 1, add 910 mm on each side for side passages.

B) Often rooms have columns. In this case, it should be taken into account that the optimal grid of columns is the one that does not require splitting pairs of tracks (see Table 1). The width of the room in the presence of columns is calculated as in point A), taking into account the width of the column itself plus 125 mm on each side of the column.

In both cases, we are talking about rectangular rooms. If this is not the case, then the width should be understood as the width of a rectangle 30.5 m long, which can be entered into the dimensions of this room. This is especially true for case B), since very often the columns do not stand in one straight line.

Quantity lines	Width, m	Quantity lines	Width, m
2	3.46	16	27.22
4	6.86	18	30,62
6	10.25	20	34.01
8	13.65	22	37.40
10	17.04	24	40.98
12	20.43	26	44.19
14	23.83	28	47.59

Side aisle width

The width of the side aisles is determined by the parameters of the building. A side passage is required for access to the machine area and to the spare parts storage room. It is also necessary in terms of fire safety. The width of the side passage must be at least 500 mm. Recommended width - 910 mm. This will also provide sufficient freedom of movement for the player on the edge lane.

Room length

The minimum required length of the bowling alley (excluding service area) is 25,350 m + machine service area (minimum allowable 800 mm). The most preferable is the scheme in which the service area (operator's stand, food area, slot machine hall) is located behind the playing area. The total length is made up of the playing area (required space) and the service area and is 40 meters.

Room height.

When determining the height of the bowling hall, one should proceed from the fact that from the level of the floor surface to false ceiling should be 3500-4000 mm. The minimum allowable ceiling height is 2800mm.

Game Zone:

A) a service passage for a mechanic (passage behind pinspotting mechanisms) 1800-2400 mm (if there are no rooms for storing pins, spare parts and rooms for various services). If such spaces are provided, then 1200 mm behind the pinspotters is sufficient. In case of insufficient length of the bowling hall, it is possible (but not desirable) to reduce the service passage to 900 mm.
B) actually game Zone- distance from the rear line of the pinspotter to the start of the runway - 25350 mm
C) recreation area - a platform where seats for players are located. Depending on the type of seats - at least 3200-4000 mm.

Service area:

This zone is arranged individually for each room in order to harmoniously arrange obligatory and auxiliary services. Consider the following recommendations:
A) For each row of seats for spectators, add 1500 mm.
B) For the equipment of passageways, the hall must have at least 3650 mm of free space.
C) If food or drinks will be sold in the hall, add 1500 mm to the dimensions of the hall.

Required Services:

• Male and female toilets.
• Operator's stand.
• Bar and utility room.
• Spare parts warehouse.
• Repair shop (in a small bowling club, it can be combined with a spare parts warehouse).
• Changing room for visitors
• Staff room
• Places for individual lockers.

Auxiliary services:

• Pro shop.
• Room for drilling holes in balls.
• Showers for men and women.
• Children's room
• VIP rooms.

What are the dimensions of the bowling alley? How do I calculate the optimal number of lanes in my room?

The length of the track is on average 18.2 m, the width is 1.7 m. The length of the player's run-up zone is about 4.7 m. The players' rest area occupies an average of 4 m. The height of the surface of the tracks from the floor of the room is 0.43 m.

In any case, only a competent specialist can advise you on the optimal number of bowling lanes in your premises, taking into account all the specific details and features, after reviewing the plan of your premises.

If the equipment is made in China, does this mean that it is of poor quality and breaks quickly?

Far from it. Currently, leading manufacturers in China produce products that comply with all international standards and advanced technologies - that is why they give maximum guarantees for their equipment. Bowling equipment is assembled from a variety of high quality components on modern high-tech equipment and has the most high performance wear resistance and ease of use. A lot of spare parts and accessories for bowling at this plant are made for world famous brands.

Will the cost of the equipment be reduced for me if I live in another region and it is more convenient for me to organize customs clearance myself?

Yes, we can accommodate you. If you want to do the delivery yourself and customs clearance of your equipment, then, of course, the cost of the equipment for you will be reduced by the amount of Master Bowling's costs for shipping and customs clearance of your equipment.

I just have an unrenovated room. I don't know yet whether it makes sense to do bowling there, and how profitable it will be. What do you recommend?

Undoubtedly, bowling today is a profitable investment. But , in any case, before you decide to invest your money in a bowling club, you need to calculate everything, draw up an indicative business plan, learn as much as possible about bowling as a business. You can find all this information on our website or on other websites on the Internet. In order to understand whether your premises are suitable for placing a bowling club in it, you just need to contact the manager of Master Bowling and send him a plan of your premises. The company's specialist will also be able to answer all your questions that you may have on initial stage planning your club.

Is it possible to build a bowling alley in the basement?

A bowling club can be built on any floor and in any room, if there is enough space in this room to accommodate at least one lane and it is possible to comply with the technical requirements necessary for building a bowling club.

What is the electricity consumption per track?

The average power consumption is 6 kW per 2 tracks, taking into account lighting, but in each individual case this figure can vary significantly !!!

And if I buy not two tracks, but four or six, will the cost of equipment decrease for me?

The cost of equipment, of course, depends on the amount of a one-time purchase. Of course, if you are going to build a big Entertainment Center and purchase many lanes at once (more than 25), you should discuss possible discounts with the management of Master Bowling. When calculating the cost of equipment, it will also take into account whether you plan to purchase an even or odd number of tracks. It is less profitable to purchase an odd number of tracks, since most of equipment is designed to serve a pair of tracks.

What is the maximum score you can achieve in bowling?

The maximum possible result in bowling is 300 points.

How do I choose the right ball for my game?

The weight of the ball is indicated on the ball itself in pounds. If you play with the balls that the bowling club provides you, then proceed from the fact that for men the optimal ball weight is 13-16 pounds (6-7 kg), for women 10-12 pounds (4.5-5.5 kg). ), for children up to 9 pounds (4 kg). Most the best choice bowling is buying your own custom bowling ball with holes drilled for your fingers. Such a personal ball will give you huge advantages in the game.

Which country has the most bowling?
Of course, for many years this game has been the most popular in the United States. Detroit has the most big number professional bowlers, St. Louis is home to the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame. However, in Russia and Europe, bowling is becoming more and more popular as a leisure activity - after all, it is the most versatile combination of recreation and sports game, where special professional skills are not required in order to have a good time in a company or with a family and get involved in gambling.

When choosing a room for a bowling center, you should follow some rules, as well as rely on some standards and requirements that will help you avoid many mistakes.

There are certain bowling area standards. If you are designing a minimum option, then you will need 80 m2 of building area for each track. But the most optimal approach is 94 m2 of center area for each line. Given the number of tracks, you can calculate the width of the hall.

If the property you are considering has rectangular shape, then there are several options.

The first of which is a hall without columns. We add 910 mm to the width of each track. at both sides. This remainder is needed for side aisles. Side aisles are needed for more than just meeting fire safety standards. They move along them to the premises for storing spare parts and to the area of ​​\u200b\u200bcars. The minimum width of the side passage is 500mm. But the most convenient (especially for players) and practical width is 910 mm.

The second option is a hall with columns. In this situation, the grid of columns that does not split pairs of paths is most suitable. In a room with columns, the width of the hall is calculated in the same way as in the version with columns. The only thing, do not forget to add the width of the column itself and about 130 mm on each side.

However, in addition to the classic rectangular rooms, you can come across a room that has an "irregular" complex shape.

If you want to calculate the area for bowling in a non-rectangular room, then by width we mean the width of a rectangle 30.5 m long, which fits into the dimensions of this room. Most often, this option is suitable for halls where the columns are not in one straight line.

The length of the bowling center hall is calculated as follows. It is necessary to fold the play area with the service area. The service area is a catering area, a slot machine hall and operator stands.

The minimum length of the bowling alley (excluding the service area) must be at least 25.350 m + the service area of ​​the machines (at least 800 mm). The most convenient is the option in which the service area is located behind the playing area.

The minimum ceiling height allowed is 2800mm. However, the most best option when the distance from the floor surface to the false ceiling should be 3500-4000 mm.

The game zone of a bowling center can be several options:

1. The distance from the back line of the pinspotter to the start of the runway (playing area) is 25350 mm.
2. Recreation area - a platform on which there are seats for players. Minimum 3200-4000 mm.
3. If there are rooms for storing spare parts, pins and rooms for all kinds of services, then the service passage for the mechanic should be at least 1800-2400 mm. As a last resort, you can reduce the service passage to 900mm.

The service area is calculated for each bowling hall individually. The service area should harmoniously combine auxiliary and mandatory services.

There are some services that you simply cannot do without. For example, bathrooms, a cloakroom, a bar and utility room, a staff room, an operator's desk, places for individual lockers and some other equally important ones. Ancillary services include a children's room, VIP rooms, industrial premises, showers, etc.

Bowling planning specifications
Basic bowling dimensions
Start with the following recommendations:

Square. For a bowling alley with a minimum size, it is necessary to provide 80 m2 of building area for each lane. Ideally, 94 m2 of center area per lane is needed.

Hall width determined by the number of tracks.

In case there are no columns in the hall, take the width of the required number of tracks from table 1, add 900 mm on each side for side aisles.

Often rooms have columns. In this case, it should be taken into account that the optimal grid of columns is the one that does not require splitting pairs of tracks (see Table 1). The width of the room in the presence of columns is calculated as in point a) taking into account the width of the column itself plus 125 mm on each side of the column.

In both cases, we are talking about rectangular rooms. If this is not the case, then the width should be understood as the width of a rectangle 30.5 m long, which can be entered into the dimensions of this room. This is especially true for case b), since very often the columns do not stand in a straight line.

Table 1. Width dimensions with different number of tracks.

Number of tracks	Width, m	Number of tracks	Width, m
1	1.867	11	18.837
2	3.464	12	20,434
3	5.261	13	22.231
4	6.858	14	23.828
5	8.655	15	25.625
6	10.252	16	27.222
7	12.049	17	29.019
8	13.646	18	30.616
9	15.443	19	32.413
10	17.040	20	34.010

Side aisle width. Determined by the parameters of the building. A side passage is required for access to the machine area and to the spare parts storage room. It is also necessary from the point of view of fire safety. The width of the side passage must be at least 500 mm. The recommended width is 900 mm. This will also provide sufficient freedom of movement for the player on the edge lane.

Room length. The minimum required length of the bowling alley (excluding service area) is 25350 mm + machine service area (minimum allowable 900 mm) + players' rest area (3200-4000 mm). The most preferable is the scheme in which the service area (operator's desk, food area, slot machine hall) is located behind the playing area. The total length is made up of the playing area (required space) and the service area and is 40 meters.
Room height. When determining the height of the bowling hall, one should proceed from the fact that from the level of the floor surface to the false ceiling should be 3500-4000 mm. The minimum allowable ceiling height is 2800mm.

doorways At the time of installation of the equipment, a doorway is provided through which the equipment is brought into the room.The opening must have minimum dimensions: 1.83 m in width and 2.30 in height.

Functional zoning of the bowling center.
Game Zone:

Service passage for the mechanic (passage behind the pinspotting mechanisms) 1800-2400 mm (if there are no rooms for storing pins, spare parts and rooms for various services). If such spaces are provided, then 1300 mm behind the pinspotters is sufficient. In case of insufficient length of the bowling hall, it is possible (but undesirable) to reduce the service passage to 900 mm.

The actual playing area is the distance from the rear line of the pinspotter to the start of the run-up zone - 25350 mm.

Recreation area - a platform where seats for players are located. Depending on the type of seats - at least 3200-4000 mm.

Service area:

This zone is arranged individually for each room in order to harmoniously arrange the mandatory and auxiliary services. Consider the following recommendations:

Add 1500 mm for each row of seats for spectators.

For the equipment of passageways, the hall must have at least 3650 mm of free space.

If food or drinks will be sold in the hall, add 1500 mm to the dimensions of the hall.
Required Services:

Male and female toilets.

Operator's stand.

Bar and utility room.

Spare parts warehouse.

Repair shop (in a small bowling club, it can be combined with a spare parts warehouse).

Wardrobe for visitors.

Staff room.

Places for individual lockers.

Auxiliary services:

Proshop (Pro-shop).

Room for drilling holes in balls. Showers for men and women.

Children's room.

VIP rooms.

Floors and walls of the center.
Type of floor and walls, location and all Additional requirements must be determined on a case-by-case basis by the architect. Primary requirements:
Floor.

Bowling lanes are installed on a waterproof reinforced concrete base with antiseptic additives. The height of the concrete layer must be at least 60 mm. Concrete grades 200-250. The surface immediately below the tracks must be leveled so that the deviation from the horizontal is no more than 12 mm over the entire length of the track. Coat with compounds (penetrating primers) that prevent the formation of dust (do not paint).

Sewers, pipes and cables that may need to be replaced should neither be embedded in the concrete floor under the walkways nor be placed under them.
The strength of the floor must comply with safety regulations and must withstand the equipment and the maximum number of visitors.
The load on the floor in the engine room is 500kg/m2.

The load on the floor in the area of ​​​​the paths is 300 kg / m2.

As a rule, in bowling centers, the floor is two-level: one is under the lanes and cars, the second (the so-called podium) is 430 mm higher than the first - under the recreation area.

Tables, chairs and a control stand (floor terminal) are installed in the recreation area for players.

It is recommended to use concrete as a material for the seating area (podium) in order to ensure that the chairs are securely installed in order to avoid loosening them in the future, but in some cases other materials are used, for example wooden structures. Covering the recreation area: "carpet" or linoleum (linoleum is preferable). It is not recommended to use parquet and "laminate" in connection with the daily wet cleaning of the recreation area.

The coverage of the recreation area is carried out during the installation of equipment due to the need to lay communication pipes.

Waterproofing.

Polyethylene materials are used for waterproofing. When pouring concrete, make sure that the waterproofing layer is not damaged and covers the entire surface. Due to the fact that during installation it is necessary to use nails on concrete, the waterproofing layer must be at least 60 mm from the surface. In addition, avoid using bitumen as a waterproofing layer, because. from long-term alternating loads, cracks may appear in it, through which water will seep.

Doorways.

The doorway through which the pinspotter is brought into the room must have the following minimum dimensions: height 2200mm, width 2000mm.

Dimensions and weight of the pinspotter

Pinspotter length	2850 0mm
Pinspotter Width	1560.0mm
Pinspotter height	1780.0mm
Pinspotter weight	856.0 kg
Lane weight (without pinspotter)	2500.0kg

Soundproofing.
To reduce the level of noise transmitted from the machines to the playing area, the walls, ceiling and partition walls in the pinspotter area are finished using special sound-absorbing materials with a sound absorption coefficient of 85-90dB.
In the area of ​​​​the tracks and the run-up area, the sound absorption coefficient of the materials used should be 70-80 dB.
In addition, it is desirable to place the bowling alley on the lower floors of buildings in order to avoid the transmission of vibration and noise to the premises below. If the bowling alley is located above any premises with strict noise level requirements (restaurant, casino, etc.), it is necessary to provide additional soundproofing of the floor. best result can be achieved by performing the so-called "floating floor" under the tracks and cars.
Some recommendations for use sound-absorbing materials: an effective sound insulator in terms of price / efficiency is polystyrene foam (polystyrene), however, its use may be limited by fire safety requirements. The use of "URSA" when laying under the structure of the tracks also gives a good result, but it is necessary to pack it hermetically in polyethylene.
The use of "plasterboard" (gypsum board) in the decoration of walls and ceilings worsens the noise picture of the center due to the high reflection coefficient of this material, in this case it is necessary to perforate the material, or paste over with textured (ribbed) wallpaper and make noise traps.
The “ecophon” material used for finishing the ceiling is quite effective.
If the bowling alley is installed in a room with class A soundproofing requirements (residential building, hotel), then the noise level data in Table 2 should be used to calculate the soundproofing project.

Table 2. Noise levels in bowling according to field measurements

Room and measured value	Geometric mean frequencies of octave bands, Hz								Sound levels
	63	125	250	500	1000	2000	4000	8000	LA, Lc, dBA dBA
Engine room, Leq	71,6	75,9	79,5	85,9	82,0	77,1	73,0	69,6	86,9 89,3
Engine room, Lmax	87,0	92,2	96,2	103	98,7	96,1	89,0	87,2	104,0 107,0
Game room in front of the pin-spotter, Leq	68,5	73,8	71,4	69,9	67,3	60,1	53,7	49,5	71,5 77,9
Game hall in the throw zone, Leq	70,8	74,4	70,8	73,4	71,1	63,5	54,1	48,9	74,6 79,5
Game room in front of the pin-spotter, Lmax	85,1	83,0	82,9	83,9	80,7	71,5	67,9	64,9	84,7 90,4
Game hall in the throw zone, Lmax	88,7	91,4	84,8	88,9	85,6	77,8	67,3	61,2	89,5 95,6

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
Most of the current costs of the bowling center are the costs of paying for electricity, a large part of which is "eaten up" by the ventilation and air conditioning system. It is necessary in order to all year round maintain the required temperature and humidity in the bowling center. Both the quality of the bowling game and the service life of the equipment depend on compliance with these requirements. It is very important to accurately calculate the expected number of visitors, the level of illumination and the type of fixtures used, their heat transfer, heat loss and gain through the ceilings and walls of the building. Factors such as the wind rose, the number of windows and doorways facing north must also be taken into account in the calculations.
The center must be provided with an excess (no more than 10%) inflow of the ventilation system to the players. Exhaust ventilation is located directly in the players' recreation area, bars, as well as in auxiliary areas where necessary.
It is impossible to create a transfer of air masses to the area of ​​\u200b\u200bcars and to the tracks in order to avoid the transfer of dust.

Supply ventilation must be designed in such a way that the air flow does not directly fall on the surface of the runway in order to avoid deterioration in the slip of the player's shoes.

Air parameters in the bowling center:

Temperature in the playing hall: 18 - 22 °C, humidity 40 - 50%.

Temperature in the engine room: no more than 28°С.

The amount of thermal energy released by one pinspotter is 1000 Kcal/hour.

The amount of thermal energy released by one player is 250 Kcal/hour, the estimated number of players is 8 people per track.

The air exchange rate in a bowling alley is calculated as for restaurants.

The maximum number of attendees in a bowling hall is calculated by doubling the number of players in a lane 8x2=16 per lane.
The air conditioning system must be operational 10 days before the start of the installation of the bowling equipment!
Air conditioning- zonal-point, provided with central and autonomous air conditioners of the recreation area for players and spectators.
Heating radiators. In the case when the paths are located in the immediate vicinity of the walls on which the radiators of the heating system are installed, these radiators must be mounted so that the lower edge of the radiator is at a height of at least 900 mm from the floor.

Requirements for the power supply system.
Planning the power supply system. Power supply technological equipment bowling is carried out with a 5-wire (phases A, B, C, neutral, earth) copper cable from the main switchboard (MSB) of the building or from transformer substation(TP) to two bowling switchboards - SC-1 (for power equipment) and SC-2 (for scoring system) (see Fig. 1).
The bowling boards provide power only to the technological equipment of the bowling alley (machines, computers, logical nodes). lighting, kitchen, slot machines and so on. must be powered from another distribution board!

As a rule, phases A and B are used to power power equipment. Phase C - to logical nodes (computers, monitors, control panels, etc.).

All consumers of electricity are designed for voltage 220V. Capacities - see table 3. The owner of the bowling alley installs sockets and provides power supply to the following equipment:

To the mechanism system: pin setting mechanism, ball feed and return mechanism, lane maintenance mechanisms and alarm system;

To the automatic scoring system (SAPO): central processor, control panel, main stand of the computer system, hanging monitors.
The locations of sockets for powering the equipment are shown in Table 3. In addition, for SAPO it is necessary to make an independent ground loop with a resistance of not more than 4 ohms. "Earth" must be brought by a separate vein directly to the switchboard of the bowling alley.
Remember; it is necessary to separate power supply to the system of mechanisms and to the scoring system. Please note: it is unacceptable to lay electrical power lines in communication pipes intended for signal lines.

The layout of electrical circuits and energy consumers is developed individually in each project.

Power Supply Requirements:
Taking into account the conditions of the state of electricity supply in most regions of the country, for normal operation bowling equipment, bowling owners purchase a voltage stabilizer of the required power, otherwise the supplier company does not bear any guarantees regarding electrical equipment.
A power supply with a stable voltage of 220 V, single-phase, with an output voltage tolerance of + 5% is required. If it is necessary to install a three-phase power supply with a stable voltage, then the voltage difference between the neutral and ground wires should not exceed 1 V.
To power the automatic scoring system (SAPO), you must have an uninterruptible power supply used as a backup. After the mains voltage fails, it must provide current for 5 minutes.
The power of the voltage stabilizer is the sum of the capacity for each track and plus the power for the operator's stand. Required power electronic system(computer systems) operator stands - 0.6 kW/each workstation. The required power for each pair of tracks is 4.7 kW (in the version with PBL). In the case of using a multi-block stabilizer (when each block stabilizes one phase), the calculation must be carried out on the most loaded phase!
The power of the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is calculated similarly, only the power per pair of tracks is replaced by the power required for the CAD system of each pair of tracks. The required power (computer systems) of the operator's stand is 0.6 kW/each workstation. The power consumption of SAPO of each pair of tracks is 0.7 kW.
Calculation example for four tracks (two pairs):

voltage stabilizer power \u003d 2 X 4.7 (kW) + 0.6 (kW) \u003d 10 kW

UPS power = 2 X 0.7(kW) + 0.6(kW) = 2 kW.
The owner of the bowling hall is responsible for designing the power supply system according to the supplier's instructions, for laying wires (lines) of power supply to the locations of all mechanisms, installing switches (switch boxes), sockets.
Lighting and sockets are powered from a distribution board not connected to switchboard supply of technological equipment for bowling.
Sockets are recommended to be installed at a height of 700 mm from the level concrete screed. A more precise location of these sockets is determined by the customer, taking into account overall design premises.
The recommended location for hanging monitors along the track line is above the fall line. Finally, this distance is determined by the customer, taking into account the design, columns (if any) and ceiling height.
Power is supplied to the ceiling before the installation of the tracks.
Power supply on the floor - in the process of installation.

Table 3 Electricity consumers.

VIA Equipment	Power	Power location
Pinspotter	1.5 kW per 1 dor.	Output to the curtain wall from the side of the machine room in the center of each pair of tracks
Ball return mechanism	1 kW for 2 dor.	on the floor under the takeoff run next to the mechanism mounting location
Overhead monitor	0.2 kW for 2 dor.	under the ceiling at the location of the monitor
floor terminal	0.25 kW per 1 dor.	on the floor next to the terminal installation site
Central computer	0.6 kW per hall	Under the manager's desk

VIA bowling center lighting.
Layout plan lighting fixtures shown in Fig. 2. Since a bowling alley's game room requires uniform, calm light regardless of the time of day, we recommend the use of artificial overhead lighting.
Illumination parameters in the usual "day" mode of operation:

Above the tracks - 250 lux,

Run-up, rest zones, bar -150 - 200 lux,

Engine room - 400 lux.

With a room height of no more than 4 m above the tracks, it is recommended to install 4 lamps with twin LD-40 lamps per 1 track with their uniform distribution along the length of the track (a step of about 4 x m). Lights must be located in such a way that the light does not fall on the monitors and does not dazzle the players.
Lighting of the engine room is provided by 2 x 40W fluorescent lamps installed directly above each pair of pinspotters.
With a room height of not more than 4 m, for operation in the “X-treme” mode (ultraviolet illumination), it is recommended to install lamps with single lamps “Black Light -40W” (length 1.2 m) with their uniform distribution along the length of the track (step about 4x m). When using less powerful lamps, it is necessary to proportionally increase their number. With the same frequency, it is necessary to install UV lamps above the runway.
In addition, it is necessary to provide ultraviolet lighting for all adjacent areas located in the same room as the bowling alley.
We recommend the installation step of UV lamps in these areas the same as above the paths.
It should be noted that the color and reflectivity of walls, ceilings and interior details significantly affect the required output of UV luminaires. Optimal quantity UV lamps for a particular room is determined experimentally, so it is desirable to foresee the possibility of changing their number.
It is necessary to provide low-power daytime local lighting at the operator's desk and in the machine room.
Both lighting systems must be powered from different machines, and from a power shield that is not connected to the power shield of the bowling alley's technological equipment.
The entire power supply system of the center must be taken into account simultaneously in both construction and artistic (design) projects. The power supply and lighting system must be fully prepared before the installation of the equipment,