The named parts of a bowling setup — lane, approach, foul line, pin positions, pin deck, pocket, ball, thumb hole, grip, bag and shoes — explained one by one.
Every part of a bowling lane and ball has a name, and the names are used in equipment specifications as well as in coaching. This guide lists them in the order a player meets them. The lane Lane: the long, narrow surface of wood or synthetic material the ball travels along. Approach: the front part of the lane area where the player stands to begin the shot. Foul line: the line the player must stay behind; crossing it is a foul. Pin positions: the ten pin spots, numbered from 1 in the front to 10 at the back of the triangle. Pin deck: the surface at the end of the lane that holds the pins in place. Pocket: the area between the front pins where a ball is most likely to strike. The ball Bowling ball: the ball rolled at the pins, made from rubber, polyester, nylon or vinyl material. Thumb hole: the larger hole for the thumb, used to control rotation. Grip holes: the smaller holes used to hold and steer the ball. Grip pad: a pad placed on the ball to improve grip and stability. Carrying and playing Ball bag: the bag used to carry the ball and other bowling items. Bowling shoes: shoes with a slide sole and a brake sole so the player can slide into the shot and stop at the line. The source guide also uses some names loosely — for example it labels both the pin area and the target zone as a strike zone — so where a specification matters, the physical description (pin deck, pocket) is the safer term. Scoring terms are in bowling terminology; equipment categories are in bowling facilities and equipment.