Bowling Lane Anatomy: Every Part of a Lane Explained

The parts of a bowling lane at a glance

A bowling lane consists of the approach, where you take your steps, the foul line, the lane itself with its boards and arrows, and the pin deck with the ten pins. Gutters run along both sides of the lane. If you know what each part of a bowling lane is for, you can aim more precisely and repeat your shots more reliably. The dimensions below follow the specifications of the United States Bowling Congress (USBC).

The approach

The approach is the area in front of the foul line where you take your steps. It is at least 15 feet (about 4.57 m) long.

Approach dots

On the approach you will find rows of dots, typically at 12 and 15 feet (about 3.66 and 4.57 m) behind the foul line. The middle dot sits on board 20, the centre of the lane. If you start at the same dot every time, your approach becomes repeatable.

The slide at the foul line

On the last step, your sliding foot glides towards the foul line – the left foot for right-handers, the right foot for left-handers. For this to work evenly, the sole must be able to slide: moisture or dirt under your shoes can make the slide grab.

Your shoes play a part here too. BOWLIO bowling shoes have a full-length leather sole under both shoes, which makes them suitable for left- and right-handed bowlers. The white heel with the embossed logo is non-marking.

The foul line

The foul line separates the approach from the lane. If you touch or cross it during your delivery, the shot counts as a foul and the pins knocked down do not count. Many centers detect fouls electronically. More on this is in our bowling rules explained simply.

The lane

Length and width

From the foul line to the centre of the head pin, a bowling lane measures 60 feet (18.29 m). It is 41.5 inches (about 1.05 m) wide.

Boards

A lane usually consists of 39 boards running lengthwise; on synthetic lanes, lines mark the same grid. The boards are counted from the edge, and board 20 is the centre. Bowlers use them to describe their starting position, their target and the path of the ball.

Wood and synthetic lanes

Traditional wooden lanes are made of hard maple at the front and in the pin area and of pine in between. Many centers today use synthetic lane surfaces instead.

Oil on the lane

A bowling lane is not dry: a lane machine applies a thin layer of oil, the lane conditioner, in a specific pattern. On a typical house pattern, there is more oil in the middle of the lane and less towards the edges. The oil determines where the ball slides and where it starts to hook. Our beginner's guide to oil patterns explains this in detail.

Arrows and the breakpoint

The arrows

Seven arrows are embedded in the lane between 12 and 16 feet (about 3.66 to 4.88 m) beyond the foul line, usually at around 15 feet. Aiming at an arrow a few metres in front of you is easier than aiming at pins 60 feet away. That is why many bowlers look at the arrows, not the pins, when they roll the ball.

The breakpoint

The breakpoint is the point where the ball stops sliding and starts to hook towards the pins. Where it lies depends on the oil pattern, your ball and your speed. Our guide to arrows, dots and boards shows how to use these aids together.

The pin deck

The pins

The ten pins stand in a triangle, 12 inches (about 30.5 cm) apart from centre to centre. A pin is 15 inches (about 38 cm) tall and weighs between 3 lb 6 oz and 3 lb 10 oz (about 1.53 to 1.64 kg).

Head pin and pocket

The head pin, pin number 1, stands on board 20. For a strike, bowlers aim for the pocket beside it: between pins 1 and 3 for right-handers, between pins 1 and 2 for left-handers. How to hit it more often is explained in our article on hitting the strike pocket.

Kickbacks

The side walls next to the pin deck are called kickbacks. Pins that hit them can bounce back onto the deck and knock down further pins.

How the parts work together

A shot starts on your chosen dot on the approach, leads to a clean slide in front of the foul line, sends the ball over your target arrow and, via the breakpoint, into the pocket. If you know these reference points, you can adjust your shots in a targeted way. For more basics, see our beginner's guide to bowling.