Bowling Terms Glossary:
Strike, Spare, Turkey, Split & More

Bowling Terms

Bowling terms are the names bowlers use for scores, leaves, and lane talk, from strike and spare to turkey (three strikes in a row), pocket, split, and Brooklyn. Use this glossary to look up scoring words, split nicknames, and common slang so conversations at the center make sense. Whether you're new to the sport or just want a refresher, knowing these terms makes bowling more fun and less confusing. Jump to the term you need, or skim A–Z below.

Terms by Topic

• Scoring Terms (strike, spare, double, turkey, etc)
• Leaves & Splits (baby split, deadwood, wash out, etc)
• Lane & Approach Lingo (address, foul, gutter ball, etc)
• Hits & Pin Action Terms (Brooklyn, nose hit, pocket, etc)
• Bowling Ball Terms (core, coverstock, differential, rg, etc)
• Miscellaneous Bowling Terms

Bowling Scoring Terms

Term	Definition
Clean sheet	When a player makes all of his/her spares in a game.
Double	A player makes two strikes in a row.
Dutch 200	A game in which alternate strikes and scores are used resulting in a 200 score.
Fill	Refers to the number of pins knocked down following a spare or two strikes.
Foul	Putting one's foot on or going over the foul line upon delivery.
Foundation	A ninth frame strike.
Frame	Refers to the squares which indicate one tenth of a game.
Gutter ball	A ball that rolls into the gutter before hitting a target.
Hambone	A term used to denote four consecutive strikes.
Miss	A spare that is missed (also known as a blow, cherry, error or open).
Par	Term used to indicate a 200 score.
Perfect game	Twelve consecutive strikes with a resulting score of 300.
Spare	A two-ball knockdown of all the pins in a frame.
Split	A spare in which two or more pins remains standing with a gap between them.
Strike	A knockdown of all ten pins with the first delivery.
Turkey	Term used for three consecutive strikes.

Leaves & Splits

Term	Definition
Baby split	A 2-7 or 3-10 split.
Bed posts	A 7-1 split.
Cherry	To knock down the front pin or pins.
Christmas tree	For a right handed player, its a 3-7-10 split or a 2-7-10 split for a left handed player.
Deadwood	Pins that remain in the lane or the gutter after being knocked over.
Leave	The pins that are not knocked down with the first ball (spare).
Lily	A 5-7-10 split.
Mother-in-law	A name for the 7 pin.
Sour apple	A 5-7-10 split.
Split	A spare in which two or more pins remains standing with a gap between them.
Wash out	A split with the 7 or 10 pin standing.

Lane & Approach Lingo

Term	Definition
Address	A player's stance or start position.
Approach	That part of the lane which stretches from the back of the lane to the foul line.
Blocked lane	A lane condition which promotes high scoring through the use of oil or finish in lane maintenance.
Foul	Putting one's foot on or going over the foul line upon delivery.
Gutter ball	A ball that rolls into the gutter before hitting a target.
Lane	The game's playing surface.
Lofting	Throwing the ball far out onto the lane.
Rack	Place where balls remain after their return from the pit (also called ball rack).
Return	Track on which balls travel from pit to rack.
Runway	The place or approach where the bowler stands to deliver the ball.

Hits & Pin Action Terms

Term	Definition
Brooklyn	When a bowling ball crosses to the opposite side of the headpin from which it was thrown (when a right handed bowler bowls a ball that hits the left pocket and vice versa for left handed bowlers).
Jersey side	To the right of the head pin for left handed players and to the left for right handers.
Nose hit	Hitting the pins head on.
Pocket	A 1-3 or 1-2 spot.
Schleifer	From the German word for "cut-thin" or "slice", a strike where the pins appear to fall one by one.
Throwing rocks	Piling up strikes by rolling a very fast ball.

Bowling Ball Terms

Term	Definition
Asymmetrical core	A core with uneven weight distribution and a mass bias. It usually flares more and makes a sharper move off the spot than a symmetrical core.
Backup ball	A bowling ball that curves left to right or right to left depending upon whether the player is left or right handed.
Benchmark ball	The ball in your bag that shows you a readable, middle-of-the-road motion. You use it to judge the lanes, then decide whether you need more or less hook.
Conventional grip	A drilling where the fingers go in to the second knuckle. Common on house balls. Easier to control, but it usually creates less revs than a fingertip grip.
Core	The dense weight block inside the ball. It controls when the ball wants to roll, how much it flares, and how strongly it finishes.
Coverstock	The outer shell that touches the lane. It is the biggest reason two balls with similar cores can look completely different.
Differential	A number that describes how much the ball wants to flare. Higher differential generally means more hook potential and a stronger backend.
Factory finish	The surface the ball ships with, usually a grit plus polish or a sanded look. It is a starting point, not a rule you have to keep.
Fingertip grip	A drilling where only the tips of the fingers go into the ball. It gives most bowlers more revs and a stronger release than a conventional grip.
Flare	The series of oil rings a ball leaves as it changes axis. More flare usually means the cover keeps finding fresh surface and the ball hooks more.
Hook	A ball that curves into the pins as it approaches them.
Hook potential	How much a ball is built to hook. Coverstock, core, and surface all feed this. It is a range, not a promise, because your speed and rev rate still matter.
House ball	An undrilled or house-drilled plastic ball sitting on the rack. Fine for a casual night. A poor long-term choice if you want a repeatable game.
Hybrid	A reactive cover that mixes solid and pearl. It is built for a middle look: some mid-lane read with more backend than a solid, less skid-flip than a pearl.
Layout	How the core is oriented when the ball is drilled, based on your PAP. Layout changes when the ball reads and how sharp the move is. It does not turn a weak ball into a monster.
Mass bias	The extra lopsided weight in an asymmetrical core. It gives the ball a preferred spin axis and usually a more defined breakpoint.
PAP	Positive axis point. The spot on the ball that stays still while the ball rotates. Layouts are measured from here, so two bowlers should not copy the same pin placement blindly.
Pearl	A reactive cover with additives that help the ball skid longer, then make a sharper move when it hits friction.
Plastic	A polyester cover with almost no hook. The usual choice for spare shooting and for beginners who want the ball to go straight.
Reactive resin	The coverstock family most strike balls use. It grips the dry part of the lane and creates more hook than plastic or urethane.
RG value	Radius of gyration. A measurement of how quickly the ball wants to start rolling. Lower RG generally rolls earlier. Higher RG skids longer before it picks up.
Solid	A reactive cover with a duller, more textured look. It usually reads earlier and stays in a smoother arc, which is why it shows up so often on heavier oil.
Spare ball	A straight-rolling ball, almost always plastic, used to convert leaves without bringing hook into the shot.
Surface	The grit or polish on the cover right now. Sanding a ball makes it read sooner. Polishing it gives it more length. This is the fastest adjustment you can make.
Symmetrical core	A core with even weight distribution and no meaningful mass bias. It usually produces a smoother, more predictable arc that is easier to control.
Urethane	A cover that creates earlier, more even friction than reactive resin. It rolls sooner, stays on a continuous arc, and does not snap as hard at the breakpoint.

Miscellaneous Bowling Terms

Term	Definition
Anchor	The last player to bowl (most likely, the best player).
Kegler	A term of German origin for "bowler".
Kindling wood	Pins that fall easily during a game (light pins).
Kingpin	Refers to either the head pin or 5 pin depending on local usage.
Maples	Refers to bowling pins or the point the player intends to use as a target.
Match play	One-on-one competition between individual players.
Mister Average	Term used for an absent bowler whose average is used (Miss Average for ladies).
Open bowling	Non-league bowling for fun or practice.

Next time you're at the lanes and someone yells about a "hambone" or groans over a "sour apple," you'll know exactly what's going on. And maybe even join in the fun! Mastering these terms is like unlocking a new level in your bowling journey. It sharpens your ear for advice from better players, helps you talk shop when picking gear, and just makes the whole experience more enjoyable. Got a favorite term or one that always trips you up? Let us know. We're all here to help each other roll better. See you on the approach!

Bowling Terms Frequently Asked Questions