The Importance of Having Your Own Bowling Shoes

    As previously discussed, there is special equipment we need to use in Bowling as with any sport. 
With the exception of having a ball, using bowling shoes is an absolute must!! Never bowl in your street shoes or is socks!! Street shoes may have rubber soles and instead of sliding on your last step, you will be sticking and possibly fall over the foul line.Socks have no traction and you would definable go over the foul line and possibly slip on the oil that's on the lane. Either way you could end up with an injury or injure someone who is bowling next to you.

     If you're renting shoes, some bowling centers will use disinfectant after they are brought back, which kills some of the germs and deodorizes them, but I'm not too keen on the idea of wearing shoes that thousands of other people have used. Make sure you wear socks or you could end up with a case of Athletes Foot! Alley shoes are very well worn and you may end up with a shoe that doesn't fit well even though they are your size.These rental shoes are quite plain and somewhat ugly in my opinion. Renting also gives the impression to other bowlers that you don't bowl very often and are probably inexperienced. Shoes cost about $4, give or take a buck to rent, depending where you live. If you bowl every week in a 36 week league, you'll be spending $144 each year renting a pair of shoes.    
    
   With all of the above said, if you haven't gotten your own shoes yet, please do so as soon as you are able! They help you to slide on your last step for a smooth ball delivery, their soft leather soles protect the lane better than ordinary shoes, and they are a bit thicker than regular shoes so if a ball accidentally dropped off the ball rack, your foot would be a bit more protected. You can buy them online or in the local pro shop at the bowling center. Buying a good pair of shoes may only cost you $30-$50 and you'll have them for several years, plus you'll be using the same shoes consistently. They come in several designs and colors, and some even look like sneakers. You can also buy certain bowling shoes that only need the soles replaced when they wear down.

    NEVER wear bowling shoes outside or into the restroom. The soles can pick up dirt and other debris and can get wet causing you to stick on the lane. Other bowlers can step in anything you may have tracked up onto the lane and cause them to stick, possibly affecting their performance. I recommend buying SHOE COVERS that are made of vinyl and are waterproof. They have elastic around them so are easy to put on and take off, and cost about $15-20. I think they are well worth it, and please wear them on both shoes, not just your bowling shoe.

    If your sliding shoe is sticking on the lane, you're sliding too much, or there is some debris on the bottom of the sole, you can buy a WIRE BRUSH. To get more slide, hold the sliding shoe in your palm to support it and simply brush the sole gently in the direction from the toe to the heel repeating a few times. if you want a bit less slide, brush in the opposite direction.   

Wire Brush

    Join me back here next week when I'll be discussing "What do I need to know about Bowling"-Part 3

​    Good Luck and High Scoring!!