Bowling Lane Courtesy Variations

Scott Pohl, owner of On Track Pro Shop, explains the differences between league and tournament bowling lane courtesy. When it is your turn, be ready with a bowling ball in hand at the settee. Regardless of the lane courtesy your competition is observing, this is good general practice.

1 Lane Courtesy

League and open play observe 1 Lane Courtesy as their preferred bowling etiquette.

If you are up on lane 3, bowlers on lanes 2 and 4 have to wait while the bowlers on lanes 1 and 5 can bowl simultaneously with you.

2 Lane Courtesy

Scratch events and higher level competitions tend to observe 2 Lane Courtesy as their preferred bowling etiquette.

If you’re up on lane 3, bowlers on lanes 1, 2, 4 and 5 can not bowl while bowlers on lanes 6 and 9 can bowl simultaneously with you.

1 Pair Courtesy (Double Jump)

The highest level competitions like the PBA and PWBA events observe 1 Pair Courtesy as their preferred bowling etiquette.

If you’re up on lane 3, bowlers on lanes 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 cannot bowl. Lane 7 can bowl simultaneously with you. Essentially, you are waiting for the pair to your right and left to finish bowling before you can go. Knowing the lane courtesy for the event you are bowling at will keep pace of play moving and avoid problems throughout the competition.

Check out more ways to prepare for a tournament and drills you can do at home to help scratch your bowling itch.