Bowling is easy to pick up and hard to master, which is why it works for almost everyone. You roll a heavy ball down a long, oiled lane and try to knock down ten pins, with two tries per frame and ten frames in a game. Most alleys keep score automatically, so all you have to do is aim and hope.

Bowling centers range from old-school neighborhood lanes to big entertainment venues with arcades, restaurants and bars. Many run glow or cosmic bowling nights with blacklights and loud music. In some regions you'll also find candlepin, duckpin or five-pin bowling, played with smaller balls that have no finger holes, and they're well worth a try if there's a center near you.

The Date Activity

Bowling is a classic date for good reasons. You take turns, so there's plenty of time to talk, and everyone throws a gutter ball sooner or later, which takes the pressure off. Put silly nicknames on the scoreboard, high-five every spare, and if one of you is a beginner, ask for the bumpers. Nobody minds.

Glow bowling nights make the lanes feel like a party, while a weekday evening is quieter and usually cheaper. Bowling fits easily into a bigger evening: have dinner first, then finish with a game of pool, or sing a song or two at karaoke if there's a bar nearby.

On Your Own / With Friends

Bowling is one of the best group outings around. Four to six people per lane keeps the game moving, and many centers sell party packages with lane time, shoes and food, which makes birthdays and office outings easy to organize. Reserve ahead for groups, especially on weekends.

Many centers also run leagues, from serious to purely social, and some will place solo bowlers on a team. Bowling alone is completely normal, too: plenty of regulars come by themselves to practice their spares and work on a hook.

Good to Know

Lanes usually charge by the game or by the hour, plus shoe rental; by the hour is often the better deal for big groups. Wear or bring socks. Pick a house ball you can swing comfortably. A common rule of thumb is about ten percent of your body weight, but comfort matters more, and the holes should fit snugly without pinching. Don't step past the foul line, because the lane is oiled and slippery. If the bowler on the next lane is stepping up at the same time, let the one on the right go first. And never wear bowling shoes outside.