Understanding Bowling Arrows & Targeting

What Are Those Markings on the Lane?

If you've ever looked at a bowling lane, you've probably noticed two sets of markings: dots on the approach and near the foul line, and arrows (also called "targets") about 15 feet past the foul line.

These aren't decorative — they're a targeting system. Every serious bowler uses them to aim their shots instead of staring at the pins 60 feet away.

The Dots: Where You Stand

There are two rows of dots on the approach floor:

• Starting dots (about 12-15 feet from the foul line) — Use these to set your starting position
• Foul line dots (right at the foul line) — Use these to check where your sliding foot ends up

Both rows have 7 dots spaced across the width of the lane. The centre dot aligns with the centre of the lane, and the others correspond to specific board positions.

The Arrows: Where You Aim

The 7 arrows are located about 15 feet past the foul line. They're shaped like inverted triangles and point toward the pins. Each arrow is 5 boards apart.

The key arrows to know:

• Centre arrow (4th from either side) — Board 20, the centre of the lane
• 2nd arrow from right — Board 10, the most common strike target for right-handers
• 2nd arrow from left — Board 30, the most common strike target for left-handers
• 1st arrow (gutter side) — Board 5, used for cross-lane spare shots

Why Aim at Arrows Instead of Pins?

This is the single most important targeting concept in bowling: aim at the arrows, not the pins.

The reason is simple geometry and human perception:

• The arrows are 15 feet away. The pins are 60 feet away.
• A small aiming error at 15 feet translates to a small miss at the pins
• A small aiming error at 60 feet is amplified by the distance — you miss by much more
• It's far easier for your brain to hit a target 15 feet away than 60 feet away

Think of it like throwing darts: you look at the dartboard, not at the wall behind it. The arrows are your dartboard.

How to Make Adjustments

The real power of arrow targeting is how easy it makes adjustments. If your shot isn't hitting the pocket, there's a simple rule:

This is counterintuitive at first — if you're missing right, why move right? Because you're changing the angle your ball takes to reach the arrow, which changes where it ends up at the pins.

Start with small moves (1-2 boards). A 2-board move at the foul line translates to roughly 3-4 boards of difference at the pins.

Building Your Targeting Habit

• Pick your arrow before you step on the approach — Don't figure it out mid-throw
• Lock your eyes on the arrow during your entire approach — Don't glance at the pins
• Watch the ball cross the arrow — This tells you if your aim was accurate, regardless of what happens at the pins
• Note where you end up — Check which foul-line dot your sliding foot finishes on. Consistency here means consistency everywhere.

Once targeting becomes second nature, you'll find your accuracy improves dramatically — and adjustments become a matter of small, deliberate moves rather than guesswork.