Why Spares Matter More Than Strikes
Here's a truth that surprises most beginners: spare shooting has a bigger impact on your average than strike shooting.
A bowler who strikes 40% of the time but converts only 50% of their spares will average lower than a bowler who strikes 25% but converts 80% of their spares. Missed spares are where most recreational bowlers lose the most pins.
Single-pin spares are the easiest to convert and the most common leave. Master these first — multi-pin spares can wait.
The Universal Rule: Throw Straight at Spares
Even bowlers who hook the ball for strikes should throw straight at single-pin spares. Why?
- A straight ball is more predictable — it goes where you aim it
- A hook ball is affected by lane conditions, which change throughout a session
- There's no benefit to hitting a single pin at an angle — you just need to hit it
Many bowlers use a spare ball (usually a plastic/polyester ball) specifically for spare shooting. It doesn't react to lane conditions, so it goes straight every time.
The Cross-Lane System
The key to single-pin spare shooting is using the entire width of the lane. Instead of standing in your normal spot and adjusting slightly, move to the opposite side of the approach and throw diagonally across the lane.
This gives you two advantages:
- Bigger target — Throwing at an angle means the ball passes through a wider "zone" where the pin sits
- More room for error — If you miss left or right by a board or two, the diagonal angle still covers the pin
Pin on the right side (e.g. 10 pin) → Move to the far left of the approach, throw diagonally right
Pin on the left side (e.g. 7 pin) → Move to the far right of the approach, throw diagonally left
Pin in the centre (e.g. 5 pin) → Stay near your strike position, aim at your strike target
The 10 Pin (Right-Handers' Nemesis)
The 10 pin is the single most-missed spare in bowling for right-handed bowlers. It's the back-right corner pin, and it's a long way from your natural release position.
Here's a reliable system:
- Stand: Move to the far left side of the approach. Line up your left foot with the third dot from the left.
- Aim: Target the third arrow from the right (roughly the centre arrow). This creates a diagonal line from left-to-right across the lane.
- Throw: Straight. No curve. Follow through toward the 10 pin.
- Adjust: If you miss left, move your feet one board left. If you miss right, move one board right.
The 10 pin feels intimidating because it's alone in the corner, but with a consistent cross-lane angle, it becomes routine. The best bowlers convert it 85%+ of the time.
The 7 Pin (Left-Handers' Nemesis)
The 7 pin is the back-left corner — the mirror image of the 10 pin. For right-handers, it's actually easier because you're throwing toward your natural side.
- Stand: Move to the right side of the approach
- Aim: Target the second or third arrow from the left
- Throw: Straight, diagonally across the lane to the left
Left-handers face the 7 pin the way right-handers face the 10 — use the same cross-lane system in mirror.
The Other Single Pins
Once you've nailed the corner pins, the others are easier because they're closer to the centre of the lane:
- 2 Pin or 3 Pin
- These are in the front-middle row, close to the centre. Use your normal strike position or shift just 2-3 boards. Aim at your strike target.
- 4 Pin or 6 Pin
- Middle row, slightly off-centre. Move a few boards toward the opposite side and throw a gentle diagonal. Not as extreme as the corner-pin cross-lane shot.
- 5 Pin
- Dead centre of the formation. Stand in your normal position and aim at your strike target. This should be the easiest spare on the rack.
- 8 Pin or 9 Pin
- Back row, near centre. Similar to the 5 pin — stay near your strike line and aim straight. A little more margin needed because they're farther back.
Building a Spare Shooting Routine
Consistency in spare shooting comes from routine, not instinct. Here's how to build one:
- Same setup every time — Always stand on the same board for the same spare. Don't improvise.
- Same target every time — Pick an arrow and commit. Don't change your target mid-approach.
- Same throw every time — Straight, controlled, and smooth. No extra speed, no extra force.
- Track your conversions — You can't improve what you don't measure. Knowing your 10-pin conversion rate (not just "I miss it a lot") gives you a specific number to improve.
When you leave a single pin, your immediate thought should be: "I know exactly where to stand and where to aim for this." If you don't, that's what practice is for.
Practice Drill: 10 Shots, 10 Spares
Next time you have an open lane for practice, try this:
- Bowl 10 shots at just the 10 pin (ask the centre to set single pins if possible, or just practice the line)
- Then 10 shots at the 7 pin
- Count your makes — aim for 7 out of 10 on each
- This focused practice will improve your spare rate faster than just bowling games
Twenty minutes of targeted spare practice once a week is worth more than three extra games of regular bowling. It's where the biggest average gains hide.