Bowling Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

D.O.A.
Dead On Arrival. The ball rolled out before hitting the pins and hit without power.

Dead Ball
A ball rolled that doesn't count and is taken over as when a pin is missing from the rack the ball is thrown anyway. It also means a ball that once stored it's energy well when new but no longer hits the pins with power after becoming old. Sometimes a dead ball can be rejuvenated and sometimes it needs to be thrown out with the garbage.

Dead Wood
Any pins in the playing area that are not part of the shot coming up. The rules say the dead wood is to be removed before play continues. This is because they may help or hinder pin action.

Deck
The deck refers to the area where the pins are placed. The pin deck.

Deep Inside Line
A difficult line to play for all but advanced bowlers. The ball is released on a line that begins on the opposite side of the pocket, but crosses over the head pin and ends up hitting the pocket. Because the ball starts on a line traveling away from the pocket it takes more power to get the ball to drive through the pins and not deflect. Carry is often a problem when playing this line for all but power players.

Deflection
Too much ball deflection will cause poor pin action. Too little makes the pins fly over each other and the bowler will lose carry this way. Adjusting to get the ball's deflection through the pins just right takes experience and knowledge of the game.

Delivery
The act of throwing a bowling ball from setup to release.

Deuce
Any score of 200 or greater. Technically not including a perfect 300 game.

Differential
The difference between the minimum and maximum radius of gyration in a ball. It determines a ball's flare potential so that the higher the rg differential number the higher the flare potential.

Ditch
Another name for the gutter or channel on either side of the lane.

Dive
A ball reaction that snaps hard on the back end, most often the ball dives when there is too much hook and it is uncontrollable.

Dots
On the approach twelve and fifteen feet from the foul line and used for lining up and adjusting shot to shot. Also on the lane and near the foul line for the same reason.

Double
Two strikes in a row in the same game.

Double Gutter
Throwing the ball in the gutter twice in the same frame for zero. Do this after a double instead of a striking and the difference will be 60 pins off your score. Ouch.

Double Wood
Two pins one in front of the other. There are exactly three pins that can hide behind the pin in front of them, they are the 5, 8, 9 pins.

Down and In
A way to play the lane. A line that is straighter at the pocket from the outside part of the lane.

Drift
The approach of a bowler that is not straight but walks left or right. In some cases bowlers drift left and then back again to the right and visa versa. Determining the number of boards of drift can aid in the ability to know where to stand in order to play a certain line.

Drive
The action or power of a ball when it hits the pins.

Dry Lanes
A lane condition that doesn't have much oil or one that has broken down causing the ball to hook a lot.

Dump
Dropping the ball or losing the ball without putting any action on it with the fingers.

Dutch 200
A score of 200 accomplished by alternating strikes and spares all the way through it. Neat, but not that fun.