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

Half Ten Or Seven
When a right handed bowler hits the pocket and leaves a ten pin where the six pin doesn't do it's job by laying in the gutter. A weak shot because normally on a strong rolling ball the six either snaps the ten out or rings around the ten. Same goes for the seven and four pins for a lefty.

Handicap
Pins given to a player or team of lower ability and average to equalize competition.

Hard Way
The way a spare may be picked up by hitting the pins or pin in place not aimed at. Unintentional and lucky, because no one would try to make spares the hard way in competition if there was an easier way.

Head Pin
The pin closest to the bowler or front pin. The number one pin and first pin the ball hits on a good shot.

Heads
Basically the first third of the lane or twenty foot front part. The heads are a big challenge when there is not enough oil on them because a ball will hook too early and is difficult to control with consistency.

Helicopter Shot
A release that has a maximum of spin and therefore doesn't hook much but has good pin action. Very rarely seen in the U.S. and mostly used by some bowlers in the far east.

High
A shot that hits too much of the head pin instead of middle pocket.

Hit
What the ball does to the pins.

Hit Up On The Ball
The act of coming up through the ball with a maximum of leverage and lift. Sometimes a problem with today's aggressive equipment because the can over react.

Hold
When the ball stops hooking at the right time because of the oil pattern. A lot of hold makes it easy to hit the pocket.

Hole
Another name for the pocket.

Honor Score
A score that is good enough to be recognized by any organized body.

Hook
A ball that curves do to the rotation the bowler puts on it.

House
A bowling alley or center

House Ball
A ball owned by the house and used by it's patrons when they do not own their own. Normally drilled with conventional grips and made of polyester for recreational not competitive purposes.