Bowling Glossary

Par
Par in bowling is 200.

Pearlized
A type of bowling ball coverstock which is pearlized in appearance. Normally a pearlized version of a certain bowling ball when go a little longer.

Perfect Game
All strikes in one game. No opens or spares. Consists of twelve strikes in a row.

Pin
Marks the top of the weight block in a bowling ball. Also what you are trying to knock over with the ball.

Pin Action
The pins hitting each other at the impact of the bowling ball.

Pin Deck
The part of the lane where the pins are standing with marks where the pins go.

Pin Placement
A high performance ball is drilled with the pin or top of the weight block in a certain position. This is done to create a certain type of roll.

Pinching The Ball
This is gripping the ball too hard. Usually with thumb bent too much.

Pines
The wood beyond the heads all the way to the pin deck in wood lanes.

Pinfall
The running total of the bowlers score in competition.

Pit
Where you want the pins to end up after the ball hits them. Just beyond the pin deck.

Pitch
Angle of holes drilled in a bowling ball.

Play The Gutter
To play near the gutter or channel.

Plug
A substance used to fill the holes of a bowling ball so you can drill it differently.

Plus
Number of pins over a 200 average in competition.

Pocket
Between the head pin and the next pin over. This is the place to hit for strikes.

Pocket Split
A split left while hitting the pocket.

Point
To throw the ball on a line that is direct at the pocket from an outside line.

Polishing The Ball
The process of changing the surface of the ball for the purpose of making it go longer down the lane before hooking.

Polyester
A coverstock type and now used generally for spare balls by higher average bowlers. Beginners also get a ball made with a polyester coverstock and then mover to a move aggressive urethane or reactive resin after learning to put spin on the ball.

Position Round
The last game of a competition in which the bowlers are matched up by position for one last match. 1st vs 2nd , 3rd vs 4th etc. Also used just before the stepladder finals qualifiers are determined in some older format styles.

Positive Axis Point
The point on the ball that doesn't move when the ball rotates. This is the positive side of the ball which is the side the the pocket is on when the ball is rolling down the lane. The positive axis point is determined at the initial point of release.

Positive Weight
Static weight of a ball on the positive side of the grip or pocket side of the ball as it rolls. The weight is determined by weighing one half against the other.

Pot Game
A game bowled against other bowlers where each one puts in a money amount and usually the winner takes all.

Power Player
A bowler with a high revolution rate. The bowler tends to have a high back swing but not always. A lot of hand speed through the release is required among other things. Advantages are more pin action and area to the pocket. Disadvantages are that it can be hard to develop consistency. This is the dominant style in today's game for the most part. Grip it and rip it.

Preferred Spin Axis
Every ball has two preferred spin axis points. This is due to the weight block being not perfectly round. This is the point on the ball that the positive axis point of the ball will migrate towards when spinning. This is like a football tending to spin or migrate towards a spiral which would be the low radius of gyration number or an end over end spin which would be the high radius of gyration number.

Pull
A pull happens usually with late timing and the ball ends up going inside of target. Feels like pulling from the top and through the shot.

Punch Out
To finish the game with strikes all the to the end. Usually not used when referring to a perfect game.

Pushaway
The first move of the ball in the approach. The majority of pro bowlers are tending to drop the ball away instead these days.