A bowling lane is a rectangular alley that has two channels on each side for the bowling balls. Where the player stands is the foul line beyond which a player cannot pass. At the other end is the bowling pit that has the bowling pins as well as the automatic pinsetters and other machinery. In one bowling alley, there are multiple bowling lanes that are built of wooden boards. Here is the complete set of dimensions that you need to know about the bowling alley.
What are the dimensions of the bowling lane?
Here are the dimensions of the bowling lane:
The bowling lane is 60 feet long. The pin deck is 2 feet 10 3/16 inches from the headpin. The channels are 9 1/4th inches on both sides of the lane. The length of the bowling lane is measured from the foul line to the headpin. The entire bowling lane is 65 feet 10 3/16 inches to be exact. There are two approach dots are located 12 feet and 15 feet from the foul line which helps you to coordinate the footwork to avoid any kind of fouls. The arrow indicators are marked 15 feet from the foul line.
Lane Dimensions
The length of the bowling lane right from the foul line to the center of the headpin is 60 feet. The pin deck is 2 feet and 10 3/16 inches from the headpin. The 42 inches wide lane includes 39 boards which have a width of 1.06 inches.
The lane is divided into three parts:
- Front-end: This part is made for the first 20 feet of the lane.
- Mid-lane: This part represents the next 20 feet of the lane.
- Back-end: This back-end part represents the final 20 feet of the lane.
Bowling Alley Boards
The alleys are made up of one-inch wide boards containing 39 boards of approximately 1.06 inches in width which look very similar in outlook.
Bowling Approach Area
All bowling alleys have an approach area that must be compliant with regulatory standards and extends 15 feet back from the foul line. For example, the approach area must be the same width as the bowling lane. The dots on the approach line are placed 15 feet from the foul line while the second set of dots is 12 feet. The board has a seven-dot approach from left to right – 5,10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35. Today, many alleys use the five dots instead of 5 boards or 35 boards.
Arrows on Bowling Lane
The arrows or commonly known as the ‘dovetails’ are triangular in shape and are placed 15 feet from the foul line towards the pins. The arrow that is nearest to the edge of the lane is called the first arrow. It is placed on the 5 board with a distance o 5 inches from the edge. The next one is placed on the 10-board and is called the second arrow. Th third arrow is placed on the 15 board. The middle arrow is the fourth arrow and is placed on 20 board. It is 60 feet from the foul line. The fifth arrow is placed on the 25 board, the sixth on the 25 board while the final one (the seventh arrow) is marked on the 35 board. This set is fine for right-hand bowlers. For the left-hand bowlers, the reverse is true.
Location Markers
Usually, a bowling alley will not have hash markers. However, if there are breakpoint markings, then you will see four location markers too. The first set is placed at 34 and 37 feet from the foul line of boards 15 and 25. The second set is placed at 40 and 43 feet from the foul line on boards 10 and 30.
Pin Deck
The pins are placed in the shape of a 91.44cm (36 inches) equilateral triangle. Each of the pins is placed 30.48cm (12 inches) apart. There is a tail plank, 3 inches in size, after the pin deck. The pins are usually 4.75 inches wide and placed 7.25 inches apart from each other. The four rows of pins are placed at 10 3/8 inches from the adjacent row that starts from the headpin.
Regulation Size Bowling Lane
A regulation-size bowling lane must confide with the standards set by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC). The bowling alleys that can meet these USBC standards can hold bowling league tournaments. The regulation-sized bowling alley is 60 feet in length from the foul line and 41 7/8 inches wide. The bowling lanes are 83 feet and 2 inches long with a 3-foot service aisle and include the approach, lanes, and pinsetters.
Home Bowling Lane
The width of the home bowling lanes is 11 feet and 6 inches wide. The bowling land with a service raise would be 86 feet long. This would include a 16-foot approach, 60-foot lane, 7-foot pin deck, and a pit with a 3-foot service aisle. Many people who do not have space even go for a 55 feet lane and give it an arcade look.
