Written By: Ben Cosgrove
There’s a lot to be said for bowling. It’s loud. It involves a kind of controlled violence. It requires strength, coordination and genuine technique. And it’s damn fun.
Here, for no other reason than we like the sport and because the pictures are pretty cool, LIFE.com presents photographs of men, women and kids bowling. Some of the bowlers are serious. Some are what we might call hobbyists. Some are clearly awful. But what they all share is the evident desire to smash the pins. To make that improbable spare. To nail a convincing, resounding, unmistakable strike.
Ready to roll?
Pins Scatter As They Fall
Mark Kauffman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
A Bowler Leans With The Ball
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Body Language
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Have A Cigar
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Kneel Down
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Grimace
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Averted Eyes
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Midair Attention
Gjon Mili-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Women’s Bowling Champion
George Skadding-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Twinkle Watts Hits Her Stride
Bernard Hoffman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Team Sponsor
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
The Windup
Stan Wayman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Frustration
Stan Wayman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Bowling in Teaneck
Gjon Mili-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Cheering Section
Gjon Mili-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Church Bowling
Margaret Bourke-White-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Championship Stride
Francis Miller-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
The Queen of Bowling
Francis Miller-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Women Celebrate at a Bowling Alley Bar
Stan Wayman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
A Beauty Shop In A Bowling Alley
Stan Wayman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Children Bowling
Stan Wayman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Archers and Bowlers at the Sunnyside Bowl
J. R. Eyerman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
A Geisha Bowling in Kyoto
Larry Burrows-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
A Bowler Watches His Ball
Thomas D. McAvoy-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
