The 7-10 split is widely considered the hardest shot in bowling, but guess what: Statistically, it’s not! According to a fascinating statistical analysis of professional bowlers’ scores since 2003, the hardest shot in bowling is actually the 4-6-7-9-10 split, also known in bowling lingo as a “Greek Church”. 

Whether you compete in one of our bowling leagues or just compete against yourself, check out these tips to learn how to pick up a spare on the three hardest shots in bowling. 

How to Land the Hardest Bowling Shots

7-10 Split aka “Bedposts”

The 7-10 split is challenging, but not impossible. With two pins left standing, one on either side of the deck, it takes skillful calculation, impressive technique, and maybe a little luck to pull this one off. Here’s how to pick up a 7-10 split: 

• Start with a lighter weight ball.
• Begin on the side of the lane opposite your dominant hand. 
• Aim for the inside edge of the pin in front of you. If you’re right handed, this should be the 7; if left handed, the 10. 
• Aim for accuracy and speed with your throw. 

If you’re on your game and luck is on your side, the bowling ball will strike the inside of the pin, knocking it into the wall with enough force that it will bounce across the deck and take out the other pin. It’s a tough move, but if you can pull it off, you’ll have beaten the odds and given yourself something to brag about to your bowling buddies!

4-6-7-10 aka “The Big 4”

Bowlers are a colorful bunch, so you may have also heard this split called “Big Ears,” “Grandma’s Teeth,” or “The Golden Gate Split.” Much like a 7-10, your best bet with this is to get enough power on the throw that the pins on one side will fly into the pins on the other side of the deck, or bounce out of the pit and hit them. Your ball will need to hit the pocket just right to give you any chance of this happening. And remember, you need to throw the ball as fast as you can to provide enough energy to get all four pins. 

4-6-7-9-10 split aka “Greek Church”

If you’re left with this split—2 pins on one side of the deck, 3 on the other—you might think it will be easier because you have more pins to work with. Unfortunately, you’d be wrong. This is another super rare spare to pick up. If you’re feeling lucky, aim to hit the 6 pin, which will hopefully bounce off the 9, which then strikes the 10 before crossing the deck to take out the 7 and 4. 

All of these shots have a very low probability of working, but hey—that’s what makes it even more thrilling when you do pull one of them off! 

Good luck, bowlers. We hope to see you at Rab’s soon, home of the best bowling on Staten Island. 

This one’s for you, lefties! As you surely know, the world is set up for right-handed folks, from scissors and desks to golf clubs and even your computer mouse. The same usually goes for house bowling balls, but don’t stress—being left-handed might actually be a boon to your bowling game! 

According to HowStuffWorks, left-handed athletes tend to dominate in many types of pro sports, from boxing and tennis to baseball and bowling. Lefties make up only about 10% of the general population, but they account for one third of MLB players, 20% of elite fencers, and 20% of PBA top-50 bowlers, just to give a few examples. Part of the benefit of left-handedness probably comes from the element of surprise; after all, if you’re used to competing against right-handed opponents, you’re less likely to be prepared for a left-handed attack. However, in bowling it’s a little more complicated. 

Some people think that left-handed bowlers have it easier because the left side of the lane tends to have a more consistent oil pattern. Fewer left-handed bowlers means that the left side gets less action, providing a more consistent surface. 

Left-Handed Bowling Tips

Whether it’s a real advantage or just an ego-booster, you might as well enjoy the aura of mystery and danger being left-handed brings to your bowling game. Check out these left-handed bowling tips, and give them a try during one of our open bowling sessions!

 Buy your own left-handed bowling ball. 

If you only retain one left-handed bowling tip, make it this one: Choose a bowling ball designed for left-handed bowlers. The center weight is different in a ball designed for a lefty, so if you try to bowl with a right-handed bowling ball, you’re not going to have your best game. 

Get your ball custom drilled. 

Improperly fitted finger and thumb holes are one of the most common problems for any bowler, left- or right-handed. Fortunately you can get your bowling ball custom drilled at Rab’s! Just stop by and speak to our pro shop staff for help getting the perfect fit with your ball. 

Perfect your posture. 

While it might be harder to find examples of how to bowl left-handed, it’s worth putting in the time to perfect your stance. The way you hold the ball, how far you bring your arm back, your approach—they’re all vital aspects of your game. 

Buy your own bowling shoes.

Most bowling shoes are designed to accommodate right-handed bowlers, and bowling alley rental shoes are typically only made for sliding, not traction. To play your best game, it’s worth it to invest in your own pair of bowling shoes, and you can customize the soles for sliding or traction based on your personal bowling style. 

Practice makes perfect, so remember to practice with left-handed balls when you bowl at Rab’s!

Just as you’d never try to compete on the court without basketball shoes, take the pitch without soccer cleats, or run a race without proper running shoes, you can’t bowl without bowling shoes! While we offer bowling shoe rentals in a full range of sizes from toddler size 5 to men’s 20, more frequent or serious bowlers generally tend to invest in their own shoes.

If you’re considering buying bowling shoes, you’re in the right place. Check out these tips for choosing the right bowling shoes, and visit our Staten Island pro shop to order or ask any questions you have about bowling gear. 

What to Consider When Choosing Bowling Shoes

What size do you wear?

While this sounds simple, it’s worth getting your feet professionally measured to find out what your actual shoe size is—even if you think you already know! Many people don’t realize that they may need a wide or narrow width shoe rather than a standard width shoe, or that bowling shoes are available in multiple widths. Plus, your feet can change shape and size over time, so you might be surprised at what your current size actually is.

A shoe that is too tight can lead to blisters, chafing, and pain, but a shoe that is too loose can also cause chafing by sliding around too much on your foot. This will also negatively impact your balance and can throw you off your game. 

How often do you bowl?

If you only bowl once or twice a year, you may not feel the need to buy bowling shoes. After all, renting is convenient and relatively affordable. However, if you play more frequently than that, even if you’re not a regular bowler, you may still want to buy an inexpensive pair of bowling shoes. Casual, sporadic play doesn’t require the highest quality shoes, and since you’re not putting a lot of wear and tear on them, even an entry-level bowling shoe will hold up for a long time. You’ll end up saving at least as much as you would have spent on rentals during that time. 

Where do you bowl? 

If you bowl rarely and at the same bowling alley every time, a basic bowling shoe might be just fine. However, if you visit various bowling alleys, you may want to consider a performance bowling shoe. These higher-quality shoes typically allow for adjustments so you can respond to the unique conditions of whichever bowling alley you happen to be playing at. 

How serious/competitive are you about bowling? 

If you bowl regularly, whether socially or competitively, you should definitely buy your own bowling shoes! Not only will you save money on renting, but you’ll also appreciate the difference your own shoes can make in your game. 

Regular use means that you should opt for a higher-quality bowling shoe, even if you aren’t in a league. You’ll want a shoe that can stand up to regular use and the wear and tear that comes with it. For social bowling, an athletic style bowling shoe will meet your needs. These look like sneakers as opposed to the classic bowling shoe style. 

However, if you bowl competitively, you’ll definitely want to opt for a performance bowling shoe. 

Do you need interchangeable sole and heel pads?

Competitive bowling requires a higher quality shoe, known as a competitive or performance bowling shoe. These shoes usually feature interchangeable sole and heel pads, allowing the bowler to adjust the slide vs. traction of their approach according to whatever surface they’re bowling on. 

Whether you bowl just for fun or want to join a Staten Island bowling league, we hope to see you soon at Rab’s!