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?
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Pins Scatter As They Fall
Mark Kauffman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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A Bowler Leans With The Ball
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Body Language
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Have A Cigar
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Kneel Down
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Grimace
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Averted Eyes
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Midair Attention
Gjon Mili-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Women’s Bowling Champion
George Skadding-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Twinkle Watts Hits Her Stride
Bernard Hoffman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Team Sponsor
Ralph Morse-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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The Windup
Stan Wayman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Frustration
Stan Wayman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Bowling in Teaneck
Gjon Mili-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Cheering Section
Gjon Mili-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Church Bowling
Margaret Bourke-White-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Championship Stride
Francis Miller-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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The Queen of Bowling
Francis Miller-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Women Celebrate at a Bowling Alley Bar
Stan Wayman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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A Beauty Shop In A Bowling Alley
Stan Wayman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Children Bowling
Stan Wayman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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Archers and Bowlers at the Sunnyside Bowl
J. R. Eyerman-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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A Geisha Bowling in Kyoto
Larry Burrows-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
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A Bowler Watches His Ball
Thomas D. McAvoy-Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock