It’s hard to get in some exercise when it’s too hot or rainy outside. Family fun often gets harder to schedule during the trying spring and summer months too. Of course, if you’re a fan of bowling then you know, there’s always a place to go to keep the whole family happy. However, spending hours at the bowling alley each week can really add up, especially if you’re paying by person. There’s a few ways you can enjoy the thrills of the bowling alley without spending a small fortune on it though. These ten tips will help you keep the money in your wallet, so you can enjoy your bowling without the financial stress.
1. Ask About Membership
A lot of bowling alleys love to take care of their frequent flyers. If you’re planning to make a habit of your bowling talents, then you may want to talk to your favorite bowling alley and ask if there are membership options to help you save some money. Often, you can pay a small fee and receive a reduced price for each game you plan. Some bowling alleys will even allow you to earn free games for games you’ve paid for. Even if the bowling alley doesn’t have an official membership program, they may use a punch card system that allows you to get a free game every time you fill up a new card. Sometimes, members of other clubs, such as a country club, can get a reduced price at the bowling alley, so that may be another thing to consider. All the same, there should be some form of club or card system that will help discount your games.
2. Join a League
If you love to give in to your competitive side, then you may want to consider joining a bowling league. Usually, each team must pay certain dues to get into the league, but after that you can enjoy practices and games without having to worry about forking over your hard earned money. Dues may seem a little high at first, but when you consider the amount of time you’ll get to spend in the alley, as well as your very own jersey, then the price will show just how much you’ll be saving. Plus, this is a great way to enjoy bowling as a social activity, which could help reduce stress from work. Not to mention, leagues are a great way to improve your skills as your teammates should be able to offer a few tips. There’s even leagues for kids, if you have a youngster who can’t get enough of the bowling alley.
3. Buy a Pass
Some bowling alleys love to have their customers stop by often, so they offer a Pass. This Pass can allow you to play a certain number of games a day for free during a certain period of time. The pass is perfect for anyone who loves to stop in for a game after school or work. Generally, it’s offered at a reduced price too as you are basically purchasing your games in bulk. Some places hold off on passes until summer time rolls around, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t find the deal right away. Of course, if you take the time to talk to a manager of your bowling alley than you may find out lots of details on passes that will save you money, particularly the date in which passes become available.
4. Shop Clearance
One way to get more out of your bowling game is to buy your own equipment. A lot of bowling alleys will take off a small fee if you’re not using their bowling balls or other supplies. So, it may be a wise choice to pick out your own items. Of course, choosing your own bowling ball can improve your game anyway and may help you transform a simple game into more of an exercise as you can purchase the proper weight. Another great thing about choosing your own bowling ball is you can choose the proper size for the finger holes. You don’t have to spend a small fortune on a ball though as many bowling stores have clearance sales all of the time. In fact, you may even be able to purchase a ball you’ve taken to from your own bowling alley. Apart from the ball itself, you’ll probably want to get a special bowling bag to ensure that your ball is safe and sound and easy to transport. These can be found on clearance too or in thrift stores and auction sites. Apart from that, you may want to stock up on clearance bowling towels and other supplies you think might make your bowling experience better.
5. Maintain Your Supplies
If you spend the money to purchase your own bowling supplies, then you will certainly want to take the time to maintain them, so you don’t have to worry about spending the money to buy them again. One thing you can do to ensure that your bowling ball is in tip-top shape is to rub it down after each day you use it. You don’t want the dirt and grease to set into your ball, so a quick rub down will a ball towel should do the trick. You should also consider giving the ball a 20-minute soak in warm to hot water every few minutes. Of course, if you do this make sure to tape up the finger holes, so your ball won’t be damaged. Apart from the ball, if you have bowling shoes then it’s pretty much imperative that you spray them often to get rid of potential fungus. Also, you should take a wire brush to the soles of your shoes to help get rid of oils that may wear them down over time. If you have a bowling bag, bowling towels or other supplies then follow the care instructions to ensure you get the most possible use out of them. If all else fails, you can always take your supplies to a professional, but you may end up spending more than you want this way.
6. Purchase Shoes
If you’re planning on going bowling more than once, then one of the best things you can do is buy your own pair of shoes. This can be an investment, but you’ll save more money in the long run. Not only will you be able to ditch the extra fee of renting a pair of shoes, but you’ll also have a cleaner experience. When you use bowling shoes, there’s always a chance you can develop a fungus, even when the shoes are properly kept clean. Of course, you’ll also be able to find shoes that fit your feet better, which will ensure you’ll easily be able to feel more comfortable while you bowl and it’ll be less likely to cause problems with your back and knees. You may not want to splurge on children’s bowling shoes though as they grow so fast that you’d have to actually go bowling frequently to get your money’s worth out of them.
7. Look for Freebies
In the bowling world, there’s actually a whole lot of freebies to be had. You simply have to go out and look for them! Often, you can find free nights to bowl, particularly in the down season. Sometimes, the bowling alley will even offer free food or drinks with the purchase of a night of bowling. This can help keep everyone nice and happy during the game. Also, there is actually a program that allows children to get free bowling games all summer long. This can truly help save you money while keeping the kids incredibly busy. If you’re at a loss for where to find the freebies call your local bowling alley, or browse online.
8. Skip the Snacks
When it comes down to it, it’s pretty hard to get children to avoid the snack bar. In fact, it can actually be pretty hard for adults too. However, the snack bar can really set you back when you shop from it. It doesn’t matter if you’re grabbing food or a few beers, the prices at the bowling alley tend to be overpriced, plus the stuff is not very good for your health either. One way to combat the cost of the snack bar is to use coupons to get your snacks. However, avoiding the snack bar is your best bet altogether. Make sure to eat before you go bowling so that the food won’t be appetizing. If you’re worried about drinks, then pack a reusable water bottle. Usually you can fill them up for free at the bowling alley, so you won’t have to worry about spending a penny there. A lot of bowling alleys won’t care if you pack snacks for the kids though. However, if you do, make sure they’re not messy.
9. Don’t Go Solo
One of the best things you can do when it comes to bowling is to go with your friends. If you go alone then you end up paying for a lane and all of the accessories on your own. Sure, this can be great if you want to get rid of some tension, but you may want to avoid doing this if you’re trying to save money. By going as a group, you’re automatically going to save money because you can share a lane, which is all one charge. If the alley charges per person, then you’ll still save money because you will still only use one lane to play. Not to mention, you can usually find groupons and other items to help combat the price, so you can have a little fun with your friends.
10. Set Up Your Own
Of course, one of the best ways to skip the prices of the bowling alley is to avoid it all together. You can easily set up an indoor or outdoor bowling alley atyour own home, so you won’t have to pay an entry fee. There’s a whole lot of fun ideas to choose from when it comes to your own personal alley too. If the weather is particularly hot, then you can always use a slip n slide to set up your alley. There’s a variety of things that you can use for pins, including water balloons. Once everything is set up then let the kids be their own bowling ball. If you’re looking for an indoor friendly set, then use household items as pins and soft items like a pair of rolled up socks or a foam ball as the bowling ball. You can also buy a bowling set for cheap, which should keep everyone happy.
Bowling is a fun family activity that’s great for most ages. Although this activity can be cheap for the most part, there’s still a few charges that may end up causing your finances a bit of grief. However, with these simple tips, you should be able to enjoy your favorite activity without as much financial stress.
