Magazine

Ten-pin bowling. It’s a sport that has taken its place in pop culture like no other, and a recreational activity enjoyed by millions around the world. With bawdy outfits and equally colourful and quirky animations signalling strikes, spares, and gutterballs, it’s no surprise that producers and directors of the big and small screens have flocked to use it as a reference point in TV shows and movies for many decades. From Critters to Two and a Half Men (which did a lot for the bowling shirt as a fashion statement), the sport pops up everywhere. But, bowling is, as well as a fun recreational pursuit, a legitimate sport in its own right. Let’s take a closer look at bowling in pop culture and how the modern professional game has evolved around the world.