What is the Average Bowling Score by Age: A Simple & Easy Guide In 2024!

Average bowling score by age! Keeping track of bowling scores is one of the most important things to do when you’re bowling. Not only does it help you understand how well you did in a single game but also indicates your bowling average score. Once you know how good or bad you are doing by checking out your average, you will understand how you can improve.

But how will you know if you have a good bowling average or not? Should age be a factor in determining a good bowling score? I know, this may sound puzzling. I’m here to point out the missing piece of the puzzle. So, to know the average bowling score by age, why don’t you read this article to the end?

bowling score sheets

Average bowling score age by age

Do you think 10-year-old and 40-year-old bowlers have the same average bowling score? Not! It is practically impossible for a kid to bowl as well as an adult. Similarly, a senior person won’t be able to score as high as he used to at a young age. So, it’s clear that bowlers of all ages cannot score the same.

The average bowling score of a player depends on his weight, height, physical capacity and strength, and of course his age. As we grow up, from a baby to a toddler, a toddler to a preteen, a preteen to a teen, a teen to an adult, and so on; we gradually start to grow more muscles. The more our muscles grow, the stronger we get. This means we get to bowl better, and bowling better means a better bowling average followed by better bowling scores. This is why pre-teens, teenagers, adults, and elderly bowlers— they all score differently.

Age Between 10 Years to 15 Years:

The youngest beginners in the bowling sport are pre-teens and teenagers who are bowling and practicing to get better. Usually, they start at an earlier age but start competitive bowling as they start to progress. What we think is that kids under the age of ten bowl for fun, except for some exceptional prodigies who are scoring a legit 300 game.

Have you heard of Hannah Diem? This 9-year-old kid is currently the record holder for “the youngest person to ever bowl a 300 game”. After she successfully bowled 12 back-to-back strikes, she glamorously earned the title of the youngest United States Bowling Congress (USBC) member to ever roll a certified perfect game. Now, these are extremely rare cases. When we are learning about the bowling score averages, we look into the general and broader data of bowlers who are aged between 10 to 15 years.

Commonly, young bowlers within this age range have an average score of around 100. Kids between the age of 10-12 years are more likely to have an average score of 90-120. Teens who are new to bowling are also going to have this kind of average score. With years of practice, preteens can develop their skills and around the age of 13-15 years, teenagers can comfortably secure their average bowling score anywhere between 130 and 150.

If you’re not within this range of average score yet, don’t worry, you will get there. I have seen young 13-year-old bowlers in my local alley who are constantly scoring around 170. So it is entirely up to a bowler’s physical capacity, skills, and bowling techniques.

Age Between 15 Years to 30 Years:

Professional bowlers start their bowling practice and career at a very early age. By the time these professionals officially become PBA or USBC members, they turn 30. So, yes, most of these pro bowlers are over the age of 30. That’s a long shot to take a career that far.

If you are between 15 and 30 years old, you can label yourself as an advanced or intermediate bowler. If you are still in your late teenage days, you should be proud of yourself for having an average between 150-190. For bowlers in their early 20s, 200+ is a very decent bowling average, unless you already have a higher score, then good for you!

Statistically, the average bowling score for players who are aged between 15 to 30 years should be 170 to 220. The older you get, the more skills you gain, and this will lead to an even higher bowling average. So as you grow older, start to aim higher than your current average score.

Age Between 30 Years to 45 Years:

It takes about 5-10 years to be a certified professional bowler. That’s hours, let me rephrase, years of practice, and hard work. If you have been bowling for more than 5 to 10 years, soon you’ll become a pro, and by the time you are one, you will probably be 30.

Reasonably, most professional bowlers that have ever scored a perfect game are older than 30 years. All these reasons make sense as to why the average is a bit high in this category. Has it been years since you’ve been in this particular sport? Then you can expect an average score of 200 to 250 or probably more (as per your personal bowling experience and skills).

Age Above 45 Years:

I have seen bowlers in their late 70s still going strong and scoring 270+ every time they play. I have also seen bowlers in their late 50s bowling as senior bowlers, using lighter bowling balls due to physical condition, and scoring around 150. So what happens after the age of 45 among bowlers varies a lot.

According to several studies and data analysis, bowlers who are around the age of 45 and older can’t score the same as they used to in their early days. Indeed, your body starts to get weakened as you grow older. Accepting these changes is one of the challenging things to do. As a bowler starts to get older, he/she will lack the speed and energy compared to what he/she has.

Because bowling relies vastly on a player’s physical strength and control, there will be changes in the average score as a bowler grows older. If you suddenly notice your bowling average has dropped and there’s nothing you can do about it, adjust to this new average. Because you can’t bend your knees and swing your arm like before, be ready to see your bowling average score decrease.

But what about bowlers who have only started bowling after the age of 45? Doesn’t matter if you start bowling late or early, at your age your average bowling score is supposed to be between 120-150. If you have a much higher average, well, congratulations! I hope I can bowl as strong as you in my old days.

If you want to aim higher evaluate your physical condition first, and see if you have any restrictions or not. If you think you are capable of bowling a bit stronger, go ahead, and set a new record! However, be careful with your body movement as now you’re more prone to injuries. Trust me, you don’t want that.

FAQs Of Average Bowling Score by Age!

Conclusion

So how old are you and what’s your current bowling average? It’s alright if your current average doesn’t match the age-based averages. If it is a bit low, work on your moves and get better at bowling. If you’re already a few steps ahead, good luck! Keep on shining! It is difficult to categorize bowling average scores like this because every bowler is unique in their way. This article only mentions a few estimations. If you think you can do so much better than this estimated average bowling score, go ahead! I wish you nothing but good luck. So go ahead and prove everyone wrong!