What is turkey in bowling? Have you been bowling with your experienced bowler friends? Or, you’re a regular bowler who goes to bowling alleys frequently. Either way, I suppose, you must have heard the term “Turkey” at some point in your game. Maybe it was one of your friends who said it out loud or someone who was playing right next to your lane
Did you understand why they said it out loud? What is the meaning behind it? One thing you may have noticed is that they say it after a particular shot or score. It’s absolutely alright to feel clueless if you have not understood why is it called a turkey in bowling. Hence, I am here to clarify everything you need to know regarding “turkey”.
What is a bowling turkey called?
Simply put, three consecutive strikes in bowling is called a “turkey”. The word “turkey” is one of the most common bowling lingo used around bowlers all over the world. However, you will mostly see it common in the USA these days. To score a turkey, a bowler needs to knock down all the pins on one of the first frames of their game and the bowler needs to repeat that 2 more times. So in total, there needs to be three strikes in a row to call it a ‘turkey’.
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Why 3 consecutive strikes is called turkey?
Have you ever wondered, why this particular three consecutive strike is called “turkey”? Before I tell you the tale of why is it called a turkey in bowling, you should know that the trace of bowling can be found all the way to 3200 BC. So, clearly, this game is pretty ancient. After modernization, the bowling vocabulary grew stronger. Bowlers never go out of words when it comes to using their own lingo.
So when bowling started to get popular during the end of the 1700s and the beginning of the 1800s, from working-class people to the aristocrats— everyone was enjoying it. At that time, medals, crests, titles, or winner rings were not established as prizes. Oftentimes, the winners were awarded gift baskets of various food. One of the most common coveted items was a large ham and yes, you guessed it right, a whole turkey!
During Thanksgiving in the United States, turkey became a more common prize for bowling tournaments. At some point, someone started the tradition to give away a turkey to a bowler who would score three strikes in a row. You must be wondering, well, that’s a lot of turkeys. But you see, back then bowling equipment was not produced using highly engineered technology. So scoring strikes were extremely difficult, let alone three of them in a row.
This prize-giving strategy opened up the eyes of many people and they started to practice harder to get 3 strikes in a row to win a free turkey. Well, to this day, it is not possible to hand over free turkey every time someone can score three consecutive strikes. And so, the tradition stopped. Turkeys were no longer a prize for winning a bowling match/tournament.
As bowling strikes started to get easier over time, bowling a turkey turned synonymous with three back-to-back strikes. Similar to this turkey tradition, other achievements in bowling got their own names and recognition, like Hambone, Golden Turkey, Wild Turkey, and even the Dinosaur.
How to bowl a turkey?
Have you been bowling for a while now? Usually, advanced bowlers who have been bowling for more than a year and practice regularly can often score three strikes in a row. The best way to achieve a turkey is to perfect your striking ability. If you have a bowling average of more than 200, then you probably score 2 or 3 strikes in your game (to the least). Now, all you have to do is learn to be consistent with your shots. The more consistent your shots get, the more you increase the chances of scoring a turkey.
So if you are all prepped up on the approach area with a target to secure a turkey, you need to double-check if your bowling ball and the lane are compatible. You don’t need to strike on your very first shot or on the very first frame. What you gotta do is score three consecutive strikes on the first frames on each shot. You need to knock down all the pins three times in a row with your bowling ball. If you’re an experienced pro bowler, then you might have already done it a few times in your bowling career, or best case scenario, a perfect game as well.
If you’re new, know that your road to a successful ‘perfect game’ is scoring turkey. One day, you are scoring one turkey, and the next day, you will be scoring two of them. Once you learn to completely achieve consistency in all of your shots, your dream of “a perfect game” is yet to happen.
FAQs Of What Is Turkey In Bowling!
What is a turkey in bowling?
- A turkey in bowling refers to the achievement of scoring three consecutive strikes in a single game. This is considered an impressive feat because it requires a high level of skill and precision to consistently knock down all ten pins with three consecutive throws.
Can beginners bowl a turkey?
- Yes, beginners can bowl a turkey, although it’s a rare accomplishment. It requires skill, luck, and the right conditions. Practicing your bowling technique, including your form, swing, and release timing, can improve your chances. Using the right bowling ball and knowing where to aim are also crucial tips for achieving a turkey.
How many points is a turkey worth in bowling?
- The scoring of a turkey can depend on the specific circumstances of the game. Typically, each strike in a turkey is worth 10 points, plus the number of pins knocked down with the next two balls thrown. Therefore, the minimum score for a turkey can start from 30 points, assuming no additional bonuses from subsequent frames.
Why is it called a “turkey” in bowling?
- The term “turkey” dates back to the early 1900s, originating from bowling alleys that would reward players with a live turkey for scoring three consecutive strikes during tournaments, especially around Thanksgiving. This was at a time when achieving such a feat was particularly challenging due to the less standardized equipment and lane conditions.
What comes after a turkey in bowling terminology?
- After a turkey, the next achievements in bowling terminology include a “four-bagger” or “hambone” for four consecutive strikes. The terms continue to escalate with the number of consecutive strikes, such as a “brat” for five, “wild turkey” or “six-pack” for six, and further up to a “perfect game” or “Dinosaur” for twelve consecutive strikes, which is the highest achievement.
Conclusion
Do you plan to win a turkey? Well, sadly, you can’t win an actual bird now. But winning the synonymous turkey is just as prestigious! So I recommend you to keep on practicing and soon you will get the knack for it. Don’t worry, you got this! If you have any more questions regarding the bowling scoring system and the names of any particular score, leave a comment, and I will get back to you in a bit. Until then, keep on having fun and happy bowling!
Passionate Bowler and Bowling Enthusiast
Jess Pinelli is a dedicated bowling enthusiast with a deep love for the sport that spans over 6 years. With numerous strikes, spares, and a few gutter balls under hes belt, he has honed his skills on lanes across the country. Pinelli’s journey in the world of bowling has been a remarkable one, from casual weekend games with friends to competitive league play and even a few local tournaments.
Driven by her passion for the game, Pinelli decided to channel her expertise and knowledge into the digital realm, becoming a prolific author on this bowling website. She’s your go-to source for everything bowling-related, from mastering the perfect hook to choosing the right bowling ball and even navigating the world of bowling etiquette.
When she’s not busy writing informative articles or reviewing the latest bowling gear, you’ll likely find Pinellis at her favorite local bowling alley, helping newcomers improve their game or enjoying some friendly competition with fellow bowlers. She firmly believes that bowling is not just a game but a community, and she’s committed to fostering that sense of camaraderie both online and offline.
