The reason I ask this is because many people seem to attribute the dwindling number of league and competitive bowlers to there simply being more entertainment options for one to choose for an evening in our modern day. I am under the impressions that back in the "glory days"...talking 60's, 70's and to an extent the 80's, bowling seemed to be mainly viewed as sport and competition and not just another option to fill a Friday night. People back then from what I remember seemed to be into the competition of the event and the sport aspect it(but also the socializing aspect of it, I know) moreso than an evening's entertainment.  it is not just the numbers dwindling, but I have personally seen a decline in competitive bowlers...decent bowlers...190's and better that no longer bowl..surely they must have viewed it as sport rather than entertainment.  Just curious as to what everybody's personal thoughts are on this.

Brad

If you look back at bowlings  listed heyday when everyone bowled from office teams,  church groups, men and women,  families etc why would people assume it was more competitive?

It was very much social then. Many wish to remember half board adjustments and everyone playing off the one board. Video of history shows otherwise.

It can be both, but league bowling is mostly a social event.

When in doubt about if something is a sport I tend to consult the George Carlin canon in which case the requirement of the possibility to do grave bodily harm to other competitors legally means it automatically fails at step one.

When in doubt about if something is a sport I tend to consult the George Carlin canon in which case the requirement of the possibility to do grave bodily harm to other competitors legally means it automatically fails at step one.

And that's why I always considered lawn darts to be a sport!!!

At a competitive level it’s a sport. At a recreational level it’s entertainment.

Just like Golf, volleyball, softball, basketball, (insert any other sport with local leagues here).

Bowling a long-format tournament or the WSOB and having to endure physically and mentally = sport

Bowling 3 games of league and drinking beer = entertainment

Ultimately, it doesn't matter what it is, just do it because you like it...just don't be the guy in league talking about your "accomplishments in the sport" while struggling to break 180 on THS because the laneman has made the shot impossible.

Its both. You in theory want to lure then in with entertainment cosmic, bowling for small amounts of cash by knocking over colored pins extra. Hopefully some of them decide to try a league, and hopefully some of them catch the bowling bug and want to get  better try the more challenging sport leagues and tournaments. Which are more of a sport.

I got my buddy hooked.back in 2011 by getting him to come out for the New years Eve Monte Carlo bowling. He spent the next month practicing and after a little pushing I Told him I needed replacement on my Monday night team..He bowled 205 or something like that his first league game ever.14 pound house ball rental shoes.  Shortly after he brought a ball and shoes he now owns like 12 balls 6 or 7 he uses. 3 pairs of shoes a machine to sand and or resurface his equivalent a oven to soak the oil out of his reactive equipment..He also bowls 3 Leagues a week one of which is a sport league. He even bowls an occasional tournament.

Anyway its both entertainment and sport. Depending on how much time you want to devote to it, and money you want to spend on it.  Usually if you own more then one ball and carry at least 2 With you then you view it as More then entertainment.

If you have a ball shipped to your hotel in Hawaii while on vacation with your wife because you might want to practice at least once chances are you are a bowling Junkie and consider It a sport.,😆

Yes the buddy I mentioned above did that once.I think part of the reason he stayed there was because it was  near a bowling center.,😆