The Rarest and Most Difficult Shots in Bowling Explained

Summary

Bowling is a sport that requires precision and luck, with professional bowlers having a strike rate of 60%. However, when it comes to spares, some are more difficult than others. The 7-10 split is considered the toughest spare in bowling, with less than 1% of players converting it. The Greek Church is another challenging spare, with a 0.3% conversion rate. In this article, we will explore the differences between these rare and difficult shots and why they pose such a challenge to even the most skilled bowlers.

Table of Contents

• What is the 7-10 split?
• Why is the 7-10 split so difficult to convert?
• What is the Greek Church spare?
• How does the Greek Church spare compare to the 7-10 split?
• What strategies do bowlers use to approach difficult spares?
• Conclusion

Introduction

Bowling is a game that requires both skill and luck. While getting a strike is top priority for professional bowlers, spares are also an essential part of the game. Some spares though, are more challenging than others. The 7-10 split and the Greek Church spare are two of the most difficult and rare shots in bowling. In this article, we will explore the intricacies of these difficult spares and why they are so hard to convert.

Q&A

What is the 7-10 split?

The 7-10 split is a spare that occurs when the first ball of a frame knocks down all but the front left and right pins, namely the 7 and 10 pins. It is one of the rarest and most difficult spares in bowling, with a conversion rate of less than 1%.

Why is the 7-10 split so difficult to convert?

The 7-10 split is so challenging because it requires hitting the pins with extreme accuracy and bouncing them off the machinery behind the pins in order to knock down both pins simultaneously. The pins also have a unique shape that causes them to bounce unpredictably. Even the most consistent bowler on earth, a robot named Earl, cannot engineer a lucky conversion consistently.

What is the Greek Church spare?

The Greek Church spare is another challenging spare in bowling. It occurs when three pins remain standing, the 4-6-7-8-9-10, requiring the bowler to slide a pin across in order to pick up the spare. It is considered one of the rarest and most difficult spares in bowling, with a conversion rate of only 0.3%.

How does the Greek Church spare compare to the 7-10 split?

While the Greek Church spare is technically easier than the 7-10 split, due to the possibility of sliding a pin across, it is almost never attempted in a game due to the high risk of missing one or both pins. In contrast, the 7-10 split is the most difficult spare in bowling, with a conversion rate of less than 1%. Without pin-setting machinery, it is almost impossible to convert.

What strategies do bowlers use to approach difficult spares?

When encountering a difficult spare, bowlers may use different strategies. The first option is to aim for specific pins, hoping to knock down as many as possible and get a good score for the frame. The second strategy is called “going for count”, where the bowler aims to knock down as many pins as possible, even if they don’t pick up the spare. In the case of the 7-10 split, many bowlers will not even attempt to pick it up, as it is so rare and difficult.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 7-10 split and the Greek Church spare are two of the rarest and most difficult shots in bowling. While there are strategies to approach difficult spares, such as aiming for specific pins or going for count, sometimes it is nearly impossible to pick up these challenging spares. In the end, it is the combination of skill and luck that makes bowling such an intriguing and exciting sport.