Bowling shoes for Intermediate bowlers

By Kim Terrell-Kearney
USBC Coaching Specialist


Many a league bowler has faced the dilemma of whether to rent house shoes or buy his or her own bowling shoes. Arguments can be made for both, but I think that anybody who bowls on a regular basis should have his or her own bowling shoes.

In this economy, almost all issues have to be looked at from the financial side of the equation. Most standard league seasons are around 30 weeks long. If you're spending $2 a week on rental shoes, which is likely to be as cheap as you'll find these days, you're going to be in for at least $60 by season's end. For that price or cheaper, you can get a nice pair of shoes to call your own.

The other potential pitfall of house shoes is the fact that you're never quite sure what you're going to get because every pair is slightly different. You might find a clean, comfortable pair one week only to get stuck with a worn-out pair with mangled shoelaces the next. To me, it's not worth the gamble. Visit your local pro shop, and pick up a basic pair of bowling shoes.