By Kim Terrell-Kearney
USBC Coaching Specialist

Sure, if you wanted to, you could probably get away with bowling in your street shoes or just your socks, but trust me when I tell you that's a bad idea! Basically, it's an issue of safety for you and the bowlers around you.

Bowling shoes are specially made for, well, bowling. As such, they are smooth enough to allow you to slide but sticky enough to keep you from flying completely off your feet. No other footwear will provide you with that perfect combination.

Street shoes will be too sticky, which will cause you to stop immediately as you get near the foul line. This puts you at risk of injuries to your foot, ankle, knee, hip, back, elbow and shoulder. You will also be putting other bowlers at risk because your street shoes are sure to leave behind scuff marks, dirt and other debris that can make the approaches dangerous.

So, there you have it. When it comes to bowling, bowling shoes are the only way to go!