What is 3 Spares in a Row Called in Bowling? A Fun Look at Bowling Terminology and Tips for Improving Your Spare Game

As an avid bowler and fan of the sport, I‘m always interested in the unique terminology and lingo used in bowling. The words and phrases used speak to the rich history and culture around this beloved activity enjoyed by over 70 million Americans. In this post, I‘ll take a deeper dive into one of the most common questions about bowling scoring: What is 3 spares in a row called?

Rolling Through the History of Bowling

Before we get to scoring, let‘s briefly revisit bowling‘s origins. Beginning as a lawn game in Ancient Egypt, bowling evolved into an indoor sport in Germany during the Middle Ages before becoming popular in the United States.

The American Bowling Congress was formed in 1895 to govern tournament play. And the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) began in 1958, helping launch the careers of iconic professional bowlers like Earl Anthony, Mark Roth, and Walter Ray Williams Jr.

Over the decades, the sport has seen numerous innovations including automated pinsetters in the 1950s, synthetic lanes in the 1970s, and advanced scoring systems more recently. Through it all, bowling has retained its competitive spirit and enduring appeal.

Breaking Down Bowling Scoring Basics

In the most common modern bowling variant, 10-pin, here is an overview of how scoring works:

• A strike occurs when all 10 pins are knocked down after the first roll. It earns 10 points plus the total of the next two rolls.

• A spare is awarded when all 10 pins are cleared after the second roll. It earns 10 points plus the next roll.

• An open frame happens when fewer than 10 pins are knocked down after two rolls. Only the roll points are scored.

The goal across 10 frames is to score the most points possible through strikes, spares, and their bonus points.

The Rich History Behind Bowling Lingo and Terminology

With a game as old as bowling, it‘s no surprise a lively lingo has developed around scoring achievements and milestones. Here are some all-time favorites:

Turkey – Three consecutive strikes. Dating back to the late 1800s, this was coined because bowling alleys once awarded turkeys as prizes.

Golden Turkey – Three strikes in a row to start a game. The rarest of turkeys.

Hambone – Four strikes in a row. A ham was sometimes the prize of the day.

Six-pack – Six straight strikes. Named after six-packs of beer, another popular early prize.

As bowling technology and skill levels progressed, even more impressive feats got their names, like the eight-bagger, eleven-in-a-row, and the famous perfect 300 game. The lingo of bowling captures the enthusiasm and spirit of past eras.

So What About 3 Spares in a Row?

Scoring three consecutive spares doesn‘t have an officially recognized name like the turkey does for strikes. But over the years, recreational bowlers have come up with their own creative monikers:

Chicken – Likely a reference to turkey, opting for a smaller bird for the less difficult achievement of three spares.

Sparrow – Also playing off the turkey and choosing a tiny, common bird to represent three spares.

While neither of these has become well-known, it demonstrates the imagination of casual bowlers looking to add to the bowling dictionary!

Bowling Strategy: The Importance of Sparing

Of course, any bowler would choose to throw strikes over spares given the chance. Strikes enable the highest possible scores. But consistently converting spares is crucial for keeping frames closed and tallying bonus points frame after frame.

The key bowling metric is spare conversion percentage – how often a bowler picks up all 10 pins on a second ball after missing the strike.

The top professionals convert spares at a 95-98% clip. Compare that to 60-70% for recreational league bowlers according to United States Bowling Congress (USBC) data.

Let‘s examine what goes into such elite spare shooting and how anyone can get better.

Anatomy of a Spare: Technique and Strategy from the Pros

Converting spares requires precision, finesse, and focus. Here is an inside look at how the professionals do it:

Slow speed – Keeping a smooth, easy roll reduces velocity inconsistencies that cause misses.

Pin position – Aiming for the front right pin for righties or front left for lefties increases angle accuracy.

Squared shoulders – Maintaining posture straight to the target line improves direction.

Straight ball path – Curving adds degree of difficulty and room for error.

Targeting – Visualizing dots/arrows beyond the pin deck brings fixed reference points.

Speed adjustments – Changing ball speed without moving target simplifies the process.

Proper release – Leading with the pinky provides more forward roll and precision.

Quick setup – Getting aligned immediately after the first roll maintains feel and rhythm.

Now that we‘ve broken down the techniques of top competitors, let‘s discuss how regular bowlers can apply these tips.

Drills and Training for Better Spare Shooting

Based on conversations with professional coaches and my own experience, here are some great ways to hone your spare game as an amateur:

• Practice routine – Take 15-20 minutes before league or open play to work on spares specifically. Focus on different tap/angle combinations.

• Slow ball drill – Reset your speed through exaggeration at first. Gradually increase until controllable for aiming.

• No-step drill – Don‘t use a full approach. Work on release and pushaway from a standing position.

• Target practice – Isolate aiming by placing markers in the lane and rolling from the foul line without looking.

• Adjust line – Move between arrows and dots to find your ideal line for tough single pin spares like the 7 or 10.

• Release drills – Use different hand positions and grips to improve feel and revs for spare conversions.

• Mental rehearsal – Visualize approach, speed, release, and hit for different spares during practice.

If you dedicate focused time to these types of drills, keeping notes on what works for you, your spare percentage will climb steadily. Mine rose from 63% to 81% over one summer using similar training techniques.

In Closing: Appreciating Bowling‘s History and Terminology

For seasoned bowlers and newcomers alike, the unique terminology of strikes, spares, and splits captures our shared enthusiasm for this classic sport. Whether you have mastered the elusive chicken and sparrow or are working toward that personal high score, I hope you now have a deeper appreciation of bowling‘s rich history and an expanded toolbox for spare shooting success. Let‘s keep enjoying the camaraderie and thrill of the lanes for generations to come.