How to become a pro bowler? You have seen the PBA Tour on TV. Advertisements for PBA regional tournaments have caught your attention. You were even the winner of the most recent league season in USBC-sanctioned league play.
You are a skilled bowler, and you want to make it big on the professional circuit. How do you go from league bowling to PBA membership? How can a player join PBA to participate in the big-money PBA events and earn PBA membership?
To become PBA-level bowlers, it takes more than just a few tips. You don’t automatically become a professional bowler if you have played well in the past. You must be a full member of the PBA to gain access to professional tournaments and full membership to the PBA. The difference between winning cash prizes and competing for a PBA Tour title can be as simple as being great at what you do.
How does one get into a PBA Regional tour t or top-tier PBA Tour event? It takes how many tournaments, what the difference is between a regular and pro-worthy scoring average, as well as how to make an investment in high-level PBA competition equipment.
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Qualifications to Join the PBA Tour or Bowling Professionally
Joining the PBA Tour is the best way to start bowling professionally in America. It is managed by the Professional Bowlers Association.
You can find professional tournaments in other countries if you are located outside of the United States.
If you live in Europe, there is the European Bowling Tour of the European Tenpin Bowling Federation. The Asian Bowling Federation organizes professional tournaments in Asia.
However, no matter where you live in the world, you will need to meet certain qualifications before you can start professional bowling.
Below I will describe the qualifications required to join the PBA tour. Other professional tours may have similar requirements. You should verify them.
You must pass at least one of the following qualifications to become a PBA Member. International members who are already WTBA members can also opt for a fourth option.
6 Tips How to Become a Pro Bowler
You must follow a series of steps to become a professional bowler. It is not possible to just jump to higher ranks. You will need patience and perseverance to achieve this.
1. Improve your bowling scores:
Let’s say your average bowling score now is 150-180. You need to improve your scoring. You should have the best quality bowling shoes and top-of-the-line bowling balls. Now you need to learn how to correctly throw a bowling ball. To throw a ball perfectly, you must know how to properly stance, approach, and arm-swing. To keep your game consistent, you will need to practice a lot. These will eventually lead to a higher score.
2. All types of lane conditions, oil patterns, and lane conditions:
You will improve your performance and become a professional bowler. To do this, you must be proficient in all types and oil patterns. You can adapt to any lane dry, heavy lane or wet.
3. Join the league and participate in small tournaments:
You can join a league if your average weekly score is 200 or higher. The league will allow you to play with other groups during the season. Your team and you can also organize friendly and informal game nights where you can play and meet up. You can also start playing in smaller tournaments, and work your way up depending on your position. While you may win a few tournaments and increase your average, don’t give up on your job! There is still a lot to do.
4. Join The Professional Bowlers Association:
If you are seeing consistent success and consistency in your game and have a score of 200+, you may want to join the PBA. To join the PBA, you must have a minimum of 200 points for at least 36 games. After that, you will be able to send your application directly to the PBA in Seattle. They will verify the application. After they have accepted your application, you will officially become a member.
There are other ways you can be part of the PBA tournament. You can join one of the PBA regional events even if you are not a member. You don’t have to be a PBA member to participate in these tournaments. However, your options are limited. We have good news for those who are unable to be PBA members because their average is 190 with at least 36 games. You can join either the PBA experience league or sanctioned USBC bowling league.
5. National Tour:
It’s already a high honor to be a PBA member. If you are able to make it up to PBA tournaments and perform well, you will be able to go on the national tour. This is what you’ll see on Sunday afternoons on television on sports channels. Keep winning tournaments like these and you will soon be able to make it to the World Bowling Tour. Do you never know? You could be the next World Champion.
6. Alternatives:
You can join the PBA and just play to make money. It doesn’t matter if you are a member of the International tournament circuit. Participating in random scratch tournaments can give you the chance to win cash prizes. You can also become a full-time coach of bowling and make money doing that.
What is the Annual Income of a Pro Bowler?
Pro bowlers’ salaries are heavily dependent on their wins and participation in tournaments. Professionals have a key source of income in tournaments. Winning these tournaments will increase your popularity and help you land sponsorships.
How big the event affects how much money you can make in a tournament. In general, larger names mean bigger prize pools.
A professional bowler’s average salary is in the six-figure range. Men can earn $100,000 to $200,000 and women $60,000 to $80,000 depending on tournament wins and placements.
These salaries can be hard to earn and are not guaranteed. Many bowlers have second jobs to support their professional bowling careers.
But, practice, hard work, and a little luck can make anyone a professional bowler.
What is The Annual Income of Professional Bowlers Association members?
Six figures are the average annual earnings of top-ranked bowlers on the PBA Tour. The average earnings of the top earners in the PBA is $78,500 annually.
PBA bowlers who earn in the 75th percentile for overall earnings average $52,000 per year. Bowlers in the 25th percentile earn about $25,000 per calendar year.
The average PBA bowler earns $42,450 per year. This may seem low compared to other sports. Pro bowlers have many sources of income to make up for the loss of tourney play.
Are there Other Jobs for Pro Bowlers?
Although it is not covered in the most recent PBA newsletter, many pro bowlers must supplement their PBA Tour income by working other jobs.
This might not be true for big names, who can pull in sponsorship and win deals well into six figures. But it is for many pros just starting out or trying to make a name for themselves.
Some people combine sponsorship deals with side jobs or stakes at a local pro shop. Some seek out cash play and scratch tournaments to increase their earnings. In this climate, professional bowling is not a way to make instant fortunes. While joining the PBA will allow you to reach your full potential and fight for big money, it won’t guarantee you a comfortable lifestyle. You should have backup plans for financial backing and alternative employment if you want to be a PBA bowler.
What Is The Average Score for Professional Bowlers?
To qualify for professional bowling, you must have a minimum of 200 points.
PBA regional tournament, like each other tournament, has its own set of rules. However, the general requirements may overlap. It is best to do your research to find out what the requirements are to be able to participate. For consistency, this average score must be achieved over a set number of games.
Conclusion
It’s okay to dream big. Pro bowlers are hard workers who have hours of practice and follow proper guidelines. Sometimes it takes years. Other times, it can take a decade. To reach your goal, patience is key. We recommend that you have fun with the game, and work your way up to a higher score. Good luck, and most importantly, enjoy the game!
How To Become A Pro Bowler F.A.Q.
- What do pro bowlers average?
Most pro bowlers will average 230-250. It can be hard for spectators to grasp the difficult lane conditions the pros bowl on, unlike golf, which has five-inch rough.
- Can bowling be a career?
It sounds like a lot of fun to make living at bowling. While it’s not for everyone but if you have the talent and dedication to bowl, and are familiar with Hampton, VA bowling rules, you may be able to make a living being a professional bowler.
