Brunswick Bowling: A Global Sport

Brunswick Bowling Centers have been in operation since the mid-1960s, and their impact on the sport and entertainment industry is undeniable. With a rich history spanning over 140 years, Brunswick has solidified its position as a trusted name in bowling. Before its exit from the bowling business in 2014, Brunswick's bowling center division boasted an impressive presence with 88 centers across the United States and Canada, catering to the growing popularity of the sport. Recognising the appeal of bowling as a participatory sport, Moses Bensinger, John Brunswick's son-in-law, played a pivotal role in organising the American Bowling Congress in 1895. Today, bowling's global popularity continues to surge, attracting enthusiasts from all ages and backgrounds, reinforcing its status as a thriving industry.

Brunswick Bowling & Billiards

The billiards division, established in 1845, was the original business of Brunswick Corporation. Over time, the company expanded its product line to include other table games such as table tennis, air hockey, and foosball. In the 1880s, Brunswick began manufacturing bowling equipment and products, including wooden lanes, bowling balls, and bowling pins. The company also started directly operating bowling centers in the mid-1960s.

Brunswick's bowling centers offered a range of amenities in addition to bowling. Depending on the size and location of the center, customers could enjoy in-house restaurants, taverns, outdoor patios, billiards, video and redemption games, laser tag, pro shops, and meeting and party rooms. The company also introduced smoke-free, family-friendly facilities, known as Brunswick Zone XL centers, in 2007. These centers catered to bowling leagues, parties, corporate meetings, and group events, offering a variety of entertainment options beyond bowling.

However, Brunswick's journey in the bowling business had its ups and downs. In the 1960s, the company faced a decline after a period of rapid expansion, leading to the closure of many European bowling centers. Despite these challenges, Brunswick continued to innovate and expand its bowling equipment and center offerings. By 2014, before its exit from the bowling business, Brunswick's bowling center division was the second-largest operator in the United States, with 88 centers across the US and Canada.

Today, Brunswick continues to be a trusted name in bowling, providing high-performance bowling equipment and supplies. The company offers a range of products, including bowling balls, bags, shoes, and accessories, which can be purchased through local pro shops. Brunswick also provides support and expertise to those looking to build or modernize bowling centers, leveraging its decades of experience in the industry.

Bowling equipment and products

Bowling is a sport that requires a variety of specialised equipment and products to participate. These include bowling balls, shoes, bags, lane surfaces, and furniture, as well as accessories such as tapes, cleaners, polishes, and supports.

Bowling Balls

Bowling balls are the most essential piece of equipment in the sport. They come in a range of weights, colours, and performance levels, from entry-level to high-performance balls. Some popular brands include Brunswick, Hammer, Storm, and Ebonite.

Bowling Shoes

Bowling shoes are designed to provide a smooth, sliding motion to help bowlers achieve that perfect strike. They come in a variety of styles and colours for both men and women, with some brands offering customisable options.

Bowling Bags

Bowling bags are used to store and transport bowling balls and other equipment. They come in various styles, including totes, rollers, and backpacks, with some bags able to hold up to four balls.

Lane Surfaces

Bowling lane surfaces are designed to provide a consistent slide for bowlers. Synthetic lane systems, such as Brunswick's Pro Lane™ and Anvilane™, offer low-maintenance, durable options with unique features to enhance player performance.

Bowling Center Furniture

Bowling centres also require specialised furniture, such as ball returns, scoring systems, and bumper rails. These features add to the functionality and enjoyment of the game for bowlers of all skill levels.

Accessories

Bowling accessories include a range of products to enhance and support the bowling experience. This includes items such as tapes, cleaners, polishes, wrist supports, and customisable options like bowling ball drilling and engraving.

The range of bowling equipment and products available showcases the sport's diverse and specialised nature, catering to the needs of bowlers from beginners to experts.

Bowling centers

Bowling is a popular sport with 110 million people bowling each year in over 150 countries worldwide. It is a profitable business, with a global economic impact of $10 billion. Bowling is the number one participatory sport in the US and is a popular social activity for corporate events.

Brunswick Bowling & Billiards was a business segment of Brunswick Corporation that included bowling centres, which Brunswick began to directly operate in the mid-1960s. In 2014, Brunswick sold its bowling centre business to Bowlmor AMF (now known as Bowlero Corporation) for $270 million. Before the acquisition, Brunswick was the second-largest operator of bowling centres in the United States, with 88 centres in the US and Canada. Brunswick centres offered bowling and a range of other amenities depending on their size and location, including in-house restaurants, taverns, outdoor patios, billiards, video and redemption games, laser tag, pro shops, and meeting and party rooms.

Brunswick continues to be a trusted name in bowling, offering a range of products and services for bowling centres. They provide capital equipment such as scoring and management systems, automatic pinsetters, bowling pins, balls, lane surfaces, and furniture. Brunswick also offers custom lane designs with various colour and glow options to create a unique environment for bowling centres.

In addition, Brunswick provides support for those looking to build or modernize a bowling centre, offering turnkey solutions, centre care supplies, management tools, and training seminars. With their Build-to-Bowl initiative, Brunswick assists in connecting planners, designers, and contractors to ensure a seamless development process for new bowling centres.

Brunswick's global portfolio

Brunswick Bowling & Billiards was a business segment of Brunswick Corporation, which was established in 1845. Brunswick Bowling has a long history of expertise in the world of bowling, dating back to the 1880s when it began manufacturing bowling equipment and products. The company's global portfolio showcases its diverse range of offerings, solidifying its presence in the bowling industry.

Boutique centers are another key component of Brunswick's global portfolio. These centers offer an upscale, sophisticated atmosphere where bowling is paired with unique experiences. Live music, virtual reality gaming, and other social activities are seamlessly integrated to create a well-rounded entertainment offering. Boutique centers attract customers seeking a blend of bowling and social engagement.

Traditional bowling centers remain a significant part of Brunswick's portfolio. These centers primarily focus on bowling but are complemented by game rooms and bars. Traditional centers cater to bowlers who appreciate the classic bowling alley experience, providing a dedicated space for the sport without the additional frills of other entertainment options.

In recent years, there has been a shift towards hybrid centers, which blend elements from family entertainment and boutique concepts. Hybrid centers boast diverse entertainment options and sophisticated dining experiences. They cater to a wide range of customers by offering a mix of bowling, arcade games, and other attractions, along with high-quality food and beverage options.

Bowling at home

Bowling is a great way to have fun with friends and family, and it can be a wonderful social catalyst. It is a great indoor sport that can be played all year round, and it provides moderate exercise that is inclusive for all ages and genders. If you are looking to bring the bowling alley to your home, there are a few options to consider.

Firstly, you could opt for a full-blown commercial-grade, regulation-size bowling alley. This would involve a significant amount of space and a large number of specialized equipment, parts, tools, and skills. The ideal room size for this setup is about 100 feet long, with the bowling equipment requiring 89 feet, and the seating area taking up the remaining 11 feet. The weight of the equipment for a pair of lanes, the most common configuration, is around 20,000 pounds. This option is not a typical DIY project and would require specialized installation.

If you are planning to build a new home, it is recommended to consult with experts early on to ensure the successful completion of your home bowling alley. Companies like Fusion Bowling can assist with planning, budgeting, and installing the best commercial bowling equipment available. They offer various packages with optional customizations, including architectural plan review, pre-installation site visits, and training.

For those who do not have the space or budget for a full-size bowling alley, there are smaller, tabletop bowling game sets available that can be easily set up at home. These mini bowling sets are perfect for desktops and can provide hours of fun for both kids and adults. They are compact, portable, and often come with carrying bags, making them excellent for indoor and outdoor use. Many of these tabletop sets are available on Amazon, offering a range of options to choose from.

Whether you opt for a full-size bowling alley or a tabletop version, bowling at home is a great way to bring people together and create lasting memories.

Frequently asked questions