As a beginner bowler, you may have wondered if you can bowl with acrylic nails at your local bowling alley. You might be hesitant to bowl because you are worried that you may damage your nails or that you won’t bowl well with them. But fear not, we are here to answer the common question: Can You Bowl With Acrylic Nails?
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Can you Bowl with Acrylic Nails?
Yes, you can bowl with acrylic nails. The acrylic itself is not the problem. Let’s make a distinction between having acrylic on your nails and having long nails.
Having acrylic nails is not synonymous with having long nails. All long nails are not acrylic, and all acrylic nails are not long. Be aware issues can happen when bowling with acrylic nails of any length.
Is It Safe to Bowl With Acrylic Nails?
Yes, it is generally safe to bowl with acrylic nails. There’s nothing governing or prohibiting bowling with acrylic nails. It really boils down to personal preference and how serious you are about the sport vs. the desire to wear acrylics.
Acrylic nails are made from a plastic resin that is bonded to the natural nail. The bond can be quite strong, and the nails can be quite long. While inserting your fingertips into the ball holes and squeezing to release the ball creates pressure.
This pressure, the nail against the bowling ball (for gripping) is a problem. As a result, there is potential for the nails to cause damage when the nail they come into contact with the ball. Additionally, the nails can snag on the finger holes of the ball, potentially causing injuries.
Lastly, picking up the ball at the ball return can be problematic if the ball, as it is pushed from the return hole, inadvertently hits your acrylic nail as your hand is extended to pick up your ball, cracking or chipping your nail. However, these risks can be minimized by taking some simple precautions.
How to Safely Bowl With Acrylic Nails
Bowlers with acrylic nails can bowl without damaging their nails by following a few simple tips. Here are four ways to bowl without ruining your acrylic nails.
1. The Granny-Roll or 2-Handed Bowling
The Granny-Roll is a bowling technique that is often used by individuals who have acrylic nails. To execute the Granny-Roll, the bowler brings their hand back and holds the ball with both hands, walks to the foul line, not past it, spreads the legs, swings the ball between the legs, and then rolls the ball forward.
While this technique can be effective, it does have drawbacks. It is difficult to generate enough power using the Granny Roll to bowl a strike. However, with the Two-Handed bowling method, even the pros are hitting strikes.
2. Get a Larger Bowling Ball
Acrylic nails are worn on a regular basis. However, when it comes to bowling, it is advisable to use a ball with large finger holes. This may mean bowling with a heavier ball.
If bowling with a heavier ball concerns you and you do not want to insert your fingers into the finger holes but still want to bowl, tip #1 is an option, but keep reading for more. There is no right or wrong answer, and ultimately large bowling balls have large holes meaning that you can easily pop out your fingers from the ball.
3. Use a Ball Ramp
It can be difficult to properly grip the bowling ball with acrylics if there is a concern of damaging the acrylic on your nails. One way to overcome this challenge is to use a bowling ramp. A ramp is a raised platform that allows you to roll the ball down an incline instead of bowling the traditional method.
In addition, using a ramp can also be a good way to avoid having broken nails. There is no inserting, you control the direction by pointing the ramp, use the bumpers to keep the ball out of the gutter, and push as hard or as soft as you want. However, when you roll the ball down a ramp, there is no hooking the ball, the speed isn’t properly controlled, and you do not use an approach and release.
4. Use the Correct Ball Weight
It is important to find a balance between weight and control. A bowling ball that’s too heavy can be difficult to carry and control, and a ball that’s too light ball may not have enough finger space to comfortably bowl with acrylics on.
How Do I Stop My Nails From Breaking and Protect Them When Bowling?
When you think of bowling, you probably don’t think of nails. However, if you have ever broken a nail while bowling, you know that it can be a real pain (literally!). I have my own personal experience with that. It is painful, and it threw my game off because I babied the finger.
Here are a few of my personal tips to minimize breaks, tears or snags when bowling:
- Make sure your nails, whether acrylic or natural, are well-trimmed and filed. Long nails or lengths of any kind can be problematic. Always keep nail clippers and fingernail files with you.
- Second, use a good hand cream or cuticle oil to keep your nail bed hydrated. This will help keep your nails safe and to prevent them from becoming brittle and breaking.
- Use a quality nail strengthener to help keep your nails strong and healthy.
- You can stop your nails from breaking by not exposing them nails to excessive moisture, as this can cause them to become weak and brittle. When you wash dishes, use gloves.
- Be sure to wear gloves when bowling. This will protect your nails from scratches and dings that can occur during the game.
- Bowling tape is always an option for protecting the nail and your fingers in general.
What Can Go Wrong if you bowl with long acrylic nails?
As a beginner bowler who loves to wear long acrylic nails, it’s important to know what can go wrong if you bowl with them. Although they look amazing, long acrylic nails can hinder your performance and cause potentially damage to your nail. Here’s what can go wrong if you bowl with long acrylic nails.
Can You Play in a Bowling League With Acrylic Nails?
Yes, you can play in a bowling league with acrylic nails.
However, you may find that your nails chip or break more easily when playing in a bowling league. Acrylic nails are also more likely to get dirty and stained when playing in a bowling league. If you want to maintain your acrylic nails while playing in a bowling league, be sure to use the correct bowling technique or safeguard them using finger cots and protective tapes.
Can You Bowl With Gel Nails?
Yes! You can actually bowl with gel nails, as long as you don’t mind a little extra carefulness. Just be sure to avoid getting them wet and protect them as much as possible while you’re playing.
Can You Go Bowling While Pregnant?
Yes, you can go bowling while pregnant.
But you may want to take some precautions. Especially if you are picking up the sport of bowling during your pregnancy. For example, you may want to avoid bumping into other bowlers, and you should definitely avoid throwing the ball the traditional way and using a ramp.
Also, seek medical advice from your physician.
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Acrylic nails can be a great way to add length and strength to your nails, but they also come with some risks. It is important to know the dangers of acrylic nails before you decide if they are right for you.
By following the safety tips we’ve provided, you can minimize these risks and enjoy your beautiful new nails for as long as possible.
Have you ever had acrylic nails? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below!
Kira Byrd, a Certified Fraud Examiner, holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. With a passion for bowling from her childhood, Kira has poured her expertise and personal experiences into creating and nurturing Bowling For Beginners. Kira’s mission is to meet new bowlers where they are and guide them toward consistently achieving higher scores. With a focus on skill development and strategic techniques, she empowers readers to take control of their game and unlock their true potential.
Bowling For Beginners embodies strict editorial integrity, ensuring reliable and unbiased information. Kira’s commitment to delivering valuable insights and practical strategies is reflected in every article. Here’s an explanation of our editorial policy and how we get money.