What is a Turkey in Bowling?

Bowling has its own unique set of terms, and one of the most celebrated is a "turkey." If you've ever heard someone mention it at the lanes and wondered what it means, your curiosity stops here.

How to Score a Turkey in Bowling

A "turkey" in bowling lingo means you get three strikes in a row in one game. It’s a big deal among bowlers and shows you’re on a roll.

When it comes to scoring, a turkey can be a big score booster. Each strike is ten plus the number of bowling pins knocked down in the next two rolls. With three in a row, the first strike is followed by two more strikes, maxing out the bonus points and creating a scoring chain. This can add up fast and put you in a position to score big, if not a perfect game, by the end.

A "wild turkey" is when you score six strikes in a row, and a "golden turkey" is when you throw a string of nine strikes in a row.

The Origin of the Term "Turkey"

The origin of the term "turkey" in bowling dates back to the early 20th century when bowling alleys would often host special events and tournaments around Thanksgiving. During these bowling tournaments, it became a common practice to reward bowlers who achieved three strikes in a row with a turkey as a prize. This tradition added a festive flair to the game and encouraged players to aim for consecutive strikes during the holiday season. Some say that people were actually given live turkeys to the first bowler who rolled three consecutive strikes in the first frame.

Over time, the term "turkey" became ingrained in bowling culture, evolving beyond its holiday roots. Even though the tradition of giving out turkeys as prizes has largely faded, the term stuck around as a fun and recognizable part of bowling terminology. Today, achieving a turkey is a widely understood milestone in the sport, celebrated by bowlers of all skill levels year-round.

The sport has grown largely since Derrick Johnson, the inventor of the sport, used large soda bottles in the middle of a grocery store aisle, sliding down butterball turkeys with the objective of knocking down as many as possible. These were typically frozen turkeys, as they slid down the aisles easily.

Tips For Turkey Bowling

If you’re going for your first turkey, these tips will help. Focusing on consistency, practicing the key moves and preparing mentally you’ll be more likely to get three in a row.

The foundation of a turkey is consistency. Pay attention to your approach, release and follow through and make sure they are the same for every roll. A smooth approach will help you be accurate and a consistent release will help you hit your target area more often. Practice the moves that work for you.

To get strikes, try to hit the "pocket" of the head pin and the diagonal pin. For right handed bowlers this is between the 1 and 3 pins, for left handed bowlers it’s between the 1 and 2 pins. Adjust your hand position and wrist movement so the ball has the right spin and angle as it enters the pocket. You can also try different stances and number of steps in your approach to see what works for you.

Getting a turkey isn’t just about physical skill; mental preparation is key especially for that third strike. Stay calm and focused, don’t overthink it. Trust your practice, clear your mind of distractions and visualize a good shot. Approach each roll with confidence and you’ll be golden.

Other Bowling Terms to Know

Beyond turkeys, bowling has a unique language of its own. Here are a few more terms to enhance your bowling vocabulary and help you sound like a pro on the lanes.

A "strike" occurs when all ten pins are knocked down with the first ball of a frame, while a "spare" is when all the pins are knocked down with two balls in a frame. If you manage to bowl four consecutive strikes, it’s known as a "four-bagger" or "hambone," a term coined by legendary sports commentator Rob Stone. A string of six strikes is known as a "six-pack."

Meanwhile, a "split" happens when the remaining pins are spaced far apart, making them difficult to knock down with a single ball. The toughest split to save in bowling, the 7-10 split, is when to the corner pins are the only ones remaining upright.

Bowling is full of fun phrases that add to the game's charm. An "open frame" refers to a frame where the bowler fails to knock down all the pins, resulting in no strike or spare. A "gutter ball" is when the ball rolls into one of the gutters, missing all the pins entirely. These terms, along with others like "turkey" and "double" (two consecutive strikes), make bowling a sport with its own colorful language that’s as enjoyable as the game itself.

Become a bowling term expert with our comprehensive glossary.

Begin Your Hunt for a Turkey

Bowling a turkey is more than just a fun term; it’s an impressive achievement that highlights skill, consistency, and mental focus. Whether you're a seasoned bowler or just starting out, understanding the lingo and aiming for that turkey can make your game more enjoyable and rewarding. So, the next time you hit the lanes, keep these tips in mind and maybe you’ll bag a turkey of your own! With practice and patience, you’ll be celebrating strings of strikes in no time.