The arrow zone is a section on the lane with arrows to aid bowlers in rolling the ball over a specific spot on the lane. They are approximately fifteen feet from the foul line. It is called the arrow zone because they are staggered on the the lane. Many of today’s modern lanes are also outlined with black lines that help determine the board numbers as the ball travels down the lane.
Right handed bowlers count the arrows from right to left as you stand on the approach and look down the lane. The arrows are each 5 boards apart. The middle arrow is the 20th board. All modern bowling lanes have 39 boards.
Left handed bowlers count the arrows from left to right as you stand on the approach and look down the lane. The arrows are each 5 boards apart. The middle arrow is the 20th board. All modern bowling lanes have 39 boards.
Although the arrows are used for targeting, it is important that bowlers understand that each individual board is considered a separate target. The arrows are to help aid the bowler determine the exact board the center of the ball rolls over. If a bowler rolls the ball between the 1st arrow (5 board) and the 2nd arrow (10 board), we know the center of the ball likely crossed over board 7 or board 8.