Are String Pins Killing The Future Of Bowling!?!

We bowled a head to head match on STRING PINS! Watch the whole video to get our thoughts and what the owners think!
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[@skidhookroll]

I am not concerned with score whether strings make them lower or higher. I just don't like the difference in pin action. It looks dull and clunky. But good for the small mom & pops though.

[@Geofbond1]

Thank you both for doing a video on this subject. Great learning experience on the possible future of this sport that I have loved for over 50 years!

[@aidenoconnor6288]

These are the same machines that my university has. They make practice great because we set up spares and stuff, and they force you to find good ball reaction instead of pure power. You dont get many messengers and free hits so you have to be a little better when it comes to balls and how you play the lane. I enjoy practicing on them, but i dont love the idea of competing on them

[@halffulltome]

I wish you had explained what string pins are. This is the first I’ve ever heard of them and I still don’t know what they are.

[@kidwave1]

Exactly! How moronic

[@oldschoolfan8098]

It's basically just strings that pull on the pins to reset them and stuff

[@Mr.Pojangle]

This video is not for you

[@halffulltome]

@@Mr.Pojangle Nice fedora.

[@richnittritz3505]

as your biggest fan from Milwaukee and being 60 yrs old i am old school enough said much love to you both PS Nate when you throw it like that in this video at like 90% of your normal speed much like you did when you went 500 over at the 1st PBA stop in Kansas i love your ball motion and tempo and release so so much more as you don,t wrench on it maybe those STRING pins are really worth practicing on as it gives you options to get the 10 out and ELISE is ELISE just a triple threat Beauty Brains & bowling much love you guys always rooting for both of you

[@joewalsh720]

Nice to see Lehigh Lanes get some love - I thought it looked familiar before you confirmed. I bowled there a little bit as a kid when I lived there. Unfortunately, I didn't spend as much time there as I wish I had. I normally made the drive out to Fort Myers and bowled at Galaxy Lanes (now known as Lightning Strikes). With Bowlero taking over, I definitely echo the sediment of supporting the mom n' pop alleys.

[@RyanCunningham]

You bowled the force that I wanted to see, some good speed and strong rotation, I wanted to see how that reaction worked on the string-pins

[@DeeDeeCHAUNCEY]

Same here

[@BRBallin1]

I bowl in a string pins alley for a league and I can confirm that pin action is vastly different. We get some pins to fall from Tarzaning across the lane sometimes and also see pins falling from string to string contact rather than pin to pin contact. 80% of the time it's not being sketchy though.

[@vance836]

You went to Nebraska???? It was a dream of mine to bowl there and even got to do a one on one with Coach Bill Straub. Had I gone there; it would have been around the time Diandra Asbaty was there. At the time, I lived in Atlanta and every year they had a big tournament at Cedar Creek and the Husker Teams were always there. So it was good to go see them and catch up with Coach Straub. Now, I live in Tampa and bowl at Lane Glo. I have been a lifelong Husker fan as my family originates from Lincoln. I believe Coach Rhule is going to do some great things with our football program. Maybe one day I will see you guys at Lane Glo. GO BIG RED!!!!

[@NickWeissMusic]

Those look a lot better than the first string lanes I'd bowled on a few years ago, they were very clunky, it was barely even bowling IMO. It was kind of sad but I realized at the time it was the cheaper way to go, hence the future, glad to see it's improved quite a bit. I'm just an ocasional bowler and no idea why I was recommended this video, but it was entertaining!

[@holdenpi]

I feel so awful for any serious bowlers, not only are they just squeezing the bowling community for any money left, they're gaslighting you into thinking Strings will save bowling.

[@bowlnow824]

It's getting harder and harder to find help for the mechanics in the bowling industry unfortunately. So they having to do what they need to do unfortunately. I am not a fan of it but I will still bowl

[@justly3943]

@@bowlnow824 probably from being underpaid. its tough work sometimes and ik around me theyre not paid much

[@heftygainz]

Whats the alternative? Your local center closes down and you dont bowl......id rather bowl on string pins then not bowl.

[@gwencrawford737]

You nailed it.

[@gwencrawford737]

@@heftygainz I've got a good alternative. Push the automatic pinsetters into the junk heap and recycle the materials. Revert back to the manual pin-spotters, operated by pin-boys and pin-girls. BEST part? You can redesign those manual pin-spotters with modern materials, so that you can use two full racks of pins per lane, to speed up the process, and make it safer for the pin-spotting staff. You eliminate a TON of energy overhead. You create opportunities for our young folks to enter the bowling industry EARLY ON, and create a stable foundation for the future of the sport. You reduce overhead and maintenance costs substantially. You maintain the integrity of the sport, and expand the participation tent exponentially. This also expands the market. Center owners who are taking a bath on the high costs of automatic pin spotter maintenance and utility costs, might actually be able to afford the new manual pin-spotters, which, if they're designed right, won't take an extensive mechanical education to repair them and keep them working right. Being a pin-spotter operator? All you're doing is picking up pins, tossing them into the machine, pulling a lever and voila... setting them up. And you're picking up the ball and putting it on the return ramp to send it back to the bowler. Piece of cake. Kids 12 and up can do it and have some fun, making a little money of their own. It was my dad's first job and he loved it. He got paid by the line... and when nothing was going on, he and the others could set for each other and roll a few games, or they could learn how to care for the lanes themselves. All of this expanded your market. If you expand the market... you get MORE houses up... not less. The more houses up... the more participation you'll get... the more participation you get, the more the sport grows. The more the sport grows... the more money there is to be made.

[@JES65FLA]

Hello, are you using a different Ball "Plastic" when you are shooting straight for the 7 or 10 Pin? I have always had a Hook Shot. And I can never shoot a straight ball. I also bowl with only 2 fingers in my ball. So all 3 of the Balls I have are Reactive Balls for my Hook Shots. I have 3 Columbia 300 Speed Balls. I have to "300 Speed", "300 Top Speed" and the "300 High Speed". And was thinking about getting the "Columbia White Dot Scarlet" Ball for my straight shots. What do you think? Also, are you keeping your wrist straight when throwing the ball, or rotating your wrist to shoot the straight balls?

[@brandonhuggins1736]

Scared to purchase dna coil. Big asym pearls from storm don’t do well for me. I was even hesitant to buy that hammer effect but BOI was I glad I did. That thing is a monster.

[@jamesbills5998]

We had a small bowling alley go to string pins. Winter league ( I used to bowl In) went from 17 teams to 6.

[@LowBudgetHighRollers]

Yep bowling is trying to kill itself

[@cherylsmith7401]

Elise you r soooo funny… LMAO😂

[@xcombatmike7955]

Yes, there’s a huge difference in pain action. I definitely do not like how the pins sometimes go down like they’re laying down really slow. I’ve seen it too many times bowling on this lane.

[@billwelch7023]

I used to set pins as a kid. Any thoughts of going back to setting the pins Manually using a pin boy or pin girl ? Pay a low wage, and the setter can also receive tips.

[@jfisher4]

Child labor laws, minimum wage, and a general backlash towards tipping these days, Bill. 1955, it ain't.

[@ryburnsjr]

You two are a hoot.!!!!😀🎳🎳🎳🎳🎳🎳🎳🎳🎳🎳

[@paulhamernick9185]

Good video thanks

[@Juan-ll6sf]

String pins makes ten pin bowling a challenge similar to candlepin or duck pin bowling. Good luck pros! Thanks.

[@RahmesRolls]

So to me the hits seem on par with what I expect for normal pinsetters. I think Nate raises a good point in that they seem "heavy" which is probably some worthwhile feedback the USBC could use while perfecting the minimum specs.

[@NateandElise]

The heavy could also be because they are like brand new.

[@heartofthunder1440]

Look at it this way, strings on pins are a control factor, it doesn’t naturally bring down all the pins as naturally as the bowler throws a perfect strike.

[@FranBushardt]

For Elise’s case a Lighter Ball would Allow for more speed along with a more aggressive Ball Would give her the Extra Rev Rate and Lessen the Male/Female Difference!

[@KalFx3]

yea if this is more cost effective for small mom and pop spots im all for it

[@NathanMoist]

I've bowled on them in a league for three years now. No change in average for myself or anyone else in the league vs traditional. Still want the traditional setters back though.

[@No_Lucks_Given]

The house I bowl league on got string pins and it's not THAT different. They are USBC certified as well. I feel like I see more splits but its hard to say. I also see some "string action" where the pin will go down that definitely shouldn't have.

[@reconbbs360]

I have a very biased opinion on string pinsetters. As a pinsetter mechanic who makes a living off of free fall pinsetters, I obviously am not a fan of them. With that being said I understand there are good use cases for them. Small centers that can't afford head mechanics and FEC centers that don't host a ton of leagues and tournaments are good candidates for them.

[@Revs300]

Yes no doubt

[@rpg_haven]

Bro why am I watching bowling videos and why can't I stop

[@adamfield4119]

Love this

[@DeadKoby]

I find the discussion interesting.......... even though I'm just a hack bowler. My son plays on his school team, and LIKES going to the different regional lanes because they all play differently. It's a new challenge. I don't believe any of our regional lanes are string though. Only stringpins I played on was a mini arcade rig, and that doesn't count.

[@scibbs188407]

Unfortunately we have the none certified at the house i am currently bowling at. You can definitely tell the shorter none certified strings get alot more stranger hits. These look based on the video like they act alot more normal.

[@jaymiller9418]

More importantly, Nate finally got a haircut!

[@BillyDaGoat1017]

The USBC people said it’ll be too separate different categories and won’t have anything to do with free pin scores

[@squidly2112]

Yes

[@TN-D18]

String pins remind me of soft tip darts. Arcade game.

[@Dhardy316]

String pins: pins tied to stings to reset the pins instead of those mechanical resetting arms

[@DennisWesley-sw6bp]

Strings are the future whether anybody likes it or not. With the amount of centers who have closed this will save alot of money for the centers and hopefully keep more of them open

[@MR1977.]

Nope. This will kill bowling

[@LowBudgetHighRollers]

@@MR1977.yep, short term cost reduction will result in complete destruction of the sport

[@MR1977.]

@@LowBudgetHighRollers I bowled strings for the first time a few weeks ago it was terrible and I will never bowl at that center again. Casual bowlers don’t keep bowing centers open. They might be alright with this but not serious bowlers. Maybe a hybrid? X amount of traditional pin setters for league and X amount of strings for the casuals? That might work.

[@zedsodead]

No more messengers = No more happiness.😭

[@jaybird4834]

Yes that is what I don’t see. Hits are not as exciting. Pins not flying across the lane as the string stops them. I am ok with string bowling as long as it is separate averages. For just going out and having some fun it’s fine with me.

[@natal777]

Dam girl you can bowl 👍👍👌👌

[@DWilliams-ce8nb]

What are string pins

[@grpgrp8840]

So does the whole other machine come out in the back and replaced by the string pin machine how does that work

[@LowBudgetHighRollers]

Yes

[@CaptianNamco]

I say yes it is because one string pins are not meant to be on actual bowling lanes they are meant for arcades only USBC is essentially turning they are trying to squeeze any kind of money out centers just to get people to not only Bowl on em two those string setters are more of a headache than they are worth the string pins you don't get the Messenger across the lane I know one center in my area that doesn't want string setters

[@billcain7821]

Very good informative video, but as to whether or not this is the future of bowling not even close if anything it is bad for bowling. What I saw from you as with several others who've done these string pin videos, they're not the same and they're not close to being the same as regular bowling. First off what I see is very little to no pin carry/action. No matter how well or bad Elise and Nate hit the pocket it still sounded like and looked like the pins were very dead, y'all got very little pin action/reaction from each ball y'all threw down the lanes. Strings aren't the solution to bowling, y'all want to fix a real problem how about getting the ball returns off of the approaches and out of the bowlers' way? Y'all want to fix the mechanical problem well strings aren't the answer but coming up with new technology when it comes to the pin setters is better than replacing them with strings. With today's technology one would think it wouldn't be very hard to do. I'll say it again and continue to say it strings aren't the answer period end of story. Pin action and carry is and has always been the excitement in the game and now that's being taken away from us because of these strings. Bowling will become very boring to watch if that was to happen. All this is, is a barker's arcade type of game you'd see at a fair, carnival or something like that fun for the family but not good for league bowling or pro bowling. USBC messed up by certifying these things and they shouldn't be allowed to be used in league or at the pro level. If a bowling alley want to create a string pin league that's fine but those averages must be separate from regular league bowling.

[@andrewmurillo7539]

This idea of string pins changes this game in so many ways. The possibility of messenger/s being eliminated n overall pin action is not real bowling. Splits will be damn near impossible

[@skunkape8326]

I jist moved away from a bowlero that went to string pins to a center with a traditional setter and our new team name is "no string pins" 👍. I dont like the lack of pin action on string pins.

[@ronsullivan2308]

Yes they are

[@ItsMeMarioJr]

Yes.

[@larrytaylor2692]

I would think the strings would make the pins fall weird I dont think its good.

[@dopeytripod]

STRING THEORY

[@TheWildwoodPicker]

Are String Pins Killing The Future Of Bowling!?! YES... YES... YES... YES... YES... I can't stand String Pins. They're the worst thing that has ever happened to bowling. Get rid of them as quickly as possible!!!

[@ryanbarre2390]

String is OK for an arcade, not for a bowling alley.

[@christopherjonathynbrooks]

Hey Nate and Elise

[@superblitz]

From a bowling center perspective: String pins are a great cost saver. Centers would focus more on social/rec bowling From a bowlers perspective: even though we hate wonky bounces and near misses, that is just a part of the game and we would rather miss than have a string on string carry.

[@gwencrawford737]

I can come up with a bigger cost saver than string pins. It's called "Manual pin-spotters". They don't use any juice... and just about anyone with the 'handyman' level of skill can maintain them beautifully. My father's first job was as a pin-spotter (aka "pin-boy") and it's part of the reason bowling was all but a family tradition for my sister and I growing up. Mom and Dad both were avid bowlers. And yes... I've bowled on a lane with a manual pin-spotter and I've even gone back and did the pin-spotting myself. Good exercise... good fun... I'd have been comfortable having my children do it for a first job. For people who'd be worried about child labor laws... it wouldn't take much to get legislators to pass a law that recognizes "pin-boys" and "pin-girls" as a starter job for young folks, the same way mowing people's lawns or raking their leaves or washing their cars are all good 'starter jobs'. And of course, ensure that it isn't a big nightmare for bowling alley owners, to provide those opportunities to young people... while ensuring it isn't a sweatshop for the people doing the job. Wages could be determined by the line for open, and a flat fee for leagues, tournaments and other special events.

[@leaving10pins44]

@@gwencrawford737wow what a horrible idea. Most centers don’t have enough money to hire pin setters for each lane and if they’re running out of mechanics, what makes you think they’ll get pinboys

[@gottadrivem5878]

@@leaving10pins44 How much does a bowling alley mechanic make?

[@michaelcurtis2231]

No messenger

[@aydengianes2515]

Next video use bowling pins that used for strings in a free fall pinsetter.😮

[@bradsmith4331]

So normal pins but with holes?

[@pebmets]

Sometimes a pin will move off spot. Free fall will place the pin back exactly where it was. Strings Can't do that.

[@TonysMusic1974]

String pins are an abomination. Took me years to accept two-handed bowling but I will NEVER be OK with string pinsl

[@DeeDeeCHAUNCEY]

Sounds like a you problem.

[@TonysMusic1974]

@DeeDeeCHAUNCEY no. Sounds like an overwhelming majority of bowlers problem.

[@nummynutz1]

Regular bowling will never go away

[@ripvanrevs]

String pins won't make that much of a difference. What would make a HUGE difference is to get the ball returns off of the approach. That didn't matter in the 60s when you threw rubber bowling balls. With the strong reactives and oil patterns that can push you left, there is no reason to still have a huge obstruction in your way.

[@dougsholly9323]

What is a "string pin"?

[@nelsonbergman7706]

I watched for awhile but never saw any string pins (string pen setting). If they keep getting strikes and spares there won't be much to see.

[@i8910midnight]

Just need to refine string-to-string pinfalls.

[@user-gt1wr1vh3i]

Strings!!!

[@SarcasticStorageStacker]

String pins are bad for serious bowling but good as an arcade game.

[@ou812true5]

You're the expert.

[@southofhollywood4199]

Do they use standard size pins?

[@edk5600]

The pins are hollowed out some to accommodate the string in them.

[@NateandElise]

If you watch the video it’s explained 😃

[@NateandElise]

No. Watch the video.

[@edk5600]

I’m on the fence. It probably stems from me not actually being a fan of Bowlero. From the stand point that I know they invested/partnered up with the PBA. But I don’t feel that gives them any say so in it’s decisions or game play because they will always lean to what benefits them. That would mean that the PBA is controlled by its investors and not the actual nuances of the sport or fans. Just my thoughts. I love bowling and will just keep bowling. Love the content guys. It’s all of you guys that are actually providing or feeding the fanbase of bowling. Giving us entertainment from the sport of bowling.

[@johnc2612]

I like you guys and your videos but I been bowling on string pins for a year and they're ridiculous. That 10 pin you left that gave you a strike and didn't set. Happens all the time. The bowling alley noise is so quiet. Hits are weird in the long term weird splits. Good women bowlers struggle because as you move left no pin carry. A lot of editing in the video in interview with owners. They know it's not good but what can they really say. It's more profitable by far for them. Unfortunately this is the wave of the future because of money. Just the way it is. Take it or leave it.

[@bowlnow824]

It's getting harder and harder to find mechanics to work on the machines. I agree also with you but never bowled on string pins

[@aidenoconnor6288]

You can get rid of that ghost ten pin if you have a good mechanic that knows how to change the force sensor for the ten pin

[@bradsmith4331]

I like how you know what was said at a table that you weren't sitting at. They bowled and gave their opinion.

[@johnc2612]

​@bradsmith4331 So nobody is allowed to give an opinion unless they are present or in ear shot whenever something is occurring? Got it. Lazy comeback and you're a month late on this video. Bet you never bowled on string pins either.

[@rogerredford6242]

They day our bowling facility goes to string pins is the day I sell all my equipment, quit bowling, and focus on golf. They want to ruin our game so they can save a few bucks?

[@Joker81075]

These look pretty good actually. What I like the most is the lack of the headpin flying all over the place taking out the 10. I think it will cut down on carry for pure power players who have huge pockets. These might actually bring back some skill to the game.

[@stevehall9680]

It's not good at all...💯💯🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@kst1983]

Won't ever bowl on them...just that simple.

[@edcgearpocketknife]

Most bowling alleys won’t use strings especially for tournaments. I hate strings I would stop bowling if I that’s all I had was strings.

[@richiebarrettjr3629]

My lanes lost alot leagues cause strings and cant go to tournaments really hurts the bowlers from all over cities

[@ripvanrevs]

String pins? I'm kind of getting attached to them.

[@derrick9635]

Mass = velocity.

[@audiofamilyutah]

Looks completely normal.

[@Juan-ll6sf]

String pin setters can make universal bowling alleys a reality. With an all size ball return, and interchangeable string pins feeders we can do candlepin, duckpin, five pin, ten pin, and Kegel bowling tournaments in the same bowling alley. Just fix the computer control and voila! Five times the tournaments, five schedules, and five times the profits.

[@donnieacklen]

People wonder why our sport can get into the Olympics. This is one reason why because If us as serious bowlers allow Stringpins to take away the integrity of our sport then why should anyone else take it seriously as a sport and not just a game such as you would see at a county fair.

[@skeetjeffcitysub86]

I don't like string pins I like the regular bowling pins more original

[@MrYuk-lm3xp]

I am actually subscribed to lehigh lanes 1-4 5-8 9-12

[@michpackfan]

What are STRING PINS?

[@benlacasse1032]

RZ N DATEZ SGG IT TUTZ???

[@LowBudgetHighRollers]

Will never bowl again if they go to all string pins everywhere.

[@jonathan10pin]

For how good Elise throws the ball she doesn’t deserve nine all the time.

[@squidly2112]

Not interested in string pins in the slightest. If our center ever changes to string pins, I will quit bowling, along with about 90% of the league bowlers we have (we have a LOT of league bowlers)

[@AussiePillow1]

The center will still continue to run too, because league bowlers arent the main source of income for them. Its the open bowlers that bring in the money. Open bowlers dont care about strings. There are plenty of centres that survive without even oiling their lanes because open bowlers dont even know that lanes are oiled to begin with and they willingly pay twice as much for a game than a league member.

[@squidly2112]

@@AussiePillow1 - not at our bowling center. Leagues and tournaments are by far the biggest income. I have had many conversations about this with our general manager, who has been running this center for more than 20 years. He says he will never, ever, go to string pins. He will lose his primary cash cow (leagues and tournaments). He agrees that the industry is making a big mistake promoting string pins. The money is in the tournament bowler. They are the ones who spend the most, by far. They eat the most, they drink the most, they spend the most money on events and equipment, by far. They have opened 2 more "family fun centers" in our area, both string pin. One other center in our area just converted to string pin. We are left with only a couple of centers doing serious type bowling (leagues and tournaments). One center that just recently changed ownership is moving AWAY from the "family fun center" and changing to a league/tournament house. They are removing their laser tag and other gaming stuff and adding another 26 lanes. They recognize that the string pin/family fun centers will not be sustainable and are building up to compete with the 52 lane center that I bowl at with leagues and tournaments. At my center we have leagues every day of the week and FULL HOUSE leagues almost every evening. On top of that, we are the venue for all major tournaments in the area. We have the PWBA coming next month. We have the PBA50 coming the following month. And next year we may be having a PBA regional. Plus all of the middle school, high school and college tournaments are done here. Funny thing though, the GM says he actually makes more money from leagues than he does those tournaments.

[@heftygainz]

You must not be a real bowler if you're going to completely quit because of string pins.

[@squidly2112]

@@heftygainz - tell that to the hundreds of other league and tournament bowlers at our center that feel exactly the same way. I have absolutely no desire to bowl with string pins, and neither do they. I will go back to golf, at least there are no string attached.

[@jeremiahschill5205]

I feel like the small town centers totally rely on league bowlers. My center doesnt do too much business during the off season aside from the ocassional birthday party or rainy days... just a thought

[@riversarcadereview385]

for those who don't like string pinsetters...they should BUY OUT the center and install freefall pinsetters on their OWN DIME

[@MR1977.]

Why am I getting the vibe that when someone says the “future” of this or that just means it’s gonna suck? Seems like everything is heading in the wrong direction. Free fall pin setters can’t be improved and made more cost effective? We just have to scrap them all together? This feels like the industry is just admitting defeat.

[@obwan7217]

I'll quit bowling if they go to string pins...

[@ou812true5]

See ya!

[@HPontara1]

me too

[@mikefromflorida8357]

What the hell are string pins?

[@howitusedtobe]

Sweet baby extraterrestrial jesus … this is making me feel funny in the front of my pants .. What’s happening to me ?

[@petebut8]

???? What is string bowling? If there are strings - why don't you show them in this video?

[@Spooky711B]

Great question xD The camera seems to be focused on other things.

[@kirklamb3270]

I will never bowl string pins.

[@toddmaldeney4526]

Yes they suck ...

[@popscorn66]

I will never bow league or any type of tournament on any form of string pins. Family fun maybe but that is it.

[@richiebarrettjr3629]

Some lanes cant be pass inspection cause usbc force owner replace new strings on pins and owner refuse replace new strings and fail get. Certification of usbc and bowlers cant get usbc membership card renewal cause lane fail so have go other location has certificate lanes so bowl in tournaments it sucks😢

[@MultiMogman]

Its a haircut!

[@NateandElise]

Finally! Hahaha

[@thomaschilders5737]

Shot on strings back in 2017 and I didn't realize at first because I didn't have my equipment and it was a dark environment, but I kept thinking "Something is wrong with the way these pins are falling". If you have to change the way you bowl to succeed against these pins, then they're crap. The game was defined by free-fall pins and if you have to change because of the *pins*, then it's not ok.

[@RadRobGaming]

#LongNate

[@addictedTobowling]

Elise looks good 👀 and can bowl😮. Lucky Nate 😉

[@mikecraig109]

Nice to see Chris Keane take a chance on these. Met him at that center when they hosted a PBA50 regional in 2021. Chris is a solid guy and great center owner as he was very friendly. The center also had a great snack bar to get a good meal on the road at. My question is I thought there was another place in that general area that also went to strings? Maybe Pat Cinello (sp) owned it and installed the original strings which have the shorter strings?

[@MFXdump]

Oh boy! Agenda 21 era bowling.