Key points
- Open to everyone: no fitness or experience required, and different levels mix easily.
- Allow 5 to 6 players per lane: 30 employees will therefore take up 5 to 6 lanes.
- The Baker format (each player bowls one frame in turn) builds real team spirit.
- A simple handicap lets beginners compete with regular bowlers.
- Book 2 to 4 weeks ahead and ask for a partial private hire for large groups.
Why does bowling work for team building?
Bowling works for team building because it puts everyone on the same starting level. Unlike a football match or an orienteering course, it requires no particular fitness or prior skill: an intern can beat their director with a lucky shot, which instantly lightens the mood.
The game is also naturally social: between deliveries, players on the same lane chat, cheer each other on and comment on the scores. Each player is only active part of the time, which leaves plenty of room for conversation, without the awkward silences of a sit-down dinner. Finally, bowling centres are indoors, air-conditioned, often equipped with a food and drink area, and easy to reach in the big cities.
How many lanes and how much time should you plan?
For team building, allow 5 to 6 players per lane: that is the right balance between playing time and conversation. A game with 6 players takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour for beginners.
| Group size | Lanes needed | Recommended format | Total duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 to 12 people | 2 | Match between two teams | 1½ to 2 hours |
| 20 to 30 people | 4 to 6 | Tournament in teams of 5, combined ranking | 2 to 2½ hours |
| 40 to 60 people | 8 to 12 | Tournament with finals | 2½ to 3 hours |
| Over 60 people | 12 or more | Private hire, groups rotating with other activities | 3 hours or more |
Capacity varies widely from one centre to another, from a few lanes to a dozen or more. Check how many lanes are available in our directory of bowling centres in Morocco before settling on the size of the group.
Which game formats should you choose?
The game format makes all the difference between a simple outing and a real team moment. Here are the most effective ones.
Team tournament with a combined ranking
Each team of 4 to 6 players takes a lane and plays two games; the scores of all members are added together. It is the simplest format, easy to follow on a scoreboard at the end of the evening.
The Baker format
In the Baker format, used in competition, a team of five players bowls a single game together: player 1 bowls frame 1, player 2 frame 2, and so on up to frame 10. Everyone depends on the others’ shots, which creates a real collective dynamic and shared moments of suspense. Games are also shorter.
Scotch doubles
Two players team up and alternate shots: one bowls the first ball, the other goes for the spare. It is ideal for pairing an experienced bowler with a beginner, or for bringing together colleagues from different departments.
Bonus challenges
Add challenges that do not depend on the score so everyone gets a chance to shine: best strike, toughest spare, a shot with your “weak hand”, or predicting the opposing team’s score. Token prizes are enough.
How do you balance skill levels with a handicap?
A handicap lets a beginner compete with a regular bowler by giving them extra points. In leagues, it is calculated from each player’s average; for team building, a simplified version is enough, for example:
- +20 points per game for players who have never or hardly ever bowled;
- +10 points for occasional bowlers;
- 0 for regulars, or a head-start bonus for the teams with the most beginners.
Announce the rule before the first game to avoid disputes. For the official method, see our guide to bowling average and handicap.
How do you organise a bowling team-building event in Morocco?
Organising one takes a few steps, ideally 2 to 4 weeks before the date, or longer at the end of the year, when there are lots of corporate events.
- Choose the city and the centre based on where your teams are located: see for example our pages on bowling in Casablanca and bowling in Rabat, or the directory for Marrakech, Tangier and other cities.
- Ask for a group quote: number of lanes, number of games or duration, shoe rental, catering, and possibly private hire of part of the centre.
- Choose the time slot: a weekday afternoon or evening is often easier to book and quieter than a weekend.
- Put the teams together in advance, mixing departments and skill levels, and send the list to the centre so it can enter the names into the scoring system.
- Plan the schedule: welcome, a short briefing on the rules and safety, games, prize-giving, meal or drinks reception.
- Sort out the practical details: socks for everyone, comfortable clothing, transport or parking, invoices in the company’s name.
Appoint a “game master” who announces the rules, follows the rankings live and hosts the prize-giving: they are the one who turns a game of bowling into an event.
Mistakes to avoid
Most bowling team-building events that fall flat do so because of the organisation, not the game. Avoid putting too many players on a lane: with eight, everyone waits too long for their turn and the energy drops. Do not let teams form by department or by friendship, or the event will reinforce cliques instead of mixing people. Do not underestimate the time needed to welcome everyone, which can take 20 to 30 minutes for a large group. Finally, plan something for people who do not wish to bowl (injury, pregnancy, simple reluctance): a role as referee, scorekeeper or photographer, so they still take part.
Sample schedule for a 2½-hour evening
- Welcome (20 min): shoes, choosing balls, forming teams, welcome drink.
- Briefing (10 min): rules of the chosen format, handicap, safety and etiquette.
- Game 1 (45 min) in standard teams.
- Game 2 (30 to 40 min) in Baker or Scotch doubles format, with bonus challenges.
- Prize-giving and meal (45 min).
Taking it further: a company league
If the evening went down well, why not make it a regular fixture? Some companies set up an in-house league, with one game a month and a ranking over the year. Employees who want to improve can also join an association: in Morocco, the ASBM (Association Sportive du Bowling Marocain, the Moroccan Bowling Sports Association), a bowling pioneer since 2007, runs a weekly league open to all levels at the Megamall in Rabat and in Tangier, as well as tournaments such as the Intercity Strike Cup.
Frequently asked questions
Why choose bowling for team building?
Because everyone can play without experience or fitness, in mixed teams. The pace of the game leaves plenty of time to chat, and the venue lets you combine the activity with a meal.
How many people per bowling lane for a group?
Allow 5 to 6 players per lane. A group of 30 people therefore needs 5 to 6 lanes.
How long does a bowling team-building event last?
Allow 2 to 3 hours for two games, the prize-giving and a meal or drinks reception. A game with 6 beginners takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
What is the Baker format in bowling?
It is a team format in which players each bowl one frame in turn within the same game: player 1 bowls frame 1, player 2 frame 2, and so on up to the 10th frame.
How do you balance a bowling tournament between beginners and good bowlers?
By applying a handicap, meaning points added to the scores of the less experienced players. For a corporate event, a fixed bonus per game based on skill level is enough.
Sources and references
