🎳 Getting Started

Come bowl with us

Our bowling group runs a weekly league at Bel-Mateo Bowl, jointly with SIR Branch 142 — friendly, sociable competition where you're on a team but nobody's taking it too seriously. It's easy on the body, easy on the wallet, and long on laughs. You don't need your own ball or shoes to start — the house has everything, and we'll help you find a ball that fits your hand.

All skill levels are welcome — from folks who bowled in leagues for years to those dusting off the ball after a long layoff. League play uses a handicap based on your average, so everyone competes on a level footing regardless of raw score.

What it's like your first time

Arrive a few minutes early and ask for the SIR bowling group — someone will be watching for newcomers and will get you sorted with rental shoes and a house ball. We'll show you where to check in, how the automatic scoring screen works, and which lanes we're on.

Then you just bowl. If you've never kept score in your life, don't worry — the machine does it for you now, and this hub's Score Calculator and How to Bowl pages explain what all those numbers mean whenever you're curious.

How to join us

Joining the league is straightforward, and there's an easy on-ramp for newcomers:

1. 1Contact the bowling group leader, Michael Garoutte — (650) 867-5717 or garouttes@aol.com — to say you're interested. He'll let you know the current openings and how to get started.
2. 2Come bowl with us for about three weeks to establish your average — the number that sets your handicap. No team commitment during this stretch; it's your chance to settle in and meet everyone.
3. 3Once you have an average, you'll be placed on a team with a vacancy, and you're a full member of the league. Bring a little cash for games and shoe rental each week.

Explore the Hub

Have a look around before your first session: