headpin

The headpin is the foremost pin in a standard ten-pin bowling setup. It is the pin labeled number 1 and sits at the apex of the triangular formation of ten pins. The headpin is the primary target on the first throw and its position helps determine pin action and subsequent pinfall.

In play, striking the headpin can drive pins outward and into other pins, influencing both strike potential and spare leaves. Because it is the anchor of the pin arrangement, the headpin often affects the likelihood of favorable or unfavorable splits. Bowlers and coaches frequently discuss how different ball paths impact the headpin and the resulting pin action.

Pins used in ten-pin bowling are standardized: they are 15 inches tall and weigh between about 3 pounds 6 ounces and 3 pounds 10 ounces. The headpin is identical in size and weight to the other pins, and all ten pins are reset between frames by the pinsetter mechanism.

In scoring and strategy discussions, the headpin is commonly referenced when describing leaving patterns after the first ball. Patterns involving the headpin, such as leaves that include the headpin along with other specific pins, guide spare shooting approaches.

Outside bowling, the term headpin is not a widely used technical term and may appear only in general language or product naming. The primary and most common usage remains its reference to the leading pin in the bowling pinset.