Every time I see bowling mentioned I am reminded of how unique and wonderful an activity it is for socializing, with a great balance of food, drink, close social proximity, a comfortable esthetically pleasing indoors, mild physical activity, mild and friendly competition, the kids can be involved, or the guys from work, or the guys and the wives, and the whole environment is totally different from anything outside of the bowling alley, and it is all safe.
I’m not a bowler but I think the people who do are being smart.
I think you’re spot on with that and I would say golf has similar good qualities. One plus with bowling is that it’s not expensive. It’s sort of like blue collar golf.
Also I would recommend the movie The Big Lebowski which has a bowling side story to anyone who hasn’t seen it. It has a devoted following for a reason.