Though high-fives and back-pats from fellow bowlers are nice, the real gratification after a strike comes from seeing the bowling ball return with eyes and mouth wide open. Shock spheres with today's Groupon: for $25, you get one hour (or two games) of bowling and shoe rental for up to four people, a one-topping pizza, and a pitcher of soda or beer at Holiday Lanes (up to a $55.25 total value).

A Kalamazoo Gazette readers' choice nominee for best bowling locale, Holiday Lanes leads spheres toward strike salvation via 32 shiny waxed pathways. Bring a trio of ball-tossers with you for a one-hour pin-smashing soiree ($3.50 per game per person), staying fueled with a one-topping pizza ($9) and a pitcher of beer ($7.25) or soda ($4.25). Before charging lane teeth with nine pounds of compounded plastic, each sanctimonious split-thrower can step into a snug pair of rented shoes ($2.75 per person), engineered to help bowlers stay focused by shielding their feet from feather dusters. Keep tabs on cheating friends and girlfriends with Holiday Lanes' easy-to-use Brunswick scoring system, which crowns only the evening's true kingpins.