Bookmark this page, I’ll be adding to the tips here. If you have a tip to share, submit it using the form below.
Hotels / Lodging
- Hotels book up fast in the area, so you should try to book as soon as you can.
- Use the Junior Gold 2024 – Detroit, MI map to get an idea of where the centers for your squad are located, and plan your lodging accordingly.
- USBC Host hotel – This can be a great option to be more in the thick of things and meet new people for first timers, however the location may not be the best for your squads. for 2021, the host hotel is Embassy Suites Detroit / Troy / Auburn Hills. Book through MyBowlingVacation.com (run in conjunction with the USBC).
- The USBC’s MyBowlingVacation.com site has a host of hotels with discounted rates.
- There is a list of distances and info form various hotels to the centers available.
- Jeff Wirtz – Jeff runs the Great Lakes Junior Gold Tour and does an excellent job finding hotels (20+!) and reserving blocks that anyone attending Junior Gold can use (not just bowlers affiliated with his tour). See https://gljgt.org or find the Great Lakes Junior Gold Tour on Facebook for hotel listings and Group codes.
- AirBnB & VRBO- Many families use AirBNB or VRBO. Pros: usually a cheaper option, and houses, etc. are available. Cons: no housekeeping, need to bring or rent linens, etc. Restrictions and amenities vary by listing.
Travel:
- Southwest Airlines offers a discount for those travelling to Junior Gold.
- Do not forget that the city where Junior Gold is located is not on vacation just because you are! Plan for rush hour, traffic jams, etc.
- The TSA website does list bowling balls as approved for travel as a carry-on item, however airlines can have their own policies. Make sure you check long before leaving for the airport. If you do intend on bringing your favorite balls on as a carry-on, they’ll likely pull them aside to swab them for explosives residue at the airport. It’s usually not a big deal, but allow some extra time for that process. Of course, you carry on still must meet the size requirements for your airline, so be sure to check.
- If you’re flying, put shoes, a spare jersey, and interchangeable thumb slugs in your carry-on. That way if your luggage gets delayed or lost you at least have shoes.
– Thanks to Cindy Pearson for suggesting this tip! - If we are switching planes, we’ll take the two most important balls as carry-on (using a Storm / RotoGrip 2 ball shoulder bag) just in case.
- Southwest’s two free luggage bags can be a real help when traveling with bowling balls. Three-ball tournament rollers slide in at or just under the 50 pound limit with 15 lbs. or lower balls. Some competitors opt to send them ahead via a shipping company.
- Check which area roads are toll-roads prior to arriving to avoid surprises and delays when following your driving app’s directions.
- Rental car companies frequently have a daily additional charge for using toll roads, and that charge occurs whether you use a toll road that day or not. You can usually save some money by forgoing that option and signing up with the local toll authority and can be a great convenience for getting around during the week. Many will return unused funds after you close the account. Also, some roadways support other systems such as EZ-Pass, check ahead!
- The Trade Show page at Bowl.com has information about parking for the event.
- Shannon O’Keefe talks about flying with bowling balls. The only thing I would add is to tuck in the pull-handle in the same way as the zipper. Some people pack towels around their balls, but we’ve never had a problem with damage in 100+ flights.
Other:
- Spectator passes are required, as is registration for the related events such as the Party in the Park, ball demo events, clinics, etc. Be sure to register in advance at the “Special Events” page.
- Bring an extra pair of pants and jersey / shirt to every squad. Accidents happen!
- See the “What should I pack in my tournament bag” for things to bring to your squads and practice sessions
- Thumb-in bowlers – Make sure you you bring extra thumb inserts if you use them.
- Check the pants you intend to wear before you leave for Junior Gold, kids grow and it’s likely been a while since they’ve tried them on.
– Thanks to Amy Zimmerman for suggesting this tip! - Lay everything out PRIOR to packing so you are sure you have everything. Shoes, balls, cleaner, pads, spare insets, super glue, wipe off towel, fingernail clips, tape, blister glue, etc. often times the house you are out will run out and you can be left in a pickle.
– Thanks to Thomas Lawson for suggesting this tip! - Before leaving for Junior Gold, get a copy or picture of the drill sheet / layout sheet / spec sheet / ball drill pattern sheet (different names for the same thing) from your pro-shop / ball driller. You may need to get a new ball(s) drilled at Junior Gold: airlines lose your equipment, balls crack, get lost or stolen, you realize you have a gap in your arsenal. Having your layout information without will make life much easier for the you and the driller at JG in a pinch.
– Thanks to Brian Bass for suggesting this tip! - Be sure to take pictures of the displays after each game and the score cards before you turn them in. Scoring mistakes happen, and you’ll want that proof if it does. Score corrections should be sent to tournaments@ibcyouth.com.
- Have fun and make new friends! Junior Gold is a great place to make new friends that love to do what you do. Be sure to introduce yourself, and encourage each other!
- Double check that the equipment you are planning to use is approved by the USBC: Approved Bowling Balls, Approved Cleaners
- Use the 2024 Junior Gold Map to find activities to fill the time you aren’t bowling and make some memories with family and friends.
- Reach out to your credit card financial institution to notify them of your travel in advance, so you don’t have surprises with your credit card being declined for fraudulent activity.
Submit a tip
Want 20% off great jerseys from the Junior Gold sponsor while supporting our site? Head over to I Am Bowling and use coupon code STRIKAH to great ready with high-quality materials and designs!
Last Updated on June 12, 2024 by John Voorhis