The Shopwada Journal

Game-day notes

Sizing help, team-order tips and gear ideas for golf, bowling, billiards, pickleball and archery — from the Shopwada team.

Player aiming a cue at the cue ball on a pool table in a classic billiard hall wearing a black polo with an American flag eagle holding an 8 ball

History of Pool: From Lawn Game to 8-Ball

A short timeline of billiards and pool, from the lawn to league night.

Bowler releasing a ball in a bowling alley decorated for Christmas wearing a red and green reindeer bowling polo

Christmas Bowling Party Ideas: Themes, Games and Tips

Themes, holiday bowling games, outfits and planning tips for a festive night at the lanes.

Golfer lining up a putt next to an American flag pin wearing a white golf polo with a bald eagle and American flag

Is It Disrespectful to Wear American Flag Clothing?

What the Flag Code says, flag vs. flag-inspired design, and how to wear red, white and blue respectfully.

Angler casting a spinning rod on a rocky river at golden hour wearing a camo long sleeve smallmouth bass fishing shirt

Best Time to Fish for Smallmouth Bass: Season and Time of Day

Season by season, time of day and weather tips for catching more smallmouth.

Woman golfer teeing up a driver on the red forward tees wearing a white and pink golf polo with a cartoon golf ball holding a heart

What Are the Red Tees in Golf? Who Should Play Them

Forward tees, tee colors and how to pick the right tee box for your game.

Dad kneeling to explain the controls to his child on a small dirt bike wearing a black and green MX Racing jersey

How to Teach a Kid to Ride a Dirt Bike: Step-by-Step

A simple first-ride plan for parents: balance, throttle, brakes, then turns.

Bowler in an orange and black turkey bowling polo celebrating three strikes in a row at the alley

What Is a Turkey in Bowling? Meaning, Origin and Scoring

Three strikes in a row, where the name comes from and what comes next.

Rider in an orange skull Moto Racing jersey shifting gears on a dirt bike at a dirt track

How to Shift a Dirt Bike: Shift Pattern and Step-by-Step

The one down, rest up pattern plus upshift and downshift steps for beginners.

Woman in a pink camo pinstripe dart polo comparing two darts in her hand beside a dartboard at league night

What Weight Darts Should I Use? Chart and Simple Test

Steel tip vs soft tip weight ranges and a simple test to find yours.

Pool player in a black blue flaming skull billiard polo lining up a shot during an 8-ball game

8 Ball Pool Rules: How to Play, Fouls and How to Win

Rack, break, fouls and the 8 ball, explained step by step.

Hunter in a camo golden retriever hoodie kneeling in marsh reeds as his golden retriever retrieves a pheasant

Are Golden Retrievers Good Hunting Dogs? What Hunters Should Know

Field-bred vs show-bred goldens, hunting traits and what to ask a breeder.

Young rider in a blue Brraaap motocross jersey pressure washing a muddy dirt bike on a stand in a driveway

How to Clean a Dirt Bike: Step-by-Step Wash Guide

A six-step wash routine, cleaning kit and the spots riders miss.

Motocross rider in a red and black Extreme number 07 jersey standing on the pegs through deep sand dunes

How to Ride a Dirt Bike in Sand: Technique and Tips

Body position, gear choice, throttle and line choice for soft sand.

Angler in an American flag bass fishing shirt holding a largemouth and a smallmouth bass side by side on a boat

Largemouth vs Smallmouth Bass: How to Tell Them Apart

Jaw, stripe and fin checks, habitat and size, with a side-by-side chart.

Rider in a red dinosaur motocross jersey kick starting a dirt bike at the track

How to Start a Dirt Bike: Kick Start and Electric Start

Kick start and electric start steps, cold vs warm starts and fixes when it will not fire.

Front and back of a black and red darts quarter-zip with a bull, a dartboard and team name

What Is a Good Dart Average? Chart and How to Improve

How to calculate a 3-dart average, a darts-per-leg chart and practice tips.

Black polo with a flaming 8 ball, fire wings, cue sticks and a custom name

How to Break in Pool: Setup, Stroke and 8-Ball Tips

Rack, cue ball spot, stroke and 8-ball break options for league players.

Pheasant hunter in a blaze orange pointing dog long sleeve shirt and orange cap walking a field with his pointer

How Much Blaze Orange Is Required for Hunting? State Rules

Square-inch rules, state examples and how to treat printed orange shirts.

Golfer in a turquoise tropical leaf golf polo repairing a ball mark on the green as partners wait

Golf Etiquette Rules: Tee, Pace, Course Care and Greens

Golf etiquette from the first tee to the green, with PGA tips on pace and course care.

Angler in a black bass-scale long sleeve fishing shirt holding a largemouth bass in a boat on a misty lake at sunrise

How to Catch Largemouth Bass: Spots, Baits and Timing

Where bass hide, the best baits, when to fish and how to set the hook.

Rider in a stars and stripes motocross jersey jumping a dirt bike off a dirt track lip

How to Jump a Dirt Bike: Step-by-Step for Beginners

Body position, the two ways to jump, throttle control and safe practice on tabletops.

Man in a blue lightning dart polo throwing a dart at a dartboard from the oche in a pub

How to Play 301 Darts: Rules, Scoring and Busts

301 rules, scoring, busts, double in and double out, plus checkout tips.

Bowhunter in a brown camo whitetail hoodie crouching to check a blood trail on autumn leaves

How to Track a Deer After the Shot: Blood Trail Guide

Step-by-step blood trailing: marking the spot, blood color, wait times and tips.

Bowler in a white shamrock quarter-zip bowling shirt rolling a ball at the remaining pins for a spare

How to Pick Up Spares in Bowling: The 3-6-9 System

The 3-6-9 spare system, corner pins, splits and practice tips for league night.