Most bowling alleys are huge, with ten-pin balls, more than 20 big lanes, and concessions where people eat their favorite greasy snacks and sodas while wearing the classic striped leather bowling shoes.
However, a new type of bowling has opened in Macon. It uses shorter lanes, smaller balls, and a smaller venue to attract customers who want a more laid-back atmosphere while they bowl. It’s known as duckpin bowling.
The Social Duck opened in downtown Macon late last summer with six bowling lanes and small, palm-sized balls. It’s one of Macon’s newest and perhaps most fun ways to pass time.
According to Socilbowl.com, duck pin bowling dates back to the 1800s when two baseball Hall of Famers, John McGraw and Wilbert Robinson, who owned a billiards, boxing, and bowling hall. As a way to promote bowling, they supposedly made the pins smaller and removed the holes from the balls to create what is now known as duckpin bowling.
According to the co-owner of the Social Duck, Janine Ellis, “it works the same as regular bowling, except the pins are smaller and there are only six lanes to choose from, instead of sixteen lanes like you would see at larger bowling alleys.”
In July of 2025, Janine and her husband, Dr. Kris Ellis, opened the modern duckpin bowling restaurant because “they wanted bowling as an activity in order to bring something new to Macon.”
Ellis hopes the Social Duck will be a “good fit” for Macon because it not only has a friendly charm, but it also has a full-service bar where people can watch sports, have social events, and have fun.
Ellis also mentions that the restaurant serves modern American cuisine and the menu has many options to choose from, including duck wontons, pom frites, and different types of flatbreads.
She also said that the market for bowling is scarce. There aren’t a lot of places for adults to bowl. Both owners, Janine and Kris, are looking forward to starting competitions and leagues in the future to build more of a bowling community.
