well im the kind of person that gets very paranoid about what shoes i wear and just to think that so many other people have worn the rental bowling shoes kinda creeps me out lol i know they clean them but still. . . . but yea wouldnt you be fine with just regular gym shoes?

When you bowl, your foot slides a bit on your last step from the momentum of the approach. Bowling shoes are made with a soft material on the sole that allows your foot to slide. I have attempted to bowl with regular rubber soled shoes before, and I got thrown off balance after releasing the ball because all my momentum ended suddenly. (I almost fell down).