I just got back into bowling and my girlfriend wants to learn. She ran off and ordered two new balls, a path rising and a path plastic ball in 12lbs. She mainly got them because she thought they were pretty, but I figure she made a pretty good choice for balls to start out with. Now it's been tasked to me to teach her. I will say, I've taught her how to do a lot of different things, and she's a great learner and doesn't get frustrated too easily, so I'm confident I can get her started on the right path. She's  going to be getting shoes as well, so she'll be all set up with gear to start.

My first order of business will be getting her acquainted with the basics of the game, rules, how scoring works, etc. After that, we will form an approach and arm swing for her and have her practice that. Once she starts getting comfortable with that, start working on accuracy.

My first question is; should I start her out with a standard drill on the plastic ball and focus on her approach, or should I start her out with fingertip and just get straight to it with the Path Rising, and work on approach all in one? She's willing to try whichever will be the best option.

Now obviously keep in mind, she's not training to become a pro bowler, she just wants to get into it semi seriously, maybe even try a league with me at some point. Also, I know I'm gonna have people telling me to get her a coach, but she's not quite that serious about it and I don't think she would enjoy it much. Thank you for any and all input!

if she wants to get into it semi-seriously, I'd say definitely go straight to fingertip.

My girlfriend started bowling with me and she wanted to get into a league with me, so we got a used 12lb Brunswick Smash Zone and went to fingertip grip. In just over a year of bowling her average has gone up over 30 pins and she's finally got a few 200 games. She doesn't want any coach to help her, she just wants me to help but also to remember that we're doing it for the fun. So really all I ever have her do is just try to stick to the basics. I think for taking it semi-seriously but doing it mostly for fun the best things to focus on are: smooth approach(no jerkiness), good timing, and a consistent release

This is exactly the same situation we're in. She's learning just for fun and doesn't want a coach. She just wants me to coach her. I was leaning towards fingertip as well because if that's the ultimate goal, might as well start learning with it.

I know I'm gonna have people telling me to get her a coach, but she's not quite that serious about it

You don't have to be serious into the sport to get a bowling coach. A good coach can really get a starting bowler on the right track quickly. You knowing enough about the game should be fine.

Have fun and hope she enjoys this great game for many years.