I actually meant to test this before but I forgot. I'm using Zero's mod which is similar to Turbo's mod to stop NPCs interrupting conversations, but I think Turbo's is a bit more involved. Anyway, I meant to try bowling again after installing this mod but it slipped my mind.
Well, I just tried it now. No NPCs bothered my 2 sims but they did keep sitting down to talk every so often and it still took a while to complete. But they did actually finish the game. So yes, I'd recommend Turbo or Zero's mod if you want to bowl without NPCs interrupting with their idle chat. I don't know if this will ever get fixed, but at least there's a mod to make it possible to bowl in public again.
Edit: I tested it again after, including an invited friend. NPCs can still interrupt the invited sim, so it's still unplayable if you're bowling with somebody who is not part of your active household.