Know Your Bowling Ball Performance Range

bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 7/3/2013; Updated: 6/4/2021

If you are new to the game or just getting motivated to improve your game, it is important to know modern bowling ball technology offers an array of performance capabilities from which you may choose. However, it is unwise to expect your bowling ball to meet every performance expectation.


Bowling balls are typically designed for general reaction capabilities and are limited to the scope of ball motion based on several factors.


One factor is the coverstock. The coverstock is the single most crucial element of any bowling ball, because it is in constant contact with the lane surface. There are a variety of coverstock factory finishes to select matching the given lane conditions you encounter.
Selecting an aggressive solid matte factory finish coverstock designed for use in heavy oil is likely not the best choice on dry lanes. Conversely, a shiny pearl polished factory finish bowling ball is likely not the best choice on heavy oil conditions.
It is important to understand the range limitations of your bowling ball coverstocks.
The same holds true for core designs. Without getting immersed too deeply in science and technology, you simply need to know that some bowling balls are designed for a controllable and steady arcing motion, which tends to be the most versatile of all ball motion options.


Other bowling balls are manufactured with a lengthy skid potential and provide a sharp hook motion on the back end of the lane.
Of course, there are intermediate ranges of ball motion each manufacturer addresses.

 It is your decision which bowling ball to use and which will give you the best chances of a consistent ball motion on lane conditions you face frequently.


No bowling ball solves all the range of motions and capabilities bowlers seek. The best you can do is select bowling balls which are designed to closely match the conditions you face and which will work best based on your given delivery style.
There are two areas where you can control ball motion beyond the scope of how each given bowling ball is manufactured. You can alter the coverstock surface to either increase or decrease ball skid potential, thereby changing the degree of back end motion correspondingly.


You can select a drilling layout option to influence bowling ball motion based on the Pin placement and your Positive Axis Point, and based on the flare potential of the given bowling ball.
Manufacturers are wise in giving us options to alter ball motion by changing the degree of texture to the coverstock surfaces and by choosing a given drilling layout to achieve the overall desired ball reaction we seek.


The combination of these factors gives you the best opportunities to be successful when you bowl in competition.

It is unwise to expect your bowling balls to match well with every lane condition or to changing lane conditions every time you bowl.


Therefore, it is vital to know the performance range of each of your bowling balls and use them at the best times based on your game.


It should be obvious that if you are fortunate to have an experienced pro shop professional to help you gear your bowling ball equipment around your game, your delivery style, and around the typical lane conditions you face, your chances at success increase.


Take some responsibility in knowing the performance ranges of your bowling balls and in performing routine maintenance on your bowling ball coverstocks. Consistently good scores depend on it.