The PRS Of Bowling Terminology
bowlingball.com,
Originally Posted: 5/4/2014; Updated: 11/8/2022If you are trying to learn some bowling terms, then start with
the PRS of bowling terminology.
There are useful terms contained in the wide scope of bowling terminology just with the terms beginning with the letters,
P, R, and S.Take time to become familiar with these terms if you are new to the game and are developing an interest in learning some of the lingo in the game.
Here are the
PRS terms we hear referenced from time to time:
Particle - Any additive mixed into the coverstock to change the interaction between the bowling ball, lane conditioner and
the lane.
Phenolic - A plastic-like material derived from the chemical “phenol”.
Pin (in reference to a bowling ball) - This is used to indicate where the top of the weight block is located in the ball.
Pin base flat diameter - The diameter of the base of the pin which will contact a surface when a pin is stood upright.
Pin deck - The area of the lane on which the pins are spotted.
Pitch - Angle at which holes in the bowling ball are drilled.
Positive Axis Point, PAP - This is the point on a ball which the ball rotates initially upon release.
A bowler’s Axis Point is unique to them and has the potential to change depending on how that bowler
releases the bowling ball. The Axis Point includes both a horizontal and vertical measurement from the center of grip.
Preferred Spin Axis, PSA - The axis around which a ball will migrate to and spin around when energy is added to the bowling ball; this will always be the high RG axis of the ball. This term applies to all asymmetrical and drilled symmetrical balls.
Radius of gyration, RG - Measured in inches, radius of gyration is the distance from the axis of rotation at which the total mass of a body might be concentrated without changing its moment of inertia.
Refinish - To put a new protective coating on lanes or pins.
Refurbish - To renew the life of an approved bowling pin by the use
of plastic coatings and Nylon reinforcing over the entire pin.
Re-release - A reproduction and subsequent release of an existing (previously approved) product. Re-released products must meet all current specifications and are no longer considered grand-fathered beyond their original approval under previous specifications.
Roll PhaseThe third phase of ball motion where the ball is traveling on a linear path towards the pins.
Roundness - Being such that every part of the surface or the circumference is equidistant from the center.
Runout - States how far the actual surface is permitted to vary from the dimensions implied.
Skid Phase - The first phase of ball motion; the ball path is in a straight line and has
not encountered enough friction to begin it’s hook phase.
Slabbing - The separation of glue joints in a wood core pin or separation of materials in a synthetic lane.
Span - The distance between the thumb and finger holes on a bowling ball.
Surface Roughness (Ra) - The arithmetic mean of the peak to valley distances over an evaluation distance.
Surface Roughness RS - The arithmetic mean of peak to peak distances of the local peaks in the evaluation distance.
Sward hardness-A measurement of surface hardness.
Symmetrical Core (undrilled) - A ball where the RG (radius of gyration) values of the Y (high RG) and Z (intermediate RG) axes of the ball do not differ by more than 5% of the total differential of the ball.
Synthetic - In bowling terms, any pin or lane product not made of wood.
The examples above of bowling terminology beginning with the letters P, R, and S, give you a little insight into common terms or lingo commonly used in the bowling industry. These terms were provided courtesy of the USBC public website.
The examples above of bowling terminology beginning with the letters P, R, and S, give you a little insight into common terms or lingo commonly used in the bowling industry. These terms were provided courtesy of the USBC public website.
