Useful Specifications For Bowling Balls
There are numerous technical specifications the United States Bowling Congress requires from manufacturers for bowling balls to be cleared for use in sanctioned league or tournament competition.
Some specifications are more applicable to the everyday bowler than others.
Here are a few specifications you may wish to know:
*Plugs, grips, or tape may not extend from the inside of a gripping hole beyond the surface of the ball.
*The weight of a ball shall not exceed 16 pounds. There is no minimum weight.
*The surface hardness of bowling balls shall not be less than 72 Durometer D at room temperature (68 - 78 degrees F).
*No chemicals or solvents may be used to alter the surface hardness after a ball is manufactured.
*The circumference of a bowling ball 13 lbs. or greater is 26.7" minimum, 27.002" maximum.
*The diameter of a bowling ball 13 lbs. or greater is a minimum of 8.5" and a maximum of 8.595".
*5 holes maximum are allowed for gripping purposes, all for the same hand.
*1 hole for balance purposes is permitted not to exceed 1 1/4" diameter at any point through the depth of the hole.
*1 vent hole is permitted not to exceed 1/4" diameter.
*Not more than 3 ounces difference in 10 lb. balls or greater between the top half of the ball and the bottom half of the ball is permitted.
*Not more than 1 oz. difference in 10 lb. balls or greater between the right and left sides of the ball and between the front and back of the fingers holes is permitted.
*Any 10 lb. ball or greater drilled without a thumb hole may have no more than 3 oz. difference between the top half and bottom half of the ball.
*The center of the grip of a ball is determined by measuring the cut or front edge of each finger hole to the front edge of the thumb hole.
*Plugs may be inserted into a ball for the purpose of re-drilling the ball.
*Slugs may be used in place of plugging finger holes only when a new hole is drilled completely through the slug.
*There are no color restrictions for a bowling ball so long as all additives in the coverstock are distributed throughout the entire coverstock of the ball.
Bowling balls are made with varying levels of
coverstock texture to help the ball react in a predicted manner various oil patterns on the lane surface.
It helps to be familiar with useful specifications for bowling balls. These specs provided above highlight the most frequently requested bits of information.
