Bowling Ball Weight Hole Rule Changes
Erik VermilyeaLike other sports, technology has impacted the way we play the game today. Over the years, bowling has seen its fair share of changes.
From the lane surface and the oil placed on the lane to bowling balls and bowling equipment, bowlers are always playing catch up with all of these advancements.
The USBC Equipment and Specifications Committee conducted research over a three-year time span to determine if there is an integrity risk for the sport of bowling currently, and in the future.
Current regulations limit differential rg. to 0.060 in a bowling ball. The higher the differential rg, the higher the hook potential.
The committee proved that size and location of bowling ball weight holes well exceeds rg. and differential rg. regulations.
New rule changes concerning bowling ball weight holes are to be implemented by August 1, 2020.
Coaches Erik Vermilyea with Track, and Scott Pohl, owner of On Track Pro Shop, illustrate how these rule changes will impact your current equipment and what you can expect when getting a new ball drilled in the pro shop moving forward.
Bowling ball weight holes will no longer be permitted in league and tournament play as of August 1, 2020. All equipment with a weight hole will need to be plugged prior to this date.
The committee did find that with the removal of weight holes, they could increase the static weight imbalance while drilling from 1oz to 3oz.
Adding three ounces of static weight in all directions did not allow balls to hook more than bowling balls in the market today that use a weight hole and meet existing static weight specifications.
This gives pro shop operators the ability to play with new pin positions when working together on fit of a bowling ball.
You still have time, do your research and try new layouts to determine what works best for you.
Welcome to the National Bowling Academy. I'm Eric Vermilyea joined today by Scott Pohl, multiple Diamond Eagle winner and multiple time team USA member. Heck of a nice guy owner of OnTrack pro shop here inside the Cedar Bell Lanes, Eagan, Minnesota. Scott, today, I'd like to discuss with you some changes coming. As far as bowling ball regulations, static weights, weight holes, whole bunch of new things coming out that are pretty much going to affect every bowler out there that bowls anything USBC certified.
We have some timelines to discuss some changes as far as what is allowed, what isn't allowed, what is allowed today and what won't be in the future. A lot of info out there. It's important for everybody to get this correct but also a lot of opportunities for some new layouts and some new changes to what you can do. So, let's just jump right in. So as of right now, we're kind of in the open phase where, you know, everything goes but as far as when August 1st of 2020 comes around the any weight hole in a bowling ball will no longer be allowed.
So we've got some balls here. You see the weight holes, layouts that utilize the weight holes. As of 8/1, these will no longer be good. I know this affects the pro shops quite a bit as well. Scott what's some of your takes, what's some stuff that you guys are going to.
Sure, yeah. So it's a great topic that's happening right now. A lot of people are kind of in a little panic mode, but you know, it'll be just fine. Okay. Things are going to get ironed out and it is, it is a pretty simple rule when you just break it down, you know, the weight hole or balance hole whichever way you want to call it, is going to have to be removed in 2020.
Okay, now we look at it now that is how many months in the future. It's quite a few. It's quite a few. But it's always coming. So preparation for the future is, there's a lot more information that needs to be found from the pro shop and also the balance wole dictates ball reaction.
It does. It does. It does play a role on that. I guess part of the reason for the rule change is again, to eliminate that aspect of it. So, but on the same token, though there is a static weight change that's being made as well- Correct To kind of coincide with this.
Yeah, the static weight change is three ounces, now can be allowed, finger side, top, thumb, weight everything like that, where in the past it was just one ounce. And that one ounce is a pretty small window to work with as far as where that the center of gravity marker can be in the ball. And that's again why the weight hole was there to then correct the imbalance. So now that that's expanded to three ounces there's a lot more options, a lot more opportunity there as well. Yes, the balance hole was to correct those things and also a lot of the time to enhance ball reaction.
Exactly, yes. And those tools will not be available in August 1st, 2020. Exactly. So I've got a few different layouts here that you can kind of see. So these, these would all be kind of current, you know, pretty traditional layouts like center gravity, to the right a little bit, kicked out, created more than an ounce of positive weight.
The weight hole brings back end into legal spec. A couple of the balls I've got here would be examples of what is currently allowed since the rule change does kick in. As far as the static weight goes as of August 1st of 2018. So these balls do both have well over one ounce of positive weight without a weight hold but they are under that three ounce weight rule. So this is legal right now.
This is good to go. And this will also be just fine after August 1st of 2020. Whereas these two right here with their weight holes would not be allowed. So Scott coming up on, when it did get closer to that 8/1 date, let's say you've got an arsenal of balls that have the weight holes, you know what are you supposed to do with these What, what are you going to talk to your pro shop about? So definitely what needs to happen is they need to go away.
And the only way that can happen is having them plugged at your pro shop, filled up and no longer there. That seems like a pretty simple fix. It is a very simple fix. All right. So just go visit with your pro shop, get these weight holes taken care of before August 1st of 2020.
Absolutely. In the meantime, feel free to experiment on some new layouts, you know, bring the center of gravity a little bit stronger. You can also move the pins quite a bit higher, quite a bit lower since you do have that extra window of wiggle room with the static weight changes. Yeah, with that said it's a lot more evident now going to your pro shop to find more information on what the bowler needs, since this option isn't available. It's going to be more important that that pro shop person drills it the right way.
Very much. Yeah, first shot. So always again with any bowling ball purchase, any layout again, seek out a well knowledged, well versed pro shop guy. Throw some shots, have a good discussion about your individual style, what you're looking for, make sure we get these holes in the right spot. Everything meets specifications and you can knock down some more pins.
I'll put a Balance Hole in any Ball I want and use it in League and Tournaments, and You can't stop me. If anyone confronts me about it, they can get the Heater.
<strong> I was told that because I am a bowler that doesn't use his thumb hole, I will be required to plug my thumb hole? That can't be right can it?
I have 2 balls w weight holes. B4 8/1/2029 I have to plug those holes and possibly plug my finger n thumb holes and have the balls predrilled. With the bowling fraternity dwindling, is this a rule we as bowlers need? I'm not interested in paying MORE money on balls that work well. I am seriously considering quitting on July 31,2020