Chapter 7: Equipment

Specifications and Certifications

Specifications Manual containing all USBC equipment specifications, including detailed information

on all revised measurement and material specifications, is available on bowl.com.

Section 1. Bowling Ball Specifications

a. Approved Equipment

1. Bowling balls used in competition must be USBC approved and identifiable as a ball listed in the

“Approved Bowling Balls” list located on the Specifications/Certifications page of bowl.com.

2. For identification purposes, each ball must have some form of serial number (this may be engraved

or re-engraved by the bowler), manufacturer’s name/logo and ball name. Since all bowling balls

manufactured prior to the creation of the ball list (January 1991) have been previously approved,

the acceptance of these balls is at the discretion of the tournament management or league official.

If my bowling ball’s serial number has been removed or is no longer visible on the ball, is it

still legal/acceptable to use in USBC competition?

If the serial number can no longer be identified, it must be replaced by engraving another serial number

provided the ball’s original product name and manufacturer’s name are still visible. The manufacturer’s name,

product name and the serial number must be visible for the ball to be used in USBC competition. These items

must be included to verify that it is an approved ball. (See USBC Equipment Specifications — Bowling Balls)

b. Surface

1. The surface of a ball must be free of all depressions or grooves of specific pattern, except for:

a) Holes or indentations used for gripping the ball

b) Identification letters and numbers,

c) Incidental chipping or marring caused by wear.

2. No foreign material may be placed on the outer surface of the ball.

3. The introduction of metal or any other substance not comparable to the original material used in

the manufacture of the ball is prohibited.

4. If the surface friction of the ball is altered by sanding or polishing, the entire surface of the ball

must be sanded or polished in a uniform manner.

c. Plugs and Designs

1. Must be of material similar to, although not exactly the same as, the original material out of which

the ball was made; and shall otherwise comply with all bowling ball specifications.

2. Plugs may be inserted for the purpose of redrilling a ball.

3. Plugs and grips may not exceed beyond the surface of the ball.

4. Designs may be embedded in a ball as guides, or observation or identification purposes, provided

the designs are flush with the outer surface of the ball.

In all cases there shall be no interior voids.

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Chapter 7: USBC Equipment Specifications and Certification – 95

e. Hardness

1. The surface hardness of a ball shall be not less than 72 Durometer “D.”

2. The use of chemicals, solvents or other methods to change the surface hardness of the ball

is prohibited. (See Rule 18, Bowling Ball – Altering Surface.)

1. They do not affect the hardness of the ball.

2. They are totally removed from the ball before delivery.

Any ball cleaner which does not conform to any of these provisions may not be used in USBC

certified competition.

A complete list of approved/non approved ball cleaners is available on bowl.com.

Section 2. Drilling Specifications

1. Holes or indentations, not to exceed five, for gripping purposes.

2. One hole for balance purposes, not to exceed 1-1/4 inch in diameter.

3. One (1) vent hole to each finger and/or thumb hole, not to exceed 1/4 inch in diameter.

4. One mill hole for inspection purposes, not to exceed 5/8 inch in diameter and 1/8 inch in depth.

1. For a ball weighing 10.01 pounds or more:

a) Not more than three ounces difference between the top of ball (finger hole side) and the

bottom (solid side opposite finger holes).

b) Not more than one ounce difference between the sides to the right and left of the finger

holes or between the sides in front and back of the finger holes.

2. For a ball weighing 8.0 pounds to 10.0 pounds:

a) Not more than two ounces difference between the top of the ball and the bottom.

b) Not more than 3/4 ounce difference between the sides to the right and left or between the

front and back of the finger holes.

3. For a ball weighing less than 8.0 pounds:

a) Not more than 3/4 ounce difference between the top of the ball and the bottom.

b) Not more than 3/4 ounce difference between the sides to the right and left or between the

front and back of the finger holes.

Altering a ball in any way, to increase its weight or cause it to be out of balance beyond the tolerances, is

prohibited.

A complete list of drilling specifications is available in the USBC Equipment Specifications Manual which can

be found on bowl.com.

USBC Playing Rules and Commonly Asked Questions

96 – Chapter 7: USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications

Section 3. Bowler Center Certificates

Failure to comply with any equipment specification shall constitute grounds for score denials and suspension or

withholding of membership of all persons involved, including owners, managers and maintenance personnel.

ensure an inspection is done. The lanes and equipment would be measured and inspected for compliance

with physical specifications.

other requirements have been met, a certificate will be issued.

the owner and all operational personnel represent that its best effort will be given to insure that all

bowling equipment, lane dressing and its distribution meets and continues to meet all requirements for

certified competition.

1. Dressing must be applied from edgeboard to edgeboard for the entire distance that dressing is

applied.

2. Following any application of dressing, in the dressed portion of the lane there shall be a minimum

of three (3) units of dressing at all points on the lane surface.

e. Suspended/Withdrawn.

1. In the event a certificate is temporarily suspended or withdrawn, any bowler who withdraws from

a league in the bowling center shall be deemed to have done so for a satisfactory reason for the

purposes of Rule 114a.

2. The USBC may authorize issuance of membership to members of leagues desiring to be certified

and committed to bowl in a bowling center in which a bowling center certificate is not in effect. All

members of such leagues must apply for membership.

3. Privileges and services will be provided to members of such leagues, but shall not include recognition

of averages, all pins over average awards, all national recognition awards, 11-in-a-row and

300 games and 700 and 800 series or better. Such privileges and services may not be extended

for more than one season, or longer than one.

Section 4. Pins

a. Pins used in competition shall only bear the name and trademark of the original manufacturer or

distributor and be marked “USBC Approved.” Except for reasonable wear and color, the pins in each

set must be uniform in appearance including finish and labels.

b. The coating of the pin must be transparent (clear) or solid color with the exception of the neck markings,

identifying symbols or name which must be clearly visible or of a contrasting color. Standard all wood or

plastic coated pins shall bear the same labels and permit numbers and shall not vary more than four

ounces in each set.

c. Synthetic pins shall bear the same labels and permit numbers and shall not vary more than two ounces

in each set.

USBC Playing Rules and Commonly Asked Questions