Research
Sept. 2025 - Report on Bowling Ball Hardness Governance - History, Research and Competitive Impact
The equipment specifications team reports on the impact slow oil-absorbing high-performance balls have on lane conditions and competitive balance, Sept. 4, 2025.
May 2025 - Tiered Center Certification Research Report
The center certification team completed their research of the national inspection data collected, including updates regarding the tiered certification program, May 8, 2025.
Oct. 2024 - Three-Unit Rule Scoring Research Report
The equipment specifications team reports on multi-season research into scoring since the suspension of the three-unit rule, Aug.1, 2019.
Feb. 2024 - Bowling Ball FTIR Research Report
Report regarding the research and data collected from National Inspections, including the updated tiered portion of the center certification process.
Jan. 2024 - COR Suspension Research Report
Outlines the development for a new testing device for COR, and findings that support suspending this approval metric for bowling balls.
Dec. 2023 - Surface Hardness of Bowling Balls (1976)
1976 Surface Hardness of Bowling Balls report that discusses the relationship between hardness and track width.
Dec. 2023 - Historical Hardness/Footprint Research Report
Research report that discusses the findings from the 1976 Surface Hardness of Bowling Balls report.
Nov. 2023 - Old Urethane Ball Hardness Research Report
Research report that discusses the hardness change due to use of urethane balls from the past.
Nov. 2023 - String Pinsetter Scoring Research Report
Report on the findings of a scoring study that allows for string and free-fall averages to be treated the same.
Oct. 2023 - Footprint Research Report (updated Nov. 2023)
Research report outlining the use of a new footprint measurement SOP and the correlation to hardness testing of urethane balls.
Aug. 2023 - Open Championships Ball Hardness Research Report
Research report outlining the findings of hardness tests conducted in the field at the 2023 USBC Open Championships.
April 2023 - String Pinsetter Research Report
Report announcing final specifications and a separate certification for string pinsetter leagues and averages.
Nov. 2022 - Ball Hardness Research Report
Research reviewing the impact of ball hardness, including changes observed from use and manufactured differences, has on ball performance.
Sept. 2021 - String Pinsetter Research Report
Comprehensive report on the first round of string pinsetter research.
Dec. 2020 - String Pinsetter Research Report
This report outlines the preliminary findings from the first round of string pinsetter research.
April 2020 - Hardness Research Report
Report that reviews the findings from field tests at major tournaments in 2020.
March 2020 - 2020 U.S. Open Ball Hardness Testing Report
Report that reviews the findings from a ball hardness field test at the 2020 U.S. Open.
Dec. 2019 - Hardness Research Report
Report that summarizes hardness testing conducted by the USBC Equipment Specifications team.
Nov. 2019 - Center Certification Research Report
Report that summarizes center certification research conducted in 2019.
June 2019 - USBC Oil Pattern Report
Report that documents research into oil pattern regulation and suspends the three-unit rule.
Dec. 2018 - Center Certification Research Report
Report that summarizes center certification research conducted in 2018.
April 2017 - Lane Certification Study Report
Report that summarizes a 64-center data collection conducted by the USBC Equipment Specifications team.
May 2016 - USBC clarifies intent on gripping layouts interpretation
May 2016 - USBC explains modification to new gripping layouts
May 2014 - USBC modifies rule on ball gripping holes
July 2011 - USBC retains static weight specification for bowling balls
STATIC WEIGHT STUDY - 2011
Since completion of the Ball Motion Study in 2008, USBC has stated that if factors were determined to have a high impact on ball motion, a specification would be developed if one was not in place. Conversely, if factors were determined to have a lesser impact on ball motion, further studies would be conducted to investigate if modifying or removing specifications relating to those elements needed to occur.Bowlers, pro shop operators, some manufacturers and much of the industry has expressed concerns that static weights are no longer relevant in today's world of high-performance bowling balls that are affected more by ball dynamics and cover stock chemistry. Many called for an increase in the maximum static weight allowance or an outright elimination of the USBC static weight specification altogether.
In response, the USBC began studying the degree to which static weights affect ball motion. This study - partially completed this past May 2011 - illustrated that if the current USBC static weight limits were eliminated or increased, the typical three-phase motion of bowling balls as they travel down a lane (skid, hook, then roll) would be significantly altered. A fourth phase of unpredictable motion begins to occur that would cause problems for bowlers and pro shop operators leading to an undesirable effect on the lanes.
CLICK HERE to read about the results of the study. (PDF)
CLICK HERE to view PowerPoint.
March 2010 - USBC announces new verification requirements for pin manufacturers
December 2009 - Red, White and Blue Open results affirm equity of new oil patterns
August 2009 - USBC raises the allowable lower-limit radius of gyration (RG) measurement
June 2009 - New form will lead to accurate evaluation of arsenals, better understanding of ball motion
May 2009 - Understanding the USBC approval process
April 2009 - Communicating the Phases of Ball Motion | Video
BALL MOTION STUDY - 2008
The Equipment & Specifications Department within the United States Bowling Congress is responsible for setting and governing the specification limits of all equipment and machinery used in the sport.
Recently, one of the department's objectives was defined as understanding which bowling ball properties affect ball motion and whether current or new specifications for bowling equipment need to be modified or developed. The full report of this research can be found by clicking on the link below.
Ball Motion Study (PDF)
Ball Motion Presentation (PDF)
Critical Factors of Ball Motion (PDF)
KEY ARTICLES
December 2008 - New bowling ball specification will affect manufacturers, not bowlers
October 2008 - USBC begins research on bowling ball entry, exit angles
September 2008 - USBC's bowling ball research demonstrates world-class innovation
May 2008 - Bowling ball science on National Public Radio
May 2008 - USBC bowling ball motion study chosen for International Technical Conference
April 2008 - USBC bowling ball motion study concludes
March 2008 - USBC develops new biomechanics technology for bowling
February 2008 - USBC technology contest champion crowned
January 2008 - USBC proactive in facility, equipment standards group
December 2007 - Research complete on USBC bowling ball motion study
December 2007 - Lane Surface Task Force lays foundation for future research
November 2007 - USBC sets specification for lane oil viscosity
October 2007 - USBC forming Lane Conditioner/Cleaner Task Force
August 2007 - A statistical approach to lane center certification
August 2007 - USBC research uncovers new facts about bowling ball movement
August 2007 - Marketing vs Physics: The truth about axis migration and core dynamics
July 2007 - Center of Gravity (CG) placement on a symmetrical bowling ball: How critical is it?
July 2007 - USBC modifies lane dressing inspection requirements
June 2007 - USBC adopts lane hardness specification
May 2007 - Bowling ball performance and resulting ball life
May 2007 - High-tech device helps USBC advance pin testing
April 2007 - Understanding the relationship between core and cover stock properties
April 2007 - Core Properties
April 2007 - Calling all inventors: USBC seeks device measuring friction on bowling lanes
March 2007 - USBC leads the way in bowling technology
February 2007 - USBC chooses Ford engineer as technical advisor
June 2006 - USBC refocuses on System of Bowling research
January 2006 - USBC to revisit testing of bowling pins
September 2005 - USBC forms task force to address bowling ball issues
February 2005 - USBC changes CoR specification
January 2005 - USBC sets new new bowling ball specification
RESOURCES
The science of bowling is one which, like any science, has its share of technical jargon—terms like "Coefficient of Friction," "Intermediate Differential," or "Symmetrical Core." Below we provide a comprehensive glossary of terms along with additional resources that will make the more technical side of bowling more accessible to you.
Updated Terminology
Static Weight Removal Chart
RG Differential Increase Chart