Research Reports
The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) releases multiple research reports examining how key technical factors impact the sport of bowling. The following is a timeline-ordered archive of research reports documenting the research conducted by the USBC Equipment Specifications department.
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
Overviews the Equipment Specification Team's research into analyzing bowling ball coverstocks with an FTIR spectrometer.
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.