The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) has confirmed it will fully adopt the new equipment specifications introduced by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), the sport’s governing body. In practice, this means every piece of equipment used in PBA competition must now meet the updated USBC standards, which place new restrictions on bowling ball construction and surface design.
With this move, the PBA is keeping its rules consistent with those applied across amateur leagues and tournaments, ensuring the game looks and feels the same at every level.
Key Takeaways
- The PBA will now follow all new equipment rules set by the USBC.
- A major change is the complete ban on drilling balance holes into bowling balls.
- Regulations also now limit a ball’s oil absorption rate and surface roughness.
- The goal is to highlight bowler skill rather than advances in equipment technology.
Understanding the New Specifications
The USBC introduced these new rules to protect the integrity of the sport. Since its founding in 1958, the PBA has been the premier organization for professional ten-pin bowling. The USBC, which certifies leagues, tournaments, and equipment, now shares a unified set of standards with the PBA, creating a consistent rulebook from local league play all the way to the professional tour.
The most talked-about change is the ban on balance holes. In the past, bowlers could drill an extra, non-gripping hole in the ball to alter its weight dynamics and reaction on the lane. Under the updated rules, every hole in the ball must be a gripping hole, and any existing balance holes need to be plugged if a player wants to keep using that ball in competition.
Other adjustments focus on how a ball interacts with lane oil. The USBC has placed a cap on the rate at which a ball’s cover stock can absorb oil, reducing the impact of extremely porous materials that could create exaggerated hook potential. On top of that, there is now a maximum limit for surface roughness, preventing balls from generating too much friction on the lane.
Purpose of the Rule Changes
The intent behind these updates is fairly straightforward. The USBC has said it wants to put the spotlight back on physical skill and accuracy rather than letting technology take the lead. Over the years, bowling ball design has grown increasingly sophisticated, and in some cases, equipment began to play an outsized role in performance.
By limiting construction variables, both the USBC and PBA are hoping to preserve the challenge that makes the sport competitive. PBA Tour Commissioner Tom Clark has openly supported the USBC’s research and its long-term vision for bowling, emphasizing that the changes are about protecting the sport’s future.
For professional bowlers, the message is clear: every piece of equipment in their arsenal must be brought up to standard before stepping onto the lanes of the PBA Tour. It may feel like an adjustment for some, but in the bigger picture, it’s a move designed to keep the playing field level.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is a balance hole in a bowling ball?
A. A balance hole was an extra hole drilled into a bowling ball that was not used for gripping. It was used to manipulate the ball’s core dynamics and influence its path down the lane. They are now banned by the USBC and PBA.
Q. Can I still use my old bowling ball with a balance hole?
A. To use a ball with a balance hole in any USBC or PBA-sanctioned event, you must have the hole professionally plugged. The material used to plug the hole must be the same type as the original ball material.
Q. Why did the USBC ban balance holes?
A. The USBC banned balance holes to simplify bowling ball dynamics and to make the bowler’s skill a more important factor in performance, reducing the influence of complex equipment modifications.
Q. How do the new rules affect professional bowlers?
A. Professional bowlers must now use equipment that conforms to all USBC specifications. This means they cannot use balls with balance holes and must use balls that meet the new oil absorption and surface roughness standards. They have had to adjust their equipment arsenals accordingly.
