BOWLING BALLS

USBC is working on a study of bowling ball motion. Through this research, expected to last about 18 months, USBC’s goal is to learn and understand even more about today’s high-tech bowling balls that have complex cores and weight blocks and the inner motion characteristics of the balls. USBC will use this information – in addition to that gleaned in working cooperatively with ball manufacturers and other industry leaders – to set performance-based specifications for bowling balls used in USBC-certified competition.

For the study, USBC research scientists are using advanced testing equipment such as the robotic precision bowling ball thrower nicknamed “Harry” – a similar machine to the United States Golf Association’s robotic golfer called “Iron Byron” – and the Computer Aided Tracking System, commonly referred to by the acronym C.A.T.S. Created in the USBC research lab in 1993, C.A.T.S. consists of 23 small, round sensors placed along the outside of the channel on two test center lanes which record the exact moment, speed and board on the lane that a bowling ball rolls past them. The sensors are connected to a computer, which uses that information to determine ball speed, how much and when the ball hooks, entry and launch angle and relative friction.

In this ball motion study, USBC previously was testing bowling ball samples in random groups, such as balls with low and high radius of gyration (RG), differential and cover stock material (i.e. resin and particle). To make the process more encompassing, tests are being performed with balls in groups organized by similar characteristics (i.e. all low RG balls) to determine if any trends become evident.

The research and testing, which has the full cooperation of 16 bowling ball manufacturing companies, is expected to be completed in the 2007-08 season.