BOWLING PINS

USBC is engaged in a new round of research intended to test the scoring impact of bowling pins with various specifications. USBC is testing bowling pin samples of different weights and centers of gravity submitted from pin manufacturers worldwide. USBC also is working with manufacturers to gather input about certain characteristics of bowling pins such as the base diameter, base radius and base attachment.  The objective of the USBC Specifications and Certifications team’s research is to gather data from this analysis and compare the interactions of the pins with the other three System of Bowling components.   

Results from recent testing are in line with previous tests that support the conclusion that altering specifications of bowling pins may have too great an impact on many bowlers. For example, USBC is studying pins with lower centers of gravity than the current range of 5 40/64 inches and 5 60/64 inches and what effect that would have on bowlers of different ages.

“So far the data indicates that lowering the CG of bowling pins would have a disproportionate impact on the averages of youth, senior and many women bowlers,” said USBC Technical Director Neil Stremmel. “Minor adjustments to bowling pin specifications, in conjunction with specification changes to bowling balls, may have the appropriate effect.  Continued testing will give us more functional data.”