The sport was goes back all the way to the ancient Egyptians, who used carved stones to knock down a variation of pins. During the early 1900s, most bowling balls were made of wood, and then rubber as science struggled to catch up with the sport. Beginning around 1960, scientists began incorporating polyester resin into the balls for the first time, enabling balls to sport shiny, bright colors that really increased the physical dimension of the game.
Polymers virtually revolutionized the sport of bowling. By utilizing polyester resin, the science of bowling balls suddenly knew no limits. Regulations governing that science have developed over the years, ensuring the quality of the ball and the integrity of the sport. The U.S. Bowling Congress has continually set those standards, creating a universal measure and standard of bowling ball that has added a world-wide respect for the sport.
As the science of bowling continually develops the sport, many industry leaders are realizing the importance that the center of gravity plays on a ball’s performance. Most bowling ball companies design their balls to have a certain pin to center gravity distance in mind, which can vary from one to six inches depending on the scope of the ball.
Once a ball is drilled, those measurements will change by about plus or minus 5 percent, depending on the drilling technique and the size of the holes. Weight holes can be added to the ball to increase the static weight, as the total differential and intermediate differential will change depending on the ball’s size, affecting the drive and performance of the ball. The differences in drilling can be invisible to the naked eye, but are essential to the optimization and performance of the ball.
Minor differences in hole positioning may seem minor, but every change made to a ball will have an effect on its performance. Weight and hole positioning makes all the difference in the world.
The science of bowling has come along way since the days of the ancient Egyptians, but so has its popularity. As more and more people learn to enjoy the benefits of bowling, the science and technology improves. Just as you learn to hone your game through consistent practice and your own love of the sport, the science of bowlingballs continues to develop the techniques of the sport.
How would you describe yourself? Really, if you had to write a bio, what would you include? After you got past your name and where you are from, maybe you would mention your family and work. Then our hobbies? Sometimes our sports and hobbies really define us and make us who we are. They identify not only what we like to do, but how we like to spend our time, how we gauge our own lifestyles. Aside from work and family, our sports and hobbies form the core of our lives, working out a balancing dynamic like the core of a bowling ball piloting down the lane.
