In 2018, USBC announced a series of rule changes to be implemented over the next few seasons. These changes were announced with the intent to ensure that equipment is not manipulated during competition. We’ve already seen some of these go into effect.

Aug 1^st 2018 -  Bowling ball manufacturers are required to submit oil absorption data as part of the USBC bowling ball approval process

Aug 1^st 2019 – Eliminate use of liquid cleaners of any kind during competition.

Jan 1^st 2020 – Increased legal static weights from one ounce of side, finger, and/or thumb to three ounces of side, finger, and/or thumb

 

Starting Aug 1^st 2020

The elimination of balance holes will go into effect, meaning any balls with a balance hole will be ruled ineligible.

Balance holes are meant to correct the static imbalance in a bowling ball, and with the new three ounce rules (increased from one), there shouldn’t be a need for balance holes anymore.

Bowlers may now have up to five holes in the ball, but they must all be gripping holes used on every delivery.

 

Bowling World Offer

Any bowling balls that still have balance holes can be made legal by plugging the hole. Bring your ball into any Bowling World location for a resurface and we’ll plug the balance hole for free. We have 60+ locations across 12 states – you can find of a map of our stores here

 

More Resources

 

USBC Sets New Specifications for Bowling Balls

USBC Rule Book

Bowling Ball Weight Hole Rule Changes [VIDEO] - National Bowling Acadamy