by Rodney Harris

Created on: January 26, 2011   Last Updated: January 29, 2011

Bowling is still one of the most popular public participation sports in America. Many people who enjoy this pastime are members of at least one bowling league. One of the most important factors in becoming a decent to good bowler is having a good bowling ball that is drilled to fit your style and expertise level. Knowing how a bowling ball is constructed can help in the decision about which bowling ball may suit your purpose.

Most bowling balls are basically a two part construction, a core and the cover stock. The core is made of a non-metallic material to meet American Bowling Congress standards and it must be solid. Many heavier balls have several molded pieces in their core. The core is also where the weight of the ball is determined by adding a solid weight.

The cover stock is the shell that covers the core of the ball. It can be made of several different materials and its construction has evolved greatly since the turn of the twentieth century. In the early 1900s the hard rubber cover stock was first used and was the mainstay until the introduction of the plastic ball in the 1960s. With the introduction of polyurethane balls in the 80s and resin urethane balls in the 90s, bowlers were given a wide variety of choices in balls and ball control in different situations. All of these balls have very different actions and reactions to lane conditions and ball delivery styles.

The actual construction of the bowling ball begins with the assembly of the core. The weight and its positioning are researched according to the desired performance and then molded and the core is then assembled. To put the cover stock on the core a small hole is drilled into the core and the core is placed on a pin inside a mold. The cover stock material is then poured into the mold and left to harden. After hardening, the ball is then removed from the mold and the hole is filled with a resin. The ball is then lathed to the correct diameter and polished. The ball weight position is marked so the person drilling the ball can drill the ball correctly and ensure proper performance.

A ball is not really complete until it is drilled to the specifications of the bowler using it. The trained and experienced driller will make many measurements and calculations before putting the first hole in a ball. It is during this process that the ball is customized to meet the bowler's specific set of needs. A well made ball that is drilled correctly can make the difference between an average bowler and a good bowler. Anything beyond that is in the practice, skill and determination.     

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