Ball Motion Study: Phase I and II Final Report

The United States Bowling Congress, the national governing body of the sport of bowling, aims to ensure the integrity and protect the future of the sport by providing programs and services which enhance the bowling experience. Over the past twenty years, the technological advancements in bowling ball cover stocks and cores, coupled with improved lane surfaces and oiling patterns, have contributed to an increasing rate of honor scores and the overall scoring pace—thereby jeopardizing the credibility of the sport of bowling. The Equipment & Specifications Department within the United States Bowling Congress is responsible for setting and governing the specification limits of all equipment and machinery used in the sport. Their research has conclusively shown that increased entry angle into the pins directly relates to better pin carry and, thereby, higher scores. Therefore, in order to achieve the mission of the United States Bowling Congress, one of the department's objectives was defined as understanding which bowling ball properties affect ball motion and whether current or new specifications for bowling equipment need to be modified or developed. The physics behind ball motion has become increasingly complex, in line with the advances in bowling ball and lane technology. The Equipment & Specifications Department, therefore, initiated a comprehensive study that used multiple regression in order to understand and statistically validate which properties of a bowling ball significantly influence ball motion. Most of the results matched what would be expected by physics, but there were some interesting results with regards to both significant and insignificant variables. After review of the data with the Equipment & Specifications Committee, along with a majority representation from the major bowling ball manufacturers, the United States Bowling Congress has already proposed new specifications for at least one of the identified significant variables, and has begun investigating possible additional modifications to existing bowling ball, lane conditioner, cleaner and lane specifications.