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How many holes can a bowling ball have?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 07, 2026

1: Holes or indentations for gripping purposes shall not exceed five and shall be limited to one for each finger and one for the thumb, all for the same hand.

What is the maximum number of holes allowed in a bowling ball?

Bowlers are allowed up to five holes for gripping purposes but each hole must be used every delivery.

How many holes are there in a bowling ball?

Balls used in ten-pin bowling typically have holes for two fingers and the thumb. Balls used in five-pin bowling, candlepin bowling, and duckpin bowling have no holes and are small enough to be held in the palm of the hand.

Why does my bowling ball have 4 holes?

Background. A balance hole is an extra hole in the bowling ball that is not used for gripping purposes. Balance holes are primarily used to make the ball static weight legal to the current USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Manual if they are outside the legal limit after drilling.

How many finger holes are in a 10 pin bowling ball?

How many holes are allowed in a bowling ball? The rules of tenpin bowling allow for a total of 12 holes in each ball. You are allowed one for each finger and thumb for gripping purposes.

42 related questions found

How heavy is the heaviest legal bowling ball?

Find the Right Weight for Your Game

The heaviest legal bowling ball weighs 16 pounds. The lightest weight you can usually find at most bowling alleys is six pounds. That's a significant 10-pound range, and you can choose a ball anywhere within its limits.

How big is a bowling alley?

A bowling lane is 42 inches wide and 60 feet long, with the length being measured from the foul line to the head pin.

What bowling balls are illegal?

Related: The Storm Spectre bowling ball, which the USBC banned from all USBC certified competition, is not allowed in any level of PBA competition. Purple Hammer bowling balls manufactured in 2016 and 2017 were banned from USBC certified competition, and are not allowed in any level of PBA competition.

Why am I leaving the 9 pin?

If your ball never fully reaches the roll phase (still in the hook phase when it enters the pocket and hooking past the nine), or goes too long and finishes with too sharp an entry angle (Going so sharply sideways that it goes rolling in front of the nine pin and into the eight pin), you can leave the solid nine pin.

Is a balance hole illegal?

1 and that means effective today if you have a balance hole (or weight hole) in your bowling ball, it is officially illegal in USBC competition. It's Aug. 1 and that means effective today if you have a balance hole (or weight hole) in your bowling ball, it is officially illegal in USBC competition.

Can a bowling ball have 4 holes?

Bowling balls are only permitted one balance hole.

How heavy is a bowling pin?

The standard weight of a bowling pin is 3 pounds and 6 ounces or 1.5 kilograms and must not be more than 3 pounds 10 ounces or 1.6 kilograms. In the United States, the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) establishes the pin specifications.

How many bowling pins are there?

Ten pins are arranged at the end of the bowling lane at the beginning of every frame. They are arranged in a triangle formation, with the point of the triangle facing the bowler. There is one pin in the first row, which is the head pin, two pins in the second row, three in the third, and four in the fourth.

Can 2 handed bowlers have a thumb hole?

A two-handed bowler is required to use the same dominant hand during their delivery on both their first and second shots (this refers to the hand in which the bowling ball rests). They also have the option of utilizing a thumb hole or not—both are acceptable. However, only one set of gripping holes is allowed.

Is it legal to bowl with 2 hands?

There are some who cry foul, claiming the two-handed approach is cheating or illegal. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC), the sport's national governing body, studied this issue early on and determined there are no rules violations using the two-handed approach.

Is the Motiv Jackal legacy illegal?

Jackal and Jackal Carnage NOT APPROVED!! Post subject: Jackal and Jackal Carnage NOT APPROVED!! The following ruling and article from USBC states Motiv's Jackal and Jackal Carnage are no longer allowed for use during USBC approved events.

How do I stop 10 pin?

If you are leaving ringing 10's by hitting the 6 pin to the right of the 10 pin, you probably need a later roll into the pocket and/or change the angle the ball is hitting the pocket. Here a two simple methods that will help fix hitting heavy: Move 1 to 21/2 boards left on the approach but keep your same target.

What is the penalty for using an illegal bowling ball?

League or tournament officers who witness non-compliance are responsible to notify the bowler that the ball usage is illegal. The penalty could be forfeiture of league games or disqualification from a tournament, if so deemed by the league or tournament decision on the protest.

Is Purple Hammer banned?

Earlier this month, the United States Bowling Congress didn't go as far as the PBA's rule but instituted a new tournament rule that reads: Purple Hammer bowling balls manufactured during 2016 and 2017 (identified by serial numbers that start with either a '6' or '7') are prohibited for use, at all USBC national ...

Is a Four finger bowling ball legal?

USBC's specification states: Holes or indentations for gripping purposes shall not exceed five and shall be limited to one for each finger and one for the thumb, all for the same hand.

Who is the greatest bowling player of all time?

Pete Weber is the greatest men's bowler of all time.

Throughout his career, Weber won an impressive 37 PBA Tour titles, 10 major championships, and even six titles while competing on the PBA50 Tour. Throughout his lengthy career of over 40 years, he successfully completed two Triple Crowns in 1989 and 2013.

How do you bowl correctly?

First: Straighten your hand and wrist. Second: Hold your bowling arm out at a distance while you're bowling. Third: Keeping your arm straight, swing it towards your ankle. Fourth: Rotate the wrist, hand, and arm away from your body as you bring the ball near your ankle.

How wide is 10 bowling lanes?

Lane dimensions

The lane is 1.0668m (42 inches) wide but is measured in boards. There are 39 boards.