Equipment Specifications

Bowling Ball Hardness Research

The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) released multiple research reports examining how bowling ball hardness changes with use and performance implications of ball hardness. Ongoing studies and research will continue as USBC monitors this aspect of bowling ball performance on the sport.

Click HERE to get answers to frequently asked questions regarding the 2025 new national tournament rules changes impacting slow oil-absorption high-performance ball use at events.

Click HERE for the 2025 Report on Bowling Ball Hardness Governance - History, Research and Competitive Impact.

Click HERE for the 2025 Urethane Bowling Ball Survey.

Click HERE to read the 2025 press release announcing new national tournament rules changes regarding slow oil-absorption high-performance ball use at events.

Click HERE to go to the approved, non-approved products page to review the list of national tournament ineligible ball lists.

Bowling Ball Hardness Governance - History, Research and Competitive Impact Video

Click HERE for the Old Urethane Ball Hardness Research Report published in November 2023.

Click HERE for the Footprint Research Report published in October 2023 (updated November 2023).

Click HERE for the Hardness Research Report for a field study completed during the 2023 USBC Open Championships and published in August 2023.

Click HERE for the Hardness Research Report published in 2022 (Nov. 1, 2022).

Click HERE for USBC's news release on the Hardness Research Report (Updated Nov. 1, 2022).
 

Click HERE to watch the 2022 Hardness Research Report Video - Part 1

Click HERE to watch the 2022 Hardness Research Report Video - Part 2

Click HERE to watch the 2022 Hardness Research Report Video - Part 3

Click HERE for a letter from USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy on recent bowling ball announcements (April 1, 2022).

Click HERE for an FAQ on recent bowling ball announcements (April 1, 2022).

Click HERE for USBC's statement on Purple Hammer Hardness (March 21, 2022).

Click HERE for the 2020 Hardness Research Report.

Click HERE for the report of the bowling balls tested at the 2020 U.S. Open.

Click HERE for the Hardness Research Report published in 2019.

Click HERE for the 1976 Surface Hardness of Bowling Balls report that discusses the relationship between hardness and trackwidth.

Click HERE for the Historical Hardness/Footprint Research Report that discusses the findings from the 1976 Surface Hardness of Bowling Balls report.