Different Bowling Ball Hole Styles

Bowling balls used in 10-pin bowling generally have three holes — one for the thumb, one for the ring finger and one for the middle finger. Some balls have a fourth hole, known as a balance hole, to ensure that the ball meets American Bowling Congress drilling regulations. Different bowling ball hole styles usually promote one of the three grips: the conventional grip, the semi-fingertip grip or the fingertip grip.

  1. Deep Holes

    • Bowling balls with deep holes usually promote the conventional grip. When holding the ball with this grip, the bowler's ring finger and middle finger are set to the knuckle while the thumb is inserted entirely. The conventional grip provides players with a secure feeling because it allows them to hold more of the ball with their fingers. Bowlers using the conventional grip can play with either a hook (spin) or a straight ball (no spin).

    Medium-Deep Holes

    • Bowling balls with medium-deep holes usually promote the semi-fingertip grip. With the semi-fingertip grip, the ring and middle fingers are inserted into the holes to a depth between the first and second joint. The thumb, however, is placed entirely into the ball. The semi-fingertip grip is advisable for players who are not quite comfortable using the more advanced fingertip grip.

    Shallow Holes

    • Bowling balls with shallow holes usually promote the fingertip grip, in which the ball is supported by only the first joint of the player's fingers. Similar to the semi-fingertip grip, the thumb in the fingertip grip is entirely inserted into the ball. The fingertip grip allows players to get the greatest leverage on the ball, giving increased lift and turn to the follow-through motion. For novice bowlers, the fingertip grip is usually the hardest to control due to the shallow holes and the limited amount of support the hand gives the ball upon release.

    Balance Holes

    • Most bowling balls adhere to the standards set forth by the American Bowling Congress. Current regulations require ball weight to be no more than 16 pounds and ball diameter to be between 8.500 and 8.595 inches. The rules for 10-pin bowling set forth by the ABC allow for up to five holes to be drilled in a ball. Although most balls have three holes, some have a forth, non-gripping hole, known as a balance hole. Balance holes are used to increase or decrease a ball's action (movement) when it hits the lane.