How to Drill a Bowling Ball for a Straight Bowler

Numerous factors come into play in determining how a bowling ball is going to react when thrown toward the pins. Arm action, wrist action, grip, ball makeup and lane oil conditions all factor heavily into how the ball makes its way down the lane. A straight ball bowler's grip is slightly different than that of a hook bowler as the hook bowler uses a slightly tighter grip when throwing the ball. Properly drilling a ball for a straight bowler requires knowing their hand-span dimensions and where the center of gravity is located on the bowling ball.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring ball
  • Metal span ruler
  • China marker
  • Drill press
  • Drill bits
  • Ball jig
  • Ball clamp
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Have the bowler insert his hand into a measuring ball so you can gauge the thickness and depth needed for the holes and how far the thumb hole should be from the finger holes.

    • 2

      Locate the center of gravity, sometimes known as the pancake, in the ball, which will be noted on the surface of the ball by a mark, such as a dot or a three-sided bull's eye. Locate the pin (the area used to pour the core material into the ball, then filled) on the surface of the ball as well.

    • 3

      Use the label drilling procedure to drill for a straight ball bowler. Place the ball in the drill with the pin in the 1:30 position (if you were looking at a clock) in relation to the center of gravity.

    • 4

      Draw a line on the ball using a metal span ruler and a china marker with a diagonal line intersecting with a vertical line atop the center of gravity.

    • 5

      Arrange for the center of gravity to fall halfway between the thumb and finger holes. Have the vertical fall evenly between the finger holes. Mark the ball with a small dot where the center of the thumb hole should be. Measure the span between the finger holes and mark that on the ball as well.

    • 6

      Place the ball in the ball jig on the drill base. Attach the correct size drill bit for the thumb hole. Center the thumb hole beneath the drill bit and clamp the ball down into the jog. Turn on the drill press and drill the thumb hole to the desired depth.

    • 7

      Use the metal span ruler to mark the center of each finger hole in relation to the thumb hole. Drill each finger hole in the same manner you drilled the thumb hole. Change the drill bit to match the desired hole sizes.