How to Figure Out What Your Track Is When Picking a Bowling Ball

The part of the bowling ball that comes into contact with the lane as it rolls down the alley is commonly know as the ball's "track." To determine a ball's track, you must first find your Personal Axis Point (PAP), the point on the ball that is equidistant from all points of the track. The track and PAP influence the amount of hook you can put on the ball. You need to determine your track and measure your PAP to determine where holes should be drilled in a new ball to achieve the optimum hook.

Things You'll Need

  • Bowling ball
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Roll a bowling ball --- one close to the same size and weight as the one you plan to purchase --- down the alley to determine the track. Don't wipe the oil off the ball when it returns and look for an oil line or lines. A single oil line on the ball signifies that your track has no axis migration, also known as "flare," and will the ball will hook late. If there are two side-by-side stripes on the ball it means the ball is changing axis as it rotates down the alley and will hook earlier.

    • 2

      Use a yellow or white marker pencil to trace the track around the ball.

    • 3

      Use an Armadillo device available at most bowling alleys and match your track line with the line on the device to find your PAP. Estimate between the lines if your track doesn't line up exactly with any of the lines on the Armadillo.

    • 4

      Place your ball so the track line is horizontal and evenly spaced around the cup of a bowling-ball spinner. Use your track line and a ball spinner to find your PAP, if there is no Armadillo available. Turn the spinner on and mark the spot on the top of the ball as it spins; this is the PAP. Many alleys and most bowling pro shops will have ball spinners available or you can purchase one for $220 to $375, as of August 2011.

    • 5

      Mark your PAP on the ball with a small, white sticker. Have a friend watch as you throw the ball down the alley. If the PAP is marked correctly, the sticker won't wobble until it is at least halfway down the alley.

    • 6

      Take the PAP-marked ball to the bowling pro shop when you purchase your new ball so the holes can be custom-drilled to match your unique track and PAP.