ABC Weight Rules for Bowling Balls

In 2005 the American Bowling Congress merged with a number of other bowling organizations to form The United States Bowling Congress. Headquartered in Arlington, Texas, the USBC is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur bowling in the United States. Among other things the USBC sets equipment standards for the sport, including the weight rules for bowling balls.

  1. Governance

    • Chapter 7 of the USBC Playing Rules governs the weight rules for bowling balls used in USBC sanctioned competitions. The Rules require all equipment to meet the appropriate specifications at the time they were manufactured.

    Features

    • Section 2 of Chapter 7 governs the construction, circumference, diameter, and weight of bowling balls used in USBC sanctioned competitions

    Maximums

    • Article 4 of Chapter 7 requires that bowling balls used in USBC sanctioned competitions may not weigh more than 16 pounds. No minimum weight is specified.

    Tolerance

    • Article 5 of Chapter 7 governs tolerances in weight differentials caused by drilling finger holes.

    Variance

    • Article 5 of Chapter 7 allows requires no more than a 3 ounce variance between the top of the ball and the bottom of the ball, and no more than a 1 ounce difference between the sides of the ball in bowling balls that weigh more than 10 pounds.