Ball Specifications
Power Scale
BowlingShopEurope has created our own hook rating scale. Because each manufacturer uses a different method for indicating a ball's hook potential, BowlingShopEurope developed a way for the consumer to compare bowling balls across all manufacturers. The result: The Power Scale. Our goal is simply to make it easier for our customers to compare products and feel confident in their purchases. The Power Scale ranges from 1 to 300. Plastic bowling balls with very low hook potential, rate a 5.
Factory Finish
The finish of a bowling ball is for more than just looks. A polished bowling ball will travel further down the lane before hooking. This may mean more overall hook because the bowling ball will have a chance to store more energy. While a duller(sanded) ball may hook a little earlier. Which finish you choose will often depend on the lane conditions.
Coverstock
1. Plastic - Usually used in 3 piece cores it does not have much traction on the lane and is lower in price mainly used as a spare ball or a beginner ball.
2. Reactive Pearl - Used in all types or cores, also has a more of a skid snap reaction normally.
3. Reactive Solid - Used in all types of cores, also has an earlier and smoother reaction normally than the pearl.
4. Hybrid Reactive - Mainly used in 2 piece symmetrical and asymmetrical cores. This type of cover is made to give the bowler the best of both worlds as it has a combination solid reactive and pearl reactive. Mainly used on over and under bowling lane conditions.
5. Particles - This was a coverstock that was made to combat heavy oil it had pieces or particles in the reactive cover to help it grab the lane surface there are not many companies making particles any more, but a few are. It was mainly used In 2 piece symmetrical and asymmetrical cores.
6. Urethane Cover Stocks that were popular in the 1980's are now making a come back. They are not as aggressive as reactive bowling balls and are more powerful than plastic. In addition, they are usually smoother in transitioning but do not have the hitting power of the reactive balls.
Differential
The difference in the Radius of Gyration or RG on the x-axis and the y-axis. RG differential indicates the amount of flare potential of a bowling ball.
Flare Potential
The maximum amount that the axis of a bowling ball can migrate given the construction of the ball provided that the bowler has a maximum power release. Flare potential can also be used to indicate which balls will be better suited for oily conditions (high flare balls) and which balls will be better suited for dryer lane conditions (low flare balls).
Core type
1. 3 piece cores - Used mainly in plastic balls it is made of 3 pieces containing an inner core and a pancake type weight block at the top and the coverstock.
2. Symmetrical cores - Used mainly in higher performance bowling balls will tend to have a smoother and more stable roll to it. It is symmetrical so this means it is even on all sides. It contains an inner core and outer core covertstock.
3 Asymmetrical cores - Used mainly in high performance bowling balls. It is not even on all sides because it is asymmetrical. This type is core is used to fine tune a bowling ball reaction to the bowlers style. This is an advanced technique in bowling where the pro-shop operator matches the bowling ball drilling to the bowlers style. Speed and revolution rate as an example.
RG
Bowling balls have a RG (Radius of Gyration) converted to a scale of 1-10. RG numbers range from 2.460 to 2.800, but some companies have converted them to a 1-10 scale to help give the consumer a better frame of reference. Mass distribution numbers describe the distribution of mass in the bowling ball. High RG numbers indicate that the balls mass is distributed more towards the cover (cover heavy) which promotes length through the heads of the bowling lane. Low RG numbers indicate that the balls mass is distributed more towards the center (center heavy) which promotes an earlier roll through the front part of the lane.
Lane condition
Usually addressed as Dry, Medium, Medium-Heavy, and Heavy. Dry means there is very little oil on the lane, up through heavy meaning lots of oil. This is a feel component and can vary from bowler to bowler, even on the same lanes.
Mass Bias Diff
Also known as PSA (see definitions), this is typically the highest RG location of the ball, and its position relative to the bowlers initial PAP has a great effect on the subsequent ball motion.
Performance
BowlingShopEurope.com has made choosing the correct ball even easier with our Performance scale. Our scale ranges from low of (0) to a high of (10).
(0) Polyester/Plastic:
Perfect for spare shooting or for someone looking for their first bowling ball.
(2) Entry Performance:
For the beginning bowler looking to start hooking the ball or for more advanced bowlers looking for an option on drier lane conditions.
(4) Performance:
A step up in coverstock and core technology. This category will provide you with more hook and reaction.
(6) Advanced Performance:
The best bang for your buck. Many times these balls will feature the best technology from recent years in different combinations.
(8) High Performance:
This category will provide you with a wider variety of ball reactions for use on more challenging lane conditions.
(10) Pro Performance:
Designed for very advanced bowlers. These balls are the newest in bowling technology.