How to Alter the Surface of Your Bowling Ball and Why

Bowling balls are much more complicated these days than in the past when made of just plastic. Today’s reactive resin bowling balls require much more maintenance to maintain the overall hook potential. Other than keeping them clean, you can actually alter the surface of the bowling ball to achieve different results. Read on to learn more about altering the surface of your high performance bowling ball.

Altering the surface of your bowling ball is very easy, but knowing what grit to use can be difficult. Using a ball spinner is the easiest way to change the surface of your bowling ball, but you can use your hands and wipe vigorously all over the entire surface of the ball whatever grit you decide to use. To change the surface, you should first look and see what the factory finish your bowling ball comes with out of the box. Most come with a 2000 grit sanded, then polished factory finish. This combination should get you length and backend as the 2000 grit will smooth the surface of the bowling ball and the polish helps it get down the lane. This finish could, however, get you a strong backend as the bowling ball is retaining all its potential energy until it reaches the dry boards down the lane. This is a good starting point if you are trying to figure out what works best for you.

Another way to change the surface of your bowling ball is to use a lesser grit abralon pad, like a 500 or 1000 grit. This style will give a somewhat less smooth surface allowing the ball to read the lane earlier. This will cause the ball to hook a little earlier, and instead of snapping in the backend, have more of a smooth, arcing transition over the entire length of the lane. This style would be great if you are bowling on a long oil pattern that would require you to get your ball into its roll earlier.

The final advice I can give on altering the surface of your bowling ball is to talk to your local PBA professional or Pro Shop operator. They have extensive knowledge on ball layouts and surfaces and they can tell you what can work best on the shot you most consistently bowl on. Do not be afraid to try new polishes, different grit sandpapers, etc. Once you figure out what is best for you, the high average will follow!

Remember, DO NOT alter the surface of your bowling ball during USBC or PBA competition. This is against the rules. To clean and resurface your bowling ball, check out this bowling ball spinner:

Ball Spinner 1/2 Horse Power - $ 279.99
From: bowlingball.com, Inc.