How to Drill a Bowling Ball Properly – Step by Step Guide to Follow

The pre-drilled bowling balls can be a little too snug for your fingers, or they may slip. The best thing you can do is customize the drills for the best performance. For precise drills, you can knock on the door of a professional!

But when you are a professional, you play it every day; you might want to customize it at home! If you custom-make the holes, the finger holes will be accurate; the grip will not be too tight or too loose. As a result, the ball will run on the bowling alley like a beast! Conversely, it will save you a lot of bucks!

Today, we will tell you the ins and outs of drilling a new bowling ball accurately and create the best shots of your life. Check it out for more information, friends!

Things to do Before Drilling a Bowling Ball: The Basic Guide

The Right Ball

Before everything, you have to pick up the right ball. Make sure you check the weight of the ball before you choose it. The ball shouldn’t feel too heavy or too light, just the right weight for you.

Perfect Grips

There are several types of grips that you can get for bowling ball games. You have to pick between them.

In most cases, people pick up the conventional grip configuration for bowling balls. If you want to control the ball without too much effort, this can be your choice.

This will help you to insert your fingers into the second knuckle joint of the bowling ball. If you settle for the fingertip grip, your fingers will go to the first knuckle joint and stop there.

It is designed for advanced players. Though it will be a bit tough for you to control the ball in this manner, lifting the ball or spinning will be easier on the other side.

If you want both of the processes in one method, go for the semi-fingertip grip. In this method, you will be able to get your fingers inside both the first and second knuckle joints of the bowling ball.

If you want a decent amount of control and power over the ball, this can be a fantastic option to choose from.

Exact Measurements

If you want to know how to drill a bowling ball for the maximum hook, you must check the ball’s precise measurements.

You have to measure the depth of your fingers and write them down. You have to measure the distance between the fingers or the holes not to make any mistakes while drilling.

Perfect Angle

If the holes are drilled straight inside the ball, your fingers will hurt while holding the ball. So, the right angle is necessary when you plan to drill.

Suppose you want more lift while bowling, go for forward-angled holes. You can pick any angle between 10-degree to 90-degree. However, the 10-degree, 30-degree, 50-degree, 70-degree, and 90-degree are the most popular angles.

While choosing the angle, check out the distance between the pin and the vertical axis known as the pin buffer. For selecting the right angle, you have to learn the basics of bowling ball layout and drilling. Once you understand the drilling layout, the perfect position of the holes will be understandable.

Check Our Article: Bowling Ball for Hook Reviews

How to Drill a Bowling Ball? – The Step By Step Guide

Step 1: Clamping the Ball

Your first job is to set the ball in a specific place and make it stable. Take a clamp and position your ball. Place it inside.

While choosing, make sure it is tight enough to hold the ball. If it is loose, the ball will move when you drill, making the drilling uneven and the process difficult.

Step 2: Choosing the Drill Bits

Now that you are done clamping the ball, you have to go through the drill bits. To confuse you, there are several types of drill bits available in the market.

While drilling a bowling ball, you have to ensure that you are using a drill bit that makes you comfortable to put your fingers inside the holes.

For better results, rely on the sizing balls that will afford you information about your fingers and thumb’s size.

In case you don’t have it, rely on the several drilling bits. First, take a wood piece and use different drills on it to create holes. Try to fit your thumb and fingers. Now, pick up the ones that fit your fingers and thumb.

Step 3: Marking the Holes

For marking the holes, you have to go through the span measurement first. Make sure that the marks for the holes of the balls are appropriately placed.

In this position, you will need an erasable marker. You can also use chalk; however, make sure that the marker you use is a removable one.

First, you must mark the whole configuration. Search for the places you want to drill holes. Check the center of gravity of the ball.

Then, locate the center of each spot and place a mark there. Here, you have to use the machine to make holes for you.

Note: While drilling, ensure that you are not making drills through the bowling ball’s pin. For this, locate the pin as the pin is colored differently from the other ball parts.

Step 4: Thumb Hole Drilling

As the marks are ready, you have to drill them now! We always recommend you to use the bowling ball drillers as regular drill machines can damage your bowling ball for drilling. Get ready with the right bit you have chosen.

Now, at the center, place the bit and start drilling. Check the angle first; it should be placed at your desired angle. If the angle is not right, it will affect the ball-motion.

Also, check out the depth of drilling; you don’t want to drill too deep to ruin the ball! There are methods like the pinup and pin down drilling.

A lot of new bowlers ask about what is the difference between pinup and pin down drilling on a bowling ball? The pinup drilling is done in a way that the ball has more finger weight.

As a result, the ball goes more downward when it is on the lane. However, it also depends on the lane-condition of how the ball will react. On the contrary, the pin-down balls have more thumb weight. Consequently, the ball will respond soon.

Step 5: Finger Holes Drilling

After you are done with the thumb, move to the second hole. To complete this process, you cannot use the previous drill.

To certify your fingers’ perfect size, go for the drill bit that you have chosen for the fingers. Change the bit and make the holes for fingers.

Place the drill at the right angle (just on the angle you will place your fingers when you bowl) and then start drilling like before.

Again, do not go too far! If you want to make the ball static weight legal according to the USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Manual, you can get a weight hole or balance hole on your own bowling ball.

Step 6: Sanding the Holes

Now that you are done with the drilling part, you have to make sure that the holes are even.

If you do not go through this process, the holes will not be smooth and pinch your fingers when you bowl.

So, we strongly recommend you abide by the rules of drilling. Replace the previous bit and take a sanding attachment there.

Now, you can easily sand the drilled holes to make them smooth and comfortable. Put your fingers inside the holes and check the interior.

Stop when you feel that the sanding is done correctly, and your fingers can glide in and out smoothly.

Also Read: Bowling Balls for Straight Bowlers Reviews

If You’re in a Hurry, Watch the Video for Quick Info

Final Words

So, is there any confusion about how to drill a bowling ball anymore? We hope you understood every step correctly. However, you might not do it perfectly your first time, but soon you will learn.

But it is always better to get it done by the professional because they know it better! Comment below if you have drilled bowling balls before. What’s your secret trick?

Additional Source: Bowling Ball Drilling Instructions and Layouts