When you go to the bowling alley you probably notice a lot of bowling balls with a lot of different numbers on them. When you look at the ball closer you see that there are more numbers on each ball than just the weight. These numbers tell you different pieces of information about the bowling ball that you are holding.
There are numbers on the ball that tell you the weight of the bowling ball. There are also numbers that tell you information about how the ball will travel down the lane after you toss it. There is also serial information on the bowling ball, which can tell you things about when and where the ball was made.
What Do The Large Numbers On A Bowling Ball Mean?
If you do not own your own set of bowling balls, you probably prefer to rent your balls from your local bowling alley. If you do this, you are probably curious about what the high numbers mean on a bowling ball.
These numbers refer to the weight of the bowling ball. Bowling alleys stock balls in a complete range of sizes. Adults are typically recommended to use balls that weight eight pounds are more. However, there are smaller balls that are more suitable for children to use.
Having the different numbers on the balls also makes it easier to tell the balls apart from each other. This can also make it easier for inexperienced players to pick the ball that is right for them.
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What Do The Small Numbers On A Bowling Ball Mean?
In addition to the large numbers on the bowling balls, you will also notice that there are small numbers as well. These small numbers are typically referring to the ball’s serial number. These serial numbers can help you learn important information about the bowling ball, including the type of ball and when it was manufactured.
The serial numbers also play an important role in bowling tournaments. Any bowling competition that is sponsored by the United States Bowling Congress has an approved list of balls that can be used. It is important for officials to keep track of serial numbers in these competitions to make sure that everyone is using an approved ball.
What Is RG and Diff?
When it comes to bowling balls, RG means “radius of gyration”. This is a term that is used to describe the way that the mass of the bowling ball is distributed inside of the bowling ball. This plays an important role in how the bowling ball will travel down the lane.
A bowling ball with a high radius of gyration number is going to have more of its mass close to the cover of the bowling ball. A bowling ball with a low radius of gyration number will have more of its mass close to the center of the bowling ball.
A bowling ball with a high radius of gyration number increases length in the roll through the front of the bowling lane. A bowling ball with a low radius of gyration number increases earlier rolls at the front part of the bowling lane. A bowling ball with a medium radius of gyration number finds a middle ground between the two.
When it comes to bowling balls, differential refers to the amount of track flare that the ball has. This is the difference between the maximum and the minimum radius of gyration. Bowling balls with a high Differential of RG number will move more angularly and will have greater track flare than bowling balls with a low Differential of RG number.
What Is Considered a High Rg Bowling Ball?
There are three ranges of radius of gyration numbers that you will find on a bowling ball.
- Bowling balls with a low radius of gyration have numbers between: 2.40” and 2.570”
- Bowling balls with a moderate radius of gyration have numbers between 2.570” and 2.680”
- Bowling balls with a high radius of gyration have numbers between 2.680” and 2.800”
What Are Differentials of Radius of Gyration?
In addition to looking at the radius of gyration number, it is also important to examine the differentials of radius of gyration. This is one of the other numbers that you can find on your bowling ball.
- Low Differential of Radius of Gyration balls are .01-.02. These balls have low flare potential
- Medium Differential of Radius of Gyration balls are .021-.04. These balls have moderate flare potential
- High Differential of Radius of Gyration balls are .041-.06. These balls are known to have high flare potential
These are not exact ranges. This is not an exact science, and these are just ball park ranges. One of the reasons why it is important to experiment and find a ball that works for you is because you need to get a feel for how different balls work for you.
What Is the Best Bowling Ball Number to Use?
The number bowling ball that you use is the one that is most comfortable for you to use. Male bowlers who are still beginners tend to pick bowling balls that weigh between 14 and 16 pounds. Female bowlers who are still beginners on the other hand have a tendency to pick bowling balls that weigh between 12 and 14 pounds.
It is recommended that bowlers try a range of bowling balls from 6 pounds to 14 pounds to get a feel for what feels best.
Some people feel that a bowler should use a bowling ball that weighs ten percent of their total body weight up to 160 pounds.
What Kind of Grit Should Be Used on a Bowling Ball?
Competitive bowlers use a trick that amateur bowlers do not use. Competitive bowlers use a trick called grit pads. When it comes to bowling, grits vary in strength from 500 to 5000. The higher the grit level, the more of the surface of the bowling ball the bowler can remove.
Why Does Bowling Ball Weight Matter?
Using a bowling ball that is the proper weight for you allows you to consistently through the ball in a way that knocks more pins down.
If you use a ball that is too heavy, the ball will lose momentum because you cannot throw it as well. Additionally, you will become less accurate as the night progresses because your arm will be getting tired faster.
On the other hand, if you use a ball that is too light, the ball will not be able to accumulate as much force as a heavier ball. This means that the ball will have a harder time knocking pins over. It also means that it will be easier for you to haphazardly misaim it.
Generally speaking, it is better to lean towards a heavier bowling ball than a lighter one. This is because the formula to
Final Thoughts
There is a lot of information that can be learned by examining the numbers on a bowling ball. You can tell how much the ball weighs, and you can also tell when and where the ball was manufactured.
When you look closer you can even find information about how the ball will travel down the bowling lane when you roll it.
It is important to experiment with a range of different bowling balls to find what works best for you.