| 2-piece core | 2-piece core has become very large in its variations. When the 2-piece core started, it was a solid mase located in the center of the ball. After a while, the core became different densities, with inner and outer shells.
For the site, I have classified any ball that is not 3-piece, as a 2-piece. |
| 3-piece core | 3-piece core was the most popular core in the 50's thru the 70's. This was a pancake type core placed that the top of the ball, maked by the center of gravity, and sometimes a pin. Over the last 10 years, 3-piece have become more dynamic and have more took potential. |
| 5 X 5 or 4 X 4 | This is a term that is used to describe the location of the Pin and CG from someones PAP, or positive axis point. |
| Backup Ball | A backup ball can be thrown with either hand. When a right hander throws a ball and it hooks right, it is called a backup ball. When a left hander throws a ball and it hooks left, it is also called a backup ball. |
| Blem | A Blem ball is a Manufactures second quality. This can be any number of factors. Reasons for a ball being marked blem are Color Variation, Low Particle Content, High Particle Content, Low Reactive Content, High Reactive Content, Pin beyond 4", High Top Weight, Low Top Weight, Variation in the Weight Block, Factory Repair, Air Holes and more.... |
| CG | Center of Gravity |
| Finger Weights | ABC rules allow for up to 1oz. of finger weight in a bowlingball to be legal for ABC sanctioned events. |
| Over/Under Reaction | Over/Under is a term used to refer to lane conditions. Most times the bowler is refering to the inside part of the lane (from around 2nd or 3rd arrow on the right to the 2nd or 3rd arrow on the left) is extremely heavy oil, and the outside part of the lane is extremely dry. When you keep the ball in the heavy oil, the ball will under react. When you get the ball out into the dry it over reacts. The best solution is to drill a bowling ball for this type of condition. With the proper layout, you will be able to play this shot rather well. |
| PAP | Positive Axis Point |
| Particle Bowling Ball | A Particle Bowling Ball is a bowling ball that has a very small bead material added to the coverstock to help it hook more. The bead material can be made of a variety of different materials. |
| Pin | This colored circle is used to locate the top of the weight block |
| Pin In | This is usually a pin that is within 1" from the location of the Center of Gravity.
Most bowling balls under 13lbs are only available in Pin In. |
| Pin Out | This is a Pin located anywhere from 1" to 4" from the Center of Gravity. Most Manufactures will make ball blems with pins further than 4". |
| Polished | Like Sandpaper and Scotch Brite, Polish is available in different grit. Most Bowling Ball companies make their own polishes.
Polishes are made to delay the hook of the bowling ball, to help suit the bowler better.
We now have polishes made for Particle balls, Reactive balls, and Urethane balls to help meet the bowler's needs better. |
| ProActive Bowling Ball | The ProActive term comes from Brunswick made bowling ball, similiar to a Particle Bowling Ball. Brunswick uses a very small Solid Glass Bead in their particle coverstock, different from most of the other companies on the market. |
| Reactive Resin Bowling Ball | This is a bowling ball that has a resin added to the urethane mixture while making the bowling ball. |
| Sandpaper | Sandpaper is used in resurfacing the bowling balls. It is also used to adjust the surface to meet the bowler's needs. |
| Scote Brite | Scote Brite is being used more today, with the surface alterations to particle bowling ball. Like Sandpaper, there are different grits of Scote Brite.
Burgandy - Coarse
Green - Below Burgandy
Grey - Below Green
White - Below Grey |
| Side Weight | ABC rules allow up to 1oz. positive or negative side weight in a bowling ball to be legal for use in ABC sanctioned events. |
| Stacked Leverage | The term stacked refers to keep the pin and the CG the same distance from the axis point.
The term leverage is the distance from the axis point which gives you the greatest potential for hook. |
| Thumb Weight | ABC rules allow for up to 1oz. of Thumb Weight to be legal for ABC sanctioned events. |
| Top Weight | ABC rules allow up to 3oz. of Top or Bottom weight to be legal for use in ABC sanctioned events. |
| VAL | Vertical Axis Line |
