Bowling Balls: How They're Made and the Origin of Bowling
Bowling balls have been around for centuries, but the exact origin is unknown. Some historians believe that the game of bowling was invented by the ancient Egyptians, while others claim that it originated in Germany. What we do know is that bowling became a popular pastime in America in the early 1800s, and the first official set of rules was published in 1841. Bowling balls were originally made out of wood, but they are now typically made out of plastic or resin. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at how bowling balls are made and the history of this beloved sport!
Bowling balls are made from a variety of materials, but the most common type of bowling ball is made from polyester. Other materials used to make bowling balls include urethane and resin.
Polyester bowling balls are the most durable type of bowling ball, and they are also the least expensive. However, polyester bowling balls don't have as much "hook" as urethane or resin bowling balls.
Urethane bowling balls are more expensive than polyester balls, but they offer more hook and are less likely to crack or chip.
Resin (reactive urethane) bowling balls are the most expensive type of bowling ball, but they offer the most hook and are the most durable.
How are bowling balls made?
The materials used in bowling balls have changed over time. Early bowling balls were made of wood, then rubber, and finally plastic. The three-layer structure was created in the 1800s and remained unchanged until 1990. Today's bowling balls are often made with a single solid piece of plastic. The type of plastic used depends on the desired performance of the ball. Here?s how it?s done:
The construction of a bowling ball begins with the creation of the core. A mold is used to shape the core, which is then filled with another material to create a sphere.
After the spherical core is removed from its mold, it is placed into a coverstock mold and affixed to a pin to keep the core in place. More coverstock material is then poured over the sphere for encasement. This process creates the outer shell of the bowling ball.
When you take a look at a bowling ball, you'll notice that there is a small hole near the top. This is where the pin was located when the ball was in its coverstock molding. Once the ball is removed from the molding, a plastic dowel is inserted into this hole to fill it. The ball is then imprinted with material to give it its unique design.
After the initial design of the bowling ball is complete, it's time to start shaping it into its final form. Shaving, resurfacing, sanding, and polishing are the last steps to creating the perfect bowling ball.
Shaving removes any roughness from the ball's surface while resurfacing smooths out any irregularities. Sanding ensures that the ball is perfectly round, and polishing gives it a glossy finish. These final steps are crucial to ensuring that the ball performs optimally on the lanes.
There's more to a bowling ball than meets the eye.
While the shiny exterior and colorful design may be what first catches your attention, it's the holes ? and how they're drilled ? that are the most important part of the ball.
A good bowling shop can drill your ball to perfectly fit your hand size and bowling style. This is important because the right fit will help you control the ball and get the most power and accuracy out of your shots.
So, if you're looking to take your game to the next level, make sure you get your ball professionally drilled. It could make all the difference in your performance!
