Bowling ball Bowling ball A bowling ball is a piece of sporting equipment used to hit bowling pins in the sport of bowling. Balls used in ten-pin bowling are typically hard spheres with three holes drilled in them, one each for the ring and middle fingers, and one for the thumb. Regulating bodies such as the USBC maintain requirements for the properties of bowling balls, including size, hardness, and number of holes, as well as maintaining a list of bowling balls approved for competitive play. Other bowling balls, such as those used in five-pin bowling, candlepin bowling, and duckpin bowling are smaller,
Ten-pin bowling is on top of the ball with two fingers in the 12-o'clock position and the thumb ending in the 6-o'clock position, at which point the fingers and thumb release the ball simultaneously. The forearm also creates spin and pushes the ball onto the lane. Spinning is difficult to master, and can cause injury if not done properly. Using a lighter bowling ball (10 to 12 pounds) with a completely rounded core is recommended, along with a conventional grip. Spinning causes results like a weak 5-pin more frequently. The backup style of bowling is where the bowler will flick their wrist