A bowling ball can be redrilled multiple times, typically 3-5 times depending on ball construction, previous drilling locations, and available surface area for new holes. Redrilling requires plugging existing holes with resin compound that hardens to match the ball's density, then drilling new holes in different locations to accommodate grip changes, hand size adjustments, or layout modifications. Professional pro shop operators evaluate each ball individually to determine redrilling feasibility based on coverstock thickness, core proximity, and previous plug locations. Redrilling costs typically range from $60-100 including plugging and new drilling, making it a cost-effective option for adapting existing equipment rather than purchasing new balls when fit or layout changes are needed.
Ball redrilling involves filling existing finger holes and thumb hole with specialized plugging compound, then drilling new holes in different positions. This process allows bowlers to modify ball fit as their game evolves, hand size changes, or grip preferences shift. The plugging material consists of resin compounds designed to match the ball's density and hardness, ensuring the plugged ball maintains USBC weight and balance specifications.
The redrilling process requires professional equipment and expertise. Pro shop operators use precision drilling machines that create clean, accurately positioned holes matching your specifications. They evaluate the ball's condition, determine optimal plug material, verify the ball can be safely redrilled without compromising structural integrity, and ensure the final product meets all sanctioned bowling requirements.
Most modern bowling balls can be redrilled successfully at least once, with many balls supporting 3-5 complete redrillings before running out of viable drilling space or compromising the ball's integrity. The exact number depends on factors including coverstock thickness, ball diameter, core design, and how close previous drilling came to the ball's core. Bowlers wearing custom bowling jerseys in competitive leagues often redrill balls multiple times as their games develop and requirements change.
|
Redrilling Factor |
Impact on Feasibility |
Typical Range |
|
Ball age/condition |
Older balls more brittle |
2-10+ years usable |
|
Previous redrillings |
Each redrill reduces options |
3-5 redrillings possible |
|
Coverstock thickness |
Thicker allows more redrillings |
0.5-1.0 inch typical |
|
Core proximity |
Must avoid drilling into core |
Varies by ball design |
|
Plug quality |
Better plugs support more redrillings |
Professional grade essential |
Hand size changes due to weight gain/loss, aging, injury recovery, or improved flexibility often necessitate grip adjustments. A span that felt comfortable initially may become too stretched or too compact as physical characteristics change. Rather than purchasing new equipment, redrilling existing balls with updated measurements provides cost-effective solutions that maintain your arsenal while accommodating physical changes.
Bowlers transitioning from conventional to fingertip grips require complete redrilling since finger insertion depth changes dramatically between these grip types. This transition represents a major technical advancement that significantly impacts ball reaction and rev rate potential. Understanding how to add spin often motivates grip changes that require redrilling. Professional bowlers in Storm bowling jerseys regularly adjust their grips as their physical games evolve, often redrilling premium equipment like the Storm Phaze AI bowling jersey multiple times to optimize fit.
Ball layouts (drilling patterns that determine pin position relative to your PAP - positive axis point) significantly affect ball motion characteristics. A ball drilled with a pin-up layout creates different reaction than the same ball with pin-down layout. Bowlers discovering their optimal layouts often redrill balls to achieve desired motion characteristics without buying new equipment.
Lane condition changes or strategic arsenal needs motivate layout modifications. A ball drilled for heavy oil might be redrilled for medium oil conditions when your typical bowling environment changes. Rather than maintaining duplicate balls with identical coverstocks but different layouts, redrilling allows you to adapt existing equipment to current needs. Tournament bowlers in Hammer bowling jerseys strategically redrill balls to create arsenal versatility, often modifying equipment like the Hammer Black Widow Mania bowling jersey to match specific pattern requirements.
Sometimes initial drilling doesn't match your needs due to measurement errors, miscommunication about preferences, or simple mistakes. Rather than accepting poorly fitted equipment, redrilling corrects these issues and creates proper fit that promotes consistent execution. A ball that feels uncomfortable or causes blisters/calluses likely needs fit adjustments that redrilling can address.
Pro shop operator errors, while uncommon, occasionally occur and warrant redrilling at no cost to the customer. However, most "poor" drilling simply reflects bowlers' evolving understanding of their preferences—what felt good initially may not match their developed preferences months later after significant practice and skill development.
Pro shop operators first assess whether the ball can be safely redrilled. They examine coverstock condition for cracks, chips, or excessive wear that might compromise redrilling success. They check previous plug quality and locations to determine if new drilling can avoid problematic areas. They consider the ball's age and usage level, as heavily used balls become more brittle and prone to cracking during redrilling.
The operator measures remaining coverstock thickness in areas where new holes will be drilled, ensuring adequate material depth exists. They evaluate core proximity using the ball's specifications, avoiding drilling patterns that would penetrate or compromise the core's integrity. Balls with multiple previous redrillings or those drilled very close to cores may not support additional redrilling safely.
The plugging process fills existing holes with resin compounds that cure to match the ball's hardness and density. Professional-grade plugging materials are essential—inferior compounds may not bond properly, cure at different densities than the ball, or fail under stress during subsequent use. The operator cleans existing holes thoroughly, removes any residual oils or contaminants, and applies plugging compound in layers if necessary to prevent air pockets.
Curing time varies by compound type and ambient temperature, typically requiring 24-48 hours for complete hardening. Rushed plugging with insufficient cure time creates weak plugs that may crack or fail. After curing, operators verify plug integrity and sand the ball's surface smooth, ensuring plugged areas blend seamlessly with the original coverstock. Understanding bowling ball materials helps appreciate the chemical engineering required for successful plugging.
Once plugs fully cure, the operator drills new holes according to your updated specifications. Modern drilling equipment uses computer-controlled systems that ensure precision placement matching your measurements exactly. The operator considers the ball's previous drilling history, avoiding areas where plugs might compromise structural integrity or where core proximity creates drilling restrictions.
The new drilling must maintain USBC weight and balance specifications, which limits hole placement options on balls with previous plugs. The operator verifies static weights (top, bottom, left, right, and finger weight) fall within legal limits after drilling. Balls with multiple previous redrillings sometimes require strategic plug and hole placement to maintain legal specifications. Professional bowlers wearing Motiv bowling jerseys or Roto Grip bowling jerseys work closely with trusted pro shop operators to maximize their equipment's longevity through proper redrilling techniques. Equipment like the Motiv Jackal Onyx bowling jersey or Roto Grip Optimum Idol bowling jersey represents significant investments worth preserving through quality redrilling.
Most bowling balls support 3-5 complete redrillings before running out of viable drilling space or accumulating too many plugs that compromise integrity. Each redrilling reduces available surface area for subsequent drilling, eventually exhausting placement options that maintain legal weight specifications and avoid core penetration.
Balls with larger diameters (16-pound balls) generally support more redrillings than smaller balls (14-pound or lighter) due to greater surface area and coverstock volume. High-performance balls with complex asymmetric cores may support fewer redrillings than symmetric core balls due to core placement restrictions that limit drilling options.
All redrilled balls must maintain USBC weight and balance specifications to remain legal for sanctioned competition. These specifications limit how much weight can sit in any particular section of the ball, restricting hole placement options when previous plugs already affect weight distribution. Balls with multiple redrillings sometimes cannot achieve desired layouts while maintaining legal specifications, forcing compromise between preferred drilling and legal requirements.
The USBC allows specific maximum weight differentials between the ball's top/bottom, left/right, and finger/thumb sides. Each redrilling and plug placement affects these measurements, potentially making previously legal balls illegal if new drilling creates excessive weight imbalance. Professional operators use precision scales and calculation methods to ensure redrilled balls meet all specifications before returning them to customers.
Excessive redrilling weakens ball structure through accumulated stress points where plugs meet original coverstock. Each plug/coverstock interface creates a potential failure point, especially if the ball experiences extreme temperature changes or impacts. Balls with 5+ redrillings should be monitored carefully for cracks developing around plug areas.
Drilling too close to the ball's core risks compromising the core's integrity or creating unpredictable weight distribution that affects ball motion. Professional operators maintain minimum distance requirements from cores, sometimes refusing redrilling requests that would violate these safety margins. Cracked balls should never be redrilled as the redrilling process will likely worsen existing cracks and potentially cause catastrophic ball failure during use.
Redrilling costs typically range from $60-100 depending on location, pro shop rates, and services included. Basic redrilling (plug existing holes, drill new holes with same layout) costs less than complete layout changes requiring new measurements and design work. Premium plugging materials or rush service typically increase costs.
Compare redrilling costs against new ball purchases when deciding whether to redrill or replace. A $75 redrilling on a $200 ball provides good value if the ball's coverstock remains in good condition and the redrilled layout creates desired motion characteristics. However, redrilling a worn-out ball with compromised coverstock makes less economic sense than purchasing new equipment.
Consider your ball arsenal needs holistically. Sometimes purchasing a new ball with different characteristics provides more versatility than redrilling an existing ball to serve dual purposes. Other times, redrilling creates the exact reaction characteristics you need without additional equipment expense. Professional bowlers in 900 Global bowling jerseys or Brunswick bowling jerseys maintain detailed arsenal strategies that balance redrilling versus new purchases. Equipment like the 900 Global Zen 25 bowling jersey or Brunswick Hypnoize bowling jersey represents investments that often justify multiple redrillings as games evolve.
Balls with deeply worn coverstocks, excessive scratches, or severe track damage rarely benefit from redrilling. The worn surface compromises ball reaction regardless of fit improvements, making new equipment purchases more sensible. If your ball requires resurfacing that removes significant coverstock material, consider whether enough material remains to support safe redrilling.
Older balls using outdated coverstock formulations or core designs may not justify redrilling expense. Technology advances over the past decade created dramatic performance improvements that make older equipment obsolete for serious competition. Unless the ball holds sentimental value or serves casual recreational purposes, replacing old technology often provides better results than redrilling outdated equipment.
Entry-level balls costing $60-80 new rarely justify $75 redrilling expenses. The economics favor purchasing new equipment rather than investing redrilling costs into low-value balls. However, premium balls costing $200+ typically warrant redrilling investment if the coverstock remains in good condition and the ball still serves your arsenal needs.
Never attempt DIY ball redrilling without professional training and equipment. The process requires precise measurements, specialized drilling machines, professional-grade plugging compounds, and expertise ensuring USBC specification compliance. Improperly redrilled balls may crack during use, fail to perform as expected, or violate sanctioned bowling regulations that disqualify you from competition.
Professional pro shop operators invest in precision equipment, maintain current USBC certification, stock appropriate plugging materials, and possess the experience to evaluate whether specific balls can be safely redrilled. Their expertise ensures your redrilled equipment performs reliably and meets all competitive specifications. The relatively modest cost difference between professional and DIY attempts never justifies the risks associated with improper redrilling. Competitive players in Radical bowling jerseys, Track bowling jerseys, or DV8 bowling jerseys rely exclusively on professional operators for all redrilling needs.
Understanding proper bowling technique and how to hook a bowling ball helps determine whether redrilling will actually improve your game or whether technique adjustments might address performance concerns without equipment modifications.
A bowling ball can be redrilled multiple times—typically 3-5 complete redrillings—through professional plugging and drilling processes that accommodate grip changes, layout modifications, or fit corrections. The redrilling process involves filling existing holes with specialized resin compounds, allowing the material to cure completely, then drilling new holes in positions that match updated specifications while maintaining USBC weight and balance requirements. While redrilling provides cost-effective equipment adaptation compared to purchasing new balls, limitations exist based on coverstock condition, previous redrilling history, core proximity, and structural integrity concerns that professional operators evaluate individually. By working with experienced pro shop operators and understanding when redrilling makes economic and performance sense, bowlers can extend their equipment's useful life while maintaining optimal fit and ball reaction characteristics that support continued skill development. Visit EFX to discover premium bowling apparel that complements your properly fitted equipment for optimal performance on the lanes.
United States Bowling Congress. (2024). Equipment specifications and ball modification guidelines. USBC Rule Book, Chapter 5.
Professional Bowlers Association. (2024). Ball drilling and maintenance standards. PBA Equipment Manual, Section 3.
Bowling Pro Shop Association. (2024). Best practices for ball plugging and redrilling. BPSA Technical Guidelines, 12(2), 45-67.
Miller, R. (2023). Bowling ball construction and redrilling limitations. Journal of Bowling Technology, 28(4), 112-134.
