How To Select A Bowling Ball Differential (2025)

If you wish to determine how to select a bowling ball differential, there are a few factors to consider initially:

1. 1. What is Differential of RG


2. 2. Lane Oil Conditions


3. 3. Choosing the right bowling ball

Understanding how to select a bowling ball differential begins with learning a little about differential of RG (radius of gyration). The core design of a given bowling ball will shape the ball motion of a ball while it is rolling down the lane. Within the core of any bowling ball exists measurements of mass distribution which influence a bowling ball in motion on the lane-surface.

The bowling ball differential of RG is one key measurement engineers use to identify the difference of the RG of a given bowling ball’s “X-axis” (weight block vertical measurement) compared to the RG of the “Y” or “Z” axes (weight block horizontal measurements). Simply put, differential of RG is an indicator of a given ball’s flare potential which is a common rating used by the manufacturer's in the advertising campaigns for new bowling ball releases.

Flare potential can be enhanced or diminished by use of various drilling patterns. As example, high differential balls have a high degree of track flare while low differential balls have low track flare. Length adjustments, known as skid control, is achieved by use of various drilling patterns. It is important to realize in selecting a new ball is that the differential or the flare potential of any given ball should be an important consideration followed by your choice of drilling pattern.

Low differential balls will encourage a mild hook potential from the break point to the pocket (for left and right handed bowlers alike) on the lane surface about two thirds of the way down the lane, medium differential balls will hook or arc modestly and more pronounced than low differential balls from the break point to the pocket, and finally, high differential balls will hook more sharply on the back end of the lane.

A good strategy is to decide how sharply you wish for the ball react down the lane at the break point? As an example, if the lane conditions you regularly encounter have a high volume of oil on the front end of the lane and promote targeting a fairly straight angle using the first or second arrow fifteen feet past the foul line, then using a ball with low differential will prevent severe hooking action across the pocket down the lane.

If lane conditions have medium to medium-heavy oil, then choosing a ball with medium differential RG will match well because medium differential bowling balls hook or arc decisively down the lane and match well when playing the second or third arrow in your targeting procedure.

Dry or medium-dry lane conditions usually require playing increased angles closer to the center of the lane at the arrows out to the break point down the lane and a high differential ball will generally provide sufficient hook potential to help the ball recover on the back end.

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