Bowling Ball Re-drilling and Plugging: When & Why You need?

Have you ever owned a re-drilled and plugged bowling ball? Many of us did, and these bowling balls have stories of their own. It’s probably because the first time ball was drilled, it wasn’t the right one for the bowler, or maybe it’s a second-hand bowling ball.

Either way, a bowling ball often needs re-drilling and plugging to match your span better. Hence, you need to be aware of everything about the entire process of bowling ball re-drilling and plugging. You’re in the right place. So why don’t you just give this article a read to find out what you’re looking for?

What is Re-drilling a bowling ball and why would you need to do it?

If you’re reading this part, I am assuming you have no clue on how to use a bowling ball that doesn’t fit right. Chances are, you also don’t know what is bowling ball re-drilling and plugging. Well, allow me to enlighten you with some new information.

If you look at the word “re-drilling” carefully, you will see that it has the prefix ‘re’ which means “again”. That’s pretty much what it is. Drilling your bowling ball again. If you already know about bowling ball drilling, you will understand the dynamics of bowing ball re-drilling. But why is it done? When do you know you need to re-drill a bowling ball?

Here comes the interesting part. We, bowlers, often come across drilled second-hand bowling balls that don’t fit perfectly with our fingers. This is when plugging and re-drilling come to the rescue. First, the holes are plugged with some mixture of substances and then drilled using the right configuration and finger measurements. This customization allows you to bowl with comfort and contributes to enhancing your performance.

Repeat this process after the 60 game interval and you will retain a reliable bowling ball reaction.

When Re-drilling is needed for your bowling ball?

If you notice that your bowling ball is no longer reacting as it should, such as losing hook potential or not gripping the lane properly, it may be time to consider re-drilling your ball. Generally it takes from 30 to 470 games to allow redrill your bowling ball because the ball has started to lose its reaction in that period. But the question is when exactly you can realize? The answer depends on well maintenance and surfaces. The more you care your bowling ball the more time you will get to redrill your bowling ball

Re-drilling involves altering the finger and thumb holes to better suit your current hand position and delivery style. This is typically done when your grip has changed or if you are experiencing discomfort or pain while bowling. It is important to consult with a professional ball driller who can assess your needs and make the necessary adjustments to optimize your performance on the lanes. Remember, regular maintenance and re-drilling when needed can help ensure that your bowling ball continues to perform at its best.

The Effect of Plugging and Re-drilling on Bowling Ball Mass Properties

The mass properties of a bowling ball simply mean the ball’s weight. It determines the ball’s center of gravity, the moment of inertia, overall motion, tracking on the lane, etc. So when you plug and re-drill your bowling ball, does it affect its mass properties? The answer is, yes, they do affect the bowling ball’s mass properties. But does it impact the ball positively or negatively?

By far, one thing you have clearly understood is that when you plug and re-drill your bowling ball, again and again, no doubt, the ball will be completely ruined. Not only it will weaken the coverstock’s durability but also alter the core’s functionality. And do you know what happens once the original structure of the cover and weight block is damaged? Well, sorry to break it to you, but there’s no going back. The ball will not show the same reaction as before.

So what if you are reluctant to take risks? What if you do it once? Then, I bring good news. Re-drilling and plugging once are entirely safe (most of the time). It won’t negatively impact the ball motion too much. Usually, these holes are drilled to a certain depth. Anything too deep will get some material out of the core mass. This will significantly change the bowling ball performance and worst case scenario- it might be completely useless. 

The Pros & Cons of Plugging & Re-Drilling Bowling Balls

While plugging and re-drilling revives a bowling ball, it comes with a fair share of complications as well. So, yes, it has both pros and cons. Let’s take a look at them, shall we?

Pros of Re-drilling and Plugging a Bowling Ball

 – If you have a bowling ball that you bowl with, but are not too comfortable using it when you do that, re-drilling and plugging will fix that issue. By discomfort, what I mean is that the bowling ball feels strange or somewhat hurts your fingers or thumb during ball release. If you want to bowl without anything bothering you, re-drilling and plugging really help. 

– Another big advantage of plugging and re-drilling is that you don’t just have to throw away a bowling ball when some minor changes can fix the problem. So, yes the ball can be reused after customization. If you’re someone who doesn’t like wasting, plugging and re-drilling a bowling ball is a great way to save some money and repurpose a ball. Plus, it’s cheaper than buying a completely new bowling ball.

– If it is the ball’s first re-drilling, the entire process will not impact the overall ball performance as long as the core and coverstock structure is not hampered.

Cons of Re-drilling and Plugging a Bowling Ball

One of the major cons of plugging and re-drilling your bowling ball is that if it is done more than once or twice, the bowling ball will be damaged. Even if it doesn’t get destroyed, the ball will be now more prone to crack. Plus, the core might get drilled as well, which will result in awful performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can you re-drill a bowling ball?

If you want to see the best possible performance out of your bowling ball, you might need to re-drill it once or twice. But what is the limit? How many times can you repeat this procedure before your bowling ball cracks or busts open? If it is a pretty durable bowling ball, you are safe to re-drill your bowling ball thrice (maximum). However, do know that with every re-drill, your bowling ball will lose some of its finesse. If you are bowling professionally, you shouldn’t bowl with a ball that has gone under this procedure repetitively.

How long does it take to re-drill a bowling ball?

Drilling can be done pretty fast. However, re-drilling requires extra time because there is another big procedure to complete before the ball is put under the drilling machine. you can see there are a lot of steps to complete the entire procedure. The whole thing takes about 1 or 1.5 hours.

Once the holes are filled up with a specific epoxy resin mixture and putty is applied around the holes, time to let it rest and dry up. After it has solidified, the surface is given a nice buffing with sandpaper or a large filer.

This is when the biggest step is taken— the re-drilling! But if you want the epoxy to harden properly, you should give it more time. I would recommend leaving your bowling ball at your pro shop for a day or so.

How much does it cost to re-drill a bowling ball?

We all know how inexpensive it is to drill a bowling ball. Bowling ball plugging and re-drilling is not that cheap though. If the bowling ball you’re planning to plug and re-drill is a urethane or reactive resin ball, then the procedure will be comparatively cheaper. However, that is applicable only to the first-time re-drilling process.

The cost of this service can vary between $40 and $70. You might wanna reconsider re-drilling your plastic bowling ball because you can just get a new plastic ball at the same cost. Things are different for bowlers with fancy bowling balls and unique cores and coverstocks. Generally, the prices of this service are higher as it can go up to $150.

Does plugging a bowling ball affect performance?

Yes, plugging impacts a bowling ball’s performance as it looses its virginity. But how much will it lose its originality is hard to assume. Every ball is different and so are the dynamics. So be ready to see some changes in ball moves. This change can either be beneficial for you, or it can throw off your ball’s basic moves. If you don’t want to see any negative impact, better get your ball plugged and re-drilled from a pro shop.

Can you re-drill holes in a bowling ball at home?

If you have all the necessary equipment to re-drill and plug a bowling ball, and you have skills, why not! You definitely can! If you don’t want to spend some extra money and want to get things done with the equipment you already own, feel free to do it. Just remember to follow instructions properly and try not to make any mistakes.

Conclusion

So there you have it, homeboys! These are all the basics of bowling ball re-drilling and plugging. I have answered some of the most common questions asked on the internet that you need to know before you re-drill and plug your bowling ball. My biggest tip would be to get it done by a professional unless you’re a professional yourself. Either way, don’t feel discouraged from re-drilling and plugging your ball if needed. Good luck!