Pin Up vs Pin Down: Pin Placement Easy Guide For Bowling In 2024!

Pin Up vs Pin Down! Today we will talk about the pin up and pin down bowling balls. No, we are not talking about the bowling pins you knock down with your ball. It’s the pin spot on the bowling ball we will be discussing today.

You may have wondered or heard someone say— “Should I drill my bowling ball pin-up for some additional length, or pin down for an earlier roll?” Generally, many bowlers think this way when deciding on a drilling layout for their new bowling ball. Have you ever been to a pro shop? They talk about this all the time. So pin up vs pin down— which is better? Take a look at this pin placement guide for bowling.

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What does pin placement mean on a bowling ball?

The pin spot indicates the top of a bowling ball core and where the core is located inside the bowling ball. When you drill your bowling ball, you can’t just randomly drill it any way you want. Understanding the pin placement and then drilling the ball is the wisest thing to do.

So, what does pin placement on a bowling ball do? Well, it creates the overall flare and hook potential when you lay out a bowling ball. Knowing your positive axis, rotation, and tilt will help you choose the right bowling ball drilling layout and pin placement. Before you select a layout for your ball, you should figure out where your positive axis is exactly and then you need to lay it out according to the number you will get.

What’s the difference between pin up and pin down?

Bowlers can either choose a pin-up drilling layout or a pin-down drilling layout. By changing the drilling location (for example- Pin Up vs. Pin Down), you can tweak your ball motion.  There are so many distinguishable facts between pin-up and pin-down layouts of bowling balls. So let me point out the differences for you.

Location:

A pin-up bowling ball means the pin is located right above the finger holes, and a pin-down bowling ball means the pin is located below the finger holes.

Ball Motion:

When a bowling ball is drilled pin up, it has more finger weight. As a result, a pin-up bowling ball will get down the lane a little further. Oppositely, when a bowling ball is drilled pin down, it will have more thumb weight. This will result in the bowling ball reacting a bit sooner. This clarifies that the static weights are much more impactful because there isn’t anything else inside your bowling ball for gravity to influence.

Breakpoint and Hook:

If you’re looking for your bowling ball to have a more angular hook, go for a pin-up bowling ball. It will create a faster transition off the breakpoint. To me, it almost looks like a “hockey stick”. that’s why a pin-up bowling ball delivers less total hook at the breakpoint but has a better entry angle. However, a pin-down bowling ball has less entry angle but more total hook. If you are in for some gradual hooking bowling ball, make sure you choose pin-down drilling layouts.

Rev Rate:

For most bowlers, the major difference is noticeable when they have different rev rates. Higher rev players should opt for pin up drilling layouts. On the other hand, lower rev bowlers would find pin down bowling balls much more helpful.

Speed:

Bowlers who have slower ball speeds will enjoy pin up bowling balls even more. Contrarily, speed-dominant bowlers will love playing with a pin down bowling ball.

Lane Patterns:

If you choose a pin up bowling ball, you will experience better ball reaction and motion by rolling it on shorter or lighter-oiled length patterns. Bowling on a longer length or heavily oiled pattern is great if your bowling ball has pin down drilling.

Pin Up Bowling Layout:

 A pin up bowling ball layout denotes that the pin is located right above the finger holes. Bowlers can get confused while choosing between pin down or pin up bowling layouts. Generally, bowlers who want to see their bowling ball make a strong angular move off the backend and love to play from the outside, are gonna love pin up bowling layout.

If the oil is freshly applied, the pin up bowling ball is going to react even better. According to my experience, a bowling ball with a duller surface but pin up drilling layout creates a more forward roll. This is due to the quick loss of energy. When the flat oil lane starts to break down, and you don’t wanna change your playing zone, avoid a pin up bowling ball because will be too for these conditions.

Pin Down Bowling Layout:

 A pin down bowling ball layout signifies that the pin is located below the finger holes. Do you want your bowling ball to roll early on the lane but can’t seem to do that? This pin down bowling layout might be what you’re missing. When a ball is drilled using the pin down layout, the holes are drilled on the top of the core. As a result, more mass is taken out of the weight block (especially the top) than the side. Because of drilling your ball in a pin down layout, the weight block is gonna get shorter than it was when you purchased it originally.

When should you use a pin down bowling ball layout?

So when is the right time to use pin down layouts? If you notice that the bowling lanes have begun to transition to a certain point where you know you have no other option than to move to a new area (inside or outside) but you’re planning to bowl the same way while staying in the same zone.

In a situation like this, a pin down drilling layout will let you stay in your zone because a pin-down ball has a less aggressive reaction. Do keep in mind that if you’re a high-rev bowler or have a high ball speed, changing to a pin down ball and expecting the same reaction will be wrong. Pin down bowling balls will promote a controllable and slower overall ball reaction. If the pattern you’re bowling is flat, starting with a pin down bowling ball and bowling straight throughout the game will promote a much smoother bowling game.

What are the disadvantages of using a pin down drilling layout?

If there is a battle- pin up vs pin down, which one wins? Is there a better one? The answer is no! Both are useful in their ways. However, the pin down layouts are less ideal sometimes. If you are about to bowl on a house or sport patterns that have a longer or higher volume of oil. Bowling balls with pin downs are generally a bit slower and more sensitive. Moreover, they don’t react hard enough off the breakpoint. So the hooks are a bit subtle. Another red flag about pin down is when you’re trying to play a little inside, your ball won’t like the excessive oil in the middle of the lane.

FAQs Of Bowling Pin Up vs Pin Down!

What does “pin up” mean in bowling?

Pin up refers to a drilling layout where the top of the bowling ball’s core (the pin) is positioned above the fingers. This layout generally increases the ball’s length before it begins to hook and is preferred by bowlers looking for a ball that goes farther down the lane before making a strong, angular move toward the pins.

What does “pin down” mean in bowling?

Pin down refers to a drilling layout where the pin is positioned below the fingers. This configuration promotes an earlier rolling motion and a smoother hook, making it ideal for bowlers who need more control and a predictable ball path, especially on oilier lane conditions.

How do pin up and pin down layouts affect ball motion?

• Pin Up: Creates more length and a sharper breakpoint. It’s useful for drier lane conditions or when you want the ball to retain energy for a strong back-end reaction.
• Pin Down: Promotes an earlier roll and a more controllable and smoother hook pattern. It’s beneficial on heavier oil patterns or when a bowler needs to manage their ball’s reaction more precisely.

Can every bowler benefit from using pin up or pin down layouts?

The benefits depend on a bowler’s individual style, ball speed, rev rate, and the lane conditions they are playing on. Some bowlers might find one layout significantly more beneficial than the other, while others might have a minimal preference. Consulting with a knowledgeable pro shop operator who can analyze your game is crucial for making the best decision.

How do I know if I should use a pin up or pin down drilling?

Your choice should be based on:

• Your bowling style: Higher rev players might prefer pin down to control the backend reaction, whereas lower rev players might benefit from pin up to increase their hook potential.
• Lane conditions: On oilier lanes, pin down might offer better control, while pin up could be better for drier conditions.
• Personal preference: How you like the ball to move through the pins can also dictate your choice.

Can a ball be redrilled from pin up to pin down (or vice versa)?

Yes, but it depends on the existing holes and the ball’s core. Redrilling a ball significantly alters its dynamics and performance. It’s often recommended to choose a new ball specifically drilled for the desired layout to ensure optimal performance.

Does the pin up vs. pin down choice affect ball maintenance?

No, ball maintenance (cleaning, resurfacing, etc.) should be consistent regardless of the drilling layout. However, how a ball is drilled might slightly influence how quickly its surface reacts to lane conditions, potentially requiring slight adjustments in maintenance routines.

Are there any limitations to pin up or pin down layouts?

The main limitation is compatibility with your bowling style and the conditions you typically bowl on. Additionally, the physical properties of the ball (core type, coverstock, etc.) and how they match up with the drilling layout can also limit effectiveness.

Conclusion

Choosing the wrong drilling layout can completely ruin your bowling ball and can also lower your bowling average. Similarly, if you choose the right one, it will magically make your bowling experience much more fun and pleasing. I have put down all the differences between pin up and pin down. And how they differ in terms of performance. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me. Good luck!