Bowling two-handed has nothing to do with being ambidextrous. When you bowl with both of your hands to grab and roll the ball, by definition, you are considered a two-handed bowler. Indeed, this method has its perks, and those who can master the art of it can truly benefit from it. But before you get on the train to bowl with both of your hands, you have to learn a few rules. Two-handed professional bowlers like Jason Belmonte, Kyle Troupe, and Jesper Svensson— all follow the USBC-approved rules to bowl two-handed. So take a look.
Two-Handed Bowling Rules Explained
Before bowling received its worldwide recognition, people were wondering whether it is even legal to bowl like that. And then, USBC came to light and set all the rules for two-handed bowling.
USBC first set the official rules for two-handed bowling ball delivery. When you release your ball into the playing territory which is the lane. Previously, bowlers were only allowed to grip the bowling ball with both hands, but when they needed to swing it, only the dominant hand could be used.
In modern two-handed bowling, you can keep both of your hands on the ball during the grip and ball swing phase. As a result, a bowler gets to impart a lot more revolutions to the ball. Although both hands are used now, every bowler has a dominant hand that they use for swing and balance. The top hand, also known as the non-dominant hand adds support.
Now, what if a lefty two-handed bowler needs to shoot a spare and he decides to use only his left hand for that ball throw— will that be alright? USBC does approve that as long as a bowler uses the same hand as his dominant hand. Besides these approaches and ball delivery rules, all you need to learn is the techniques, but that’s a story for another day.
Do two-handed bowlers use finger holes?
It’s up to the bowlers whether they will use the finger holes or not. According to USBC Equipment Specifications and Certification, a bowler is allowed up to five holes for gripping purposes. But this is only applicable to individuals who have disabilities or difficulty holding a heavy bowling ball. The extra drilled holes make things easier for them to practice and bowl.
Back in 1983, Mike Lastowski used a bowling ball with an extra finger hole that is wider than the normal hole’s span. He did win the ABC Masters tournament. The ball had two grips for fingertips and it had two thumb holes that were on the opposite sides of the finger holes. The rule changed and this was pulled from the rules and covering the gripping holes became mandatory.
Now, for a two-handed bowler, it is still allowed to drill a set of finger holes for each hand on the opposite sides of the bowling ball. This is very helpful for two-handed bowlers to insert their fingers from both hands into the holes that assist them in maintaining the ball grip and of course, imparting an adequate force on their ball.
The recent modification specifies that bowlers have to show that they can use all of the drilled gripping holes at the same time with one hand. Just so we are clear, the bowlers are not bound to use all the holes in any particular delivery. But still, they have to demonstrate that they can use each hole reasonably for gripping purposes.
If you cannot reach the one-inch drilled holes with the tip of your little finger, it would be considered a balance hole. Just a few years ago, USBC established that bowlers who don’t use or need the gripping holes, have to get their holes covered throughout the stance, approach, and delivery. And how do you cover it? Well, the balls have to be placed on your hand in a way so that the palm or your thumb is covering the grip holes. If two-handed bowlers rotate their ball in their hands while bowling two-handed and the hole gets exposed, they will be either warned or disqualified from the match or competition as this is a violation of the USBC rules.
Can a two-handed bowler have a thumb hole?
Are two-handed bowlers allowed to have a thumb hole? Yes, why not! If they use it it will be considered a thumb hole. And if they don’t use it that will be a balanced hole. Now, if the thumb hole is not used by the bowler, they cannot keep the balance hole. So to clarify, you can either have a balance hole or a thumb hole, but not both. If you have a ball that has both, you have to plug one of them. One more thing, if a bowling ball with an unused thumb hole meets the static balance requirements you will be able to use that ball. So yes, you can have a thumb hole, but if you have one, you cannot have a balance hole.
Is there any advantage and disadvantage for two-handed bowlers?
Do two-handed bowlers get to enjoy any advantages for their bowling style? I would answer yes to that question. If you bowl two-handed effectively, you will be thanking yourself for going with this method of bowling. Indeed, you need a lot of practice to master the two-handed bowling style. But once you have the knack it will be worth all the patience and time because the payoff will be outstanding.
The biggest advantage of throwing your bowling ball with both hands is that you get to generate more hooks. The support and balance you receive from your non-dominant hand is also another advantage that bowlers appreciate truly. This specific style of bowling also fine-tunes your bowling ball motion with enough curves on shots that seem controversial. Bowlers often switch to two-handed bowling to smooth out their ball’s transition and balance their strike. You will understand why two-handed bowlers swear by this bowling method.
Although it may seem like two-handed bowling will give your ball more power, it is not the truth. Each ball has its capacity and you cannot booth that with the help of a supportive hand. Two-handed bowling doesn’t ensure powerful shots at all. Some bowlers tend to have a hard time aiming for their target board when bowling with both hands. Like any difficult thing, learning to bowl with two hands will take time, lots of practice, and patience. So don’t let those minor disadvantages discourage you. Think of all the advantages you will get to have.
Conclusion
Are you bowling one-handed? Are you doing good, you think? Then no need to switch to a new form of bowling. This will complicate matters more. Just do what you’re doing. Make sure you are having a good average. And of course, don’t forget to have fun when bowling. Two-handed bowling may seem tempting. But adapt to this method, only if you think you are comfortable with it. So good luck, my friends. Ciao!
Passionate Bowler and Bowling Enthusiast
Jess Pinelli is a dedicated bowling enthusiast with a deep love for the sport that spans over 6 years. With numerous strikes, spares, and a few gutter balls under hes belt, he has honed his skills on lanes across the country. Pinelli’s journey in the world of bowling has been a remarkable one, from casual weekend games with friends to competitive league play and even a few local tournaments.
Driven by her passion for the game, Pinelli decided to channel her expertise and knowledge into the digital realm, becoming a prolific author on this bowling website. She’s your go-to source for everything bowling-related, from mastering the perfect hook to choosing the right bowling ball and even navigating the world of bowling etiquette.
When she’s not busy writing informative articles or reviewing the latest bowling gear, you’ll likely find Pinellis at her favorite local bowling alley, helping newcomers improve their game or enjoying some friendly competition with fellow bowlers. She firmly believes that bowling is not just a game but a community, and she’s committed to fostering that sense of camaraderie both online and offline.
