Quote from: Bowler19525 on September 12, 2016, 08:14:09 AM

Ideally, there should never be a ball that is illegal due to static weight [unless it was drilled at home by someone who couldn't properly weigh it out.]  In a perfect world, PSO's shouldn't be letting a ball out of their shop knowing it is illegal.  Having said that, I know for a fact this isn't the case.  I have had PSO's say to me "This ball is currently illegal, but throw a few games with it, see how it reacts, and come back some time and tell me what you think and we will put the proper balance hole in it."  I immediately request for the ball to be made legal before I leave the shop. 

As others have said, it isn't worth protesting a seemingly illegal ball.  The ball doesn't throw itself, nor is one ball out of 6-10 or more balls being used at any given time on a pair the reason an entire team wins or loses.

It is unfortunate you feel your ball MUST be statically legal when you get it.  Current drilling techniques take advantage of balance holes to fine tune the ball.  To do this, balls are drilled with more positive side weight to facilitate the addition of the balance hole.  It isn't an exact science where the ball comes out with 0.99 ounces of side weight.  Sometimes it is 1.1 ounces or even higher. 

I would argue your driller is doing you a favor by letting you know in advance it is illegal.  You should have just thrown the ball some in open play/practice and let him know your thoughts.  If you loved it he could drill a hole to minimize any effect.  If you wanted a change, he could do that also.

But you are entitled to your opinion.  I would just advise you to tell your PSO of your desires in advance next time.

Quote from: cory867 on September 12, 2016, 11:29:12 AM

I drill bowling balls and what you (spmcgivern) are saying is incorrect.  After a drill is complete it MUST comply with USBC rules which means that it MUST be within the 1 oz of side to side and finger to thumb weight.  If it does not do that the ball is illegal and the driller should not let the ball leave the shop. 

Static weights in today's balls means very little.  I always make sure a ball has no more than .75 oz of either weight to make sure that the ball passes at USBC tournament.

Cory, I understand the rule.  And I agree a PSO shouldn't allow a bowler to use an illegal ball if they can prevent that from happening. 

But can I ask what do you do if the bowler wants the option of adding a balance hole?  Do you drill it up with the CG in the middle of the grip to make sure you do not exceed 1 oz?  Or do you shift the CG in the direction you would add the balance hole?  If you shift the CG, then you have the chance to exceed 1 oz. 

So let's say you have shifted the CG and it comes out just barely over 1 oz.  Do you add the balance hole before the bowler has had a chance to throw the ball to ensure the balance hole is where the customer wants it?  Or do you give him a chance to throw the ball?  Notifying the customer of the circumstances and allowing him/her to throw the ball (in practice, not in sanctioned competition) allows them to be responsible for whatever happens if they disregard your notification.  But it also allows them to tell you what changes they want to the reaction. 

If you drilled a P2 hole in my ball because the ball was "illegal" before I had a chance to test it out, I would go elsewhere from that point on.  Especially since I make it known what I am looking for in my drilled ball.  I understand the rules, but I also understand the large effect a properly placed balance hole has on the finished product.