I understand that most bowling ball cleaners on the market are approved by USBC during competition but I'm wondering how many bowlers actually follow the rule and clean their bowling balls after every shot during league or competition? I just wait until after my session to clean my equipment for fear of some person not "in the know" starting an argument or complaint.
Following the rule of allowing balls to be cleaned does not meant hey have to be cleaned after every shot. Most don't, though you should wipe the oil off before it gets absorbed.
I have had some senior bowlers tell me that it was illegal to clean your ball during the game. I pulled out the relevant passages from the rule book and let them read them.
On a side note, what's the difference between an anytime approved ball cleaner vs one that is approved before/after certified competition?
The ones approved for use ONLY before or after bowling USUALLY contain abrasive that change the surface of the ball, which is technically illegal. That is why they are not approved for use DURING bowling.
I understand why polishes, and cleaners with heavy abrasives that cut the surface down are not approved anytime but why is Clean N' Dull or Hook-it on the list.
I assume they were detected to contain some substance that changes the surface of the ball. At one time, both were approved for use DURING bowling.
Would it be safe to say that the cleaners which are approved anytime don't clean as well as ones which are only approved before/after competition?
No, it is not an absolute. One of the best cleaners, if not the best, is approved for use during bowling: LMB International Extreme High Performance ball cleaner. It is getting very hard to find right now. Other than it, Clean and Dull, Hook-It and DV8's Damn Good Hook (same as C & D) are the best cleaners on the market, in my opinion.