Are these worth getting?  They're reasonably priced, the travel would be the biggest expense except for perhaps the gold, but how high of quality are they?  I'm not concerned about the cost, but I also don't want to 'blow' a couple thousand dollars, persay. 

This is the point I was trying to make in my own debate about whether or not to get them.  Like Rico said here, and also makes a point in Head Games, because people are different, you can't take a cookie cutter approach.  Some people learn things differently, some have different skills or abilities.  If you understand the concepts and principles of bowling in general, you can better coach each individual.  If you get drawn into the idea that you have to teach something a certain way and a person has to learn something a certain way, yeah some people may get it, but many others may not. 

I'm sure there's some applicable information in the USBC certs, but if you look at it, you have extreme basics with Bronze, slightly advanced things in Silver, and the only thing between you and getting Gold is a review of what you've learned.  Most people getting these certifications wouldn't be getting them to learn, I imagine, they'd be getting them to beef up their resume.  Like it or not, resumes matter to the average bowler or average customer.  Again, whether or not it means something to a professional is one thing, but sometimes you have to have those feathers. 

To answer the OP though, it really matters what the intent is I think.  If you already feel you're competent at coaching, and aren't in it for the money, I doubt you need it.  To coaches seeking to draw people to coach, a Gold level certification is a big plus on the resume, and whether it means they know what they're doing or not, or if they coach exactly the same as they did before they got it, people will automatically give them more credibility than someone who may be a much better coach.  Sometimes you need those things to get your foot in the door. 

Also, all good coaches are not necessarily great bowlers themselves.  Their knowledge and eyes can see what needs improvement with someone they are coaching.  That doesn't always translate to coaching themselves.

One last point.

It is goes to the college degree argument.

You are the hiring manager for a company.

On paper, 2 candidates look identical.  Except 1 has a degree.

More often than not, the degree person gets the position, even though then non-degree person may actually know more.  They just do not have that sheet of paper.

At what point does experience overcome the lack of a degree?

True, but your resume is already a mile long . . if you were to add Gold level USBC coach to it, I wouldn't bat an eye, and I don't think anyone else would either, it would be more like, "well of course."  That makes it interesting though too.  By the time anyone is able to get a Gold certification, they should have a good enough resume that they wouldn't need that feather in the cap to draw people in the first place. 

The gold should be the elite (not the original 17 that were appointed btw) and should be based on knowledge and not the ability to pass 3 tests (the final at the disgression of 3 existing gold coaches) and has the cash to do it...

No piece of paper will make me more knowledgeable or more marketable...

Ah . . sounds about right. 

They grandfathered a handful (17) and then turn their noses up at other much more qualified individuals not in regards to me

Too many politics in the system as usual or as I like to say 'ones wanting to justify their existences in the universe'

Degrees or certifications do not make you any smarter or more knowledgeable than someone who doesn't have them.  We all know that.  But it is a measuring stick that people and companies use.  They know with that certificate or degree you were exposed to a certain level of information and were able to demonstrate, in some form, the ability to remember or apply it (test, essays, reports, etc..)  That doesn't necessary mean you're an expert.

They are worth getting if it helps you advance in an area you are interested in, REGARDLESS if it is simply a feather in your cap.  People & companies like feathers.  Besides you may learn something you didn't already know.

Please understand my thought is that someone that would a top level instructor should be based upon knowledge they have that others don't as well as not being appointed/annointed or paid for...
I can teach anyone or attempt to teach what I know, that doesn't mean they will ever see ball motion, the land or the game as I do...that should separate me from the average no?

And I'm not trying to sound condescending but I have seen what 'certified' coaches perceive as instruction and it's not right

I'm not certified I'm certifiable

I think we have strayed from the original question asked.

Would the classes be good for someone interested in coaching bowling?

The classes are a step in the educational process and the most recognized instructional certification within our industry.