STRING MACHINES GREEN-LIGHTED; NO AVERAGE ADJUSTMENTS

For years, manufacturers have predicted that sales of string pinsetting machines would skyrocket if the United States Bowling Congress ever green-lighted the machines for certified competition.

Now, that assertion will be put to the test with the announcement that, effective immediately, USBC will update its playing rules to allow for the averages between pinsetter types — free-fall and string — to be interchangeable, provided the string machine has been certified by USBC.

In revealing its decision, the USBC released its most recent scoring research report related to string machines. The report concluded there is no statistically significant difference between the scoring pace of USBC-certified string pinsetters and traditional free-fall machines. That means an average conversion between the pinsetter types will not be necessary. 

More than 500 bowlers took part in the study, including more than 300 who participated in at least two sessions, USBC said. The study encompassed more than 3,500 games bowled.

The certification does not extend to older string machine models that do not meet USBC specifications.

 USBC said that it would continue to monitor averages of bowlers around the country as some transition into leagues utilizing certified string pinsetters to gather additional data.