USBC TO LIMIT USE OF URETHANE IN NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

Barely a month into the 2025-26 season, the United States Bowling Congress updated its rules on urethane bowling balls, placing limitations on their use in USBC-conducted national events.

The rules will either eliminate the use of slow oil-absorbing high-performance (urethane) balls or require them to be manufactured at a minimum 78D hardness. USBC posted a list of balls now ineligible for use in its national tournaments on Bowl.com.

In a media release, USBC said that, effective Dec. 31, slow oil-absorbing high-performance balls with oil absorption times over 90 minutes must be at least 78D hardness to be USBC approved for sale in the U.S. Balls with an oil absorption time greater than 90 minutes and featuring high-performance cores will be subject to the new approval specification; entry-level reactive balls and balls with non-high-performance cores will not.

USBC added that previously approved slow oil-absorbing high-performance balls under 78D will remain on the USBC-approved list. These models, while limited in USBC national events, can still be manufactured for use in certified leagues and tournaments that choose to allow them.

Response to the new guidelines was mixed, but Brunswick Bowling wasted no time in voicing its displeasure.