USBC Announces New Rules for Urethane and Slow Oil-Absorbing Bowling Balls


The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) has introduced significant new regulations affecting urethane and slow oil-absorbing high-performance bowling balls. These changes aim to protect lane conditions, ensure fair play, and promote athlete development across national bowling tournaments.

The new rules take effect in two phases:

  • December 31, 2025 – Minimum hardness requirement for ball approval and sales.

  • January 1, 2026 – Tournament-specific restrictions and outright bans in national events.

Key Manufacturing Rule: Minimum 78D Hardness

Beginning December 31, 2025, all newly manufactured high-performance bowling balls with oil absorption rates over 90 minutes (primarily urethane) must meet a minimum hardness of 78D to be approved for sale in the U.S.

  • Entry-level reactive balls and models without high-performance cores are exempt.

  • Balls approved before this date remain legal for league and local certified play, but may be restricted at the national level.

  • Models made before August 1, 2022, are banned from all national tournaments, regardless of hardness.

👉 For full ball approval details, see the USBC Equipment Specifications page.

Tournament Rules Effective January 1, 2026

The USBC has divided its national events into three categories: banned, restricted, and unchanged.

1. Tournaments Where Slow Oil-Absorbing Balls Are Banned Completely

  • U.S. Open

  • USBC Masters

  • PWBA Tour (including U.S. Women’s Open, Queens, and all regionals)

  • U22 Masters and U22 Queens

  • USBC Intercollegiate Team & Singles Championships

  • USA Bowling National Championships

2. Tournaments Where They Are Allowed Only If 78D Hardness

  • USBC Open Championships

  • USBC Women’s Championships

  • Bowlers Journal Championships

  • USBC Senior Masters

  • USBC Super Senior Classic

  • USBC Senior Queens

  • USBC Youth Open Championships

3. Junior Gold Championships: Restricted Play

  • Qualifying rounds: 78D hardness models allowed.

  • Match play and finals: All slow oil-absorbing high-performance balls banned.

4. Events With No Changes

  • Team USA Trials

  • Collegiate sectionals and season events

  • Junior Gold qualifiers

  • USA Bowling Regionals

  • USBC Senior Championships

  • Youth Scratch Championships

  • Forty Frame Game

  • Survivor Tournament

Why Did USBC Make These Changes?

USBC’s decision followed industry consultation, research, and bowler feedback. The organization cited four main reasons:

  1. Preserving Oil Patterns – Slow oil-absorbing balls can alter lane conditions more quickly.

  2. Competitive Fairness – Mixing urethane and reactive balls impacts balance across competition.

  3. Player Development – Overreliance on certain equipment can hinder skill progression.

  4. Equipment Integrity – Urethane balls soften with use, raising tampering concerns.

USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy explained that these changes ensure “competitive equity, athlete development, and lane pattern integrity.”

Enforcement: Spot-Check Hardness Testing

To support the new policy, USBC will introduce hardness spot checks at national events. This process will help collect data, detect tampering, and enforce consistency across competitions.

Resources for Bowlers

USBC has published:

These resources can be found at BOWL.com.

Quick Reference Timeline

Date Rule
Dec 31, 2025 78D minimum hardness required for slow oil-absorbing high-performance balls to gain USBC approval

Jan 1, 2026		 Tournament-specific bans and restrictions take effect

Final Takeaway

The updated USBC bowling ball rules represent one of the most impactful changes to national competition in years. By enforcing hardness standards and regulating where urethane equipment can be used, USBC is prioritizing fairness, athlete growth, and lane condition integrity.

For bowlers, staying informed is essential—make sure to review the approved ball lists and prepare your arsenal ahead of the 2026 season. 

Location: United States

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