Bowling News
Breaking! USBC Certifies String Pin Bowling Effective August 1, 2023
The United States Bowling Congress released a new research report on string pinsetters and the USBC Equipment Specifications Committee has approved final specifications based on the research. USBC will certify string pinsetters and string pin bowling as an independent category of equipment and competition effective August 1, 2023. The final specifications reduce the string length to a minimum of 54 inches.
By: Dave Schroeder
Under those final specifications, key findings of this 2023 report include:
- USBC’s lab data indicates strike percentage on string pin bowling will be 7.1% less than when using free-fall pinsetters.
- This could result in average differences as large as 10 pins or more.
- Unusual spare conversion rates have been nearly eliminated.
- Additional testing is needed to determine if a conversion between string pinsetter competition and free-fall is reasonable.
This 2023 report follows up on previous USBC string pinsetter research that began in 2020. Results from an initial study were published in December of 2020 and another research report on the subject was made public in September of 2021.
In the 2021 report, USBC released the results of its initial phase of research on string pinsetters along with preliminary specifications that were developed to help promote similarity between the performance of the different pin setters and more closely align with free-fall performance.
Based on the results from the latest round of research, USBC has outlined the following next steps regarding string pinsetters:
- USBC will certify string pinsetters and string pin bowling as an independent category of equipment and competition separate from free-fall machines effective August 1, 2023, for the 2023-2024 season.
- USBC will conduct additional testing with an objective of determining whether string averages can be used the same as free fall or whether a conversion can be created.
- USBC will provide an update on the additional testing and potential for conversion in advance of the 2024-2025 season.
String Pinsetter Research
USBC has published a new study and will certify string pinsetters and string pin bowling as an independent category of equipment and competition, separate from free-fall machines effective August 1, 2023, for the 2023/2024 season.
During the summer of 2020, the United States Bowling Congress Equipment Specifications and Certifications team began a comprehensive research study on string pinsetters, specifically looking at the scoring and pinfall variables between non-approved string pinsetters and USBC-certified free-fall pinsetters.
All aspects of the pin area, including pinsetters, pins, pin deck and pit area, play a critical role in scoring.
In the United States, the overwhelming number of USBC-certified leagues and tournaments use average-based divisions or handicap systems. Therefore, equipment that impacts scoring variables must be standardized from center to center in order to compare certified averages for competition.
USBC will conduct additional bowler tests in 2023 with the objective of determining whether string averages can be used the same as free fall or whether a conversion can be created. As with all of our research, USBC intends to publish the data and share the analysis for the benefit of bowling. Ongoing research will continue in this area, along with key industry stakeholder communication.Â
APRIL 2023 UPDATE
Click HERE to read USBC’s most recent research report on string pinsetters released at the USBC Annual Convention, April 2023.
Click HERE to read USBC’s Frequently Asked Questions regarding string pinsetters.
Click HERE to download a copy of USBC’s string pinsetter update.
Click HERE to read the full story about USBC certifying string pinsetters.
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I don’t like the idea at all. Maybe it is fine for non competitive league bowlers.
You will loose more bowlers.
This is the dumbest thing USBC, has done yet!
If USBC wants to do something to help the bowling in this country, go back to recognizing all the league bowlers instead of just just the PBA, and the national tournament. USBC needs to do something to help get the younger generation more interested in our great sport.
I sure hope USBC decides not to approve string pin bowling.
To make sure this will be a separate class for bowling as of now
Great job USBC failing to be separate from corporate interests. The ONLY reason bowling centers want these is because of the lower costs of operating the centers. The PBA and USBC are supposed to stay completely separate from corporations like Bowlero, but once again the people (bowlers) are getting screwed for the interest of the corporation over the bowlers.
I agree with your thoughts totally. USBC needs to work on our Youth problem, where have they gone? They are our life blood and we are not directing our attention to the real problem in bowling. Heck with String pins!!!
Why doesn’t the USBC just kill the sport of bowling.
The number of ads on bowl.com should tell you who the USBC is really serving…
Why have pins at all, or even lanes for that matter? Just roll a ball at a screen like a golf sim and the computer can predict its motion and tell you what you’re knocking down.
God forbid a ball be too hard or soft on an ambiguous testing device but let’s have strings attached to the pins, that won’t interfere with carry or anything.
We have strong bowling here in my city. We only have one bowling alley. Going string was the best way to keep the alley going. We bowl leagues and it’s not bad. Split conversions and 10 pins can be a little funky… but at the end of the day, we get to keep bowling…
I agree, especially in rural areas. We only have one bowling alley for Leagues and they will go to string pin setters by year end. It is hard to get parts and then they charge a fortune for one part. Then pass that cost to bowlers by increasing lineage. The way I look at it is more and more bowling alleys will go this route. I’m sure the same sentiment happened when they went from human pin setters to mechanical pin setters.
I do not like the idea of string bowling. I know why, as it is cheaper for the centers. Most league bowlers will not agree to move over to this. Just another bad idea in my opinion.
USBC you are killing this sport you take away all the awards now this! Foolish!!
USBC you are killing this sport you take away all the awards now this! Foolish!!
I have to ask, “What is the goal of this concept?” Is it only to reduce initial equipment costs for a bowling center? I’m not sure it would save any labor costs because a mechanic would surely need to make machine repairs at some point, and someone would need to untangle strings occasionally. Since I’m going with cost reduction as the motive for this, has any redesign of the current pinsetters to reduce cost been thoroughly investigated? In my opinion, putting strings on pins makes the whole thing look like a novelty, or a cheap carnival game. How any preliminary surveys with current bowlers has USBC done regarding this concept? Nobody I bowl with likes this idea- including me.
I really do not like the idea of allowing string pinsetters. USBC is going to loose many league bowlers. Its a sad day for bowling.
Rumor has it that several Bolero lanes in my area will be converting to string pinsetters. I’m a league bowler and if my alley converts, I’m done with bowling. I absolutely refuse to bowl league with string pinsetters.
Our house has now converted and no one likes it. My average has drioped 20 pins. Others has dropped as much as 40 pins.
Not only has the only center in my area converted but now you can’t just bowl 2 or 3 games,you have to rent by the hour for $35. I’m in plainfield illinois.
How many of you didn’t like going from wood to synthetic lanes? Me!! (Yes, I am that old) I went from a 198 avg down to a 154. However, I like to bowl so I dealt with it an adjusted to get my avg back up. I don’t see any difference in going to string pin setters. I like to bowl so I will deal with it. Oil patterns will give me more trouble then the setting of the pins.
This is not real bowling and it is just another step down. We bowled last week and a girl picked up the 6-9 spare twice , by just barely touching the 6 and the ball glanced off into gutter. The string in both ocassions ended up dragging the 9 down. She said oh, no way im not taking that, but we said yes it counts. It sucks and its not a skill but it counts. In other instances a 7 or 10 pin would be falling over only to be held up by the string. Have never had or seen so many 4 pins left from a pcoket hit. No this is not bowling. The excuses of less cost are invalid. you get the proper equipment and you charge accordingly. I shot a 553. I am a 185-195 bowler after 3 years back from 30 years ago. The y SUCK