Bowling Ball Drilling Layouts

A drilling layout is the specific placement of finger holes and thumb hole on a bowling ball relative to the pin, CG, and mass bias markers. The layout determines how the ball's internal weight block will react when it encounters friction on the lane, which in turn shapes the ball's motion from release to the pins.

Symmetric balls have uniform core shapes and only require a pin and CG reference to lay out. Asymmetric balls have an uneven core shape with an additional mass bias marker, giving the driller a third reference point and more control over backend shape. Asymmetric layouts typically produce stronger, more defined backend reactions.

PAP stands for Positive Axis Point. It is the spot on the ball's surface where your axis of rotation intersects the surface, and it is the single most important number in layout design. A certified pro shop measures your PAP by applying a small tape circle to a ball, watching where it tracks down the lane, and measuring from the track to the original tape position. Every bowler has a unique PAP.

Pin Buffer is the distance between the pin and your Vertical Axis Line (VAL). It is a key part of Storm's layout system and influences how strong the backend reaction will be. A short pin buffer creates a smoother, earlier read. A long pin buffer creates a stronger, more angular backend.

The Dual Angle system was developed by Mo Pinel and is now the standard layout language across the bowling industry. It describes a layout using three numbers: the Drilling Angle, the Pin-to-PAP distance, and the VAL Angle. Each number controls a specific aspect of ball motion, making layouts reproducible and predictable across pro shops and brands.

The first number (60°) is the Drilling Angle, controlling how long the ball stays in skid. The second number (4.5") is the Pin-to-PAP distance, controlling how strongly the core revs on the lane. The third number (35°) is the VAL Angle, controlling the strength of the backend break. Together these three numbers describe a complete layout.

A benchmark layout is a balanced, predictable drilling used as a starting reference. The most common benchmark is roughly 60° x 4.5" x 35°. Bowlers use a benchmark ball to read the lane, then choose stronger or weaker layouts in other balls based on what the benchmark shows them.

VLS stands for Vector Layout System. It was developed by Storm Products over roughly five years and released free to the public in 2013. VLS uses three measurements to describe a layout: Pin-to-PAP (total flare), PSA-to-PAP (how quickly the ball loses axis rotation), and Pin-to-VAL, also called the Pin Buffer (the shape of the backend break). A pro shop enters bowler statistics, lane condition, and the ball's RG profile into the VLS tool and the system recommends a specific layout that explains the reasoning behind every number.

Dual Angle is the industry-standard language: Drilling Angle x Pin-to-PAP x VAL Angle. VLS adds the Pin-to-VAL distance (Pin Buffer) as an explicit third lever for backend shape, and is paired with an Excel calculator that recommends a specific layout based on the bowler and ball. Many pro shops use both: Dual Angle to describe and reproduce a layout across shops, VLS to justify why that layout was chosen.

2LS is Storm's purpose-built layout system for two-handed and thumbless bowlers. Traditional layouts measure from the center of the grip between the thumb and finger holes, which does not match how a no-thumb release loads the ball's core. 2LS instead locates the PAP from the center of the bridge (5 inches to the right and 2 inches down for a right-handed bowler) and uses three arc measurements: Pin-to-PAP, MB-to-PAP, and Pin-to-COG. A common reference layout is 5 x 4 x 2.5.

No. Plenty of two-handed bowlers are laid out using Dual Angle or VLS, and many of them strike just fine. 2LS exists because Storm's research showed traditional grip-center math under-predicts what two-handed releases actually do on the lane. If your shop is comfortable in 2LS and you are throwing Storm balls, it is the most accurate match. If your shop is not 2LS-trained, a careful Dual Angle layout with measured PAP still works.

Pin up creates more length and a sharper backend reaction. Pin down creates earlier roll and a smoother arc shape. Higher rev rate bowlers and medium-to-dry oil conditions generally favor pin up. Lower rev rate bowlers and heavier oil conditions generally favor pin down. Most complete arsenals include both.

A medium rev rate bowler on a house shot typically lands in the 4.0" to 4.5" range. Lower rev rates benefit from shorter pin distances (3.5" to 4.0"). Higher rev rates and two-handed bowlers can handle longer pin distances (4.5" to 6.0"). Use our rev rate calculator above as a starting point.

This refers to the factory measurement between the pin and CG, written on the box. Pin-In means the pin and CG are 1" or less apart, which generally produces more total ball motion. Pin-Out means the pin and CG are further apart, which can be drilled into stronger asymmetric-like layouts. Both have their place; the driller will work with whatever the ball ships with.

A standard drilling takes most pro shops 45 to 90 minutes once the bowler is fit. The actual hole-cutting is fast. The longer parts of the process are measuring your hand, pitching the holes correctly, and tape-fitting the thumb hole.

Yes. Existing holes can be plugged and a new layout drilled into the same ball. Most balls can be redrilled 2 to 3 times before excessive plug material starts to affect the dynamics. Plugging and redrilling is more expensive than the original drill and adds noticeable weight from the plug material, so it is most often done when a bowler's PAP changes significantly.

Layout charts and online calculators get you 80% of the way there. The remaining 20% is what separates a ball that strikes from one that sits in a closet: span accuracy down to the half-inch, finger and thumb pitches dialed for your specific release, thumb hole sized for the bevel you actually use, and PAP measured from a tracked shot rather than estimated. Every certified driller has stories about bowlers who saved $30 doing it themselves and then spent $200 fixing the resulting fit problems.