Storm Drilling Layouts

The 2 in 2LS stands for two-handed. The system was originally developed for two-handed and thumbless bowlers because traditional layout math measures from the center of the grip between thumb and finger holes, which is not where a no-thumb release loads the core. The 2LS instead locates the PAP from the center of the bridge between the fingers (5 inches right by 1 inch down for a right-hander). Many one-handed bowlers also use 2LS today because the arc-based measurements produce more accurate predictions of post-drilled dynamics.

The Rank 3 benchmark layout: Pin-to-PAP 5″, Pin-to-COG 4″, PSA-to-PAP 3½”. Storm explicitly markets this as the starting point for building a complete arsenal. From the benchmark you can move up the ladder (stronger layouts for fresher or heavier oil) or down the ladder (weaker layouts for burned lanes and dry conditions).

Asymmetric Storm balls have a small PSA (Preferential Spin Axis) marker in addition to the pin. Symmetric balls have only the pin. The PSA marker is usually a smaller dot or label printed near the pin. Storm’s box specs also state whether the ball is symmetric or asymmetric. Use the asymmetric layouts above if you have a PSA marker, symmetric if you do not.

The Lightning Strike PSA system is Storm’s layout method for their Lightning Strike series and similar high-strength asymmetric balls. It uses a specific PSA placement that creates an early, strong response with maximum mid-lane read. The full Lightning Strike PSA layout PDF is downloadable above and recommended for any Lightning Strike or comparable high-flare Storm ball.

Drilling finger holes deeper than 2¾” buries mass below the surface where it cannot meaningfully influence the ball’s dynamics. The deeper holes effectively reduce the ball’s flare potential and overall motion. For 2LS layouts especially, where the geometry depends on predictable post-drilled differential, staying within Storm’s depth recommendation preserves the ball motion the layout is engineered to deliver.

The arc methodology transfers but the specific Storm-published numbers do not. Every manufacturer’s cores have unique RG, differential, and intermediate differential values. A 2LS-style drilling on a Brunswick or Hammer ball will not deliver the same reaction as the same numbers on a Storm core. For other brands, use the manufacturer’s own published layouts. Use the 2LS approach as a mental framework, not a literal recipe.