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Bowling Ball Drilling & Drilling Protection Plan

Brian Halstrom
Updated

Bowling Ball Drilling & Drilling Protection Plan

Quick Summary

Every BowlersMart bowling ball can be professionally drilled to your exact specifications by certified pro shop technicians — included free with the purchase of any ball. Add the optional Drilling Protection Plan for coverage against fit changes and re-drilling needs.

Table of Contents

🎳 Free Pro-Shop Drilling on Every Ball

  • Free drilling by certified technicians — no extra charge
  • Free inserts for finger holes (slugs and grips included)
  • Free shipping after drilling is complete
  • Adjustment options available with our Drilling Protection Plan

🛠️ FREE Professional Drilling — Included With Every Ball

When you purchase a bowling ball from BowlersMart, professional drilling is included at no additional cost. Our pro shop technicians are USBC-certified and have decades of combined experience drilling balls for bowlers at every level.

What's Included Free With Drilling

  • Layout and pin placement based on your specs
  • Standard finger inserts and thumb slug
  • Standard pitches and grip style
  • Beveling and finishing of all holes
  • Final inspection and shipping

Optional Add-Ons (Additional Cost)

  • Premium grips (Vise IT, Turbo Switch Grip, etc.)
  • Specialty thumb slugs (oval, interchangeable)
  • Switch Grip thumb systems
  • Custom pitches outside standard ranges

📝 How to Order Your Drilled Ball

Option 1: Order Online with Drilling Specs

  1. Add your bowling ball to the cart
  2. Select "Drill My Ball" at checkout
  3. Enter your drilling specifications (see below for what we need)
  4. Choose insert color and grip preferences
  5. Complete checkout — we'll confirm your specs by email if anything needs clarification

Option 2: Order with Existing Specs on File

If you've ordered drilled balls from us before, your specs are saved to your account. Just select "Use Specs on File" at checkout.

Option 3: Call Us

Not sure about your specs? Call our pro shop team and we'll walk you through it: 1-256-579-1039

📐 What Drilling Specifications We Need

Required for Every Drilling

  • Span — distance from thumb hole to finger holes (cut-to-cut and full-span measurements)
  • Finger hole sizes — middle finger and ring finger
  • Thumb hole size — and whether to use a slug
  • Pitches — forward/reverse and lateral for thumb and fingers
  • Grip style — conventional, fingertip, or semi-fingertip

Recommended for Best Results

  • Layout — pin distance from PAP, drilling angle, VAL angle
  • PAP (Positive Axis Point) — if you know it
  • Insert color preference — black is standard; we offer many color options
💡 Don't Know Your Specs? Take an existing ball you bowl well with to any pro shop or BowlersMart location to have your span and pitches measured. You can also call us — we'll help walk you through measurement at home.

⏱️ Processing & Shipping Time

Standard Drilling Timeline

  • Drilling time: 2–4 business days from order placement
  • Shipping after drilling: Free, typically 2–5 business days depending on destination
  • Total time door-to-door: Usually 5–9 business days

Rush Drilling

Need it faster for a tournament or league? Call us at 1-256-579-1039 — rush drilling is sometimes available for an additional fee depending on workload.

🛡️ Drilling Protection Plan (DPP)

The Drilling Protection Plan is BowlersMart's optional coverage that protects your investment in a drilled ball. Add it at checkout when you order your ball.

What the DPP Covers

  • One free re-drill if your fit changes (growth, weight loss, finger swelling, etc.)
  • Plug and re-drill for layout adjustments — no charge for the work
  • Insert replacement if grips wear out or need to be changed
  • Free return shipping for re-drill service
  • 30-day fit satisfaction guarantee — if the original drill doesn't feel right, we'll re-drill at no charge

What the DPP Does NOT Cover

  • Damage from misuse (cracks, chips from being dropped, etc.)
  • Manufacturer defects (those are covered separately under Defect Claims)
  • Multiple re-drills beyond the included service
  • Shipping for purposes other than re-drill

How to Use Your DPP Coverage

  1. Contact us at 1-256-579-1039 or support@bowlersmart.com
  2. Reference your original order number
  3. We'll email you a prepaid return label
  4. Ship the ball back; we'll re-drill and ship it back free

✋ After You Receive Your Ball

First-Use Checklist

  • Check fit during your first session — fingers should slide in/out smoothly with consistent pressure
  • Note any pinching, squeezing, or excessive grip pressure (signs of fit issues)
  • If the fit isn't right, contact us within 30 days for adjustment under DPP

Common Fit Issues

  • Thumb too tight: normal during first 1–2 sessions; will loosen slightly as the slug breaks in
  • Fingers catching: may need bevel adjustment
  • Ball squirting out early: grip pressure issue or pitch adjustment needed

Need Help?

📞 Pro Shop & Customer Excellence Team

  • Phone: 1-256-579-1039
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM EST
  • Email: support@bowlersmart.com

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