Black scuff marks on Ball

[Loyer807]

Hey guys,

Don't poke at me to much as I am new to bowling, but are the black scuff marks on the balls the result of a dry lane and the ball spinning on the wood?
I have noticed if there is a good amount of oil the ball stays cleaner than if the lanes are dry or is it just all in my head?
The reason being is I had my ball resurfaced and she was looking real fine but after 5 games on a dry lane she was pretty marked up.

[dj_devillish]

I'd say the majority of scuffs/black marks I get on my ball are from the Ball return mechanisms. Most centers I've bowled at are well maintained with minimal ball jams etc. but there are a few I've been too where the ball gets stuck at various stages of the return and the result is like rubber on the ball surface.

I've never heard of the friction between the ball & lane causing 'burn' marks before but others may want to comment.

Do the black scuffs rub off with your finger easily enough? If so, I would suspect the ball return to be at fault but with a simple clean you should get it back to its 'just resurfaced' finish!

Sean :)

[got_a_300]

No dry lanes will not leave black marks on your bowling ball.
It sure does sounds an awful lot like a belt rash from the ball
accelerator belt or it could be from the ball return wheel(s).

[americantrotter]

If the alley's returns aren't the best you'll get those black marks. You'll get less when there is oil on the ball because it helps act like a natural lubricant going through the trouble spots in the return mechanism. So it's worse when the lanes are dry.

[GeoLes]

Marks and inperfections are part and parcel with ball use. Consider the dynamic of a 15lb ball thrown 60 feet down lane at solid pins, hitting a backsplach, rolling through a mechanism of belts, gears, etc. The ball takes a lot of abuse. Expect marks and even indentations in the ball surface over time. Over time, this affects the ball's response on the lane. Therefore, you should wipe you ball of execess lane oil before each throw. After each game, you should apply a USBC approved cleaner to the ball surface and Occasionally, you should deep clean the ball. This is especially true of a ball with at matted finish, which is more prone to soak up lane oil. You can have your pro sho deep clean it for you, or you can do it yourself. You should be able to find a sticky on this forum with instruciton how to do it.

[scottymoney]

MArks and scuffs are part of the game. If you are looking to keep your ball clean without these happening then Good Luck cause you will need it. A few scratches add character and what I would like to call War wounds!

[75lockwood]

Like others have said this tends to be caused by the ball return mechanism and is a rubbery substance. It does appear on my ball from time to time but a simple cleaning with alcohol or another ball cleaner should take it off easily.

[Flyer41]

I agree with the rest of them, they are usually caused by the ball return mechanism. One thing you will want to look out for is if any of the marks are on the oil track of your ball. You will want to clean those off ASAP. The rest of them that won't touch the lane are purely aesthetic.

[ArtVandelay]

Ditto all the ball return answers.

I have found it comes off easily if you put some pressure on it with your fingers. Then I just wipe the ball off with a towel. The only problem is it really alows down the league if you have to do that too often, so i always bowl my frame and then bring the ball back to my seat with me to work on it.

[unclemantis]

Yup. Ball return. If there is real damage to the ball then address the service desk.

[unclemantis]

Has a ball ever been damaged to the level of unplayable during a tournament? How is a situation like this handled?

[ArtVandelay]

Im sure its happened before. I once bowled league with someone whose ball cracked. They had to throw a house ball the rest of the night.

Id say you better have a plan b! Hahaha

[billf]

Has a ball ever been damaged to the level of unplayable during a tournament? How is a situation like this handled?

You go grab another ball. Most serious tournament players bring a minimum of four balls and usually more.

[unclemantis]

I only have ONE right now :) I wonder how many pros buy 2 or 3 of the same ball drilled the same way?

[Davec13]

Has a ball ever been damaged to the level of unplayable during a tournament? How is a situation like this handled?

I had one of my older balls get a huge gouge removed from it on it's return from the back. There was a loose bolt or screw head sticking out somewhere that took a chunk about a quarter inch deep and 2 inches long right in the track :mad: The lanes tried to repair it the best they could, but it was never the same. Eventually a left handed friend took it and had it redrilled as the damage didn't effect the other side.

In a tournament situation though people more than likely have a few spares with them. Heck I take 3 ball to regular leagues with me.

[unclemantis]

I had one of my older balls get a huge gouge removed from it on it's return from the back. There was a loose bolt or screw head sticking out somewhere that took a chunk about a quarter inch deep and 2 inches long right in the track :mad: The lanes tried to repair it the best they could, but it was never the same. Eventually a left handed friend took it and had it redrilled as the damage didn't effect the other side.

In a tournament situation though people more than likely have a few spares with them. Heck I take 3 ball to regular leagues with me.

WOW! I am surprised they didn't just replace the ball outright.

[Davec13]

WOW! I am surprised they didn't just replace the ball outright.

Like other things in life there is usually a disclaimer somewhere stating they are not responsible for damage. If it would have happened at a house I typically bowl at I'm sure I could have gotten a better resolution.

[unclemantis]

Like other things in life there is usually a disclaimer somewhere stating they are not responsible for damage. If it would have happened at a house I typically bowl at I'm sure I could have gotten a better resolution.

A disclaimer can only go so far. I can understand if you did something to cause it to happen, but this was out of your control. I wonder if this is something to bring to The People's Court? :)

[Loyer807]

Thanks for all the feedback, I really don't know what I was thinking, I knew it was the return, I was just being stupid I guess. :rolleyes: