Drilling Services
At Gebhardts Bowling, we don’t just sell bowling balls — we help you get the most out of them with professional drilling services tailored to your game. Whether you’re looking for your first custom layout, a fresh fit after a change in equipment, or adjustments to match your speed, rev rate, and style, our drilling services are designed to give you a cleaner fit and better performance on the lanes.
Our team can help with standard drilling, span and fit measurements, layout guidance, and ball‑specific recommendations so your equipment matches the way you bowl. From beginners buying their first performance ball to experienced league and tournament players dialing in a new arsenal, we make the drilling process straightforward, accurate, and personal. If you want more confidence at release, better comfort, and a setup that works with your game instead of against it, our drilling services are built for you.
How Does Professional Drilling Work?
If you have never been fit for a bowling ball or would like your fit checked, we invite you to stop in at either our Allentown or Wilkes‑Barre locations to have your hand professionally measured. If you currently have a bowling ball and like the way it feels, we can also copy the measurements from it. It is always recommended that, if you have a bowling ball currently, you bring it in with you — even if you are looking to be re‑fit.
Once your hand is measured, all of your data is saved and will be on file for future drillings.
If you are not local to either of our locations and you either know your measurements or have a copy of them, you can email them to us at customerservice@gebhardts.com. We can drill and ship out a bowling ball from the measurements you provide.
If you are not local and have a ball that fits you well, you can take advantage of our Perfect Fit Program. We will send you a prepaid shipping label so you can send the bowling ball to us; we will copy the fit and ship it back to you free of charge along with your new bowling ball.
Gebhardts’ professional technicians are well‑versed in measuring everything, including conventional, fingertip, thumbless releases, and just about anything else you can request. We carry full lines of finger inserts, slugs, and interchangeable thumb options from Vise, Turbo, and JOPO.
Professional Drilling FAQ
Q: What are bowling drilling services?
A: Professional drilling services prepare a bowling ball with the proper finger and thumb holes, fit, and layout so it matches your hand and style.
Q: Who should use drilling services?
A: Any bowler who wants better comfort, control, and performance from a new bowling ball should consider drilling services.
Q: Can you help with layout recommendations?
A: Yes. Layout guidance can help you choose a drilling setup that fits your release, rev rate, and lane preferences.
Q: Is drilling only for advanced bowlers?
A: No. Beginners often benefit just as much, especially when they want a ball that feels comfortable and easy to control.
Q: Why is proper drilling important?
A: The right drilling can improve fit, reduce discomfort, and help the ball react more consistently on the lane.
How Does Basic Drilling Work?
If you are a casual bowler and do not have the ability to visit our pro shop or do not have a ball currently, we can drill a ball using basic measurements, similar to house balls at the bowling center. For the best results, we suggest getting your hand properly measured whenever possible.
We offer seven different size options from XX‑SMALL to XX‑LARGE that should accommodate most bowlers.
This is a standard conventional style drilling where you are intended to put your fingers in to your second knuckle with your thumb fully inserted in the ball. No inserts will be used in the finger or thumb holes. The actual layout will be a standard recommended layout from the manufacturer.
Please refer to this chart for approximate fitting purposes — the span will be the measurement from the inside base of your thumb to the crease of your second knuckle. If you are in between measurements, we suggest using the smaller measurement. The span on the chart is based on a right‑handed bowler. For a left‑handed bowler, the measurements will be mirrored. Please let us know in order comments if you are right‑ or left‑handed. The basic drilling is NOT guaranteed to fit. Some adjustments may be necessary once you receive the ball and can be done at any bowling pro shop. Please note that any bowling ball that has been drilled is not returnable. The manufacturer’s warranty still applies.
| XX-Small | X-Small | Small | Medium | Large | X-Large | XX-Large | |
| Middle Finger Span | 2-3/8" | 2-1/2" | 2-3/4" | 3" | 3-1/4" | 3-1/2" | 3-5/8" |
| Ring Finger Span | 2-1/2" | 2-5/8" | 2-7/8" | 3-1/8" | 3-3/8" | 3-5/8" | 3-3/4" |
| Middle Finger | 19/32" | 5/8" | 11/16" | 25/32" | 27/32" | 15/16" | 1" |
| Ring Finger | 9/16" | 19/32" | 21/32" | 3/4" | 13/16" | 29/32" | 15/16" |
| Thumb | 11/16" | 23/32" | 25/32" | 7/8" | 15/16" | 1-1/64" | 1-1/16" |
Email us at customerservice@gebhardts.com with any questions regarding this program or any products and services we offer