Tenpin Ireland has announced new restrictions on urethane bowling balls for national competition.
According to a notice published on January 23, the National Governing Body for Tenpin Bowling in Ireland will introduce new rules starting May 1, 2026. The regulations apply to all National Championship events and National Ranking Events sanctioned by Tenpin Ireland.
The decision follows a review of global equipment trends, consultations with international federations, and research conducted by the United States Bowling Congress.
Under the new rules, all urethanes must meet a minimum 78D hardness. In addition, any slow-absorbing ball manufactured before August 1, 2022, will not be allowed in national tournaments, regardless of its current hardness level.
Tenpin Ireland clarified that the regulation applies only to equipment with a high-performance core that takes more than 90 minutes to absorb lane oil. Entry-level polyester balls and reactive resin equipment are not affected by these changes.
The governing body stated that the policy aims to support athlete development and ensure fair competition. It noted that overuse of urethanes may limit versatility and that softer equipment can create disputes over legality and competitive balance.
The new urethane regulations will apply to all Tenpin Ireland national events, sport development leagues, and ranking events.
However, local leagues and casual play will not be affected unless individual league officials decide otherwise.
Tenpin Ireland’s decision follows similar actions taken by other federations in recent years.
Norway introduced urethane restrictions in May last year. Malaysia and Hong Kong have also implemented regulations targeting slow oil-absorbing equipment. In the United States, the USBC announced stricter controls after a broad research.
