Bowling lanes may soon be painted purple again. In response to the latest urethane equipment rule changes, Hammer Bowling is releasing an updated version of one of the most successful bowling balls ever made.

The Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane 78D is set to launch on March 19, 2026, marking a new - harder - chapter for the famous Purple Hammer line. The new version is designed to comply with current equipment rules.

The ball also keeps Hammer’s thick-shell urethane construction, which has been part of the brand’s urethane designs for years.

The original Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane became one of the most influential bowling balls of the last decade.

Earlier versions of the ball changed when - and more importantly how much - urethane was used in modern bowling. Its continuous motion, strong response to surface changes, and exceptional pin carry allowed players to score well on a wide range of patterns, from very short to very long ones. In many international tournaments, the game became closely associated with one ball - the Purple Hammer.

Largely because of this ball, organizations such as the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), International Bowling Federation (IBF), European Bowling Federation (EBF), and even the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) introduced new or updated bowling ball hardness regulations.

The new Purple Hammer 78D will officially release on March 19, 2026, and it will certainly attract attention. The only question now is whether it can come even close to matching the success of its predecessor.