Track Flare

Definition

Bowtie within track flare on a bowling ball

The track flare of a bowling ball is the oil rings around the ball. Because of the forces at work within the ball, most balls today do not roll over the same line twice, creating a new line for each revolution of the ball. There are two points on the ball at which these lines cross and the one closest to the fingers is referred to as the Bowtie.

Track flare can be manipulated using Pin locations and Weight Holes, and certain balls with aggressive cores and coverstocks can be drilled to overflare. Overflare occurs when the bowtie and the Positive Axis Point actually shift as the ball is rolling down the lane.