Perfect game (bowling)

Before a 300 game is recognized by the certifying body of the league or tournament, a series of tests are conducted by the local or regional bowling association.

In earlier years, the bowling ball(s) used in the scoring was taken for testing (hardness, weighting, and other aspects that would otherwise break the organization's regulations).

The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) offers a "multiple" 300 ring for an additional fee that features the number of approved 300 games for that bowler surrounded by stones.

In casual or "open" play, a 300 game is not recognized officially by any certifying, professional, or other organization, but may be honored by other means within the bowling center, such as a plaque, trophy, "wall of fame" photo, or other prize.

A more recent example came in October 2006, when England's Paul Moor became the first man to register a score of 300 in the Weber Cup (the first 300 on live British television), the annual Europe versus America team challenge event.

Australian Jason Belmonte became the first bowler to ever roll a 300 game in the televised finals of the World Tenpin Masters, defeating Moor in the 2007 event.

The first 300 game in a televised PBA event was rolled by Jack Biondolillo in the opening match of the 1967 Firestone Tournament of Champions finals (broadcast by ABC).

[12] Michelle Feldman of the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) became the first woman to score a 300 on American national television, when she accomplished the feat in a 1997 Prime Sports broadcast.

[14] Urara Himeji, Wendy Macpherson and Takiko Naganawa have rolled 300 games on Japanese national television, all during JPBA events.

[21] The first six 900 series reported, starting with PBA Hall of Famer Glenn Allison's in 1982, were all rejected by the USBC for various reasons – mostly due to nonconforming lane conditions.

[22] Finally, in 1997, an officially certified 900 series was bowled by collegiate bowler Jeremy Sonnenfeld, rolled at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln, Nebraska.

As of January 22, 2025, the USBC lists a total of 41 officially certified 900 series by 40 different bowlers,[23] with Robert Mushtare the only person to roll more than one.