If you are a serious bowler, then there are some things that you should know about purchasing a bowling ball.
With all the options on the market, you must ensure that you pick something that is right for your needs.
Many bowlers will argue that having one bowling ball is not enough.
Some will have four or five bowling balls that they use depending on where their match is, and others will have some bowling balls that are simply used for display in their home.
There are different types of bowling balls out there, so let’s take a look at what the performance benefits are of each of these and which one you may need next time you head out to bowl.
9 Types Of Bowling Balls
1. Plastic Bowling Ball
Champion Sports Plastic Bowling Ball: Rubberized Soft Ball for Training & Kids Games, Orange
The first type of bowling ball is a plastic bowling ball.
Because of the natural characteristics of plastic, this bowling ball is going to be relatively light.
In addition, with a plastic bowling ball, you know that you will get a very smooth surface on the outer part of the ball.
The smooth outer covering helps to ensure there is little to no friction, and bowlers can get the performance they need during all of their games.
The plastic bowling ball is a good choice for beginners who may want to start bringing their own ball each time they play.
Although most bowling alleys provide bowling balls for you to use, you may find some comfort and satisfaction in having your own equipment.
The low friction on the outside of the ball helps to ensure that you are not going to hook the roll you take with a plastic ball.
For this reason, even advanced bowlers will keep a plastic ball around to use when they are shooting a spare.
When going for a spare, you must choose a ball that has a very predictable and consistent reaction to your throw.
If it tends to hook too quickly, you will end up missing the very important spare.
Most plastic bowling balls are priced quite a bit lower than other types simply because the materials to create them are a bit cheaper to produce.
If you are a bowler who is quite serious about your game, and you are looking to expand your collection of bowling balls, this could be a smart choice to add.
2. Urethane Bowling Ball
- Storm has created the Pitch Black, a solid urethane ball, for their Thunder Line
- This ball is intended to provide control on lighter and shorter oil conditions
- The Capacitor core gives this ball a straighter but strong delivery
Storm Pitch Black Solid Urethane Bowling Ball
The urethane bowling balls are durable.
In fact, if you are a serious bowler who plays quite often, you are going to find that the urethane ball will hold up much better for the long term than the plastic.
In addition, the urethane ball will offer more friction than the plastic ball does.
Although the idea is to roll the ball down the lane with very little friction, there are times when having the proper friction will ensure that you can pull off the types of shots that you need to.
One of the things that bowlers will say about the urethane bowling ball is that it does not deflect very much.
This is because of the increased friction that you see due to the materials that the ball is made of.
Of course, as you get more friction, you are also going to see a greater chance that the ball is going to hook.
If you are a bowler who struggles with the hook shot at times, the urethane bowling ball may not be the best choice.
If you are good at bowling but are not sure if you are ready to take the next step up to a very expensive ball that might be harder to control, the urethane model is a good choice.
This is one of those combinations that gives both playability and performance within the product.
The urethane balls are offered in many different patterns and styles, and you can order them in a weight that works exactly for your abilities.
Just be aware that there will be increased hook potential with this ball in play.
3. Reactive Resin Bowling Ball
Brunswick Rhino Reactive Pre-Drilled Bowling Ball, Red/Black/Gold Pearl, 10
Reactive resin is more of a premium bowling ball material.
The reactive resin has more performance benefits, but it is not as durable and certainly not as inexpensive.
This is a bowling ball you will have to take care of and could have to replace from time to time.
The urethane bowling ball will start to damage quite easily if it is not taken care of.
However, the reactive resin has more friction and hook potential than the urethane or plastic bowling balls.
The reason that friction is essential is that it allows you more control over what your bowling ball does.
As you become a better bowler, you will find that you try to control and hook your shots much more often.
Bowling goes well beyond the concept of simply looking down the lane and trying to roll it straight.
Advanced bowlers do a great job of making sure that their bowling ball is controlled.
They will put a spin on the shot to plan it, which is a concept much different from a beginner bowler just trying to keep the ball out of the gutter.
When a bowling ball has more friction capabilities, you can control your shots more.
The reactive resin is a workable bowling ball, but the problem with this is that the ball will also react if you are not playing well.
For instance, if you make a bad throw and the ball is not properly controlled, you are going to need to think carefully about upgrading to the reactive resin technology.
Only advance or intermediate bowlers will really do well with a ball like this in play.
In addition, if you are a player who travels from one bowling alley to another, you may have trouble with the reactive resin technology.
The reactive resin is very sensitive to changes in the style of the lane that you are on.
As you may know, each bowling alley is kept in slightly different conditions, and it is important to keep these things in mind when you are traveling from one to the next.
Having a variety of bowling balls to choose from is the safest bet.
This way, if you find that your bowling ball is not reacting as it should, you can switch up to something a bit less sensitive for this match.
4. Particle (Proactive)
Storm IQ Tour Bowling Ball (15lbs)
If you have noticed, each of the bowling balls that we have discussed has just a little more friction than the previous ones.
The more friction the ball has, the more sensitive it is to a hook and a shot that could potentially go off track.
Therefore, it is essential to be aware of this before you purchase a particle bowling ball.
Some people call these proactive bowling balls as well.
When you feel this ball, you will notice that the outside is bumpier than a plastic or urethane ball would be.
The bumpy surface will obviously increase the friction that you can get with this ball in play.
Although you would need a slow-motion camera to be able to see this in action, the ball will actually dig into the lane’s surface when you roll it.
The more playing, the slower the ball will go, and the more friction that you will notice.
If you are playing on a lane that is heavily oiled, the particle ball is a great choice as it is the only thing that is going to give you the control that you need.
Most of the time, intermediate and advanced bowlers will be the ones who use a particle type bowling ball.
New players and even some who have been playing for a while will tell you that the particle ball is a very difficult one to learn to use.
If you find that you have trouble getting the concept of bowling down, you could be playing with equipment that is a bit too advanced for you.
In time, you will learn to customize your equipment to work for your game.
This may take a bit of trial and error and the help of some advanced bowlers to make sure that you get this right.
5. High Mass Bowling Ball
- SG Processional Asymmetric Core, 2.53 RG, 0.051 Differential, 0.019 Mass Bias Diff (High Flare Potential)
- GPS Navigational ATX Solid Reactive Coverstock with 2000-Grit Abralon
- Gives Strong Overall Hook on Heavy Lanes
- Versatile drilling options for different bowling styles
- Perfect Scale Rating: 236.70
Pyramid Force Unleashed Bowling Ball
We have covered the four primary materials that you will notice bowling balls are made of.
However, in addition to the materials that the bowling balls are made of, there are still some other differences between each bowling ball that will make them of a different type.
One option that you will see quite often is the high mass bowling ball.
With a high mass bowling ball, you are going to have a weight block in the ball that helps the ball to feel much heavier.
For the most part, the bowlers who want to feel the extra weight in the ball are going to be the better, more advanced bowlers who have some extra skill.
With the high mass bowling ball, you can typically roll it with a lot more power for longer distance.
The ball won’t stop halfway down as the strong weight helps it continue rolling at a fast pace and rather quickly.
Overall, the high mass bowling ball is for a stronger player, but it can be an excellent addition to your bowling game.
Choose a high mass bowling ball with the finish that works best for your skill level.
6. Low Mass Bowling Ball
No products found.
No products found.
The opposite of a high mass bowling ball is a low mass bowling ball.
With a low mass ball, you won’t have to worry that the ball is too heavy.
Instead, the weight is placed towards the center of the ball, and it will be in a variety of different shapes.
The low mass bowling ball tends to increase the hook potential and won’t allow for as straight of a roll.
Overall, the low mass bowling ball can be purchased in a variety of different finishes.
Since it offers the better hook potential, sometimes it makes sense to pair this with a finish that has a greater hook potential.
Something like a reactive resin ball with a low mass is going to really help you get the performance that you need from a bowling ball.
7. Kids Foam Bowling Ball
- Two sets for 3-finger hole patterns fits multiple hands and finger sizes
- 1.0 lb
- BOWL RHINO TOUGH - Unlike many cheap options, our foam bowling balls are covered with durable Rhino Skin coating that resists peeling, cracking, and moisture
- PERFECT FOR MULTIPLE HAND SIZES - With two sets of 3 finger hole patterns, our foam bowling balls are designed for players of various hand and finger sizes to refine their bowling skills
- SAFE FOR KIDS - This lightweight, plush ball makes bowling a fun indoor or outdoor game for boys and girls and adult men and women; perfect sporting goods for a backyard birthday party or vacation
Champion Sports Foam Bowling Balls
Teaching kids to bowl is a great thing as this is a sport that they can play for almost their entire lives.
Of course, the problem that you will run into when teaching kids how to bowl is the weight of the bowling ball.
Most bowling balls are at least six pounds in weight.
This is clearly a bit too much for a kid who is just learning how to pick up a ball.
There are lots of skills that young kids can learn before they need to transition into the higher weighted balls.
If you are trying to get your kids to learn the game, but you don’t want to have them playing with a ball that is potentially dangerous for them, you can go with a heavy foam bowling ball.
The foam bowling balls will typically be about one pound in weight, and they are going to help young people or beginners learn how to control the ball.
This is one of the more important skills to learn, and it can be learned at any age.
Even toddlers can start to learn what they need to do with a bowling ball by practicing with this foam type.
Of course, most of the foam bowling balls on the market will be offered in bright colors, and they are typically sold with two sets of finger holes.
The two different sets allow bowlers to adjust their hands and get something to work for their game specifically.
This is also a great choice for the youngest children who can’t quite get their fingers to work in the larger bowling ball just yet.
The biggest benefit overall of the foam bowling ball is the fact that these are not unsafe for young people to use.
There is nothing worse than ruining a child’s hope of becoming a bowler the first time they drop the ball on their foot.
This is a major issue that the game of bowling faces when it tries to incorporate young people.
The foam bowling ball has made the game much more accessible.
8. Pre Drilled Bowling Ball
- Two sets for 3-finger hole patterns fits multiple hands and finger sizes
- 1.0 lb
- BOWL RHINO TOUGH - Unlike many cheap options, our foam bowling balls are covered with durable Rhino Skin coating that resists peeling, cracking, and moisture
- PERFECT FOR MULTIPLE HAND SIZES - With two sets of 3 finger hole patterns, our foam bowling balls are designed for players of various hand and finger sizes to refine their bowling skills
- SAFE FOR KIDS - This lightweight, plush ball makes bowling a fun indoor or outdoor game for boys and girls and adult men and women; perfect sporting goods for a backyard birthday party or vacation
No products found.
When you use a bowling ball, you must make sure that the holes are drilled perfectly for your fingers.
Some people choose to drill the holes in the bowling ball on their own, and others will want the holes predrilled for them.
When you order a bowling ball with the predrilled holes, you must know that this spacing will work for your hand.
The great thing about the predrilled holes is that the inside of the holes will be smooth and leave room for your fingers to move around freely and comfortably.
Many people at the intermediate and beginner levels are only going to want something with a predrilled hole.
If you don’t choose the predrilled hole, you will end up having to worry about taking care of this process yourself, and some people are not capable of it.
With the predrilled hole, you can take your bowling ball to the alley the day you get it and win your first game.
9. Undrilled Bowling Bowl
No products found.
Last but not least is the undrilled bowling bowl.
Of course, you can purchase your undrilled bowling ball in a variety of different finishes, but there are some that are going to be better for you than others.
With an undrilled bowling ball, you can take the ball and drill the holes in the exact location for you, o
r you can simply not drill the holes.
There are some bowlers who like to collect bowling balls and put them in a special room in their home.
If you are a great bowler, chances are you have a few trophies and some prize-winning bowling balls lying around.
Sometimes ordering an undrilled bowling ball and putting this in a special place in your home is a great idea.
Many people have a design on a bowling ball that looks really impressive.
It could be your favorite college, your lucky number, or even a picture of a place that you love to visit.
Drilling holes into this ball may seem like a bad idea, so you can simply skip the hole drilling process and put this ball on a shelf.
Other times, people will order an undrilled bowling ball so that they can drill the holes in the ball themselves.
If you choose to do this, you have to have the right drill, and you must understand the proper spacing for completing this process.
If you have never drilled a hole in a bowling ball before, make sure that you talk to some friends who have and get a lot of guidance before you start the process.
If you are not careful with the process, you could end up damaging the bowling ball, and there will be no going back from this point.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you can see the different choices that you have when it comes to bowling balls.
Clearly, there are some great options on the market, and each of them offers unique benefits.
The type of bowling ball you play with will tie in directly with your ability as a bowler.
The more time you have spent perfecting your game, the better the chance you have of seeing a significant difference between bowling balls.
For beginners and intermediate players, sometimes, the type of ball you play with will not be nearly as important.
NEXT: Why Is Publix So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)