Bowling is a popular sport that involves rolling a ball down a narrow lane towards a set of pins. The objective of the game is to knock down as many pins as possible by hitting them with the ball. Bowling can be enjoyed for leisure or played competitively.
- 1 Advantages and disadvantages of bowling
- 2 How much should I spend on a bowling ball?
- 3 Can I buy a used bowling ball?
- 4 Do I need to get my bowling ball drilled?
- 5 What Bowling Balls Hook the Most?
- 6 Is It Worth It to Spend the Money on the Best Bowling Balls?
- 7 Additional Considerations When Choosing a Bowling Ball
- 8 What bowling balls do professionals use?
- 9 Do pro bowlers use 14 pound balls?
- 10 Is it better to bowl with a heavier ball?
- 11 Which foot do you line up with in bowling?
- 12 Does a bowling ball wear out?
Many people use bowling as a way to bond with friends and family, as there’s something thrilling about watching a bowling ball roll down the lane. With numerous types of bowling balls available, some are better suited for beginners, while others are ideal for specific types of bowlers. However, some balls are suitable for almost any player.
If you’re a bowling enthusiast who has never played before, you may be wondering about the best bowling balls for beginners. Perhaps you’ve already purchased a bowling ball but are now looking for a new one, or you’re searching for the perfect ball that fits your middle finger.
Top 6 Best Bowling Balls for 2023: Our Top Picks
| Best Hammer Bowling | Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball |
| Ball Best Black Bowling Ball | Storm Pitch Black Solid Urethane Bowling Ball |
| Best Motiv Trident Bowling Ball | Ebonite Maxim Bowling Ball |
| Best Storm Bowling Ball | Storm Phaze III 15lb |
| Best Storm Trend Bowling Ball | KR Clear Red Rose Bowling Ball |
| BEST SPARE | Motiv Venom Shock Bowling Ball |
As a general rule, it’s best to find a bowling ball that matches your personal style. However, if you’re unsure of your style, it’s recommended to start with a ball that’s suitable for beginners until you identify your style. This list features the top 6 bowling balls for beginners, including balls of varying sizes, shapes, and weights. Whether you’re looking for a specific type of ball or just exploring your options, you’re sure to find a ball on this list that fits your needs.
1.Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball
Key Features
- Polyester Coverstock with crown factory polish
- Very low hook potential (25 on a scale of 10-175) for pinpoint accuracy to catch spares
- Nine different ball colors are available with gorgeous galaxy swirl designs
- Available in 6 to 16 pounds weight range
- Brunswick T Zone balls have a 1-Year polyester bowling ball warranty
The Brunswick T Zone bowling balls are an affordable and practical choice for bowlers of all skill levels. They make a great spare ball for more experienced players, and they’re also an excellent option for beginners as their first ball. The T Zone ball features a durable polyester cover stock that delivers consistent and accurate straight-line shots. Additionally, these balls are priced lower, allowing new players to allocate some of their budget towards other necessary accessories such as gloves and bowling shoes.
For intermediate and advanced players, the Brunswick T Zone ball is an excellent choice as a straight-shot second ball for finishing frames. The symmetrical core and low hook potential of the ball provide great lane length and make it easy to consistently find your mark for spare shots. So, if you’re looking for a reliable and cost-efficient spare ball or want to start bowling, the Brunswick T Zone bowling ball is a perfect choice.
2.Storm Pitch Black Solid Urethane Bowling Ball
If you’re searching for a bowling ball that has an urethane outer covering, there are quite a few options to consider. However, if you take a look at some of the top urethane bowling ball lists out there, you’ll notice that the Storm Pitch Black is often mentioned. This ball features a solid urethane outer covering that provides excellent control. Its symmetric capacitor core also has a medium to low flare potential, which makes it a great choice for bowlers who want more predictability when the ball lands. Despite its predictability, the Storm Pitch Black is still able to generate a good burst of energy when it hits the pins. Storm is a well-known company that designed this ball specifically for wooden lanes.
When it comes to finding the perfect bowling ball for beginners, opinions may vary among enthusiasts. However, there’s one ball that’s consistently recommended by experts – the Ebonite Maxim bowling ball. This ball features a durable polyester outer covering that comes in a variety of colors to suit any style. Its low hook potential is particularly helpful for those who are just starting out and trying to master a straight throw. Additionally, the Ebonite Maxim is available in a range of weights, making it suitable for everyone from children to adults. So, if you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for a new bowler, the Ebonite Maxim is definitely worth considering.
Key Features
- Hybrid reactive coverstock
- Available in 12 to 16 pounds weight range
- Velocity symmetric core
- Suitable for all oil conditions
- Grapevine scented bowling ball
The Storm Phaze III bowling ball is the ultimate example of cutting-edge technology in the sport. With its hybrid reactive cover and a polished 1500-grit finish, it offers an exceptional gaming experience. The ball also boasts the Velocity symmetric core, which enables it to travel swiftly down the lane while retaining energy for the perfect shot without excessive reactivity. This makes it an excellent choice for various styles of bowling and oil patterns. It’s worth noting that while not as significant as its performance, reviewers rave about the grapevine scent that the ball emits.
Also read：The Best Bowling Balls for Beginners in 2023
5.KR Clear Red Rose Bowling Ball
Key Features
- Polyester coverstock with high gloss polish
- Clear with large red rose design
- Performs best on dry lane conditions
- Available in a 14-pound weight only
While the KR Clear Red Rose bowling ball may not be the most high-performing option out there, it’s a dream come true for many bowlers who have longed for a ball like the one Big Ern used in the movie Kingpin. This ball has a unique design and is only available in a 14-pound weight, but it looks absolutely stunning in motion. The KR Clear Red Rose ball is ideal for use on dry lanes, and its durable polyester coverstock is less porous than other materials, resulting in minimal friction between the ball and the lane.
6.Motiv Venom Shock Bowling Ball
Key Features
- Solid reactive coverstock with 4000 grit sanded factory finish
- Gear symmetrical core
- Available in 12 to 16-pound weight range
- The Motiv Venom Shock bowling ball comes in a marbled purple only with bright orange and green accents which pop beautifully on the lane
- Medium-low flare potential
- Best for light to medium oil conditions
The Motiv Venom Shock is an advanced-performance bowling ball that caters to both low-speed and high-speed bowlers. Its consistent down-lane motion allows it to build up energy and transfer it effectively through the pins, making it a reliable option across various oil patterns. While the Motiv Venom Shock doesn’t possess any extreme features, its consistency and versatility make it a valuable addition to any bowler’s kit.
Also read:The Best Bowling Balls for Beginners in 2023
Advantages and disadvantages of bowling
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of bowling:
Advantages:
- Bowling can be a fun and social activity, particularly when played with friends or in a league.
- It can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.
- Bowling can provide a good cardiovascular workout, as it requires you to walk and move around the lanes.
- It can be an affordable and convenient form of entertainment, as bowling alleys are often available in many cities and towns.
Disadvantages:
- Bowling can be physically demanding, particularly if you bowl for long periods of time or lift heavy balls. This can lead to fatigue or muscle strains.
- Some people may find the noise and crowds at a bowling alley to be overwhelming or annoying.
- Bowling equipment, such as balls and shoes, can be expensive to purchase.
- It may be difficult to find a bowling alley in certain areas, especially if you live in a rural location.
Best Bowling Ball Buying Guide
Whether you are new to bowling or just buying your own ball for the first time, it may be tempting to pick the most stylish ball off the shelf. However, this ball-buying tactic will not get your game very far. Choosing the right bowling ball can make a significant difference to your game. There are many specifications and manufacturing details that need to be considered when choosing the best bowling ball for you. Its color is unfortunately not as important. So instead of just grabbing a big shiny ball off the shelf, we’ve put together everything you need to consider when choosing the best bowling ball to help you get a big shiny trophy instead.
How to Choose a Bowling Ball
Every detail of your new bowling ball is going to play an important role in how it performs when it leaves your hands. Here are the things to consider when buying a bowling ball:
Weight
The most important consideration when choosing a bowling ball is the weight. One of the best ways to select the ball weight is to calculate 1 pound for every 10 pounds of body weight. Therefore, if you weigh around 120 pounds, you will choose a ball in the range of 12-13 pounds. This allows you to control the ball well without tiring too quickly.
Test the weight you have chosen by having someone pass you the ball when stretching out your arm. This will determine if the ball is too heavy. When the ball is placed in your hands, it should not pull you off balance. If it does, it will be too heavy for you to control. In the same way, a ball that is too light will be hard to bowl straight or control effectively.
If you are buying a ball for someone else and are not sure of their weight, you can make a rough estimation by age. Bowling balls can weigh anywhere between 6 to 16 pounds. Lighter balls weighing between 6 to 10 pounds are generally designed for children while 11-14 pound balls are suitable for teenagers. Adult females and senior players in general use 12-14 pound balls, while adult males use 15-16 pound balls, with the heaviest balls at 16 pounds being the maximum weight allowed in professional bowling.
Coverstock
The ball’s coverstock, or shell, can be made from polyester, urethane, or reactive resin primary materials which affect the surface texture, hardness, and oil absorption. Here is a brief description of each coverstock type.
Polyester
Polyester or plastic coverstock is very durable and common in beginner balls. The smooth surface is less porous than other coverstock materials, results in low ball-lane friction, and has a low hook potential meaning it will go fairly straight.
Urethane
Urethane is used by beginners, intermediate, and professionals as it creates a lot of friction between the lane and the ball. It is easier to curve with a moderate hook potential. Although a little bit more expensive than other options, it is a good option for players who try to hit the pins from an angle. However, with more friction, you do trade-off some control which can be tricky on lanes with a lot of oil.
Professional bowlers usually have more than one type of ball to compensate for varying lane conditions.
Reactive resin
Reactive resin balls are expensive but hook very well and are common in professional-grade bowling balls. They offer the most ball-lane friction and come in three types namely solid, pearl, and hybrid.
The solid option offers an even rolling experience with a little more friction on oily lanes. The pearl reactive resin coverstock is not as reactive as the solid option. It still allows the ball to hook but with more subtlety. The hybrid option is a combination of pearl and solid reactive coverstocks.
Cores
A bowling ball can have a pancake, symmetrical, or asymmetrical core which will, amongst other factors, determine where you can drill finger holes.
Pancake core
Pancake core balls are easier to control down the lane with little technique adjustment required. They tend to stay straight for a smooth rolling experience which is ideal for beginners.
Symmetrical core
A bowling ball with an asymmetrical core is a little more advanced and is found in most bowling balls. Since it is balanced, you have more even control.
Asymmetrical core
Although most people prefer using a symmetrical core ball, an asymmetrical core allows you to create a more angular motion. This is beneficial if you need an angle to hit the pins.
USBC Approved
Most recently manufactured bowling balls are USBC approved, which means that the weight is accurate, the ball is balanced, and you can use it for professional competitions. If you are not sure whether your ball is USBC approved, you can take it to a bowling shop to check the necessary aspects.
Holes
Bowling balls are usually purchased solid and require the holes to be drilled as per your specifications. This should be done at a bowling shop that can do it professionally using the correct measurements and understanding the geometry of the bowling ball.
what is the best bowling ball
Buying Bowling Balls FAQs
- Weight: Choose a weight that is comfortable for you to throw. A good rule of thumb is to choose a ball that is about 10% of your body weight.
- Coverstock: The coverstock is the outer layer of the ball. There are three main types: reactive, particle, and plastic. Reactive coverstocks are made of reactive resin and are best for hooking (curving) on the lanes. Particle coverstocks are made of small particles and are good for creating friction on the lanes. Plastic coverstocks are the most basic and are best for dry lanes or beginner bowlers.
- Hook potential: This refers to the ball’s ability to curve on the lanes. A ball with high hook potential will curve more, while a ball with low hook potential will have less curve.
How much should I spend on a bowling ball?
The price of a bowling ball can range from $40 to over $300. It’s a good idea to set a budget before you start shopping. Keep in mind that more expensive balls are not necessarily better for everyone. It’s important to choose a ball that is comfortable for you to throw and that fits your skill level.[1]How Much Is A Bowling Ball
Can I buy a used bowling ball?
Yes, you can buy a used bowling ball. Just make sure to inspect it carefully for cracks or other damage before you buy. It’s also a good idea to test the ball on the lanes to see how it performs.[2]A Few Tips For Buying Used Bowling Balls
Do I need to get my bowling ball drilled?
Yes, it is generally recommended to get your bowling ball drilled to fit your hand. A professional driller will measure the size and shape of your hand and drill the ball to fit your fingers and thumb. This will help you throw the ball more accurately and consistently.[3]How Should My Bowling Ball Be Drilled?
What Bowling Balls Hook the Most?
Building off of what we just said, one reason why so many professional bowlers flock to balls with urethane covers is that they tend to hook the most. The urethane cover can create more friction than two teenagers playing 7 Minutes in Heaven.
However, a ball’s weight increases the probability of it gathering more hook. A heavier ball is more likely to hook than a lighter ball, so you may want to opt for a heavier one if you want more hook.
Is It Worth It to Spend the Money on the Best Bowling Balls?
The best things in life never come cheap, and if they do then they’re usually stolen. That’s how we feel about spending money on the best bowling balls. If you’re a casual bowler then you likely don’t need to splurge on the best balls in the medium.
That being said, if you’re serious about proving to people who you are on the professional bowling circuit, then it’s definitely worth it to drop the cash. A good bowling ball could be the difference between victory and defeat, and you don’t want to leave that up to chance.
Additional Considerations When Choosing a Bowling Ball
Additional brand logos on your bowling ball can sometimes result in a price spike without any real benefits. If you are budget-conscious, shop around. Once you have your ball ready, ensure to take good care of it by keeping it in a suitable protective bag and using the right cleaning products. The bowling balls in our list offer excellent value for money, so make sure to check those out too.[4]5 Steps to Choosing the Right Bowling Ball for You
What bowling balls do professionals use?
Most pro bowlers use 16-pound balls, although more than you think use 15-pounders. Another method is to add one or two pounds to the weight of the house ball you normally use. A heavier ball drilled specifically to your hand will seem to weigh about the same as a house ball two pounds lighter.
Do pro bowlers use 14 pound balls?
A smattering of professional bowlers use 14-pound balls, but the majority of the rest of the field do still throw the maximum weight 16-pound bowling ball. As for women’s pro bowlers, the average bowling ball weight usually thrown is around 14 pounds.
Is it better to bowl with a heavier ball?
In general, the heavier the bowling ball will be, the better as a heavy ball will be more impactful, carry more power, and will have more chances of hooking than a lightweight bowling ball. The heavier ball will be able to knock down more pins when two bowling balls are thrown at the same speed.
Which foot do you line up with in bowling?
Right-handed bowlers should begin their approach with their right foot slightly behind their left foot since the first step will be taken with the right foot. Left-handed bowlers should begin their approach with their left foot slightly behind their right foot since their first step will be taken with the left foot.
Does a bowling ball wear out?
It depends on so many factors, from the number and frequency of uses, to its maintenance schedule, and even the climate where you live and the temperatures it’s exposed to. With proper maintenance, you should get at least 5-10 years out of a quality bowling ball.[5]When Is It Time to Replace a Bowling Ball?
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