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How Do I Choose The Best Bowling Ball For Me?
Walking into a pro shop and seeing dozens of bowling balls can feel overwhelming. Every ball promises to improve your game, but which one will actually work for YOUR specific style, speed, and lane conditions?
The truth is, there’s no single “best” bowling ball – only the best ball for your individual game and the conditions you bowl on most often.
Here’s your complete guide to making the smart choice that will actually improve your scores, not just empty your wallet.
How to Choose the Best Bowling Ball for Your Game
The Smart Approach: The perfect bowling ball matches your physical capabilities, fits your hand properly, and performs optimally on the lane conditions you face most often.
Step 1: Finding Your Optimal Ball Weight
Ball weight affects everything – your timing, your accuracy, and your ability to repeat shots consistently. Getting this right is fundamental to everything else.
The Two-Hand Test Method
Too Light
You can easily bounce the ball around with two hands
Result: Inconsistent timing and reduced pin carry
Just Right
Comfortable to hold with two hands, feels controlled
Result: Consistent release and optimal pin action
Too Heavy
Requires your back/knees to support the weight
Result: Poor timing and potential injury
Weight Selection Guidelines
House Ball Rule: You can typically go one pound heavier than the house ball you use comfortably – proper fit makes the ball feel lighter
First Ball Buyers: Most adults should consider 14-16 pounds, with 15 pounds being the most common choice
Physical Considerations: Shoulder, wrist, or back issues may require lighter equipment – there’s no shame in choosing what works for your body
Important Note: Heavier balls carry better, but only if you can control them consistently
💡 Pro Tip: Proper fit is more important than maximum weight. A well-fitted 14-pound ball will outperform a poorly fitted 16-pound ball every time.
Step 2: Matching Ball Surface to Your Bowling Style
Ball surface is your second most important consideration and directly affects how much your ball will hook and when it will hook.
Surface Selection Based on Ball Speed
Fast Bowlers (16+ mph)
If you tend to throw the ball hard, you need surface that will grab the lane early to create proper ball motion.
Best Choice: Dull or matte finish surfaces (2000-grit or rougher)
Why It Works: Rougher surfaces create earlier traction, giving the ball time to transition properly
Avoid: High-gloss polished balls that may skid too long before hooking
Surface Options: 1000-grit, 2000-grit, or factory matte finishes work best for speed-dominant bowlers
Moderate Speed Bowlers (13-16 mph)
Medium speed bowlers have the most flexibility in surface choices and can adjust based on lane conditions.
Best Choice: Start with factory finish and adjust based on lane reaction
Flexibility: Can use both polished and dull surfaces depending on oil conditions
Strategy: Consider a ball that can be adjusted with surface changes as conditions change
Surface Options: 3000-4000 grit surfaces offer good versatility for most medium-speed players
Slower Bowlers (Under 13 mph)
Slower ball speeds need surfaces that allow the ball to get down the lane before making its move toward the pocket.
Best Choice: Shiny, polished surfaces that reduce early lane friction
Why It Works: Polished surfaces help the ball retain energy for backend motion
Avoid: Very rough surfaces that may cause the ball to hook too early and lose energy
Surface Options: High-polish finishes, 4000+ grit, or pearl reactive coverstocks work best
Step 3: Adding to Your Current Arsenal
If you already own bowling balls, your next purchase should fill a specific gap in your arsenal, not duplicate what you already have.
Arsenal Gap Analysis
Current Ball Hooks Too Much
Solution: Look for shiny surface or symmetric core balls
Options: Pearl reactive balls, polished solid balls, or urethane equipment
Best For: Dry conditions, spare shooting, or when you need less backend motion
Current Ball Hooks Too Little
Solution: Look for duller surface or asymmetric core balls
Options: Solid reactive balls, aggressive surface prep, or high-differential cores
Best For: Heavy oil conditions or when you need more overall hook
Playing Style Considerations
League Play Strategy: Unless you have very low speed or very high rev rate, an asymmetric core with medium surface typically works best for house conditions
Tournament Play Strategy: For consistent reaction on sport patterns, symmetric balls with shiny reactive surfaces offer the most predictability
Heavy Oil Tournament Play: Longer, oily sport patterns require aggressive matte finish surfaces for proper ball motion
Step 4: Understanding Core Design Impact
After weight and surface, core design determines how your ball will move through the pins and transition from skid to hook to roll.
Core Type Selection Guide
Symmetric Cores
Characteristics: Smooth, predictable motion with gradual transition
Best For: Consistent lane conditions, tournament play, or bowlers who prefer controlled ball motion
Differential Range: Usually 0.030-0.060 for predictable reaction
Asymmetric Cores
Characteristics: More angular motion with stronger backend reaction
Best For: Heavy oil conditions, creating entry angle, or bowlers who need more dynamic ball motion
Differential Range: Usually 0.040+ with additional intermediate differential
Matching Core to Your Style
Low Rev Rate Bowlers: Asymmetric cores can help create the ball motion you need for better pin carry
High Rev Rate Bowlers: Symmetric cores often provide better control and prevent over-reaction
Balanced Bowlers: Both core types can work – choose based on the ball motion you want to create
Special Situation Ball Choices
Certain bowling situations require specific equipment choices that go beyond general ball selection guidelines.
The Spare Ball Solution
Why Every Bowler Needs a Plastic Ball
If you struggle with spare conversion, a plastic ball can be your secret weapon. Plastic balls hook very little (if at all), which eliminates lane condition variables from your spare shooting.
The Advantage: Takes lane conditions completely out of play – the ball goes exactly where you aim it
When to Use: All single-pin spares, most multi-pin spares, and any time you need the ball to go straight
The Reality: You don’t need hook to knock down pins – you just need to hit them solidly
Specific Playing Style Needs
Equipment for Two-Handed Style
Two-handed bowlers typically generate high rev rates and need equipment that can handle the increased rotation without over-reacting.
Core Preference: Symmetric cores often provide better control for high-rev players
Surface Strategy: May need shinier surfaces to prevent early hook and maintain energy
Weight Considerations: Often can handle heavier equipment due to two-handed support
High Rev Rate Equipment
Crankers need equipment that won’t over-react to their high revolution rate while still providing adequate pin carry.
Surface Strategy: Polished or pearl surfaces help control early hook
Core Strategy: Lower differential cores provide smoother, more controlled motion
Condition Focus: May need weaker equipment than expected due to high rev rate
Lower Rev Rate Equipment
Strokers need equipment that maximizes the ball motion they can create while maintaining accuracy and control.
Surface Strategy: Duller surfaces help create earlier ball motion
Core Strategy: Higher differential cores help create the ball motion needed for pin carry
Condition Focus: May need stronger equipment to create adequate ball motion
Your Complete Ball Selection Checklist
Follow this step-by-step checklist to ensure you choose equipment that will actually improve your game.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
✓ Step 1: Determine correct ball weight using the two-hand test method
✓ Step 2: Ensure proper fit – spans, pitches, and grip pressure must be comfortable
✓ Step 3: Select surface based on your ball speed and typical lane conditions
✓ Step 4: Match core design to desired ball motion and your rev rate
✓ Step 5: Verify the ball fills a genuine gap in your current arsenal
Reality Check Questions
Before You Buy
Ask Yourself:
• What specific problem will this ball solve?
• Do I have proper fit on my current equipment?
• Have I maximized my current balls with surface adjustments?
• Will this ball work on my home center’s conditions?
Professional Consultation
Discuss With Your PSO:
• Your specific lane conditions and oil patterns
• Your ball speed and rev rate measurements
• Your current arsenal and performance gaps
• Layout options for your Positive Axis Point
⚠️ Remember: No single bowling ball works on every lane condition. If you expect to become competitive, you’ll need to develop an arsenal around multiple pieces that complement each other.
Common Ball Selection Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from other bowlers’ expensive mistakes and choose equipment that actually matches your needs.
The Biggest Selection Errors
“More Hook = Better Scores”
The Mistake: Buying the most aggressive ball available
The Reality: Wrong ball motion for your conditions will hurt your accuracy and carry
“Buying Based on Others’ Success”
The Mistake: Choosing what works for other bowlers
The Reality: Different rev rates, speeds, and conditions require different equipment
“Ignoring Proper Fit”
The Mistake: Focusing only on ball specs while ignoring fit issues
The Reality: Poor fit will prevent any ball from performing optimally
“Duplicating What You Have”
The Mistake: Buying balls that fill the same performance niche
The Reality: Arsenal building requires different ball motions for different conditions
First Ball Buyers: Start Smart
If this is your first ball purchase, focus on building a solid foundation rather than trying to solve every possible lane condition.
Your First Ball Strategy
Priority #1: Proper fit that feels comfortable and secure in your hand
Priority #2: Appropriate weight that you can control consistently
Priority #3: Versatile ball motion that works on your home center’s typical conditions
Recommended First Ball Characteristics
Surface: Medium finish (3000-4000 grit) that can be adjusted as you learn
Core: Symmetric design for predictable, controllable ball motion
Coverstock: Solid reactive that provides good traction without being overly aggressive
Weight: Whatever you can control comfortably – usually 14-15 pounds for most adults
💡 Beginner Tip: Resist the urge to buy multiple balls immediately. Master one ball first, then add arsenal pieces as your skills and understanding develop.
Making the Smart Choice for Your Game
Choosing the right bowling ball isn’t about finding the most expensive or most aggressive option – it’s about finding the ball that matches your physical capabilities and performs optimally on the conditions you face most often.
The best ball for you fits your hand properly, complements your ball speed and rev rate, and fills a genuine need in your arsenal. Everything else is just marketing noise.
Remember: correct weight and proper fit are more important than any other factor. A perfectly fitted ball will outperform the latest technology with poor fit every single time.
Take your time, consult with a knowledgeable pro shop operator, and choose based on your actual needs rather than what others recommend. Your scores will thank you.
Remember, every order includes free shipping and our 60-day return policy, so you can shop with confidence!
Happy bowling! 🎳
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I currently use a Hammer Bad Ass but I’m looking for much more hook. I average about 185-188. I don’t have a lot of revs and about medium speed. I have a plastic ball for my spares. Please give me some suggestions. Thanks
Hi John,
I am a low rev (160 rpm) Full Roller with a 90 degree axis rotation with zero tilt.
I have slow ball speed, about 10.5 to 11.5 mph as measured at the pin deck.
On light volume house shots I have been using a 1970’s Vintage rubber ball finished to 1000 grit with a high flare pancake core layout, similar to the PBA High flare Plastic Ball layout used in the Plastic ball competitions, only for Full Roller.
On lighter volume house shots with a well defined dry area right of second arrow I will play up 9 and fade out to 7 or 6 and the rubber ball will make a nice predictable turn to the pocket. It never overreacts if I hit my mark correctly and I can play this line all night with little transition problems.
Next week I start bowling in a league with much heavier volume on the Brunswick Anvilane surface which is real slick. I will need something much stronger to get the ball to react at all.
What type of reactive ball, surface grit and core will give me the same consistency, accuracy and easy move to the pocket that I am getting with my rubber ball on dryer conditions?
With the rubber ball and its layout I am getting 4 inches of flare.
Thank you.
This is a good read, with some helpful and good information. Thanks for the tips!
Looking for a late breaking ball.. high rpm medium speed.. only use two fingers.. any suggestion helps.. thanks!!
I am also only a 2 finger bowler i throw between 13.5-14.5mph i currently throw a rotogrip hustle it is pretty good as long as lanes are not dry but on dry lanes it snaps too early
John,
I’m (80) years old and I bowl 2 or 3 times a week.
(30) years ago I had a average of 165 to 170 in a league.
I am right handed and I want to buy a new ball, but I’m not familiar with what’s available now.
I want to have a hooking ball from the 3rd arrow that gets within 4″ of the right gutter.
I’m interested in your opinion of a Urethane ball with a Matte finish
1. Symmetrical or soft surface ball
2. Solid reactive cover
3.A (13 or 14) lb ball
4. A RG of 2,54
5. A differential of 0.33 or 0.38
6. I use a 5 step approach aim at the and release at center of lane and would like a hook that goes within 4 ” of gutter in to the pocket.
7. My delivery is a moderate hook.
8. My ball speed and rev’s are medium.
The (3) Balls I’m considering are :
A.. Pyramid Pathogen with a hook rating of (2.54), a 200 grit finish / factory finish (13 or 14 lbs.)
B. Pyramid Path Rising with a Pearl reactive and a symmetrical core.
C. Raw Hammer (14) lbs, RG 2.587 with a juices solid core and a reactive cover.
Will you recommend any of these or your personal choice given my circumstances.
You have helped my son, his wife with advice as well as my brother in-law in the past.
Dave C.
I’m left handed and currently have a plain plastic ball. I want to put a little hook into it. I’ve only been bowling for 3 years.