Hammer · Born to Knock Them Down
Born to Knock Them Down
Hammer Bowling
Aggressive coverstocks, angular backends, and a legacy of knocking down pins since 1981.
★★★★★ 178,000+ verified reviews
✓ Free shipping every order
✓ 60-day no-hassle returns
✓ Free shipping every order
✓ 60-day no-hassle returns
Who Is Hammer?
Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Muskegon, Michigan, Hammer built its reputation on one idea: bowling equipment that hits hard. The brand pioneered reactive resin ball technology and became the go-to name for bowlers who want aggressive entry angles, sharp backend motion, and a ball that responds when it counts. The Black Widow series, introduced in the late 1990s, became one of the most recognized ball lines in the sport and remains Hammer’s flagship today.
Hammer fields a sponsored roster of PBA and PWBA tour professionals, including Bill O’Neill and Shannon O’Keefe, and its equipment regularly appears at the highest levels of competitive play. BowlersMart carries the full Hammer lineup, from entry-level Axe spare balls to the latest asymmetric high-performance releases, with pro-shop drilling expertise behind every order.
1981Founded
MuskegonMichigan
PBA/PWBATour Proven
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The Hammer Lineup, Explained
Hammer groups balls by performance tier and series. Here is how the lines break down so you can match the right ball to your game and budget.
Black Widow
$129-$199
Advanced and tournament bowlers who want maximum hook, sharp backend angle, and asymmetric core power on heavy or fresh oil patterns
e.g. Black Widow 3.0 Dynasty, Black Widow Tour V1, Black Widow Mania
Vibe
$102-$110
League and recreational bowlers who want a smooth, controllable symmetric ball with bold colors and great value on medium oil
e.g. Arctic Vibe, Bubblegum Vibe, Ocean Vibe
Raw Hammer
$99
Recreational to intermediate bowlers who want a reliable, affordable reactive ball with a smooth and predictable arc
Axe
$59-$89
Beginners, spare shooters, and youth bowlers looking for a durable, no-fuss plastic or entry-level reactive ball
Verified Reviews
What Bowlers Say About Hammer
Hammer Black Widow 3.0 Bowling Ball★ 280 reviews
★★★★★
Great buy
I am very pleased with this ball, it is what I wanted in a ball. Its performance on the lane is exceptional
Hammer Arctic Vibe Bowling Ball★ 232 reviews
★★★★★
It’s a great ball
I have bowled 9 games with the new ball. Every one above average. Not normal for me and new equipment. It goes exactly where you put it.
Hammer Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid Bowling Ball★ 190 reviews
★★★★★
Like the ease of motion.
The ball reacts just like I want it to. Still getting use to it.
Hammer Rotating Ball Cup★ 153 reviews
★★★★★
Good practical purchase
Works well for a quick cleaning of your ball or for the application of polish or surface.
Hammer Black Widow Grunge Xpress Ship Rocket Bowling Jersey★ 134 reviews
★★★★★
Nice look. Great comfort.
Wore it yesterday bowling in a tournament. Loved it. Great fit & comfort. Looked great, too.
Hammer Black Widow Mania Bowling Ball★ 123 reviews
★★★★★
Great ball with a heavy back-end
Bowled my first 300 with this ball. Definitely a great ball and a strong back-end.
Hammer Bubblegum Vibe Bowling Ball★ 112 reviews
★★★★★
Great beginner ball
Great ball for light oil and does hook sharply on the backside. But on lanes when seeing medium/heavy it does not hook as well as say a high performance ball such as a bionic or black widow 3 bud very solid value none the less.
Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl Bowling Ball★ 90 reviews
★★★★★
Ball looks great. Fast shipping
Can’t get them anywhere else than on this website. Fast shipping, can’t wait to get it drilled!
Hammer Black Widow Toxin Solid Overseas Bowling Ball★ 85 reviews
★★★★★
Best Ball Ever
This bowling ball is phenomenal, had one highest games ever the second week of bowling with this ball. Now looking for the mate of the Toxin Hybrid to complete the bag. Awesome ball.
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Learn About Hammer
Guides, reviews, and references to help you choose and get the most out of your Hammer gear.
★★★★★
Why Buy Hammer From BowlersMart
Pro-shop expertise behind every order, backed by 178,000+ verified five-star reviews across BowlersMart.
Pro-Shop Drilling Expertise
Decades of hands-on drilling and layout knowledge.
Free Shipping, Always
Every order ships free, no minimum, no hidden fees.
60-Day Returns
Not the right fit? Send it back within 60 days.
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Helpful Answers
Hammer Buying Guide
Which Hammer bowling ball is right for me?
Start with your skill level and what you want the ball to do. Beginners and spare shooters do well with the Axe line, which is simple, durable, and affordable. Recreational and intermediate players who want a smooth, controllable reaction on medium oil will enjoy the Raw Hammer or the colorful Vibe line. Competitive league and high-rev tournament players reach for the Black Widow line when they need maximum hook and entry angle. Our pro-shop staff can pair any Hammer ball with the right layout for your game.
What makes Hammer bowling balls different?
Hammer has been building bowling balls since 1981 with a focus on aggressive, angular backends. The brand is best known for the Black Widow line, which combines asymmetric core designs with strong reactive coverstocks to deliver sharp, punishing entry angles. Hammer is also a longtime staple on the PBA and PWBA tours, with sponsored professionals including Bill O’Neill and Shannon O’Keefe winning events with Hammer equipment.
Are Hammer balls good for beginners?
Yes. The Axe line is built specifically for beginners and spare shooters, with a straightforward plastic or entry-level reactive coverstock that is easy to control and priced accessibly. As your game develops, you can step up through the Vibe, Raw Hammer, and Black Widow lines without changing brands. Getting fitted at a pro shop ensures the right ball weight and drilling for your hand from day one.
Does BowlersMart ship Hammer balls for free?
Yes. Every order at BowlersMart ships free with no minimum purchase and no hidden fees, and it comes with a 60-day no-hassle return policy. Hammer orders also earn Striking Rewards points you can use on future gear.
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Free shipping on every order, 60-day returns, and pro-shop expertise behind every ball.


























