When you are buying a bowling ball, there are many things to consider. Not only do you need a bowling ball that is right for your skill and ability level, but you also must factor in a variety of additional assets that come with a bowling ball. Thanks to today’s science and technology, bowling ball research and design has come a long way since the sport started over a century ago. Whether you are buying your first bowling ball or getting ready to add the next in a long line of bowling assets to your arsenal, knowing what to look for in a ball and how to evaluate how you can best use the innovation and technology in a ball to your advantage when you are in the lanes.
When you are buying a bowling ball, you need to consider multiple facets of the ball’s technology:
- Ball weight
- Ball core
- Ball style
- Manufacturer
- Your skill level
- Your budget
Once you get clear on your preferences when it comes to these issues, you will find that it is a simple matter to select the best bowling ball for you and your bowling game. By determining what weight of ball is ideal for your game, then pairing it with the best manufacturer and design, you will be able to pick the ideal bowling ball to enhance and advance your game. Depending on what aspects of your game are most important to you, you will probably place more emphasis on some of these factors than others. This is perfectly okay, and will help you make the best choice for you and your game.
Bowling Ball Coverstocks and Cores
The coverstock on a bowling ball is the “wrapper” that holds the core of the ball. While these two things play very different roles in your bowling game, it is important to understand how they work together within your bowling ball’s design. The core of the bowling ball is the internal structure that determines how energy is stored and how the ball behaves as it travels down the lane. A core can be symmetrical or asymmetrical, and the complexity of the design determines your options when it comes to hooking the ball and creating maximum pin disruption. Entry-level bowling balls tend to have fairly simple core structures that are designed to help lower-level players hone their skills in hooking the ball and controlling the speed of the ball at the end of the lane. The Brunswick Groove is a good example of this type of entry level ball. While the core determines power and drive, the coverstock is what actually interacts with the surface of the lane.
Since bowling lanes can be oily or dry, you need different coverstocks for different lane conditions. For example, a urethane coverstock will perform best on dry lane conditions, while reactive coverstocks are designed to actually interact with the lane conditions and hold on – or skid – as you prefer. In addition, hybrid coverstocks, which are partially pearl and partially urethane give you extra friction and traction, which leads to greater control in oily lanes. In general, your goal should be to get the most power possible using the core, and the most control possible using the coverstock. Your playing ability will determine how complicated a core you pair with a coverstock. Generally, you should stick with simpler cores that are symmetrical when you are starting out, then move into more complex cores as you progress. Your coverstock selection should be nearly entirely determined by playing conditions, and each manufacturer will state clearly what type of lane conditions each custom coverstock is designed for.
Coverstocks also make the difference between strike balls, which tend to be more powerful and create as much trouble as possible at the end of the lanes, and spare balls, which are often plastic-coated to provide the least amount of friction possible so that they skid into place at the end of the lane and do not accidentally hook at the last minute and miss the pins.
Bowling Ball Manufacturers
While nearly all bowling ball manufacturers offer at least some product line for every bowler at every level, some are more well known for their technology and design while others are more popular for ease of use or graphics displays. Generally, these are the terms used by manufactures to describe bowlers and their bowling balls:
- Entry-level bowlers are beginners (generally learning to hook the ball and just starting to work with technology). They are a step beyond bowling with plastic, which is what is available in most bowling alleys. They bowl with entry-level balls. Good manufacturers for entry-level bowling balls are Brunswick, Columbia, and Ebonite .
- Enthusiasts are a step beyond beginners, and bowl with performance or “advanced performance” balls. Enthusiasts can hook the ball and make use of different types of technology to further their game. They may be developing a signature style. Manufacturers who focus on enthusiasts’ needs are Roto Grip, Storm, Track and Hammer.
- Pros are, not surprisingly, professional level bowlers. These are the experts. They are often simply adding technology to an already formidable arsenal when they buy a bowling ball. Generally, these balls are called pro balls or pro-performance balls. They use the latest and greatest in bowling ball research, design and technology to create some serious stunt moves as well as consistent performance that is necessary for success in competitive bowling. Manufacturers who work with pros in mind are Brunswick, Columbia, Track, Ebonite, Storm and Hammer.
Bowling Ball Graphics
While a truly dedicated bowler will always focus more about what is in the bowling ball rather than what is on it, many bowlers do place a heavy emphasis on the intimidation factor provided to them by their bowling balls. Many manufacturers release limited edition logos for their “sickest” bowling balls to let everyone know that you are packing the latest in bowling technology. Also, you can even get your bowling balls scented to avoid that odd “foot-smell” that seems to accompany many bowling bags and the balls in them. Brunswick, Hammer and Ebonite are all known for their graphics lines that are designed to up the ante on every game by hitting opponents with a serious intimidation factor as well as major league technology.
Bowling Balls by Weight
When you are narrowing down your bowling ball choices, you will need to think hard about ball weight. This is determined by several factors. Of course, you need to use a bowling ball that you can manage, but you also need one that is heavy enough that you can manipulate to accomplish your end goal – knocking down the pins. Lightweight balls, like 10 pound balls, may not be quite as responsive as a heavier ball when it comes to backend play, while heavier balls, such as 14, 15 or 16 pound balls may be harder to some bowlers to handle.
10 Pound Bowling Balls
If you are looking for a 10 pound bowling ball, then you should definitely factor in whether or not that ball has a modified core. Core design technology is generally optimized for heavier balls, starting at 12 pounds at the low end. If you want a 10 pound ball, then you should make sure that the ball’s core is idealized for a lighter weight ball. Often, people think that if they are just getting started in bowling they should start out with a lighter weight. However, you need to work with the weight that you can best handle, meaning that you need to use the weight ball that gives you the most control over what happens in the lane. This may be a 10 pound ball – particularly if you have a small frame – but you should allow for the fact that a 12 or 14 pound ball may actually be better for you.
Brunswick Avalanche has a Teal Rhino light bulb core that is ideal for a lighter weight ball. It also boasts Brunswick’s PowerKoil 18 Reactive Pearl coverstock for extended length, which can be a hard thing to get in a 10 pound bowling ball. The Avalanche is designed for dry to medium lane conditions.
If you are looking for major control in a 10 pound ball, then you may want to try Ebonite’s Pin Slasher. This bowling ball has a strong midlane roll, which can be hard to achieve with a 10 pound ball. If you want a smooth, continuous hook that you can totally control, then the Pin Slasher is for you.
If you are into highly customizable bowling balls, then Storm Bowling’s Tropical Storm 10 pound bowling ball will bring all the fun and intimidation factor that you need. It comes in six vibrant colors with matching fragrances, and is the ideal lightweight entry-level reactive urethane ball. As with most really good 10 pound bowling balls, the core has been modified. Tropical Storm has a three-piece core and medium-low flare potential for the ultimate in control.
12 Pound Bowling Balls
As you grow as a bowler, your strength will grow too. While two pounds may not seem like much, an entry-level 12 pound ball can perform much more reliably than an entry-level 10 pound ball. As a result, if you are looking to up your level of control and start working on a signature move, then you may want to move into the 12 pound bowling ball arena. Even if you just work with a slightly heavier model of ball than you were using originally, you will see a major difference in your game between your 10 and 12 pound play.
The Columbia Scout is a perfect example of a good starter 12 pound bowling ball. Columbia is a brand known for providing major value and incredible graphics, which makes the balls fun to use as well as an economically responsible addition to your bowling arsenal. When the Scout is used in its 12 pound bowling ball model, the round core with a pancake weight block begins to build power as it travels down the lane, then hooks hard at the end. This ball is ideal if you have been bowling with a lighter Columbia ball or an extremely basic entry-level ball up to this point.
The Brunswick Groove is another bowling ball model that changes its power and control significantly when you move into the 12 pound weight bracket. The Groove is designed to help you start hooking and really refine your technique so that you are doing more than just powering a ball down a lane. It has a basic core design so that you do not have to deal with too many new factors at once as you move into a heavier weight bracket.
Raw Hammer Acid is for the seriously innovative bowler who just plain likes to work in the 12 pound bowling ball bracket. This seriously aggressive ball is a mid-level ball with pro performance technology, meaning that it has groundbreaking coverstock options and and the Hammer’s Assault Core to build speed all the way down the lane. This 12 pound bowling ball is not for beginners, but it is ideal for the person looking for a bowling ball to complement their more reserved 12 pounders.
14 Pound Bowling Balls
When you move into the 14 pound bowling ball weight bracket, manufacturer and design really start to take on a life of their own. People who bowl with 14 pound bowling balls do not play around, and many bowlers feel that this is the optimal weight to get the most out of design, technology and good old intimidation factor. A 14 pound ball will give you options for majorly enhanced power and serious interaction with the surface of the lane, so be sure that you select a ball that will give you all the advantages that you want, need and can effectively take advantage of.
Brunswick Storm is a versatile 14 pound bowling ball with a Honeycomb core and aggressive PowerKoil coverstock. This ball is ideal if you need value – which Brunswick has always focused on providing – but you also want the best and newest in bowling technology. The Honeycomb aspect lets you build a “buzz” at the end of the lane to disrupt as many pins as possible, and you can get serious arc by dulling the Swarm just a bit. This ball is the perfect 14 pound bowling ball for the bowler who knows how to get what they want from a ball and likes to customize their bowling balls to fit and respond to them perfectly.
Storm Rapid Fire is an ideal entry-level 14 pound bowling ball. This can mean either that you are trying out a heavier ball weight, or that you have the strength to start out on a 14 pounder. Either way, the Rapid Fire has major energy and works with you to deliver grape-scented excellence to the pocket each time.
Ebonite, which is known for durability and potential, has a massive line of 14 pound bowling balls. One of the favorites is definitely the Ebonite Bash. This ball is idea for someone moving into mid-level play because it has the hooking and technical ability that you want, but also retains some of that primitive “bash the pins to pieces” mentality that you want when it comes to throwing a bowling ball at the pins with great effect.
15 Pound Bowling Balls
As we already discussed, while weight is definitely one of the most important factors in selecting a bowling ball of any brand or model, weight-optimized technology is equally important. As a result, when you move into the heavier ranges of bowling balls, you need to seriously consider how coverstock and core work together to get the most control over the ball and power out of it. Hammer is particularly well known for its heavier bowling balls because, true to their name, Hammer bowling is all about pounding the pins into the wall behind the bowling alley. Whether you are a beginner who has just started to understand how bowling ball technology works or a seasoned pro, Hammer bowling balls like the Hammer Vibe are ideal for heavy weight bowlers.
Track Temper is actually only available in upper weights, which should make it of interest to any bowler considering customizing their bowling ball arsenal with something that will complement, but not replicate, lower weight performance. The Track Temper has a legion core shape and the newest MP Gen 1 veneer to give you clean entry in medium oil lanes. Ideal if you known what you want, and what you want is control over a ball with enough weight to build some serious power into the back end. If you have slower speeds than you would like, this ball can also help you work with this rather than simply try to overcome the issue.
16 Pound Bowling Balls
The 16 pound bowling ball is the heaviest conventional ball on the market. Often, the best way to find the ideal 16 pound bowling ball for you is to identify what you like best in lighter styles and models, then work toward picking a heavier weight model. Look for models that offer a lot of power paired with a lot of control, since it is easy to power a 16 pound ball right out of orbit if you are not careful. As with the lightest weight bowling balls, these heaviest weight bowling balls also should contain specialized or modified cores that will help deliver the best performance possible at this weight. Choosing the right 16 pound bowling ball can add an entire skill set to your current repertoire.
Raw Hammer Anger is a perfect example of a 16 pound bowling ball that combines control and power. The Raw Hammer Anger conserves its energy, releasing it at the end of the lane on the pins when it matters most. This is ideal because it enables you to aim, hook and fire in any way you want with the confidence that you will be able to get the bowling ball to its destination with your intentions in tact.
The Ebonite Clash has, interestingly enough, the same light bulb core that is popular in many 10 pound bowling balls. However, this light bulb is nothing like its lighter weight counterpart. The Ebonite Clash light bulb core is paired with a flip block for predictable performance and its Modified Phazed BOMBER Reactive coverstock keeps all that performance under control with durable wraps and action.
Ultimately, no matter what bowling ball you choose when it comes to weight or manufacturer, you need to focus not on what looks the best, but what contains the best. In short, focus on what will give you maximum control at the best weight for you, not on limited edition graphics or a sweet-smelling success. You will get the best value out of a ball that works the best for you, so make sure that you know where you stand in terms of what weights you can work with and what you can and want to make the ball do, then pick the bowling ball that is best for you.
