To see our selection of bowling balls click a link on the left.
Bowling Ball Types
Here's a quick overview of the various bowling ball types.
- Hard Rubber Bowling Balls
- Hard Rubber Balls dominated the lanes in the sixties, but they're now pretty much museum pieces.
- Polyester Bowling Balls
- Polyester Balls, frequently referred to as plastic bowling balls, are ideal for beginning bowlers and casual bowlers.
These balls have a lower coefficient of friction resulting in straighter arcs that are more easily controlled.
- Polyurethane Bowling Balls
- Polyurethane Balls, often called urethane bowling balls, are softer than polyester which gives the urethane ball
more friction, resulting in a better hook. Polyurethane balls are an excellent choice when first becoming a hook bowler.
- Reactive Resin Bowling Balls
- Reactive Resin Balls were first developed about 10 to 15 years ago. Resin was added to the urethane ball to make the resin ball
more tacky than the polyurethane ball, resulting in even more hook and more striking power. Reactive Resin balls are commonly the
ball of choice for experienced bowlers.
- Particle Bowling Balls
- Particle Balls are typically Resin Balls with glass or ceramic particles added. The particles give the bowling ball even
more hooking ability.
Bowling Ball Weight
A heavier bowling ball will hit harder than a lighter ball. But the heavier ball tends to make it more difficult to
control your swing. Pro bowlers can effectively use 16-pound balls, and 15-pound balls are the most common used among senior
pros. But with the newer balls, 14-pounds is often an excellent choice for men and most women prefer between 10 lb. and 12 lb.