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Bowling is a beloved sport played both casually for fun and in serious competition. Using the correct ball greatly improves your chances of bowling your highest score. Key factors in picking a ball include its weight, how it fits your hand, the coverstock material, what type of core it has, and the drilling pattern. This guide will break down each consideration to help you select a ball tailored to your skills and style.
Ball Weight
Heftier balls pack more pin-crashing power. But excess weight reduces control and causes fatigue. Lighter balls sacrifice knockout force but are easier to handle. The right weight provides an optimal blend of leverage and accuracy.
Most coaches propose starting with the heaviest ball you can throw without straining. This table outlines general weight guidelines based on gender:
| Gender | Beginning Bowler Weight | Experienced Bowler Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 14-15 lbs | 15-16 lbs |
| Female | 12-14 lbs | 14-16 lbs |
However, use these only as rough estimates. Focus on what feels comfortable and natural based on your strength and technique. Test different weights to find your personal sweet spot of control and force.
Ball Fit
Getting the right ball fit is crucial, as an improper fit can hinder your performance or even cause injury. Bowling balls come in a range of sizes with different span measurements, finger hole depths, and gripping holes. When selecting a ball, have your hand measured and sized by a pro-shop operator.
The ball should fit snugly but allow your thumb and fingers to come out smoothly. You want no loose spaces but also no cramped pinching. The ball’s weight should be balanced, not top- or bottom-heavy. Your middle and ring finger holes should be spaced appropriately apart. With a custom drilling and the correct span and finger sizes, the ball will feel like an extension of your hand.
Coverstock Material
A ball’s coverstock, the outer shell surrounding the core, significantly impacts how it moves down the lane. Coverstocks come in plastic, urethane, and reactive resin. Plastic balls are inexpensive but have little hitting power. Urethane balls hook less and are good for spares. Reactive resin balls offer the most bowling ball hook potential.
Reactive coverstocks come in solid, pearl, and hybrid varieties. Solid reactive balls start hooking sooner. Pearl coverstocks save their hook for the back-end of the lane. Hybrid coverstocks combine elements of solid and pearl for versatile hooking action.
Choosing the right coverstock depends on the oiling pattern you bowl on and your desired ball reaction. Ask your pro-shop for guidance about which materials match your game.
Core Type
The core refers to the weighted inner portion surrounded by the coverstock. Cores come in three basic types: pancake, symmetrical, and asymmetrical.
Pancake cores offer the least hooking action but are excellent for beginners learning to control the ball. Symmetrical cores provide even, predictable hooking power. Asymmetrical cores create the most dramatic hooking curve but require experience to master.
Again, selecting the proper core shape hinges on the lane oiling pattern and your personal bowling objectives. A pro shop specialist can analyse your bowling release and typical approach to suggest an ideal core design.
Drilling Layout
Drilling refers to how the finger and thumb holes are positioned. The drilling layout has a major influence on how the bowling ball hooks down the lane. Some common drilling options include:
- Fingers drilled right over the core – produces an earlier, smoother hook
- Pin above ring finger – creates a longer, more backend hook
- Pin under ring finger – results in a quicker, angular hook
- Pin down under ring finger – maximises hooking potential
There are many other drilling patterns beyond these basic examples. An experienced pro shop operator can watch you bowl and drill the ball for your exact release style, speed, rev rate, and lane conditions. Custom drilling optimises the ball’s reaction potential.
To conclude, choosing a new bowling ball involves evaluating several key factors – weight, fit, coverstock, core, and drilling layout. Take the time to test and compare different balls to see what works best for you. With the proper ball and drilling for your game, you will gain consistency, power, and control to knock down those pins.
