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Bowling Balls Buying Guide

When it comes to non-physical games of skill, nothing beats bowling.  Aside from the flat beer, sub-par cuisine, and community footwear,  bowling alleys are a great place to engage in friendly competition.   Use this guide to pick out a bowling ball of your own and intimidate your friends by being the person who brings his or her own ball.

Types of Bowling Balls

Beginner / Spare

Beginner/ spare balls are perfect for those who are just starting out in the sport of bowling, and also for those experts who are simply looking for a ball that will roll nice and straight for a spare:

Brunswick T Zone 

Details:

  • Coverstock: Plastic
  • Ball Colour: Navy/Gold Pearl (All colours do vary somewhat from the picture shown)
  • Ball Finish: Rubbing and Finishing Compound Double Buff
  • Hook Potential: 25 (Low) on a scale of 10-175 Low-High

Columbia White Dot 

Details:

  • Coverstock: Plastic
  • (6, 8 & 9 lb.) - Foam urethane
  • Ball Colour: Emerald (All colours do vary somewhat from the picture shown)

Ebonite Maxim 

Details:

  • Coverstock: Hard Polyester
  • Hook Potential: 1.0 (Least) on a scale of 1-30 Least-Most
  • Length: 30.0 (Late) on a scale of 1-30 Early-Late
  • RG Differential: 0.020 (Low Flare) on a scale of .000-.080 Low Flare-High Flare

Mid-Range

Mid-range bowling balls are great for the bowler who wants to be able to throw decent hooks while still having the option to throw the ball differently:

Brunswick Power Groove 

Details:

  • Coverstock: PowrKoil 17 Reactive
  • Ball Finish: High Gloss Polish
  • Hook Potential: 70 (Medium) on a scale of 10-175 Low-High
  • Length: 155 (Late) on a scale of 25-235 Early-Late

Avalanche 

Details:

  • Coverstock: N'Control PowerBoost Reactive
  • Weight Block: Teal Rhino Pro light bulb core
  • Ball Finish: High Gloss Polish
  • Hook Potential: 80 (Medium-High) on a scale of 10-175 Low-High

AMF Orbit Extreme 

Details:

  • Coverstock: Super-Flex
  • Weight Block: Solar Core - Single Density - 2 Piece
  • Hook Potential: 30 (Medium) on a scale of 0-60 Low-High

High Performance

These balls are for bowlers who play in leagues and need different additions to their existing arsenal of bowling balls.  They are designed for different lane conditions and throwing styles:

Lane Masters Sure Strike 

Details:

  • Coverstock: Reactive Pearl
  • Flare Potential: 5 inch (Medium)
  • RG Average: 2.585 (Medium) on a scale of 2.43-2.8
  • Break Point RG Differential: 0.040 (Medium)

Storm Rapid Fire 

Details:

  • TwinV symmetrical weight block
  • Coverstock: R2X Pearl ReactiveWeight Block
  • Flare Potential: 5" 6" Med-High

Columbia Arch Rival 

Details:

  • Core: "Spinner"
  • Core Type: Symmetric
  • Veneer: "300 Plus" - Reactive
  • Surface: 4000 Abralon

Bowling Tips

Here are some pointers to bowl a good game the next time you hit the lanes:

  • Leave single-pin spares
    • You have to hit the head-pin more often. Throw from the side (right side if you're right-handed), and not down the middle (where the splits are). You'll get more strikes this way, too. You should not throw a huge, macho hook--look at those terrible spares that you leave. A smaller hook is more easily controlled, and will not be a disaster under unfamiliar lane conditions. If you throw gutter-balls, and leave spares that no one else leaves, then you should wise up.
  • Pick up your single-pin spares
    • Practice your spares, especially the 10-pin (if you're right handed). Shoot cross alley at the pins on the sides (stand on the left side, and walk toward that 10-pin). Throw a straighter ball at spares (especially the 10-pin). There are several ways to do this, but the easiest way is to throw harder. If you never pick up a 10-pin, get a hard bowling ball just for 10-pins (and practice with it, as you must get used to the straighter ball).
  • Work on a smoother, controlled approach
    • Nearly all amateurs use a 4-step approach. Nearly all pros use a 5-step approach. You might want to change. Be smooth, with smaller steps.
  • Roll the ball
    • Don't throw too hard. The ball should be rolling, not sliding, soon after you let go of the ball.
  • Practice
    • Try to make a deal with your bowling alley owner to get cheaper practice time. It is hard (and counter-productive) to work on your game during league. Bowling in several leagues may also help your bowling.

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