Bowling Buyers Guide

Bowling Balls

Shopping for Proper Weight:

• Average adult male usually bowls with a: 15-16 lb. ball
• Average adult female usually bowls with a: 10-12 lb. ball
• Juniors: 1lb. of weight per year of child's age, i.e. 8 yrs old = 8-lb. ball
• Buy the heaviest ball that you can comfortably hold/control, since heavier balls knock down more pins; Note: better to have a ball that's too light than too heavy
• Be cautious of exceptions in size and physical ability. If you are larger/heavier than average, go up in weight. If you are smaller or have limiting physical features, stay lower in ball weight

Shopping by Composition:

Polyester and plastic balls

• Recommended for beginners and entry-level players
• Roll straight with little hook
• Good for dry conditions
• Ideal if you roll a straight ball
• More forgiving

Urethane balls

• Recommended for more skilled players
• Roll with more controlled hook
• Tend to hit pins so pins remain low and mix with each other, offering more opportunity for strikes
• Usually sold with sanded finish; This assists with hooking, especially if lanes are oiled

Resin balls

• Yield similar benefits as urethane balls, but offer a sharper hook with more abrupt power
• Allow bowlers to achieve greater entry angle than plastic or urethane balls
• Offer greatest strike potential of all kinds of balls

Drilling the finger holes:

• Bowling balls need to be drilled unless otherwise specified
• Be sure to take your bowling ball to a qualified professional when getting it drilled
• Professional drilling allows you to customize the placement and size of the finger holes
• You can find out where to get a ball drilled at your local bowling alley

Bowling Shoes

• Bowling shoes vary in width
• Fit to your exact size; Too tight will cause blistering, too loose will throw off your balance
• Look for padded collars, cushioned insoles, and padded linings; Not only do they cushion and support, they minimize movement in the shoe for better stability, balance, and performance
• High-performance shoes are constructed differently for left and right-handed bowlers; These shoes have one shoe with a leather sole (used on sliding foot for smooth stop at delivery) and the other shoe with a rubber sole (worn on the swing-side foot for traction for forward momentum to help with balance)

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