If You’re Looking for the Right Bowling Ball, Look No Further

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With stay-at-home orders still in place around the country, it may be awhile before you dominate your next bowling league game. But when indoor bowling becomes widely available, having a great bowling ball will be key. But knowing what kind of bowling ball you want or even need can be a tricky subject to navigate.
The first thing you should consider is how you’re going to be bowling. Are you looking to hook your ball (or learn how to hook your ball) or are you trying to throw a straight shot? Polyester balls are great for the latter, whereas a better coverstock is needed for the former.
You also need to consider the weight of the ball you want. This can be a bit tricky, though, because house balls don’t feel the same as a personalized ball. Because the holes aren’t specifically designed for your fingers, you end up holding tighter onto the ball. The best bowling balls will feel about two pounds lighter than a house ball, so try your hand at a few games, see which one is most comfortable for you, and add on two extra pounds.
Now that you know what to look for in a bowling ball, check out our favorite bowling balls below.
1. Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball
With it’s high-gloss polish and ten beautiful designs, this bowling ball is an awesome addition to any bowler’s gear. Thanks to the extensive size range (six to sixteen pounds), this ball is great for bowlers of any age. Users have praised that it’s a great ball for beginner bowlers, so we’re recommending it to those who want their own custom ball without breaking the bank.
2. Pyramid Path Bowling Ball
While having a ball that will hook and curve is nice, sometimes you just need a ball that will shoot straight and sink those difficult spares. For that case, this is the ball for you, thanks to its polyester coverstock. With 16 different colors available and ten different sizes, you can also choose the one that will best suit you.
3. Hammer Black Widow 2.0
This bowling ball would be a great gift for those that love the goth aesthetic, thanks to its shiny dark black and red design. Available in either 14 or 15 pounds, this ball will pack quite the punch as it collides with the pins. Some users report that this ball isn’t great on a dry alley, but even still, others say that the hook on this ball is quite impressive. Plus, we love that it is made in the U.S.A.
4. Storm Phaze II Bowling Ball
The vertical cavity technology and symmetrical core of this bowling ball gives you more room for error. Unlike other balls on our list, this one is great for any lane due to its enhanced coverstock. It was designed to endure the friction and oil that your ball encounters as it goes down the lane over and over again. Note that this ball comes undrilled, so you’ll have to find a service that will put the correct drilling layout on for you.