When it comes to bowling balls, there’s no shortage of options on the market. With several different brands to choose from all offering a full range of products, it can be overwhelming when trying to make a selection. One question, perhaps the most important, you need to ask yourself is how many bowling balls do you need.
How Many Bowling Balls Do I Need?
The number of bowling balls you’ll need varies based on your level of commitment to the sport. How often are you bowling? Are you bowling in multiple centers? What’s the level of competition?
Which of the following best describes you…
- A casual weekend bowler bowling a few times per month
- A routine league bowler bowling 1 or more leagues per week
- A committed tournament bowler bowling in regular leagues during the week and traveling to tournaments on the weekend
For the casual weekend bowler
We recommend anyone who bowls multiple times per year to purchase a bowling ball. The biggest benefit to owning your own ball is having it drilled custom to fit your hand. This provides comfort and ease that you don’t get from a house ball. In addition to a custom fit, you have the option to upgrade coverstock and core options that will help assist in ball motion. Lastly, the obvious benefit is sanitation. Having your own ball means you don’t have to share finger holes with all the other bowling center patrons.
Most casual weekend bowlers can get by with 1 bowling ball, either with a polyester or entry level reactive coverstock. Pairing a reactive ball with a polyester ball for spares is another option that would set you up for the most success.
Our recommendation: 1-2 balls
Shop: Entry Level Reactive Bowling Balls
Shop: Polyester Bowling Balls
Suggested Resources:
How to Choose: Your 1st Bowling Ball
Shopping for a Bowling Ball on a $100 Budget
For the routine league bowler
The routine league bowler shows a little more commitment to the sport than your casual weekend bowler. They’re at the bowling center each week bowling in a competitive format and trying to improve their game. Most league bowlers are bringing a minimum of 2 bowling balls with them each week; one for strike shots, and one to convert certain spares. More often than not, you’ll see bowlers with 3, 4, or more ball options to combat the changes as the lanes break down throughout the night.
There’s no one way to build an arsenal. Choosing the right combination of bowling balls for you should be determined by several different factors (bowler characteristics, lane conditions, etc.). An over-simplistic model for the routine league bowler would start with a ball for heavy oil (solid), a ball down for lighter oil (pearl), a spare ball (polyester), and perhaps one more reactive option to give a different look.
Our recommendation: 2-4 balls
Shop: Solid Reactive Bowling Balls
Shop: Hybrid Reactive Bowling Balls
Shop: Pearl Reactive Bowling Balls
Shop: Polyester Bowling Balls
Suggested Resources:
How to Choose: Your Next Bowling Ball
Best Bowling Balls: ‘21/’22 Staff Selects
A Look Into a Complete Bag for League Bowlers
For the committed tournament bowler
The committed tournament bowler is going to benefit most from a larger arsenal as they’re regularly facing different lane conditions that are often tougher than a typical league shot. Having a larger selection in your arsenal will help prepare you for any situation you may find yourself in.
Our recommendation: 4+ balls
Shop: Solid Reactive Bowling Balls
Shop: Hybrid Reactive Bowling Balls
Shop: Pearl Reactive Bowling Balls
Shop: Urethane Bowling Balls
Shop: Polyester Bowling Balls
Suggested Resources:
Hook Variables Part 2: Bowling Ball Characteristics