As A New Bowler, Should I Buy An Inexpensive Bowling Ball Or A More Expensive One?

By: bowlingball.com
Publish Date: 9/27/15

If you ask as a new bowler, should I buy an inexpensive bowling ball or a more expensive one?

The answer lies in first understanding that all the current equipment manufacturers provide high quality bowling balls regardless of the price point.

Entry level bowling balls are commonly considered to be plastic (polyester), urethane, or mild reactive resin bowling balls.

Mid range bowling balls will offer a greater variety of ball reaction capabilities so your ball driller (your pro shop professional) can help match your bowling ball surface (coverstock) with the lane oil pattern and with your delivery technique.

Many first time bowlers buying their first bowling ball will start with a plastic ball.

Plastic balls are the least expensive of all bowling ball choices and allow for a very mild hook potential providing your delivery style allows the ball to hook.

Plastic balls are easy to control, are great for shooting spares because they tend not to hook away from the pins, particularly when shooting corner pin spares.

Entry level urethane balls have a slightly higher hook potential rating than plastic balls but still provide very controllable ball reaction capabilities and can also double as a spare shooting ball.

Stepping into mid-level performance range bowling balls begins to open a stronger range of hook potential (and come at a higher price point than entry level bowling balls) than do urethane or plastic bowling balls.



Ball drillers have more drilling layout options when deciding how to drill your ball to match best with your delivery style and with local lane conditions.

Of course, the high performance and pro performance series of bowling balls offer the greatest ranges in ball motion capabilities and can help you as you advance in the game.

A smart choice is to buy a versatile bowling ball such as a plastic or urethane ball or perhaps even a mild reacting resin ball to get you going in the game.

It is a good idea to first work with a coach to help you develop a good release technique and delivery control so you can best benefit from your new ball.

Ask your pro shop professional to watch you bowl a few frames before making the final decision on which price point bowling ball to purchase.