Hey there, fellow bowling enthusiast! If you‘re like me, you know that finding the perfect bowling ball can totally change your game. Whether you‘re a casual weekend warrior or a serious league competitor, having a ball that feels like an extension of your arm is key to racking up those strikes and spares.
As a bit of a bowling nerd, I‘ve spent countless hours researching and testing out different balls to find the cream of the crop. Before we dive into my top picks for 2023, let‘s start with a quick crash course on all things bowling balls.
Bowling Balls 101: A Brief History
Believe it or not, bowling balls have been around in some form for over 5,000 years. The ancient Egyptians used stones and husks of grain for their proto-bowling games. In the early 1900s, hard rubber balls became the standard. It wasn‘t until the 1960s that polyester balls hit the scene, followed by urethane in the 1980s and reactive resin in the 1990s.
The number of finger holes in the ball has also evolved over time. Early balls had no holes at all. One-hole balls were popular in the early 20th century, but eventually the three-hole configuration became the norm to accommodate the middle and ring fingers.
Anatomy of a Bowling Ball
So what exactly makes up a modern bowling ball? Let‘s break it down:
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Coverstock: The outer shell of the ball that impacts its reaction on the lane. Made of plastic, urethane, or reactive resin.
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Core: The inner weight block that affects the spin and hook potential of the ball. Can be symmetric or asymmetric.
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Finger Holes: Typically drilled for the thumb, middle finger, and ring finger for a custom fit.
What‘s Your Bowling Style?
Not all bowlers are created equal. Depending on your technique and release, you may fall into one of these categories:
- Stroker: Has a straight arm swing, minimal wrist action, and a smooth release. Rev rate under 300 rpm. Ball speed 11-15 mph.
- Tweener: Arm swing is slightly curved. Moderate wrist action and ball rotation. Rev rate 300-400 rpm. Ball speed 15-17 mph.
- Cranker: High backswing, strong wrist action, and lots of ball rotation. Rev rate over 400 rpm. Ball speed 17-21 mph.
Your style influences which type of bowling ball will work best for you. Strokers do well with balls that have slight flare potential, tweeners match up with balls that have more backend hook, and crankers can handle balls with strong angular motion.
The Top 20 Bowling Balls of 2023
Now that you‘ve got the fundamentals down, let‘s get to the good stuff – my list of the 20 best bowling balls money can buy this year. I‘ve considered factors like coverstock, core design, price point, and customer reviews to create these rankings.
| Rank | Ball Name | Coverstock | Core Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hammer Black Widow Ghost | Aggression Hybrid | Gas Mask (Asymmetric) | $150 |
| 2 | Pyramid Path | Polyester | Pancake | $50 |
| 3 | Radical Bigfoot | TP-1+ Pearl | DynamiCore (Asymmetric) | $145 |
| 4 | Brunswick Tzone Deep Space | Plastic | Lightbulb | $75 |
| 5 | Motiv Venom Blue Coral | Coercion MPH Solid | Gear APG (Symmetric) | $160 |
#20. Ebonite Maxim
A no-frills spare ball with a polyester coverstock that goes straight as an arrow. Perfect for picking up those pesky corner pins. At around $65, it‘s easy on the wallet too.
#19. 900 Global Zen
This ball is all about balance with its S77R pearl coverstock and symmetrical Meditate core. Provides effortless length through the front with a predicable backend motion. A step up in price at $160-190.
#18. Brunswick Bowling Products 3D Offset
Paying homage to the classic 3D Offset ball from the 90s, this reboot features a carbon fiber outer core for extra durability and hitting power. It‘ll cost you around $180 for a piece of bowling nostalgia.
#17. DV8 Hell Raiser Blaze
If you‘re looking for an angular backend reaction, this ball delivers with its Inciter Max Traction solid coverstock and Hell Raiser D.O.T. asymmetrical core. Mid-range price of $150-220.
#16. Brunswick Rhino
An excellent entry-level reactive ball with an R-16 coverstock that provides easy length and a smooth, controllable backend reaction. The lightbulb shaped core adds hitting power. Affordable at under $90.
#15. Storm Trend 2
A great benchmark ball for medium oil, the Trend 2 features the NRG Hybrid reactive coverstock and the trusty Piston Dual Drive core. Expect a smooth, blendable reaction front to back. Priced around $185.
#14. Hammer Scorpion
Equipped with a Semtex Hybrid coverstock and LED 2.1 asymmetrical core, this ball chomps up medium-heavy oil patterns with ease. Packs a mean backend bite. Comes in around $135.
#13. Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane
The closest thing you can get to the famous Purple Hammer that was recently discontinued. Offers unmatched control and a smooth, arcing shape. No wonder the pros love it. Priced at $145.
#12. Roto Grip Hyped Hybrid
The melding of two proven coverstock technologies (VTC Solid and VTC Pearl) with the symmetrical Hyped core creates a ball that goes long and strong. Pick one up for $115-175.
#11. Roto Grip Gem
A real treasure with its MicroTrax hybrid coverstock and beefy Defiant LRG asymmetrical core. Digs in hard in the midlane and powers through the pins. A pricier option at $200.
#10. Storm Phaze 4
One of the most aggressive symmetrical balls ever with its Velocity Core and Reactor Solid coverstock. When the lanes get ugly, this ball shines. Definitely a high-end piece at $170-240.
#9. Roto Grip Rubicon UC3
The UC3 (Ultra Clean 3-piece) technology in the coverstock and the reliable Rondure core create length with a clean, snappy backend move. Great bang for your buck at $145.
#8. Brunswick Tzone Frozen Bliss
Who says a spare ball has to be boring? This icy blue beauty will make your eyes pop and your spares drop. At under $80, you can afford to keep a couple in your bag.
#7. Motiv Pride
The combination of the Coercion UCS Solid coverstock and the Dominion asymmetrical core gives the Pride some serious lane-locking power. It‘s a beast on medium-heavy oil. Priced around $185.
#6. Motiv Mythic Jackal
Born from the legendary Jackal line, this ball ups the ante with a new 2:1 hybrid reactive coverstock and the powerful Predator V2 core. The most expensive on the list at $215-275, but worth every penny.
#5. Motiv Venom Blue Coral
The Coercion MPH reactive coverstock and Gear APG core provide a lethal 1-2 punch on medium-heavy oil conditions. Expect tons of midlane traction and a snappy downlane move. Reasonable at $160.
#4. Brunswick Tzone Deep Space
Take your spare shooting to another galaxy with this polyester ball. Comes in some truly cosmic color combos too. Won‘t put a black hole in your wallet at under $80.
#3. Radical Bigfoot
Built for control with the TP-1+ pearl coverstock, this ball can shape itself to all kinds of conditions. The DynamiCore weight block provides plenty of boom on the backend. Moderately priced at $145.
#2. Pyramid Path
If you‘re new to bowling or just getting your kids started, you can‘t beat the Pyramid Path. This bargain polyester ball maxes out at around $50 and rolls dead straight. Great for learning the basics.
#1. Hammer Black Widow Ghost
My number one pick for the year. The combination of the Aggression Hybrid coverstock and the Gas Mask core hits the sweet spot of control and power. Ideal for crankers who want to open up the lane. Well worth the $150 price tag.
Comparison Table of Top 5 Bowling Balls
What Do the Pros Throw?
I always like to see what the professional bowlers on tour are using to strike gold. An analysis of the 2018 World Bowling Men‘s Championships found that the Storm Pitch Black was the #1 most used ball, followed closely by the Storm IQ Tour. The Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane rounded out the top 3.
Interestingly, 5 out of the top 10 balls thrown by the pros utilized urethane coverstocks. This suggests that many pros prioritize predictable ball motion and control over massive hook potential.
Factors for Maximum Hook
If you‘re a cranker looking to maximize your hook, pay close attention to two factors: coverstock material and weight. Reactive resin and urethane coverstocks provide much more friction than plastic and therefore offer more hook potential.
Heavier balls also tend to hook more than lighter balls because they have more momentum and deflect less when they hit the pins. Most crankers opt for 15-16 pound balls for optimum striking power.
Is It Worth Spending Big Bucks?
At the end of the day, only you can decide how much to spend on a new bowling ball. If you only hit the lanes a couple times a year with friends, there‘s no need to shell out hundreds on a high-end ball. An entry-level reactive or plastic ball will do the trick.
However, if you‘re a competitive league bowler or aspiring tournament player, investing in a higher-performance ball can definitely pay off. After all, your ball is the most important tool in your arsenal. When your equipment perfectly matches your technique, that‘s when the magic happens.
As a passionate bowler myself, I firmly believe that you can‘t put a price tag on the feeling of a ball that seems like it was made just for you. When you nail that release and watch your ball dance through the pins, it‘s worth every penny.
Striking Thoughts
I hope this guide has given you a solid foundation in the world of bowling balls and armed you with the knowledge to find your perfect match. Just remember that while certain core and coverstock types are generally better for certain styles, the "ideal" ball is ultimately a very personal choice.
My advice? Don‘t just go by the online reviews or what your buddies tell you to buy. Get out there and test drive as many balls as you can. Most pro shops will let you try before you buy. Pay attention to how the ball feels off your hand and reacts to your release. And don‘t be afraid to experiment with different layouts and drilling patterns.
It‘s also important to keep in mind that even the best ball in the world won‘t automatically make you a better bowler. It‘s all about practice, focus, and developing a repeatable shot. But once you‘ve put in the work, having a ball that enhances your strengths and fits your hand like a glove can be a real game-changer.
So get out there and throw some rocks! With the right ball in hand and a positive attitude, you‘ll be shooting lights out in no time. Trust me, there‘s no better feeling than walking up to the approach with total confidence, knowing that you‘ve got the tools to execute the perfect shot.
I wish you all the best in your bowling journey. May your strikes be plentiful and your splits be few. See you on the lanes!
Bowling Ball Market Size & Growth
"I‘ve used a lot of different bowling balls over the years, but I always come back to my trusty Purple Hammer. For me, nothing beats the control and consistency that a urethane ball provides. When the pressure is on and I need to make a clutch shot, I know I can rely on my Hammer to do the job." -Norm Duke, PBA Hall of Famer
"Bowling balls have come a long way since I started on tour in the 1970s. Back then, we pretty much only had plastic and rubber balls to choose from. Now, there are so many high-tech options with different coverstocks, cores, and surfaces. It‘s amazing how much the technology has evolved and improved the sport." -Marshall Holman, PBA Legend
My Personal Journey
I still remember the first bowling ball I ever owned – a bright pink plastic Columbia White Dot that I got for my 10th birthday. I thought it was the coolest thing ever, even though I could barely lift it with my scrawny arms.
As I got older and more serious about the sport, I graduated to an entry-level reactive ball, the Brunswick Rhino. That‘s when I started to see a real difference in my scores. The added hook and hitting power allowed me to shoot my first 200 game.
Over the years, I‘ve experimented with dozens of different balls from various brands. Some worked well for me, others not so much. But through trial and error, I‘ve discovered that I tend to perform best with balls that have a hybrid reactive or nanodesu coverstock paired with an asymmetric core.
My current go-to is the Roto Grip Halo, which has a Microtrac-S18 solid coverstock and Centrum HD core. I love the smooth, blendable reaction it provides on medium-heavy oil patterns. But I also keep a urethane ball in my bag for shorter patterns or times when I need to keep it in the pocket.
The main thing I‘ve learned is that there‘s no "one size fits all" solution when it comes to bowling balls. What works for me may be totally wrong for you. It‘s all about matching the ball to YOUR unique game, whether you‘re a power player, a finesse player, or something in between.
That‘s why I‘m such a big proponent of working closely with a qualified ball drilling professional. An experienced pro shop operator can watch you bowl, analyze your release and ball roll, and recommend layouts and surfaces to maximize your potential. It‘s an invaluable resource that I wish I had taken advantage of earlier in my bowling career.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is to go with what gives you confidence. If you feel good about the way your ball looks, feels, and reacts, you‘re going to execute better shots and have way more fun. Don‘t get too caught up in what everyone else says is the "best" – the ball that helps YOU hit the pocket consistently is the keeper.
So that‘s my story and my two cents. I‘m a bowling fanatic, just like you. I‘ve spent more time in bowling alleys than I care to admit. I‘ve celebrated the highs of stringing strikes and lamented the lows of missing easy spares. But through it all, my love for the sport has only grown stronger.
I hope my experiences and insights have given you a helpful starting point in your search for the perfect bowling ball. Just remember, it‘s a process. Don‘t get discouraged if the first ball you try isn‘t "the one". Keep experimenting, keep learning, and most importantly, keep having a ball out there!
Happy bowling!
