Things to Consider when Picking Out a Ten Pin Bowling Ball

Choosing your first bowling ball is not as easy as it sounds. Which type of ball you choose not only depends on the look of the ball but also: which grip you prefer, the style of ball you'll be throwing, and the perfect weight of the ball.

Ten pin bowling balls have come a long way since the Stone Age when primitive man cast stones at their targets, or when hard oak wooden balls were used in the beginning of ten pin bowling.

Now, you can choose from four different types of bowling balls, which each individual type of ball designed to suit your bowling preference. Whether you like to zip the ball straight down the lane, or add a little finesse and curve it right into the pocket, the bowling ball of today is tailor-made for your particular style. Listed below are some things to consider before purchasing your first bowling ball.

The weight of the ball

This is the first thing to consider before you head off to the pro-shop to do your shopping. If you plan on using your ball for league play, make sure that you at least practice with a ball that you can control for several games of play.

Take a trip to your local bowling center and choose from several alley balls (and weights) to practice with. Then you'll be able to determine the weight of the ball which is most comfortable for you to throw. Keep in mind, that these balls are not drilled exactly to your personal hand, so you can usually add a pound or two to the weight of your ball.

After you've found the ball that's comfortable for you, make a notation of the weight and grip of the ball. This is very essential in developing your bowling skills in the beginning. Some sources recommend 10% of your body weight for the bowling ball. Keep in mind that 16 pounds is the weight limit for bowling balls in leagues in the United States.

Grip of the ball

The correct grip for the particular ball you throw is one of the most important aspects of bowling. Most ten pin bowling balls have three holes in the ball. If you plan on throwing a straight ball, then the conventional grip is a good grip.

If you throw a curve or hook ball, then check out alley balls that are either: semi or full fingertip grips. If you prefer the fingertip grip, find one that you can throw for several games before determining the correct weight of your ball.

Practice with several types of grips until you find the one which suits your preference. Practice both your strike ball with this grip, and then change over and practice your control when making the important spare.

Can you kill the hook of your ball to make both the seven and the ten pin? If this is a problem, you may want to consider purchasing a second ball for your spare conversions. This ball will be drilled with a different grip, and will primarily be used for straight balls.

Types of bowling balls:

Today's bowling balls are divided into four types of bowling balls to choose from. Each type of bowling ball is made to suit a particular style of bowling. All of these balls are designed to accommodate any lane conditions, wet or dry.

The type of ball you choose depends on the style of ball that you throw. Check out each of the four types of balls, and decide which one best describes your style of bowling. Even if your style falls somewhere in the middle of the road, there's also a ball for you.

Plastic or polyester

This is one of the most popular and durable bowling balls on the market today. Very popular among beginners, this type of ball is designed to go exactly where it's thrown. Although you may get a small curve with this ball on some lane conditions, this ball is primarily used for a straight trajectory in ten pin bowling.

Designed back in the 1960's, this plastic ball will outlast any other type of bowling ball today. So, if you're a novice or even a beginner, this ball is definitely one to check out.

Urethane

The urethane bowling ball is designed for more grip on the bowling surface than the plastic ball. Softer than the other types of bowling balls, urethane balls are designed to "drag the surface" of the lane, which increases hooking potential of the ball when thrown correctly.

The urethane bowling ball has optimal control on certain lane conditions. The hook potential can be either increased, or decreased, with the use of sanding or polishing the surface of the ball. This ball has good control on most lane conditions.

Reactive resin ball

If you're looking for even more grip and power on the lane, then maybe the resin ball is your cup of tea. Virtually a new type of bowling ball, this ball was created by adding resin particles to urethane coverstocks.

The resin which is added to the ball is very sticky and tacky, which further increases the grip of the ball. This particular ball works well in most lane conditions, and is currently used by many experienced bowlers. This is a great ball if you're interested in throwing a hook or a curve ball.

Particle bowling ball

This ball is the cream of the crop when it comes to bowling balls. Particle bowling balls are textured particles of glass added to "resin enhanced balls." This ball has a whole lot of grip even in wet or oily lane conditions.

The particle bowling ball currently has the greatest hook potential of any other type of bowling ball on the market. These balls are currently being used by many professional bowlers, because of the controllability and overall increased power of the ball in all lane conditions.

Whichever type of ball you chose, all of the benefits received from bowling are highly recommended for the whole family. Let the ball work for itself, and your score and fun will continue to increase as the games roll by.

So now you've made your choice, and it's your turn to bowl. As you're standing on the lane you notice that your new ball fits into your hand just like a glove. You glance at the pins, and then watch your ball as it heads down the lane.

All of the pins scatter as your ball rips through the center of them, leaving the ball rack to clean up the mess. You just smile and take your seat again, as another strike is marked on the board.

Source of information: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolwing-Ball