The best urethane bowling balls in the market today are not selling as well as they did back then, but this should not take away from the potential benefits you can get out of this kind of ball. Whether you are seeking a more durable upgrade from the beginner-friendly plastic/polyester coverstock bowling balls or an alternative to the more demanding and unpredictable reactive bowling balls, this guide should have all the information you need.
If you would like to know more about urethane bowling balls, our comparison between urethane and reactive resin balls, and what we believe to be the best urethane bowling ball in the market, then keep reading to learn more!
What are Urethane Bowling Balls?
A urethane bowling ball, alternatively known as a polyurethane bowling ball, is a kind of ball that uses a blend of plastic (for rigidity) and rubber (for flexibility) material as its coverstock.
As all experienced bowlers know, the kind of coverstock that the bowling ball is made of dictates the performance, reaction, and trajectory the ball assumes when rolling down a lane.
If you were to ask us, a urethane ball is a one you would get if you need the most durable bowling ball today.
However, when it comes to straight shots and hook shots expect to have a different ball performance (compared to plastic/polyester coverstock and reactive resin coverstock, respectively). This is very prevalent in dry to medium oil conditions.
Urethane vs Reactive Resin Bowling Balls
The differences between urethane and reactive resin bowling balls are quite significant.
Listed below are the most important distinctions between the two bowling ball categories:
Material
If we have to be technical about it, both urethane and reactive resin balls are made from the same material: polyurethane.
The difference is that reactive resin balls are engineered to be more porous and tend to have a better grip on the surface, allowing for a more dynamic movement set.
The high hook potential and flare potential of reactive resin balls, however, come at the cost of durability and consistency.
Urethane balls are the most durable bowling balls of the three main categories and offer great straight shot capability with minimal to no hook movement.
Purpose
As lightly touched on already, the purpose of a urethane bowling ball is completely different from that of a reactive resin one.
Urethane balls are an upgraded, more durable version of plastic/polyester bowling balls. This means that urethane balls are meant primarily for straight shots or spare shots.
Reactive resin bowling balls, on the other hand, are designed to have good hook potential and a better angular trajectory.
Both purposes are good. It ultimately depends on the purpose, skill levels and play ability of a bowler to know which is best for the situation.
How to Choose the Right Urethane Bowling Ball
Coverstock
There are three types of bowling ball coverstocks:
Plastic/polyester bowling balls and urethane balls possess the same performance qualities and are therefore used more often for straight shots or spare shots.
Reactive resin balls are designed to have more grip and interaction with the bowling lane and are recommended for advanced users who prefer hook shots.
Core/Weight Block
There are three general types of bowling ball cores/weight blocks:
In most cases, a urethane bowling ball has either a pancake or 3 piece core (a weight block/counterweight designed to make up for the mass lost due to drilling) or a symmetrical core (equal along the x, y, and z axes).
Either weight block is good as the bowler will be provided with an adequate level of stability and predictability.
For bowling balls that possess the asymmetrical core, however, expect to have a more aggressive and unpredictable movement pattern, especially in heavy oil lane conditions.
Finger Holes
Some urethane bowling balls come pre-drilled. This is also the case with house balls.
However, we ultimately recommend going with bowling balls that have not yet been drilled as these are the best urethane bowling balls you can spend your money on.
Having the proper configuration of finger holes is essential if you want to perform better and more consistently.
This is even more important for left-handed bowlers as most pre-drilled urethane bowling balls are designed for right-handed bowlers.
Grip
As a continuation of finger hole placement, the grip is also an important consideration to make.
There are two generally accepted types of grips:
The conventional grip is better for straight shots or spare shots while the fingertip grip is better when you throw hook shots.
For a urethane bowling ball, you can go with either grip style, but we ultimately recommend practicing a conventional grip before trying out the more advanced fingertip grip.
Size and Weight
The top urethane balls usually come in select sizes and weights.
To find the perfect urethane bowling ball for you, go with a size and weight appropriate to your arm strength and technical capability.
Having a urethane ball that is too heavy may cause you to undershoot, while one that is too light will lead you to overshoot.
To find out which is the best urethane bowling ball for you, we recommend trying out bowling balls of different sizes at your local bowling alley or bowling store.
Durability
Although we mentioned that urethane balls are the most durable of the three types of coverstocks, there is still a significant degree of variation within the urethane coverstock category.
Make sure to check out user reviews and the brand that manufactured the urethane bowling ball to give you a better idea of the durability or longevity of the urethane bowling ball you are considering.
Design
Although not important to some, most bowlers prefer investing in a bowling ball that can reflect their personalities or style preferences.
There are hundreds of urethane bowling ball options in the market. You can go for the solid black themes (Storm Pitch Black Bowling Ball the Hammer Black Widow Bowling Ball) or funkier themes (Storm Mix Bowling Ball), or anything in between.
The 5 Top Urethane Bowling Balls
1. Storm Pitch Black
If you are willing to spend a premium for your bowling ball arsenal, the Storm Pitch Black is perfect for you.
This ball sports a high-quality urethane coverstock and a symmetric capacitor core, both of which are signature designs invented by the brand.
The Storm Pitch Black Urethane Bowling Ball is arguably the best urethane bowling ball for dry lanes as well.
If you plan to throw aggressive, early reaction hooks or linear spare shots, then this is the best urethane ball for your needs.
2. Hammer Black Widow
If you need a ball based on innovative technologies and design advancements, the Hammer Black Widow Urethane Ball is a good pick.
As one of the best bowling ball brands in the market for decades, the brand's Hammer Black Widow Urethane Bowling Ball is a great performer.
Built for medium oil lane conditions and fitted with a gas mask asymmetric weight block, the Hammer Black Widow Urethane Ball is one of the best.
The Black Widow can be purchased in four sizes (12 pounds to 16 pounds).
3. Storm Mix
If you have been used to plastic/polyester balls and are after an upgrade to more advanced level playstyles, the Storm Mix Urethane Ball is a great entry-level urethane ball to consider.
Designed as a strike ball for dry to medium oil lanes, this Urethane Ball offers greater than average control and predictability.
This Storm Mix Urethane Ball comes with a 3 piece core, which is why the ball provides smoother rolls on most surfaces.
4. Hammer Purple Pearl
If you are not familiar with pearl urethane balls, then let us acquaint you with one of the best ones in the market: Hammer's Purple Pearl Urethane Ball.
This ball is exceptional at performing both hook shots and straight shots or spare shots.
The pearl urethane coverstock is similar to a few reactive resin balls but has better control and stability, suitable for beginners.
If you are not ready to commit to pearl reactive coverstocks, then this pearl urethane ball would definitely be a good starting point.
5. Storm Fever Pitch
This Urethane Ball is last on our list, but definitely not the least.
This ball provides for a significantly more aggressive playstyle, and provides the bowler with an angular movement pattern and hook potential, allowing for better pin carry mechanics.
Be wary of the back end motion of this ball, however, as it could be something inexperienced hook shot bowlers would require time and practice to get used to.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are urethane bowling balls good for?
Urethane balls are good for beginners looking to gradually work on their hook shots. Introduced sometime in the 1980s, these balls were created to be a better alternative to the plastic/polyester coverstock bowling balls that most bowlers have been used to. These balls are known for their control and stability but are lacking in terms of hook and flare potential which you would normally get out of reactive resin coverstock balls.
2. How long do urethane bowling balls last?
Urethane balls can last up to 10 years. This is the upper limit of the average life expectancy of a standard ball subjected to normal use. Urethane balls are so durable because they possess the best qualities of plastic (rigidity) and rubber (flexibility), equating to a very good performance ball that can do both straight shots and hook shots.
3. Do urethane balls absorb oil?
Urethane balls absorb more oil than plastic/polyester coverstock balls, but nowhere near the absorption level of reactive resin coverstock balls. Most urethane balls are designed for forward motion and velocity, with minimal consideration for oil absorption (as this is handled much better by reactive coverstock balls). Despite this, expect a certain amount of oil absorption, usually resulting in mid lane to back end hook patterns.
4. When to use a urethane bowling ball?
Use a urethane ball when you are expressed to freshly oiled lane conditions and are in need of a ball that provides more control and predictability. Heavy oil lanes provide the most unpredictability due to the decrease in surface friction, making it hard for balls to grip the surface and assume the hook movement. If you need a ball that can perform better than a plastic/polyester coverstock ball and offer similar levels of consistency, the urethane coverstock should be the right ball for you.
5. What does a urethane bowling ball do?
A urethane ball is great for either straight (or spare) shots or hook shots. The diversity and flexibility of urethane coverstock balls are what makes these balls a popular pick among intermediate-level players (and beginners who are looking to improve on their game). If you need a ball that can do everything but is not particularly the best at one single thing, then the urethane coverstock should fit your playstyle nicely.
Conclusion (Plus Our Personal Favorite)
Picking a urethane ball is not as easy as people think it would be, which is why this guide should help fill in certain gaps.
As for our personal favorite, the best urethane bowling ball goes to the Hammer Black Widow Urethane Ball.
Aside from the unique and intimidating design, we can confidently say that this is the best urethane ball we have ever used in the past few years.
This is a ball that has received lots of great reviews and fanfare because of how well it performs compared to its urethane competition.
This ball has definitely upped our scores and we have never looked back since we bought it.
Just remember, if you are in search of the best urethane bowling balls in today's market, refer back to this guide for recommendations and assistance.