There are different types of bowling balls that cater to different types of playstyles. These different types of bowling balls are also designed and engineered to cater to lane conditions, materials, and skill levels.
In this guide, we'll cover the differences between the main bowling ball types and designs. If you are ready to learn about bowling ball types and choosing the right type to invest in, then continue reading!
Different Bowling Ball Types According to Lane Conditions
Lane conditions oftentimes refer to how well-oiled a particular lane is. Originally, bowling lanes were oiled to maintain the integrity of the surface. However, it was soon realized that the density of the oil (oil level), as well as the placement of oil in certain areas of the lane (oil pattern), had a tremendous effect on how the ball traveled down the lane.
As a result of this, oil conditions and patterns have now been integrated into the sport as a condition similar to how wind can affect the trajectory of a golf ball or how the type of surface can affect the bounce of a tennis ball.
Here's three general types of oil conditions and how a bowling ball would typically react to each.
Heavy Oil
In heavy oil lane conditions, bowling balls are essentially the most volatile, meaning the tendency for the ball to go out of its intended trajectory is very high. This is especially true for bowling balls designed to have a higher amount of friction such as reactive resin bowling balls. If a bowler overshoots a hook shot with a reactive resin bowling ball, it is very possible for the ball to end up in the gutter.
The advantage, on the other hand, of heavy oil lane conditions, lies in its ability to cater to wide-angle hook shots. This is typically done by experienced or veteran bowlers and is great at generating force and hitting the pocket at a perfect angle to generate the most pin carry or pin splash.
Check out: the best heavy lane bowling balls
Medium Oil
Medium oil lane conditions are one of the most common lane conditions in bowling alleys. The density of oil applied on the lanes is not as great as that of heavy oil lane conditions, but can still considerably affect the trajectory of a bowling ball. This is especially the case when the ball is thrown as a hook shot.
What's great about this lane condition is the fact that intermediate players (or beginners looking to advanced to the next level) get to truly experience the effects of oil conditions and patterns without being punished for marginal errors. It also provides insight on how the higher-level bowling ball games are played in amateur and professional competitions.
Light Oil
Light oil lane conditions are probably the most common lane conditions in casual bowling alleys as this is the most cost-efficient for any bowling alley owner (at least in the short term). Ideal bowling balls for this would be the plastic and urethane bowling balls, which have less reactivity (friction factor) with the lane or surface.
The good thing about light oil conditions is how bowling balls are easily controlled and very predictable as they travel down the lane. This is very helpful for first-time bowlers and beginners who are looking to practice their straight shots and proper targeting of the pins. This is also the best lane condition to knock down stubborn pins that did not go down during your first attempt.
The Different Bowling Ball Types According to Materials
Bowling balls are produced by different brands and manufacturers and can be built using all different kinds of materials and designs. Although admittedly, some bowling balls may only differ in name brand, most bowling balls are actually engineered precisely for specific conditions and playstyles.
The two most important materials and designs are coverstock (plastic, urethane, and reactive resin) and bowling ball core (or weight block, either symmetrical or asymmetrical). Here's how each offers a different approach as it travels down the lane.
Coverstock
Plastic
If you are in need of an affordable and the most common type of bowling ball coverstock, then the plastic bowling ball coverstock products are a viable option.
They are made of plastic coverstock and do not grip or have a high resistance against the surface or bowling lane.
These bowling balls are great for straight shots and spare shots when you are looking to clear a remaining couple of pins.
It is primarily designed for beginners simply because of how predictable the movement pattern is (compared to urethane and reactive resin bowling balls).
Urethane
Urethane coverstock bowling balls are slightly more expensive than plastic coverstock bowling balls and have better hook potential. Hook potential refers to the curved trajectory a bowling ball can take if thrown or released as a hook shot.
Urethane bowling balls are excellent for intermediate players who are looking to practice hook shots and different types of grips and releases without having to sacrifice the control and reliability of this type of coverstock.
Most bowling alleys have a mix of urethane and plastic coverstock bowling balls. If you are not ready to invest in a personal bowling ball, then try to go for urethane if you have experience in the sport.
Reactive Resin
Reactive resin coverstock bowling balls are divided into three major categories: pearl, solid, and hybrid. Each major category of reactive resin bowling balls has its pros and cons, but what should be considered in general is that these reactive resin balls grip the surface more and have a greater reactivity to the bowling lane.
These are the bowling balls you should invest in if you are ready to commit to a more advanced and nuanced form of bowling, particularly when it comes to hook shots and medium to heavy oil lane conditions.
Reactive resin bowling balls are flexible in terms of the trajectory they take when throwing a hook shot. Depending on the type of reactive resin coverstock you choose, the bowling ball may hook (or curve) early or late, both of which have their own respective use cases or purposes.
Core
Symmetrical
A symmetrical weight block or bowling ball core is the standard for advanced players who are still mastering the techniques involved in hook shots.
Relative to asymmetrical weight blocks or bowling ball cores, a symmetrical core offers more control and predictability at the cost of rotational power and force applied to the pins.
Go for bowling balls with symmetrical cores or weight blocks if you are still practicing the form and technique, and not yet working on getting perfect scores across the board.
Asymmetrical
An asymmetrical weight block or bowling ball core offers a more chaotic and forceful entry into a set of pins as it has more rotational power and the build-up of speed is faster primarily due to the fact that one side of the ball is heavier than the other (hence the term asymmetrical).
This bowling ball is great for expert bowlers who are looking to find that extra edge or advantage over their competitors who are equally good at throwing hook shots and securing strikes.
Different Bowling Ball Types According to Skill Levels
Just like in any sport or any real-life endeavor, the phrase “there are levels to this game” rings true overall. If you would like to select a certain type of bowling ball according to your current skill level, then try to look at our division of skill levels in terms of experience and actual playstyle.
Beginner
Beginners are typically the casual players who have been in and out of the sport for a couple of years or bowling players who have just recently been introduced to the sport but play more frequently than the casual players.
For beginner-level playstyles, utilizing straight shots is very common and is a safe practice to initially get a grasp of what the sport is about and how the pins react to different entry points with respect to the speed of the bowling ball.
If you are a beginner, a plastic or urethane bowling ball should be adequate for you.
Check out: the best beginner bowling balls
Intermediate
Intermediate bowlers are bowling players who have consistently been in the bowling alleys, working on their craft and honing their skills for the past couple of years.
They might not have what it takes to transition into the professional scene (not yet, at least). But they have the skills, knowledge, and savvy to dish out some powerful strikes and highlight-worthy techniques.
Intermediate-level bowlers should be comfortable with using any type of bowling ball and should already be experimenting with reactive resin coverstocks, particularly the solid coverstock (which hooks early) and the hybrid coverstock (which hooks around the middle portion of the lane).
Advanced
Advanced bowlers are experts in the area of bowling and have spent several years, if not decades, being the cream of the crop not just in their local community, but perhaps even in their city or region.
They have the capacity to make a living out of the sport of bowling either by being elite-level coaches or trainers or participating in high-level competitions and events.
For advanced bowlers, all types and forms of bowling balls should be mastered at this point, and these people should not shy away from any type of reactive resin coverstock bowling balls, whether symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Putting Them All Together to Choose the Right Bowling Ball for You
We have made distinctions according to the lane conditions, materials used, and skill levels. It's now time to put everything together and decide which type of bowling ball is the best for you and your current situation.
Below is a list of questions you should answer that would lead you to finalize which type of bowling ball is best for you.
- Do you plan on bowling long-term or is this just a casual activity for you and your friends and/or family?
- Have you got a bowling mentor or coach teaching you every step of the way or do you plan to wing it and learn on the spot?
- Do you feel like you have the athleticism and sports-based knowledge required to immediately improve as a bowler or do you feel like you are someone who would like to take the sport nice and slow?
If among the three questions listed, you selected the first option (statement) at least twice, then we would recommend utilizing and buying all three major types of bowling balls (plastic, urethane, and reactive resin). This is simply because you will be committing to the sport of bowling and looking to be better faster than the others.
However, if the majority of your responses lay in the second option (statement) at least twice, then we would actually recommend not deciding on a particular bowling ball at the moment and simply go with house bowling balls (the bowling balls that are for common use in bowling alleys). Although progress may be hampered as you would have to adjust to the variety of bowling balls in bowling alleys, you would still be able to practice well enough to get good over a handful of bowling sessions.
Conclusion
The different types of bowling balls are admittedly confusing and seemingly unnecessarily varied at first. However, once you understand the nuances of bowling, especially with regard to lane conditions, materials, and skill levels, you'll appreciate why subtle differences in a bowling ball can actually contribute to how well or how poorly you perform in the lanes.