If you are a senior and looking for the best bowling balls for seniors, then you have come to the perfect place. Bowling is good for any age group, regardless of skill level or athleticism.
If you want to find a meaningful, calorie-burning activity to do with friends, family, or fellow seniors, then this sport should be right up your alley.
In this guide, we go through the considerations to have when choosing a ball and we list our favorite balls for seniors. If you would like to know more, then keep reading!
How to Choose the Right Bowling Ball for Seniors
Size and Weight
Most balls are dense and heavy, but with the right power, size should not discourage seniors.
Choosing the right size and weight ultimately depends on your ability to grip, lift, toss, and release the ball effectively.
Go with any size and ball weight you prefer. Try out the different types in your local alley to get a feel for the perfect ball for you.
Ball Type
In bowling, balls are usually classified according to their coverstock material (polyester/plastic, urethane/rubber, reactive resin).
These different coverstocks offer different levels of difficulty and play-styles.
We recommend polyester and urethane coverstocks for casual or beginner seniors who throw straight and would like maximum control and stability.
For the more experienced or veteran seniors, reactive resin is a good option, and can be broken down into solid coverstock, pearl coverstock, and hybrid coverstock. Each of the three variants offer a different level of movement and hook potential.
Technique and Grip
There are two generally accepted techniques when gripping the ball: conventional and fingertip.
Either of these techniques is effective in bowling, but we prefer the conventional as it is easier for beginners to master and seniors to execute.
We recommend considering your grip of the ball before getting a ball (whether pre-drilled or custom drilled) so you would know the dimensions required.
Top 5 Bowling Balls for Seniors
Our extensive experience in bowling has led us to determine the following products as the top 5 for seniors. Frankly, any of these can be the best bowling ball for seniors, but there are a few factors to consider still, such as skill level and size and weight options.
We made sure to cover every base so without further ado, here are our top 5 products for seniors.
1. Brunswick Magnitude 035 Bowling Ball (Pearl Coverstock)
If your bowling alley consists of medium to dry bowling lanes, then the Brunswick Magnitude 035 Bowling Ball is your ideal partner.
Made of pearl coverstock and sporting a shiny polished finish, this ball offers great stability and low to medium flare capacity.
The core is symmetric, so there is a greater level of movement predictability, making it easier to use for senior bowlers with an intermediate skill level.
This is also considered to be the best for diverse conditions, making it a very adaptive product, and possibly even the best bowling ball for seniors.
This product comes in three main variants: the 14 pound ball, 15 pound ball, and the 16 pound ball. Use this product if you are looking for a long-term investment that can execute effectively in most bowling conditions.
2. DV8 Poly Bowling Ball (Polyester Coverstock)
For a senior bowler who is a beginner in the sport, we recommend getting a good pair of bowling shoes and an excellent entry-level polyester coverstock bowling ball, which is exactly what the DV8 Poly Ball is.
This ball is considered to be the best bowling ball for seniors who are just beginning for good reason. The polyester coverstock allows for a more predictable and straight-line motion, eliminating all the sophistication and complexities of the sport.
The hook potential and flare potential is lower than average, but this translates to a very stable and controllable ball.
It also comes in a wide range of sizes (6 pounds to 16 pounds) so there is no challenge when picking the right one for your body weight and muscle strength.
3. Hammer Black Widow Bowling Ball (Hybrid Coverstock)
The name should not fool you, because it performs as well as it sounds. The Hammer Black Widow Ball is a highly recommended ball that packs a punch.
The ball is crafted with hybrid coverstock and an asymmetrical core, which means senior bowlers can pull off more aggressive throws with this ball.
This ball performs great on medium to heavily oiled bowling lanes and provides the senior bowler with amazing back-end performance and hook potential.
At its lightest, you can get this ball at 12 pounds. At its heaviest, this ball is available in 16 pounds.
4. Pyramid Path Rising Bowling Ball (Pearl Coverstock)
The Pyramid Path Rising Bowling Ball is one of the latest products of the brand and offers a unique level of diversity across various lane conditions at a very reasonable price point.
This bowling ball sports a pearl coverstock which means bowlers should expect the mid to late roll or reaction down the lane.
You can get this ball in any of eight unique designs and in any size ranging from 6 pounds to 16 pounds.
If you are an experienced senior bowler, then use this product as this is one of the better bowling products for you.
5. Ebonite Maxim Bowling Ball (Polyester Coverstock)
For the senior bowler who wants to have a presentable, flashy, and high-performing bowling ball, the Ebonite Maxim Bowling Ball is just what you require.
The unique appearance of the ball is made to impress, but no sacrifice was made in building this for the lanes. The polyester coverstock provides great control and stability and is ideal for the senior bowler who typically throws the ball straight down the lane.
There are several colorways available, and sizes are plenty as well. You will not run out of good designs and weight configurations when it comes to this particular product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we wrap up with the conclusion and our top pick for seniors, we have listed a few of the most commonly asked questions regarding the ball and our brief responses to them.
1. What balls do professional bowlers use?
Professional bowlers generally use a 12 to 16-pounder made of reactive resin (hybrid, pearl, and solid) coverstock. The common belief among bowlers is that the heavier and larger the ball, the easier it is to knock down the pins, but these days professional bowlers try to find a balance between weight and ease of use/maneuverability.
As for the coverstock material, reactive resin balls offer the most diverse and aggressive movements, along with high hook potential. Despite this, professionals would still resort to a plastic or urethane ball as a spare or backup.
2. What is the best bowling ball on the market today?
The greatest ball on the market today would be the right ball for your budget, skill level, and throwing or hooking needs. There are so many great options in the market, making it extremely difficult to choose just one. The right ball for us may not be the right ball for beginners or senior bowlers, and so on. Just make sure to pick a ball based on our recommendations and factors to consider.
3. Is bowling good for seniors?
The sport of bowling is good for seniors because it is a relatively low-intensity, all-around exercise that targets both the upper body and the lower body, on top of improving cardiovascular endurance, muscle coordination and body balance.
On top of this, the sport is a non-contact sport that has no specific height or weight requirements, which means that it is as safe as it is enjoyable for seniors and individuals of any age group or weight category. Just slap on a pair of bowling shoes and bring your personal ball and you will be ready to play.
4. What is the most aggressive bowling ball?
The most aggressive ball in the market can be given to any of several balls, but the common feature these have are their coverstock material (reactive resin) and core design (asymmetrical).
An aggressive ball is understood to be a ball that has unique movement patterns, a strong initial motion, good hook potential, and an excellent finishing movement. Most reactive resin products with asymmetrical cores can provide this level of performance.
Conclusion (Plus Our Personal Favorite)
Choosing the perfect ball for seniors should not be difficult, which is why this guide has all the things you need to consider before finalizing the purchase.
At the end of the day, use the ball that perfectly fits your needs. Bowling can be casual, competitive, or somewhere in between, and regardless of what kind of bowling you prefer, it will be a very enjoyable experience.
As for our personal favorite for seniors, we go with none other than the DV8 Poly Ball for its affordable price point and wide range of sizes (ball weight).
If you need a ball that is stable, easy to operate, and very predictable, then this is the ball for you.
If you are a senior looking for a good ball (or someone who wants to find the best bowling ball for seniors), then this guide should be sufficient.