As the most obvious piece of bowling equipment, bowling balls are vital to the sport. Finding the right bowling ball is an important step in your bowling progress. Some tips for shopping for the best bowling balls are as follows:
Shop around – many bowling shops and Internet retailers offer great package deals or occasional promotional sales events. If getting a great bargain is important to you, then it pays to watch for these sales events.
Package deals – retailers often have package deals available that can be of savings if you are in need of other bowling gear in addition to bowling balls. For example a package or combo deal might include a bag, shoes and a ball. You often save a little money if you are in need of the items offered. If you only are only in the market for a ball though, you will do better just to stick with buying a bowling ball alone.
Shipping cost can be pricey when you order bowling balls from online retailers. Some retailers do offer free shipping in the continental U.S.A. Others sometimes have costly shipping fees due to the heavy weight of bowling balls.
Once you have determined where you will purchase bowling balls, it is important to consider your own needs and preferences. Some important things to consider are:
Brand – there are several available. It is a good idea to try a few to determine if you have a preference for a specific brand of bowling balls.
Weight – varies between six to sixteen pounds. Adult males usually choose 14-16 pound balls, adult females usually choose 10-14 pound balls and youth generally use 6-14 pound balls. All of these guidelines are general and the bowler themselves determines the weight with which they are the most comfortable. The weight of bowling balls usually depends most of the physique and strength of the athlete.
Price – can vary quite a lot. Most retailers offer bowling balls starting at $25 and going up from there. Cover stock affects the friction of the ball. There are several options available.
Lane condition – you may have your ball optimized for specific lance conditions such as the finish of the varnish of the lane such as heavy oil, light oil or medium oil.
Finish – refers to the actual finish on bowling balls, such as dull finish or polished finish.
These points are all important to consider when searching for the best bowling balls. Most bowling halls provide house bowling balls for customers to use free of charge. This is a great option for newcomers to bowling to try out the sport before investing in their own equipment. Most serious bowlers prefer to buy their own bowling balls. Getting a fit that is a specific fit for their fingers is by far superior to the generic fit that free balls offer. When using their own custom bowling balls, most people can use a heavier ball. This is a definite advantage. Bowling balls continue to be the most important piece of bowling equipment on the market today.
