Choosing the Right Bowling Ball

By Michele Blandino

Bowling has been a part of our history since ancient times. While the world's first bowlers used balls made of stone, the bowling ball evolved over the years to wood, and then to hard rubber before taking its present form of a composite core covered by a urethane shell.

Just as the bowling ball's composition has changed over the years, so has its popularity. While some people are life-long bowlers, most people who visit bowling centers are sporadic players. As a result, most recreational bowlers opt to use one of the many bowling balls available that the center rather than incurring the expense of buying their own.

Because the weight and fit of "house balls" can vary widely, there are a few guidelines you should remember as you search the racks for the "perfect" bowling ball.

Weight

First, the weight of most "house" bowling balls range from 6 to 16 pounds. Choose a ball that is too heavy, and you run the risk of injury to yourself. Choosing a ball that is too light, on the other hand, can cause injury to others as a lighter ball has a greater tendency to prematurely slip away from your grip.

Most bowling centers have engraved the ball's weight on its surface. In other cases, a color coding system is used to identify a bowling ball's weight.

In general, women should select a bowling ball that weights between 10 and 14 pounds while men should look for bowling balls in the 14-16 pound range. Children should look for bowling balls under 10 pounds, with the general rule being that they should be able to lift the ball without straining. Parents should also oversee their children's selection.

Fit

The distance between the thumb and finger holes, as well as the size of the holes in a bowling ball will serve as a good indicator of that ball's weight. In general, larger holes can be found in the balls used by men, meaning the ball will be heavier. Smaller holes, or holes that are closer together usually indicate that the bowling ball is more appropriate for a woman or child.

To determine if the ball's fit is appropriate for you, place your thumb in the thumbhole while positioning your middle finger and index finger across the finger holes. A proper fit will be one in which the knuckles of these fingers rests directly over the finger holes.

By taking these simple steps, you can help to ensure that your bowling experience is pleasant as well as safe.