What lb bowling ball should I use?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 15, 2026
The Right Weight
What weight ball should I bowl with?
3. Follow the 10% rule. A bowling ball should weigh 10 percent of your body weight (up to 16 pounds), which means you really shouldn't be grabbing, say, an 8-pound ball if you weigh 150 pounds. You want some weight to the ball, but it shouldn't be so heavy that it's uncomfortable.
What weight bowling ball do most pros use?
Most pro bowlers use 16-pound balls, although more than you think use 15-pounders. Another method is to add one or two pounds to the weight of the house ball you normally use. A heavier ball drilled specifically to your hand will seem to weigh about the same as a house ball two pounds lighter. .
Is a 14 lb bowling ball too light?
The only point here is that the lighter the object at the end of that pendulum, the more potential you have to “muscle” it. In time, this will settle down. If it doesn't then the ball is likely too light for you, period. There is potential for 14 pound to hook more than 15 pounds.
Should I use a 15 or 16 pound bowling ball?
In general, the best ball weight for you is the heaviest ball you can comfortably throw for an extended period of time. A ball you can throw with ease for only one game doesn't do you much good if you have two more games to bowl. For most adults, this ranges from 14 to 16 pounds.
26 related questions foundIs a 14lb bowling ball good?
Once I adjusted either the cover or my actual speed, everything was just fine. Most companies have their dynamic weight blocks in 14-16 pounds. Some even go down to 12lbs. As long as you have the correct entry angle into the pocket, it doesn't really matter throwing 14 or 15.
Is a 15 pound bowling ball good?
This means that the slight decrease in weight allows the ball to deflect more, which in the modern game is needed. Remember, this is relative to the current reactive equipment which simply drives much harder than older equipment. Today, most pros and pro shop operators prefer and recommend 15 pound equipment.
Is a 10 pound bowling ball too light?
Bowling balls range from 6 lbs to 16 lbs. In other words, you cannot have a bowling ball lighter than six pounds, and you cannot have one heavier than sixteen pounds. So the maximum bowling ball weight is 16 lbs or 7.27 kilograms. The minimum bowling ball weight is 6 lbs or 2.72 kilograms.
What is a good bowling ball for an intermediate?
Brunswick Tzone – Best Overall
As a spare bowling ball option for intermediate and expert bowlers, Brunswick T Zone balls are a great straight-shot second ball to finish frames off. The ball's symmetrical core and low hook potential provide excellent lane length and ease in finding your spare shot mark consistently.
Does weight matter in bowling ball?
In general, the heavier the bowling ball will be, the better as a heavy ball will be more impactful, carry more power, and will have more chances of hooking than a lightweight bowling ball. The heavier ball will be able to knock down more pins when two bowling balls are thrown at the same speed.
How do I know if my bowling ball is too heavy?
You'll know the bowling ball is too heavy if you're unable to fully extend your arm or you do so strained. As another general rule, if you've already determined the weight of ball that works best for you by using alley balls you'll likely want to add a pound when buying your own ball.
What pound bowling ball does Jason Belmonte use?
Jason Belmonte, arguably the best player in the world, currently uses 15 pound bowling balls and says that he has no interest in making any change.
How do you pick a beginner bowling ball?
How to choose a bowling ball for beginners? Get the weight as heavy as you can comfortably handle for 3 games. Pick a straight (plastic a.k.a. polyester) or hooking ball (urethane, active resin) based on your goals. Pick a coverstock based on your speed, the slower, the shinier.
What is the lightest bowling ball weight?
The heaviest legal bowling ball weighs 16 pounds. The lightest weight you can usually find at most bowling alleys is six pounds. That's a significant 10-pound range, and you can choose a ball anywhere within its limits.
Is 175 a good bowling score?
For a league bowler, if you get 175 points in a game, that's a good bowling average score. If you are a beginner playing a 175 point game, that's an amazing bowling score average. A recreational bowler who plays the game a few times a year getting 70 to 100 points has a good bowling average.
What do numbers on bowling balls mean?
As mentioned, these small numbers usually mean the serial numbers of the balls. These serial numbers are typically preceded by the code USBC. These numbers can help you identify crucial information about the ball. These include things like its manufacturing date, its type, and more.
What bowling ball is best for a straight bowler?
6 Of The Best Bowling Balls For Straight Bowlers
- Globe Viz-A-Ball Bowling Ball. Globe Viz-A-Ball Bowling Ball (12lbs) ...
- Motiv Venom Cobra Bowling Ball. Motiv Venom Cobra Bowling Ball, Black Bronze Pearl with Gold Silver, 15 lb. ...
- Storm Ice Blue/White Bowling Ball. ...
- Hammer Black Widow Bowling Ball.
What size bowling ball should a woman use?
Women typically bowl best using a ball that weighs anywhere from 10 to 14 pounds.
What is a reactive bowling ball?
Definition. A reactive bowling ball has a urethane coverstock with particles of resin mixed in. Previously, bowling ball manufacturers had only made balls with a solid compound of urethane. The sticky resin gave the ball a tackiness that increased the grip the ball has on the lane.
Should your spare ball be lighter?
The ball's design is to try and reduce the amount of friction (hook) and dynamics (core) so the ball goes where you throw it. Because of the ball's design, it wouldn't make sense to make it lighter since going back and forth from 15 pounds to 14 pounds and back can lead to inconsistencies in your release.
Does a heavier bowling ball hook more?
The heavier the ball the more hitting power and driving power, and the more pin action. The lighter the ball, the more concern bowlers had about deflection. It shouldn't come as a surprise then that in the '80s and '90s, bowling ball companies were said to be producing three 16-pound balls for every one 15-pound ball.
How fast do pro bowlers throw?
Professional Bowler
The ball will release a Pro Bowler's hands at about 20 to 22 miles per hour and will impact the pins at 17 to 19 miles per hour. The professional bowling ball speed is optimal in the range of 17 to 19 miles per hour.
What is an illegal bowling ball?
Related: The Storm Spectre bowling ball, which the USBC banned from all USBC certified competition, is not allowed in any level of PBA competition. Purple Hammer bowling balls manufactured in 2016 and 2017 were banned from USBC certified competition, and are not allowed in any level of PBA competition.
How heavy is a 10 pin bowling ball?
Ten-pin bowling is regulated by the USBC in the States and World Bowling internationally. The USBC specifications require that a ten-pin ball weigh less than 16 pounds and have a diameter of 8.500 to 8.595 inches, or 21.59 to 21.83 centimeters.
What size bowling ball should a man use?
The usual range for an average adult male is 13 to 16 pounds, but there's always variance based upon upper body strength, pre-existing injuries, age and overall physical condition. As for the average adult female, 12 pounds is the most popular weight for an avid bowler who hits the lanes at least one time a week.