What size ball do professional bowlers use?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 25, 2026
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.
What size ball should I use for bowling?
Typically, adult male beginner players tend to choose balls from 14 to 16 pounds while adult female beginner players choose balls from 10 to 14 pounds. Young bowlers should choose balls in the 6 to 14 pound range.
Is a heavier ball better for bowling?
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.
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.
40 related questions foundWhat 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.
Is 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.
How heavy are professional bowlers balls?
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.
Why do bowlers tuck their pinky?
Tucking the pinky finger works best on a full fingertip grip as opposed to the conventional grip. Because your pinky finger is tucked, your bowling fingers are naturally propped toward the palm of your bowling hand which will encourage a pronounced finger action when the thumb exits the ball.
Do any pro bowlers use conventional grip?
Look at the people who have been successful: Jason Belmonte and Osku Palermo both have conventional grips. However, some two-handed bowlers have fingertip grip, like Kyle Troup.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How much does an average bowling ball cost?
However, the general price range for a bowling ball differs when it comes to the different types of bowling balls you're looking at. An entry-level plastic bowling ball usually sells for $40 to $60, with some of the higher-end ones approaching and exceeding the $100 mark.
Are all bowling balls the same size?
First, all bowling balls used in the game of ten pins around the world are manufactured the same 8.5 inches diameter size with a very minute degree of diameter tolerance. The size of a ball is universal but the weight varies between 6 lbs and up to a maximum of 16 pounds.
Should I cup my wrist when bowling?
Cupping the wrist in bowling is a way to increase your hook and deliver more power to the pins. If you have your ball drilled for fingertip grip, then you know the fingertip grip in itself produces more lift on the ball. And also cupping the wrist in bowling, you will increase the rotation even more.
How do I stop my bowling ball from dropping?
There are a few tips which you may need to follow to prevent losing your ball behind the line:
- Increase your gripping pressure.
- Delay the release until your bowling thumb reaches the toe of your sliding bowling shoe.
- Accelerate your forward swing to a full and complete follow-through position.
How far should fingers go in bowling ball?
First, check the size of the holes. When you place your fingers in the ball, they should slide comfortably to the first crease down from the fingertips for a standard “fingertip” grip. If you're jamming the fingers in because they're too tight, change the inserts or have the holes opened slightly.
What is the heaviest bowling ball ever?
His writings feature on various websites, such as Pinterest. The heaviest legal bowling ball weighs 16 pounds.
What weight bowling ball should a man use?
However, statistics show that the average adult male will be comfortable throwing a 14-pound bowling ball. 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.
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 the Purple Hammer bowling ball Illegal?
ARLINGTON, Texas - The United States Bowling Congress has revoked approval of Purple Hammer bowling balls manufactured in 2016 and 2017. These model years are removed from the list of balls approved for USBC competition effective March 21, 2022.
Is the Purple Hammer banned?
Earlier this month, the United States Bowling Congress didn't go as far as the PBA's rule but instituted a new tournament rule that reads: Purple Hammer bowling balls manufactured during 2016 and 2017 (identified by serial numbers that start with either a '6' or '7') are prohibited for use, at all USBC national ...