Bowling Ball Types

There are basically 4 different types of bowling balls. Each type has different qualities and is used in different conditions by different types of bowlers.

Plastic:
The most common type of ball used by recreational bowlers is the Plastic or Polyester Bowling Ball. Plastic Bowling Balls have been around since the 1960s. They are a relatively low cost option for children or bowlers who would like to have their own bowling ball but do not need a high hooking reactive ball. Plastic bowling balls are very durable due to their hard, low friction cover as such they are commonly used as 'house balls' found at most Bowling Centers. The typically have a straight trajectory with little to no hooking qualities. Plastic Bowling Balls are commonly used by beginning bowlers and as 'Spare Balls' for more advanced bowlers.

Level:Beginner
Hook Potential: *
Cost: $
Conditions: Any

Urethane:
It was decided that an option allowing more hooking potential was needed so in late 1970s; ball manufacturers started experimenting with other options. They eventually created a softer cover stock than the original polyester cover which they called polyurethane or urethane for short. The Urethane Bowling Ball has a high friction cover that gives it a higher hook potential than the original polyester surface. The Urethane cover can also be sanded with different grits of paper to conveniently change the hook potential. This ball is the natural choice for the beginning bowler learning to throw their first hooking ball. They are also commonly used by experienced bowlers on dry lane conditions.

Level: Beginner / Intermediate / Experienced
Hook Potential: **
Cost: $$ - $$$
Conditions: Dry / Any

Reactive Resin:
As the quest for increased hook potential continued the ball manufacturers began adding resin particles to their urethane covers in the 1990s. This made the cover tackier than the original urethane cover and thus increased the potential for hook. Resin Bowling Balls typically have a skin-snap reaction pattern, meaning they slide or hydroplane over the oil on the front end of the lanes and have a strong snapping hook at the back end. This reaction gives more striking power than Polyester and Urethane ball types. Reactive Resin Bowling Balls are the primary choice for experienced bowlers.

Level: Intermediate / Experienced
Hook Potential: ***
Cost: $$$ - $$$$
Conditions: Any

Particle:
Particle Bowling Balls came about as a quest to create a ball that had the Reactive Resin hooking power and the controllability of Urethane. Bowling ball manufacturers responded to this by creating the Particle cover stock. This cover was created by adding textured particles consisting of ceramic or glass to the Reactive Resin giving the ball more gripping ability on the oil for a smoother more consistent hook without sacrificing the powerful backend of resin ball. This ball has the highest hook potential of all bowling balls. This ball type is typically only used on oily lane conditions by experienced bowlers.

Level: Experienced
Hook Potential: ****
Cost: $$$$
Conditions: Oily