Bowling Ball Price Guide: Current Values & Sales

Bowling balls are priced by what the ball is made of, and cover material is the first thing to understand. Plastic, also called polyester, is the cheapest and the slickest, so it rolls straight. It is the standard spare ball. Urethane grips the lane a little more, and reactive resin grips the most, which lets a bowler curve the ball into the pocket. Reactive balls come in entry, mid and high performance grades, and the price rises with each step.

The listings below come from Bowling.com and the National Bowling Store, both online retailers with pro shop services. Their prices differ for the same ball, since each runs its own sales, so compare more than one store before you buy.

A plastic ball is the lowest-cost way to own a ball, and many bowlers keep one for spares even after they move to reactive. The headline price is from Bowling.com. The National Bowling Store lists the same TZone series at $74.95, so the gap between retailers can be real.

Most bowlers still want the ball drilled for their own hand, which is a separate cost covered below.

Entry-level reactive balls give new league bowlers a ball with hook potential at a modest price. These models are forgiving on many lane conditions and are often recommended as a first ball once a bowler wants more motion than plastic can give.

Mid-priced balls include urethane and stronger reactive models. Urethane is popular with bowlers who want a smooth, predictable curve on dry lanes. Mid-grade reactive balls usually have a wider range of coverstocks and cores.

At the top of the retail range, performance balls add specialty cores and coverstocks tuned for heavy oil, high rev rates or specific lane patterns. They suit bowlers who already throw the ball with speed and rotation, and the extra motion may be hard to control for beginners.

Sale prices change often, and retailers clear older colors at a discount.

A ball is not ready to bowl until it is drilled to fit your hand. A pro shop measures your span and grip and drills the finger and thumb holes. Many shops charge a separate drilling fee, and some include drilling or discount it when you buy the ball from them.

Plastic balls cost less to drill than reactive or urethane balls. Ask a shop whether the fee covers inserts and a thumb slug, since extras raise the total. A ball bought online and drilled elsewhere may cost more than one bought from the shop that drills it.

Casual bowlers who play occasionally can use a house ball at the alley, and the cost of owning a ball may not be worth it. League bowlers and people who bowl every week benefit from a fitted ball, because it fits their hand and is more consistent.

For most newcomers, an entry-level reactive ball is the practical first step, and a plastic ball is useful for spares. Mid-priced and performance balls make more sense after you have a steady delivery and know what lane conditions you face. A pro shop operator can match a ball to your speed and rotation.

• Color and finish: older colors are often discounted
• Retailer promotions and bundles with bags or shoes
• Pro shop services such as plugging and re-drilling