One of the most popular indoor sport the world over and which is enjoyed by both young and old, is bowling. This is a sport that is ideal for people who wish to pass their time and keep fit, too. As a rookie bowler, maybe, you’ll want to know which bowling balls will be right for the different bowling surfaces, and for you.  Well, here’s what you should know about the different types of bowling balls, particularly, the ones that will be ideal to practice and play with.

Bowling balls are generally made of four different materials – polyester, resin, particle and urethane, each of which are better suited for either oiled or dry lanes. Therefore, it’s always better to have a pair of bowling balls, one for each surface. Weight is, however, another important consideration when choosing bowling balls, so make sure to select the ideal weight which you’ll be comfortable with. In general, bowling balls range between 6 and 16 pounds in weight. If the house balls are not suitable, either custom-drill the finger holes of your bowling balls, or use heavier bowling balls that fit your hand perfectly for better play.

Wood and rubber were the materials used earlier, but today, bowling balls deliver more accurate bowling performance as they are made out of better and more long-lasting materials. The most suitable bowling balls for dry lanes, which are far cheaper than other options, are plastic bowling balls made of polyester. Plastic balls provide less hook potential, and have a tendency to deliver extra skid, which is why they are suitable for dry lanes. Reactive resin bowling balls are another good alternative option for dry and oiled bowling lane surfaces. These bowling balls deliver better grip, speed and skid on oiled and dry lanes, because reactive resin is sticky (tacky) in nature.

If you’re looking for a bowling ball with a lot of power potential, then a particle bowling ball would be the best option. A particle bowling ball is enhanced by resin containing minute glass and ceramic particles, which gives the ball the highest spin and hook potential, amongst other ball material options. For its fairly good hook potential delivery, a urethane ball is another good alternative. This type of bowling ball has a better high-friction surface than polyester balls, which is owed to its softer cover-stock. Urethane bowling balls can be buffed or sanded to decrease or increase hook potential.

In the end, whatever may be the bowling ball you choose, maintenance is the most important aspect to guarantee performance and durability of your bowling ball. Try not to drop your bowling balls in order to prevent them from damage, and to keep them in sound condition. Make sure to store your bowling balls in a weather-proof bag when not in use or while carrying them to the bowling alley. Between games, it is also advisable to keep the balls in a safe place at normal room temperature, rather than in a garage or outside where they could be subjected to damage by adverse weather conditions.