When it comes to selecting your spare bowling ball, research is super important. Whether you're a professional league player, a recreational player, or beginner, a spare bowling ball is a crucial part of the game. If you're unsuccessful in achieving a strike on your first throw, you will then turn to a spare bowl to hit down the rest of the pins. However, it is important to select the right ball for you and your playing needs.
Finding a spare ball of the best quality can often seem like a daunting process and it is important to choose wisely. We have compiled a guide with our top picks of the best spare bowling balls, each praised for their exceptional performance in achieving straight line shots. Below you will also find a buyer’s guide containing our top tips for choosing the best spare bowling ball.
If you are in a hurry and don't have the time to continue reading, we have selected our top pick for you below.
OUR TOP PICK
We have selected the Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball as our top pick for you. With this bowling ball, you are likely to be racking up those spares in no time.
Made from plastic with a high gloss polish finish, this is an affordable option for beginners who are working on straighter shots. As a heavier ball, it is great for achieving shots with maximum force behind them and is also an excellent choice for those at a professional level who are looking for a bowling ball with great spare potential.
If you would prefer a lighter ball, then you needn't worry as this bowling ball comes in multiple size options allowing you to select the best one for the game. With an attractive swirl design and a range of patterns available, this bowling ball really is going to stand out from the crowd.
Pros
- An excellent choice for beginners working on achieving straight shots.
- For professionals looking for a spare bowling ball, this is an affordable option.
- There are multiple colors and patterns available effectively catering to individual tastes.
- Positive feedback shows that this is a great ball for spares.
- With a plastic coverstock construction and high gloss polish finish, this is a durable bowling ball.
Cons
- This ball has low hook potential which is going to make it more difficult to attain a firm grip to achieve perfect shots.
EDITORS CHOICE
For our next choice, we have selected the Pyramid Path Rising Bowling Ball. An affordable ball boasting high-performance pyramid technology.
Multiple variables in the bowling environment are constantly changing meaning that your bowling balls have to adapt to this too, thankfully, the pyramid technology allows you to bowl to your peak performance in medium to medium - dry lane conditions.
Finished with 1500 grit polish, this ball is going to react sharply as it continues down the lane. The pearl reactive coverstock and pancake core evens out your shots creating more straight line power, resulting in spares.
Courtesy of the New era 139 core and the Path Reactive pearl coverstock, this is a versatile spare ball that is ideal for use by players at all levels, whether you're a beginner working on performance and achieving straight line shots, or an amateur looking for an excellent spare ball.
Available in several striking colors, this spare bowling ball is not only going to improve your performance, but it is sure to turn heads too.
Pros
- As there are different weights of this bowling ball available, you can choose the best one for your needs.
- The New era symmetric core creates more straight line power.
- There are 8 stands out colors to choose from.
- A great entry-level performance bowling ball.
- The versatile cover stock increases the bowling ball speed resulting in excellent shots.
Cons
- Unfortunately, on occasions, this ball can be prone to chipping.
BEST VALUE
Next up we have the Ebonite Maxim Bowling Ball. The polyester cover stock helps the ball to go straight at spares, an excellent choice for recreational bowlers and beginners in particular.
Praised for being one of the best spare bowling balls on the market, the synthetic coverstock of the Ebonite Maxim Bowling Ball helps to achieve perfect scores by making the ball roll on straight lines. Due to its ability to find it's lines with ease, you will be racking up the spares in no time, a particularly good ball for training purposes.
With a 3 piece core, this is a high performing bowling ball that is ideal for lightweight bowlers thanks to the 3 different size options available.
For those who have particular ideals when it comes to the appearance of their spare bowling ball, the Ebonite Maximum does not disappoint. This predominantly blue ball with splashes of purple, dark blue, and black is an attractive ball that is great for bowlers who are looking for an eye-catching design.
Pros
- Retailing at an affordable price, this is a budget-friendly option.
- There are three different sizes of this ball available so you can choose the best one for your needs.
- An excellent ball for entry-level bowlers and recreational bowlers in particular.
- Courtesy of its three piece core, this is a high performing bowling ball.
- The synthetic cover stock helps to keep the ball on a straight line to achieve perfect shots.
Cons
- As a plastic bowling ball, it is susceptible to cracking after it has been used a few times.
RUNNER UP
Another pick from Brunswick is the Lizard Eye Glow Viz - a - ball. An excellent choice for beginners and recreational players alike, this high-quality polyester bowling ball features an impressive illustration embedded onto its surface.
As an effective straight line bowling ball, this is also ideal for players at an amateur level who are looking for balls that can be thrown straight at spares. With an impressive range of size options available, there is one to suit the needs of every player. For lightweight bowlers, this ball is available in the range of 6-8 lbs and for those who prefer to play with a heavier ball, it is available up to 16 lbs.
When bowled under blacklight, this ball glows through its limited edition graphics making it a great option when playing in limited light. Courtesy of this eye catching design, you can step up for your bowl with confidence.
Pros
- This is an attractive bowling ball and courtesy of its graphics it is sure to stand out amongst others.
- An ideal choice for bowlers of all ages.
- Great for light and heavy bowlers thanks to the availability of different size options.
- You can use this ball whenever you bowl as it is suitable for all lane conditions.
- Durably designed the lizard eye graphics are embedded into the surface of the ball to ensure high quality.
Cons
- This ball does not come with pre-drilled holes so this is going to require an additional purchase.
RUNNER UP
Finally, we have selected the Pyramid Path Bowling Ball. A great choice for bowlers of all ages and skill levels. Excellent value for money, this ball combines quality and durability with a polyester coverstock for achieving straight shots.
With its capability of performing well in a range of lane settings, this is the ultimate spare bowling ball that is highly praised by players at a professional standard for its performance values.
As a bowling ball with a polyester coverstock, this ball provides unrivaled performance for spares with straight unhooked shots.
Available in a range of sizes from 6 lbs to 16 lbs, there are multiple size options for each player to select the type that best suits them and their playing capabilities. Whether you're a child just starting out or a full-grown professional, there is an option suitable for you. There are also multiple color designs available, each with an attractive and eye-catching appeal.
Pros
- Retailing at a budget-friendly price, this is a super affordable bowling ball.
- This ball is ideal for players of all ages whether this is a child who is a beginner or an adult professional.
- Praised by professionals for its performance, this is a great spare ball.
- Impressively, this bowling ball comes with a 2 year warranty if you should experience any issues with it.
- With a polyester coverstock, this ball works well at achieving straight shots.
Cons
- This ball is prone to cracking after a few uses, so the quality of the design is likely to deteriorate too.
Best Spare Bowling Ball Guide
Before investing in your spare bowling ball, it is important to do your research beforehand. Selecting a high-quality ball is going to help you achieve those straight line shots resulting in spares. There are many brands that are renowned for creating bowling balls of an excellent standard and some that are less so. If you want to perform to your maximum potential, you must select the right ball.
We have listed some criteria for you to consider below.
Coverstock
You will find bowling balls made from different types of coverstock but the most popular tend to be plastic or polyester, particularly when it comes to spare bowling balls. This is largely due to this material's ability to drive the ball into straight line shots ultimately resulting in spares. Plastic is a great choice if you are playing on an oily lane as this helps the ball to shoot on a straight line.
The Material Construction
The material that a bowling ball is made from typically tends to differ between the brands and the type of bowling ball. The materials most commonly used are plastic, urethane, or reactive resin. Each ball can react differently to particular lane conditions, therefore it is important to select a ball suitable for the environment that you are most likely to be playing in as this is going to result in spares more frequently.
The Size
Bowling balls are available in varying sizes and this makes them ideal for catering towards different audiences. For example, a ball with the lowest weight of 6ibs but the highest weight of 16ibs is going to be suitable for children and professional players alike, allowing each to get maximum enjoyment from this ball.
Heavier balls tend to result in more powerful shots that are more likely to achieve spares, however, it is most important to select the ball that you find the most comfortable to play with.
The Hook Potential
This is a term that you will commonly stumble across in the search for bowling balls. A bowl with a greater hook potential is going to have a better grip and this is something that professionals, in particular, tend to look for. While reactive resin and urethane balls have higher hook potential, plastic balls tend to have lower. This is an issue that we commonly found when selecting our top five bowling balls, however, with many, you will find that they have high performance qualities that make up for this. However, it is necessary to be aware of this before making your purchase.
The Pattern and Design
There are many bowling balls that boast some impressive patterns and designs. While this may not be a major concern to some, for others the appearance of their bowling ball is important. From bold eyes to bright splashes of color embedded into the surface of the ball you are likely to find one that suits your taste preferences. Some brands will offer different varieties in the color of a bowling ball.
The Quality
The quality of your bowling ball is highly influential upon how well it is likely to perform. You don't want to select a bowling ball only to then find it deteriorating in quality after use. A common issue that we discovered when browsing through a selection of bowling balls is that many are susceptible to cracking and this is largely due to the plastic construction. Needless to say, this doesn't apply to every bowling ball and we found a few great examples of bowling balls that aren't prone to this issue. However, it is important to note that some designs may deteriorate after a few uses.
The Skill Level
Spare bowling balls can be very versatile. Many tend to be geared towards recreational players or beginners who are looking to improve their game and build their skills at achieving straight line shots. The same ball can also be good for professionals looking for a spare ball due to its high-performance values. Other balls will be suitable for all players regardless of their skill level. It is important to pay attention to select the correct ball for your playing needs.
The Cost
Bowling balls can retail at a variety of prices, some more expensive than others. However, on the whole, there is a pretty expansive range of bowling balls that are ideal for individuals on a budget and impressively you aren't necessarily going to compromise the quality either. Of course, this can't be said for every ball but we found an impressive range of spare bowling balls retailing for affordable prices, making them ideal for those who are on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should My Spare Ball Be Lighter?
The weight of the bowling ball can differ between players and their preferences. Some may opt for a heavier ball for the power behind each throw, however, other players may choose a lighter ball as they find this more comfortable to play with. There is no set answer to this question and as you browse the market for your spare bowling ball you may find one of a particular weight that you find comfortable to play with.
When is a Spare Ball Used in Bowling?
A spare bowling ball is used in the second ball of a frame. If all ten pins were not hit down in the first ball to achieve a strike, but they are following a second turn, then this is referred to as a spare with the player being awarded 10 points with a bonus score of whatever they hit with the next ball.
How Do I Choose the Right Spare Bowling Ball For Me?
You can either pick a bowling ball with a pattern or color that you like or you can pick a set that compliments the theme of your strike ball. However, it is important to ensure that the spare bowling ball you choose is the same weight as your high-performance ball as this avoids you needing to adjust your speed in relation to the weight. Also, ensure that the ball you select is of high quality as this will ensure that it is going to last you for a long time without any deterioration.
What Should a Spare Bowling Ball Be Made From?
Ideally, a good spare bowling ball should be made from plastic or polyester with a durable coverstock. Plastic bowling balls tend to be the preferred choice as they are more likely to achieve straight line shots.
[no_toc]
I’m Lia and I love playing games. I started this site to share things with friends and they encouraged me to post more and now I’m trying to share things with the world – indoor and outdoor sports, and board and bar games. I write about things like Bocce, Croquet, Billiards, Darts and other fun ways to enjoy time with your friends and family!
