Choose with confidence

Coverstocks, cores, RG and differential, layouts and slide soles explained without the marketing.

Bowling balls

Bowling balls by coverstock and core: plastic spare balls, urethane, solid, pearl and hybrid reactive, with weight and arsenal planning.

Bowling balls hub →

Buying guideBowling Ball RG and Differential Explained

Ball specifications

What radius of gyration and differential mean on a bowling ball spec sheet, the USBC limits, and how to use them when planning your next ball.

Buying guideWhat Weight Bowling Ball Should I Use? A Sizing Guide

Ball weight

How to pick a bowling ball weight from 6 to 16 pounds: the body-weight rule of thumb, signs a ball is too heavy, and why drilled balls feel lighter.

ComparisonReactive vs Urethane vs Plastic Bowling Balls Compared

Coverstocks

How plastic, urethane and reactive resin bowling balls differ in hook, control and lane conditions, plus solid, pearl and hybrid reactive covers explained.

Bowling shoes

Bowling shoes for league and casual bowlers: interchangeable soles and heels, wide fits and left- or right-handed models.

Bowling shoes hub →

Buying guideBowling Shoes

Bowling shoes

How bowling shoes work: slide and braking feet, interchangeable soles and heels, left- and right-handed shoes, and how to choose your first pair.

Ball care

Ball cleaners, microfiber towels, Abralon-type pads, oil extraction and resurfacing schedules.

Ball care hub →

Buying guideHow to Clean a Bowling Ball and When to Resurface It

Ball care

Daily wiping, approved cleaners, oil extraction and resurfacing schedules for reactive, urethane and plastic bowling balls, plus USBC rules on cleaning.

Other formats & home

Smaller-ball games, home and backyard bowling sets, kids' bowling and bowling for adaptive players.

Other formats & home hub →

ComparisonDuckpin vs Candlepin vs Five-Pin Bowling Explained

Small-ball bowling

How duckpin, candlepin and five-pin bowling differ from ten-pin: ball size and weight, pins, balls per frame, scoring and where each is played.

Beginners & league

What to buy first, joining a league, averages and handicaps, and the equipment questions newer bowlers ask.

Beginners & league hub →

Buying guideWhat Bowling Equipment to Buy First

Getting started

The order to buy bowling gear as a new league bowler: shoes, a drilled first ball, a bag, then a spare ball, with what each step changes and what can wait.