Bowling is one of the most popular games worldwide.
For that reason, manufacturers have made a lot of great additions to the game, like the addition of bowling shoes for example. Bounce balls are usually made out of plastic materials and are a great option to play on synthetic lanes.
My point is that you can play bowling on many different surfaces, but plastic lanes are the best synthetic lanes.
Today, we bring you reviews of some of the 6 best bowling balls for synthetic lanes on the market today.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Storm Hy-Road Pearl | Best Overall |  |
| Brunswick Rhino Bowling Ball | Budget Pick |  |
| Hammer Black Widow Pink Bowling Ball | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Storm Hy-Road Pearl
Pros:
- Good performance on synthetic lanes
- Very affordable – cheap for a high-performance ball
- Smooth rolling
- Versatile – can be used on most lane conditions
- Can be used by left-hand bowlers
- Rock solid for hookers
- Marginally improves your game
- Flawless finish and a beautiful blue/purple appearance
Cons:
- Does not give as much hook on a wet lane
- May have surface blemishes and does not get as many great glares and reflections as other bowling balls.
In terms of performance, the Storm Hy-Road Pearl is a fairly affordable ball. It is particularly impressive on synthetic lanes. It has a lower frequency and a smaller torquing area. The differential between polished and unpolished sides are larger. This is great news for hooking bowlers. The ball gives consistently hard numbers for its price.
It is lightweight and has a very smooth action. There is a little bit of surface roughness but it is not as noticeable in comparison to other cheap balls. The Hy-Road Pearl will be forgiving on dry and solid shots. It will also give a great hit when on a dry lane.
It is a versatile ball that can be thrown on most lane conditions. It is particularly loved by left-handed bowlers.
2. Hammer Black Widow Pink Bowling Ball
Pros:
- Reasonably priced, for this sheen finished bowling ball
- Perfect for synthetic lanes
- Good grip and speed
- Beefed up with carbon fiber
- Stays straight, hooks less and has better pin carry
- Great for beginners and intermediate bowlers
- 500/1000 polished finish
- Has higher grip for short oil patterns
Cons:
- It is not seen as a high performance bowling ball-due to less ball speed
- It is also more popular for girl bowlers mostly due to the polished pink finish
Some of the 6 best bowling balls that I have found are close to the perfect ball to use on your home synthetic lane. This Hammer Black Widow Pink bowling ball has been designed for the girl bowlers who want to bowl from low to medium oil conditions. It has many similarities to their popular Hammer Black Widow series for tournament bowlers, but uses a softer Quantum cover, giving the ball a great hooking motion, but less ball speed.
The ball has more or less the same weight and size as the other Hammer Black Widow editions, but the Pink edition will produce less ball speed, although you will get stronger hook from the solid coverstock … perfect for lag!
3. Ebonite Game Breaker 3 Pearl Bowling Ball
Pros:
- Great colors that really pop
- Velcro power strap
- Unique core material for increased ball motion
- Excellent price
- Composite coverstock
- Shake and bake value
- Ready to go straight out of the box and hit the lanes
Cons:
- This is a beginner’s ball so it’s nothing too special
- Some users may have to re-drill drain holes for proper pin action
The Ebonite Game Breaker 3 Pearl bowling ball is already out on the lanes getting its miles in and getting ready for the next league night. It’s been carefully drilled with shell drilling and pin placement.
The Ebonite Game Breaker 3 Pearl bowling ball is great for beginners or those who want to get into the world of bowling. It has a solid core that allows for smooth roll, a nice coverstock that gives an excellent reaction when the ball hits the pins, and it is also really affordable.
You can expect the ball to do well on medium tracks and will be good through the front and the backend. This ball is something you can rely on when you get to that last frame.
4. Brunswick Rhino Bowling Ball
Pros:
- An affordable bowling ball
- Works great on synthetic lanes
- Easy to maneuver
- Name branded bowling ball
- No wrist pain – great grip
- Quality ball
Cons:
- If you’re a pro, you can spend more money
- If you’re not used to this type of ball as an expert bowler, bowling may become a chore
With this entry, Brunswick has certainly kept in mind the beginning bowler who is looking for a ball that will work well on synthetic lanes.
This ball comes in three colors, averaging 10 pounds. It was created to be light weight so Brunswick created with the traditional light bulb core shape.
This ball is also quite easy to maneuver and is said to stay on the lane longer.
5. Brunswick DV8 Bowling Quantum Bias Ball
Pros:
- Adds great control of the ball direction, plus has increased ball reaction time
- The addition of 6 different drilling will give you a better chance to play the game and still enjoying yourself
- Multi-layers technology that makes the balls smoother
- Enhanced speed and accuracy when bowling
Cons:
- Some issues with ball reaction time
- Can be hard to find a good grip on the ball
Brunswick DV8 is a pair of perfectly balanced and suited bowling balls, specially designed to improve your bowling skills. It has a I-groove in the middle of the ball, which ensures greater ball reaction time.
Besides, it is made up of a I-Impact cross-lamented polymer which adds extra stiffness for the ball to resist impact. This means, that not only the ball glides easily to the pins, but also it avoids skidding. This mainly occurs on the oily lanes.
The coverstock of the ball is dependent on the oil content in the lane. The oil content tends to affect the amount of friction between the ball and the lane.
6. Motiv Tank Purple 15lb
Pros:
- Great as a spare ball or just to have fun with
- Excellent pin action (for a plastic ball)
- Light-weight and durable
- Made in the USA
- Incredible control of ball even in extreme situations
Cons:
- Has a factory finish
- Solid purple color not attractive for all
- Light weight ball means its ideal for beginners and females
This Motiv Tank Purple 15lb Bowling Ball- Purple Pearl is 15 pounds in weight. It has one of the longest running MOTIV product lines being premier balls. That means that is designed to provide incredible control and traction in the oil. The box and cover color are not true to the actual color of the ball. The actual color is that purple-magenta color that's shown in the picture of the ball.
With this ball, you can expect a lot of pin action when you bowl. The cool thing is that this ball is only 15 pounds, which is considered to be light.
As far as durability goes, this product does well. The ball is made to withstand the harshest of conditions. The ball is durable yet light.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best bowling ball for synthetic lanes?
Although we don’t know of any recent studies designed to determine the “best” balls for synthetic lanes, we can make some reasonable assumptions based on average scores, ball and bowler preference. In fact, the most popular bowling ball model for non-pros is the Ebonite Game Breaker 3 Pearl Bowling Ball
What is the best bowling ball on the market right now?
You will find that all bowling balls are slightly different. Some will feel more balanced while others might feel heavier. Some will be harder or softer. Some will be smoother for longer while others will be more difficult to control until it’s broken in. Some will channel energy more towards or away from the pins while others won’t. The last point is very important because it will determine how important weight and length are.
How much weight and length do you need in your bowling ball?
Just as important as ball selection is the lane conditions. Pinsetters control something called the ball-to-head which is a measurement of the line between the bowling lane’s head pin and the bowling ball’s spot on the lane. This is important because a lower number will cause the ball to hook towards the pins much earlier than a higher number.
What is the most aggressive bowling ball on the market?
While it is hard to chose the most aggresive ball, there are many aggresive balls weighing between 11lbs-16lbs for men and 8lbs-13lbs for women. You can purchase either a 10 pack, a 5 pack, or a single ball. So far the Brunswick Rhino Bowling Ball is great because I have used it on many types of lanes, indoor and outdoor, and it has never failed me.
What is the best bowling ball for oily lanes?
A round ball isn’t going to work at all on oily lanes. This will be wasteful and you will likely put holes in the coverstock. Opt for a bowling ball that is balanced and allows you to roll a straight ball down an oily lane.
Conclusion
Bowling can be a fun activity that brings families and friends together. It can also be a frustrating endeavor if you don't choose the right ball.
You don't want to throw a ball that you know you can't get use out of (we suggest that you don't skimp on cost too!). Just because a ball says it's for synthetic lanes doesn't mean it is specifically good for that surface. You need to find out how fast it will roll, how it will hook, and how much it will cost.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Storm Hy-Road Pearl | Best Overall | |
| Brunswick Rhino Bowling Ball | Budget Pick | |
| Hammer Black Widow Pink Bowling Ball | Upgrade Pick | |