How Much Does a Bowling Ball Cost?

How much does a bowling ball cost? If you’re new to the world of bowling, it’s only natural to ask yourself that question.

Well, there isn’t a universal price for all bowling balls on the market. It would differ from one ball to the other based on the features that they present. Take a look at what the market has to offer, and you’ll find reasonably priced balls designed for average bowlers and pricey high-end performing balls aimed at professionals.

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In case you’re new to the world of bowling, then you might have some uncertainty around the type of the ball you should go for and its price. It’s easy to fall in the error of going with an expensive bowling ball that you can’t use to its full potential, or, on the contrary, opt for a cheap ball that has nothing to offer at all.

So, to avoid falling to these amateur mistakes, you have to recognize the different types of bowling balls and their different prices. After you get the baseline knowledge down and acquire the needed general understanding, you’ll be able to determine the features that you want and the ones you don’t in a specific type of balls and thus start to narrow down the price range.

This is a study that can lead even the more knowledgeable balling experts to waste a lot of time before determining the right answer. And that’s where our role comes. This guide will give you all the necessary information you need in this particular subject.

Without further ado, let’s answer the question “How much does a bowling ball cost?

What Are the Different Types of Bowling Balls?

Everything begins with one essential factor: the coverstock. To find a bowling ball that fits your requirement, you have to choose one of the coverstock options available. Of course, each type comes with a set of upsides and downsides. And the cost for each type will obviously be determined by the set of different needs and performance aspects. We’ll go further in detail about that in just a moment, but for now, let’s talk about the different kinds of bowling ball coverstock options that you’ll find.

Polyester or Plastic Balls

When it comes to beginner bowlers and intermediate players, plastic bowling balls are definitely the most popular option on the market. This is due to its low price and durability.

Plastic balls can also be a good pick for a professional who wants to straighten their shot on spares. Sure, such bowling balls don’t have the same back-end firepower or the hook potential that the other coverstocks can deliver, but they prove to be much easier to control which kind of makes up for the downsides a little bit. Any beginner who’s looking to perfect their shot and minimize their margin of error should consider starting with a plastic bowling ball.

Urethane Balls

Now if you feel that you got comfortable enough and you think that you’re ready to move up to the next step and stop playing at a beginner level, then picking the best Urethane bowling ball is the next logical evolution of the ball you should acquire. The durability of a Urethane bowling ball can be just as good as that of plastic.

The difference here lies in the ball’s ability to create friction between its surface and the surface of the lane. It allows for better hook potential when compared to the plastic ball. If you’re just learning about hook potential, the solid corrective control of the urethane ball will be quite sufficient. Using it will allow you to refine your hook and maximize pin carry.

Reactive Resin Balls

Once you reach the advanced level in bowling, you can’t get anything better than a reactive resin coverstock ball. And yes, as you might expect, the price of resin ball will be significantly higher than its previous two counterparts. But this increase in price of bowling ball is well justified by the high friction, maximum hook potential, and the ability to provide some great pin action.

Now, if you’re a beginner that can afford it and you’re wondering why you shouldn’t get it; the answer is that you won’t be able to take advantage of its full potential if you don’t know what you’re doing. You have to know how to read the lane conditions and make the shot in a way to maximize the lane’s oil density and setup, which isn’t so easy for the uninitiated. And resin bowling balls are very sensitive to that.

Reactive resin bowling balls can also be categorized into 3 subdivisions: reactive pearl, reactive solid, and reactive hybrid. They are extremely sensitive to several conditions, but they also have differences that separate them based on hook sharpness, throwing speed, and overall approach.

Particle (or Proactive) Balls

If you’re not an advanced bowler or you’re not getting there, then you better steer away from particle bowling balls. The textured surface on these balls can be quite hard to tame even for the most experienced bowlers. It’s got a bumpy surface that increases the friction to the max, which increases the hook potential and decreases the margin of error.

These balls can move through the lane in very unexpected manners, so you’ll have to perfect your shot and before being able to move to the particle balls. Once you do, you’ll be able to improve the sharpness and increase the violence of your shot as well as your back-end reaction.

Different Types of Cores

Under the surface, we find the core, which will be one of three: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and pancake-type. You get less flare potential and smoother hook with decreased sharp finish when you use a symmetrical hook.

When it comes to asymmetrical core balls, you’ll get more hook sharpness, better friction response, more back-end chaos, and overall potential.

As for the pancake core, you get the lower hook potential and track flare. You also get less variance and heavy rolls which increases the control you have on the line of shot.

Now, taking all of that into account, How much are bowling balls?

How Much Does a Bowling Ball Cost?

For the plastic beginner level balls, you should expect a price range between $40 and $60. You can even reach $100 if you go for the higher-end balls. Some bowling balls, like a vanity ball with a particular logo, will go as high as $150.

As for performance bowling balls for entry-level players, you’ll find ones priced at anywhere between $75 to $150, and it can be either urethane or reactive resin.

Now, for resin balls that were made for intermediate and advanced-level players, you’ll find that they’re usually priced between $150 and $250. This may be near the peak of bowling ball prices, but the features and performance that they deliver completely justify the price tag.

Some of the particle balls can even exceed $250. We do not recommend buying one unless you are a very experienced bowler who knows what they’re doing.

Additional Bowling Ball Costs

If you are a recreational bowler and play occasionally bowling for fun like a hobby, you can buy your bowling ball and every other accessory you can borrow or rent. But if you are a more advanced bowler and intend to play regularly, then in addition to your best bowling ball, you may have to eventually buy more bowling gear like your best bowling shoes, right bowling bags, best protection gear. All these accessories will, for sure, imply additional expenses.

If you want to have a ball that will be made to represent you, then you can go for a custom made ball. But how much is a custom bowling ball? Usually, it’s around $250, and if you have some additional requirements, then it may go up to $300 and more.

Moreover, if you buy a custom made bowling ball or an undrilled ball, then you will need to consider some professional bowling ball drilling service.

At the moment, custom bowling ball drilling costs from $39 to $70. Or, if you will opt for standard drilling services, this may cost you around $20.

Bowling Brands

The Brand is also an essential factor in Bowling Ball’s cost. There are reputable bowling ball brands that invest in research and production, so the balls and other bowling equipment can’t be cheap by default. And there are the “rest” a hand of noname brands (usually asian manufacturers) who copy the design and technology and produce some low price equipment.

Verdict: How Much Does a Bowling Ball Cost?

So, in conclusion, on average, the price of a bowling ball will vary between $90 and $150. To answer the question of “what price should you go for?”, you have to answer the following question: ”how much would it be worth to you?”.

If you’re a casual player, don’t bother with getting a very expensive ball.

But if you’re a professional, that’s always looking to breach to the next level and enhance their shot, then questions like “how much is a bowling ball” should fall off automatically and the only logical thing to do will to go for something a bit pricey.


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