Are you considering getting yourself a new bowling ball? What are you planning to get? A strong or a medium or a weak bowling ball? Hold on there! Do you know which bowling balls are strong and which ones are weak? Many of us who have been bowling for some time now, don’t know for sure what strong vs weak bowling balls indicate. This article is just for them! I have individually described the two types of bowling balls and put down the differences between them. So if you think that’s your cup of tea, stay tuned to learn this important aspect of bowling equipment.
What types of bowling ball are strong bowling ball?
You already know that bowling balls are categorized into a few categories based on their coverstock. But based on their performance and characteristics some bowling balls are labeled strong and some are weak. So what’s the specialty of a strong bowling ball?
Is your first thought regarding strong bowling balls that they are heavy? Or that they provide better hooking motion? Well, you are wrong. It has nothing to do with a strong bowling ball. Bowling equipment that is strong, falls under the premium categories.
Features—
Strong bowling balls tend to have technologically advanced cores and coverstocks. Most bowling ball manufacturers use new cores or covers for bowling balls that are meant to be strong in nature. Despite using new technologies, a strong bowling ball doesn’t have to be expensive. It can have a high or a low price point.
Performance—
Bowling balls that are strong are intended for heavy oil patterns. Strong balls will produce traction in the oil in a way that they will have higher RA, higher RS, or both. To better understand, think of your strong bowling balls as snow tires. They have amazing traction on surfaces, don’t they? So you will also have great traction on the lane with your stronger bowling ball. Oil on the bowling lane will get absorbed into the ball to create those traction. Because of that, the bowling lane changes a bit faster because the stronger bowling balls pick up oil.
Characteristics—
Now, let’s get back to that example. If it’s not snowing outside, would you use your snow tires? Of course, not! Why so? Because you don’t need that much traction when there is no snow on the surface. The equivalent of snow is the lane oil for a bowling ball with high surface roughness. A strong bowling ball doesn’t mean the ball will have the most extensive hooking motion. That’s because if there is high friction, some of the energy from the ball will be used up. Stronger bowling balls are designed for heavy oil for a consistent read, smooth motion from front to back, a great hook in the middle part of the lane, and a nice arcing motion at the backend. Due to these characteristics, do not attempt to make a sudden move to the right or left, and expect a huge backend or a skid/snap motion.
What types of bowling balls are weak bowling balls?
So what’s the first thing that comes to your mind regarding the weaker bowling balls? Do think that they lack energy? Can’t hit the pins hard enough? Well, it’s nothing like that.
Performance—
What a weaker bowling ball does is interesting. After you release a weak ball on the lane, you will see it roll down the lane and slide through the fronts more than a stronger bowling ball. A weak bowling ball is also more likely to move to the right to left on the backend part of the lane.
Characteristics—
To understand better, let’s get back to the snow tire example. Think of weaker bowling balls as snow tires on ice. When a snow tire is rolling on ice, it slides. So what does it do on snow or other surfaces? It grips. Similarly, a weaker bowling ball grips the surface after traveling down the lane to the end of the pattern and turns a lot faster than a stronger bowling ball. Weaker bowling balls tend to store energy as most of them have shiny coverstocks and asymmetrical weight-block inside.
Advantages and disadvantages of strong vs weak bowling balls
Both strong and weak bowling balls have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages. While some bowlers prefer using a weaker bowling ball, others prefer using a stronger bowling ball.
Do stronger bowling balls mean it provides more hooks? Not necessarily. Compared to a weaker bowling ball a stronger ball hooks more through the fronts of the lane (from the foul line to the arrows).
The advantage of the stronger bowling ball is that it has less right-to-left (or left-to-right for left-handed bowlers) hook down the lane because it exerts most of its energy on the front part of the lane. Bowlers with weaker bowling balls miss out on this advantage.
Main differences between strong and weak bowling balls
Given what you have learned so far, strong and weak balls tend to perform better in particular lane conditions. Heavy oil? Get your stronger gear. Light oil or dry lane? Get your weaker bowling ball.
Stronger bowling balls usually have a duller surface finish than weaker bowling balls. Stronger balls also tend to have symmetrical cores which might be helpful for many bowlers. Bowlers who prefer asymmetrical balls’ performance enjoy the weaker bowling balls more.
Stronger bowling balls are designed for a higher volume of oil whereas a weaker bowling ball is best for lane when it is breaking. Strong bowling balls grip the lane earlier whereas weaker balls slide. So to be specific, strong balls are most suitable on oily lane conditions, while weak bowling balls show a better performance on dryer lane conditions.
So how can you tell if your bowling ball is strong or weak? You will not always find this information in the description of your bowling balls. You can also ask your local pro shop or online. Remember this general rule of thumb— weaker bowling balls have shinier coverstocks and asymmetrical cores. Contrarily, stronger bowling balls have duller coverstocks and symmetrical cores.
When to use strong bowling ball and weak bowling ball?
If you’re planning to get a ball with a shiny surface for a lower volume of oil (dry lane condition), go for a weaker coverstock bowling ball. But if you intend to play on an oily lane, you need something duller. This is when you’re gonna need an aggressive a.k.a. a strong coverstock bowling ball.
So do you typically bowl in a heavier oil pattern or in a lighter oil pattern? Based on that choose your ideal bowling ball equipment to determine which is a better fit for you. Generally, I suggest most bowlers start with stronger gear, and later when the bowling lane starts to dry up, go for a weaker ball so that you don’t face any sudden aggressive ball roll or unplanned hook.
Conclusion
So there you go, mates! I have differentiated the strong vs weak bowling balls. Now, it’s up to you to decide which is right for you. To understand the differences better, try out both kinds of balls on multiple lane conditions and oil patterns and see what works for you. It is always super fun to know more about the sport you are involved in. On top of that, having new and real-life experiences is much more exciting. Till then, keep on bowling and leave a comment down below if you want to. I will appreciate that greatly. Good luck and have fun, my friends! Adios!
Passionate Bowler and Bowling Enthusiast
Jess Pinelli is a dedicated bowling enthusiast with a deep love for the sport that spans over 6 years. With numerous strikes, spares, and a few gutter balls under hes belt, he has honed his skills on lanes across the country. Pinelli’s journey in the world of bowling has been a remarkable one, from casual weekend games with friends to competitive league play and even a few local tournaments.
Driven by her passion for the game, Pinelli decided to channel her expertise and knowledge into the digital realm, becoming a prolific author on this bowling website. She’s your go-to source for everything bowling-related, from mastering the perfect hook to choosing the right bowling ball and even navigating the world of bowling etiquette.
When she’s not busy writing informative articles or reviewing the latest bowling gear, you’ll likely find Pinellis at her favorite local bowling alley, helping newcomers improve their game or enjoying some friendly competition with fellow bowlers. She firmly believes that bowling is not just a game but a community, and she’s committed to fostering that sense of camaraderie both online and offline.
