What is the ideal weight for a bowling ball? How much should it weigh? The bowling ball’s weight is determined based on the bowlers’ age. Of course, a kid and a grown-up adult won’t use the same heavy bowling ball. That’s why it is paramount to know the correct bowling ball weight.
Using a bowling ball that is too heavy or too light can be problematic and also dangerous. While an unnecessarily heavy ball can cause pain, a lightweight ball can cause off-results. Who would want to experience that? So before it’s too late, you should choose a bowling ball with the right weight (size). So how to choose the right bowling ball weight by age? Continue to read and you’ll find out how!
Bowling ball weight Chart by age
| Age Group | Bowling Ball Weight (lbs) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5-8 years | 6-8 lbs | For young children just starting out in bowling, a lighter ball is recommended to help them develop proper form and technique without straining their arm muscles. |
| 9-12 years | 8-12 lbs | As children grow older and gain more strength, they can gradually move up to a slightly heavier ball. This weight range allows them to continue improving their skills while still maintaining control. |
| 13-18 years | 12-14 lbs | Teenagers in this age group can handle slightly heavier bowling balls as they have developed more strength and coordination. This weight range provides a good balance between control and power. |
| Adults | 14-16+ lbs | For adults, the bowling ball weight typically ranges from 14 to 16 pounds or even heavier, depending on the individual’s strength and experience. These heavier balls allow for more power and hook potential, but it’s important to choose a weight that can be comfortably controlled and thrown with proper technique. |
Please note that these are general guidelines, and individual preferences and physical capabilities may vary. You can go through our detailed guideline for specific weight recommendation. It is always recommended to consult with a bowling professional or coach to determine the most suitable weight for your specific needs.
10 to 20 years old (For kids)
The appropriate weight for a bowling ball for boys aged 10 to 20 years old depends on their individual strength and ability. Generally, boys in this age range can start with a ball weighing between 10 to 14 pounds. As they grow stronger and more experienced, they can gradually increase the weight of their bowling ball.
It is important to choose a weight that allows them to have control and accuracy while still providing a challenge. Consulting with a professional or experienced coach can also provide valuable guidance in determining the right weight for each individual.
if you don’t need any generalized answer, I’m going to break down this section into two categories. Some specific ball weights are for school-aged children and some are for teens. This is because teens are much stronger than little children and some teens can even handle 16 lbs bowling balls. So, it’s really not fair to select one or two bowling ball weight sizes for these two types of bowlers.
For Children and Preteens:
When it comes to new and very young bowlers, we can use a popular rule of thumb which is knowing the child’s age and then directly correlating it to the weight of the bowling ball. Let me clarify with an example. Suppose a 6-year-old kid is at the bowling alley and he is confused about what size bowling ball he should use. This is because the general rule of 10% of the body weight is not applicable to them. So this 6-year-old kid should just select a six-pound bowling ball. Similarly, an 8-year-old kid should just throw a bowling ball that weighs around eight pounds. That’s how these kids and preteens can choose bowling balls they will be comfortable throwing.
For Teens:
Teen bowlers come in all different shapes, sizes, and ages. Hence, the typical statistical data is not enough for them to find out their ideal bowling ball weight. The bowling ball weight calculator can be very helpful in that case. Statistics show that the average teen male bowlers ( 10 to 15 years old) are comfortable throwing a 12-pound bowling ball. But there are heavier bowlers who would prefer heavier bowling balls. Factors like age, height, upper body strength, preexisting injuries, and overall physical capabilities should come into consideration when selecting bowling ball weights for teens.
20 to 40 years old (For young bowlers)
Bowlers who fall under 20 to 40 years old are at their peaks. They are the perfect candidates to use the regular bowling ball weight calculator to identify the perfect ball weight for them. So do you know how that thing works? Allow me to enlighten you.
The universal rule to measure the correct bowling ball weight is the best way to know what is right for you. The rule for calculating the standard bowling ball weight is = (10% of your body weight + 1).
So it’s pretty straightforward and simple. Just stand on a weight scale and look at the numbers that are indicating your body weight. Now, calculate 10% of that weight you just found out. Lastly, all you have to do is just add 1 with that calculated value, and voila! You now know your accurate bowling ball weight.
Let’s assume that you’re a 32-year-old bowler who weighs 150 lbs.
Now, what is 10% of 150? Yes, it’s 15.
So what do we do now? Just add 1 with it.
(15+1)= 16.
So there you go, your ideal bowling ball weight is 16 lbs.
16 lbs is always good for young bowler that’s also not right. Some young bowlers prefer straight and some prefer hook. So Hook potential is also a great factor for choosing bowling ball weight.
40 to 50 years old (For middle-aged bowlers)
Like bowlers who age between 20 to 40, a 40 or 50-year-old bowler can also follow the standard rule of calculating bowling ball weight. Unless there is no physical restriction, no adult over the age of 25 should not use a bowling ball that weighs less than 14 lbs. Some bowlers tend to stay fit at age 50 while others can’t. If you think you’re physically fit to play like in your 20s and 30s, you’re welcome to follow the bowling ball calculator.
50 above (For seniors)
Senior bowlers who age above 50 should not blindly follow the bowling ball weight measurement formula. So, how can these seniors know about their ideal bowling ball weight? A few things that should be taken into consideration are their strength, hand flexibility, and overall physical capacity.
Generally, senior bowlers are always recommended to use lighter-weight bowling balls that weigh 10 lbs or a little upward. One thing they need to make sure of before throwing a ball is whether they are comfortable or not. Despite the size of the ball, a senior is supposed to handle it comfortably and use maximum pin action.
Before senior bowlers can swing the ball, they should hold it and move slowly with it to see if it is too heavy for them or not. Even if it feels slightly heavy, go a size down and try again to if they’re comfortable with that lighter one. If you notice seniors hurling their bowling balls, then they should consider going a size up.
Conclusion
The estimation mentioned above is just a good place to start. Don’t think of it as a foolproof guideline because these may not be applicable to everyone. So what is the ideal bowling ball weight for you? Choose wisely according to your age. Don’t go too heavy or too light. If you’re an adult, you can always go a size up or a size down to calculate the optimum bowling ball weight. I hope this article was helpful enough for you to find your standard bowling ball weight. Doesn’t matter how old you are, I would highly encourage you to go to the bowling center and try out a few different weights to finally see what’s right for you. Last but not the least, good luck and have fun bowling!
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.
