How To Choose A Bowling Ball

One of the biggest decisions you have to make when you go bowling is choosing a bowling ball. The biggest struggle we see at Richmond 40 is bowlers not knowing which weight to choose for a bowling ball. It’s easy to choose something that is too heavy for you, because your friends are choosing heavier bowling balls. Yet, it’s also easy to sell yourself short and limit the potential pin carry by grabbing a ball that’s a couple pounds too light. We’re here to help you get rid of some of the guesswork when it comes to choosing a bowling ball.

What’s the average?

It’s hard to nail down the exact average because bowlers come in all ages. However, statistics show the average male will be comfortable throwing a 14 pound bowling ball. The usual range for an average adult male ranges from 13 to 16 pounds. Yet, there is variance based upon upper body strength, pre-existing injuries, age, and overall health.

For the average adult female, a 12 pound bowling ball is the most popular. The range for average adult females is usually around 10 to 14 points with the above variance applying here as well.

With younger bowlers, the most popular rule of thumb is the child’s age will directly correlate with the weight of the ball they feel comfortable throwing. For example, a 6 year old will throw a 6 pound ball or a 7 year old will throw a 7 pound ball.

Does it matter?

In short, yes. It matters for several reasons, however the primary one is simple physics. The heavier a bowling ball you can throw, the more innate force you can utilize due to the mass of the ball. It’s truly all about matching your ability to comfortably repeat a maximum force throw with the very top weight of a ball which you can.
We hope these tips help you master picking the perfect bowling ball for you each and every time you bowl!