If you’re starting your search for the best bowling ball for beginner to intermediate players, you’ve come to the right place. Beginners and intermediate players have special needs out of bowling balls which just aren’t the same of an expert bowler. Top bowlers are able to control even the most unwieldy and aggressive reactive bowling balls. Beginning and intermediate bowlers usually need a ball which is forgiving and has a propensity to help control itself.
With that in mind, we’ve looked through dozens and dozens of contenders for the best bowling ball for beginner to intermediate players and pared down our list of best picks to eight awesome offerings from six trustworthy leaders in the bowling ball manufacturing market. Without further ado, here’s our list of the best of the best.
Top 8 Bowling Balls for Beginner to Intermediate Players
1) Brunswick Tzone Deep Space
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The ultimate beginner’s ball in composition and aesthetic, the Brunswick Tzone Deep Space is a classic polyester bowling ball with a beautiful design to its credit. While it’s not going to give you the oil reactivity of other balls on this list, you’ll be enthralled with the amount of straight-line control and sneaky hitting power this ball provides on dry and medium-dry lanes.
Specs
Color: Deep Space
Core: Symmetrical
Coverstock: Polyester (Plastic)
Finish: High Polish
RG: 2.715
Differential: 0.019
Flare potential: Minimal
Recommended Lane Condition: Dry
Pros
- This is a great beginner’s ball for those who are not worried about throwing a hook just yet. It’s a straight-line marvel when oil conditions are ideal.
- The polyester coverstock on this ball is amazingly durable and portends a very long play life.
- It’s one of the easiest pick-up-and-play bowling balls on the market today. What you see is what you get and that’s refreshing for a beginner.
Cons
- The polyester coverstock on the Brunswick Tzone Deep Space gets submerged as oil patterns lengthen and deepen. The more oil it sees, the less effective this ball is.
- While this is a great ball for beginners, it will be relegated to a spare ball at best when you start looking to play with hooks and angularity.
2) Hammer Blue Vibe
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One of the most forgiving reactive bowling balls on the market today, the Hammer Blue Vibe is a great new-school bowling ball which serves as a great introduction to the game for beginners. Considered a “step-down ball” for expert bowlers when oil patterns start to deplete, beginners can easily use this is as a primary strike ball with its smooth motion and innate controllable nature.
Specs
Color: Blue
Core: Vibe (Symmetrical)
Coverstock: CT Reactive Plus (Reactive Solid)
Finish: 500 / 2000 Abralon / Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish
RG: 2.51
Differential: 0.042
Flare potential: Moderate
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Dry
Pros
- The Hammer Blue Vibe is extremely versatile and will work well with beginners who either throw a straight-line shot or start to mess around with basic hooks.
- This is a great ball for beginners who expect to keep learning and don’t want to invest in a new ball right away once they graduate to intermediate status.
- There’s a sneaky back-end reaction here which will up pin carry and strike counts for bowlers of all different skill levels.
Cons
- While this is a reactive bowling ball, it’s not built for fresh oil patterns and heavy oil. It gets gummed up easily and loses all of its charms in the slickest of conditions.
- The coverstock is durable but requires constant maintenance and cleaning to keep it effective and efficacious.
3) Roto Grip Hustle Ink
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Perhaps the ultimate reactive bowling ball for beginners, the Roto Grip Hustle Ink dials down the normal aggressiveness of a reactive ball in favor of fantastic control and a self-revving capacity which continues all the way through the pins. This ball is great for a beginner learning on a normal house shot pattern who doesn’t want to have a defined ceiling with their equipment.
Specs
Color: Ink Blue Solid
Core: Hustle (Symmetrical)
Coverstock: Psyched Solid (Reactive Solid)
Finish: 1500 Grit Polished
RG: 2.53
Differential: 0.030
Flare potential: Moderate to Significant
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium
Pros
- This ball is super consistent and super clean through the fronts. The ball stays on the lane and gathers energy efficaciously for heavy hitting on the back end.
- The Roto Grip Hustle Ink may be the easiest reactive solid bowling ball out there from a control perspective. That’s a huge get for any beginner who needs help staying in a shot groove.
- Multiple online reviews laud how easy and comfortable this ball is to throw. It feels like a natural extension of you when you get it slotted in just right.
Cons
- This ball isn’t made for extreme wet or extreme dry. It becomes unpredictable at both ends of the oil spectrum and that’s no good for a beginner trying to figure themselves out.
- It’s got very solid hook potential but it will feel muted compared to other reactive bowling balls from an overall violence standpoint.
4) Brunswick Twist
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Speaking of great house shot bowling balls for beginners and intermediate bowlers, the Brunswick Twist dials down the normal reactivity quotient in favor of superb lane length and a back-end reaction which sneaks up on you. The high-RG core will do wonders for slower-speed and lower-rev bowlers who aren’t able to get this kind of pin carry with a different type of ball.
Specs
Color: Black, Gold, Silver
Core: Twist Low Differential (Symmetrical)
Coverstock: R-16 (Reactive Pearl)
Finish: 500 Siaair / Crown Factory Compound / Crown Factory Polish
RG: 2.591
Differential: 0.018
Flare potential: Minimal
Recommended Lane Condition: Dry
Pros
- The pearlized coverstock of the Brunswick Twist hits like a ton of bricks and holds up against a variety of environmental factors and calamities. You’ll get great play life out of it.
- Consistency is key for beginners and intermediate bowlers. The Brunswick Twist provides just that with an easy-to-predict smooth downlane motion.
- This ball forgives mistakes in such a way that beginners’ scores are bound to see noted increases. It will find its way back to the pocket like a homing missile.
Cons
- The coverstock dies a slow death in the deepest of oil. The slicker the conditions, the less length you’ll get and the more paltry the backend reaction will be.
- The high-RG core will feel redundant for higher-speed bowlers and won’t add much for those who can generate their own high revs at will.
5) Storm Tropical Breeze Pearl Carbon/Chrome
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One of the most trusted entry-level reactive bowling balls on the market today, the Storm Tropical Breeze is an aesthetic delight and a versatile weapon on the lanes. The reactive pearl coverstock allows for solid angularity in dry and medium-dry conditions, but beginners will adore how easy it is to throw this ball straight and keep it tracked towards the pin pocket.
Specs
Color: Carbon, Chrome Pearl
Core: Camber (Symmetrical)
Coverstock: Reactor Pearl Reactive (Reactive Pearl)
Finish: 1500 Grit Polished
RG: 2.57
Differential: 0.009
Flare potential: Minimal to Moderate
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Dry
Pros
- Beginners and intermediate bowlers need versatility and a ball which remains consistent to paper over their own inconsistencies. This ball is it.
- The reactive pearl coverstock and high-RG core combo hit extremely hard and continue through the pins in very impressive fashion.
- This ball will graduate with you. As you get more daring and want to do more from a hook standpoint, this ball will work with you and is a great training tool.
Cons
- The coverstock on this ball is not made for loads of oil. It slips and slides off the lanes in such conditions and won’t offer much control at all.
- The overall angularity of this ball has been muted in favor of control and stability. Once you start getting past the intermediate level, this will be a secondary strike ball at best.
6) Pyramid Path Rising
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A durable budget bowling ball option which will please beginning and intermediate bowlers alike, the Pyramid Path Rising blazes its own path down the middle of the lane before launching into a backend reaction which is huge compared to the minimal monetary investment required to buy it! This ball hits like a wrecking ball and the pins scatter as if it was one.
Specs
Color: Aqua, Silver Pearl / Black, Silver Pearl / Black, Hot Pink Pearl / Blue, Dark Blue Pearl / Enchanted Black, Teal, Silver Hybrid / Kelly Green Sparkle Pearl / Purple, Steel Blue Pearl / Red, White, Blue Pearl
Core: New Era 139 (Symmetrical)
Coverstock: Path Reactive Pearl (Reactive Pearl)
Finish: 1500 Abralon Polished
RG: 2.550
Differential: 0.032
Flare potential: Moderate
Recommended Lane Condition: Dry, Medium
Pros
- This ball is great for house shot conditions and holds strong in the deep stuff centralized in the middle of the lane.
- Speaking of house shot conditions, this ball takes the middle of the lane with confidence and then launches into a strong breakpoint reaction which ups its hitting power to and through the pins.
- The ball is finished perfectly for fresh fronts. It runs through them quickly like studded snow tires and launches into the rest of its lane motion with ease.
Cons
- The more oil this ball sees, the less firepower it has. It’s not the strongest reactive cover and that’s a problem when oil patterns get deep and complex.
- There isn’t enough angularity inherent in this ball’s composition for it to be a ball which graduates with you to expert status. You’ll need a new strike ball at that point.
7) Storm Tropical Surge
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Aesthetically speaking, the Storm Tropical Surge is a fun ball for beginners and intermediate bowlers alike to pull out of the bag. It just looks great and it reacts just as well, needing very little oil for its smooth and powerful lane motion which sweeps all the way through the pins. This ball’s high-RG core design is a great match for older beginners and those bowlers contending with physical limitations.
Specs
Color: Black, Copper Hybrid / Black, Cherry Hybrid / Carbon, Chrome / Pink, Purple / Teal, Blue / Violet, Charcoal
Core: Surge (Symmetrical)
Coverstock: Reactor Hybrid (Reactive Hybrid)
Finish: 1500 Grit Polished
RG: 2.58
Differential: 0.024
Flare potential: Moderate to Significant
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Dry
Pros
- This ball revs up extremely easy and will portend a massive backend reaction compared to what lower-rev bowlers usually get from a ball.
- This is a versatile ball which will hold straight and strong for beginners while also offering hook potential and late angularity for intermediate bowlers messing with hooks.
- The lane length you get out of this ball in depleted and dry conditions will be invaluable for beginners and intermediate bowlers alike.
Cons
- Keep this ball bagged for deep and complex oil patterns. It will hold its own early in these patterns but will die off completely by the back end.
- The high-RG design may be a bit unnecessary for those who can create their own torque or have a naturally faster throw.
8) Columbia 300 White Dot
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The second plastic bowling ball on our list of the best bowling balls for beginner to intermediate bowlers, the Columbia 300 White Dot is a durable heavy hitter perfectly calibrated for dry and depleted oil patterns. There’s no reactivity to be had, but there’s a ton of straight-line power to harness for those unworried about hooking.
Specs
Color: Diamond
Core: Pancake
Coverstock: Polyester (Plastic)
Finish: 800 /800 /1000 / 2000 Abralon Polished w/ Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish
RG: 2.71
Differential: 0.018
Flare potential: Minimal
Recommended Lane Condition: Dry
Pros
- The Columbia 300 White Dot sports one of the most durable polyester coverstocks we’ve ever tested. It hits hard and stays intact for hundreds upon hundreds of games.
- Whether you’re a straight-line thrower or are just using this ball for spares, the Columbia 300 White Dot finds its line and proffers pinpoint control consistently.
- For very little investment out the door, you get one of the easiest balls out there for beginners to pick up and play with.
Cons
- There is no reactivity to be had with the Columbia 300 White Dot. Oil will completely zap this ball of its strengths.
- If you want to start working with a hook shot, you’re not going to get much out of this ball. You’ll need a reactive bowling ball to make that leap.
FAQs
What is the best bowling ball for a beginner?
For a strike ball, a beginner would be best served by the Roto Grip Hustle Ink. It’s controllable enough for a beginner to throw in a straight line but it’s reactive enough to add spin and hook once a beginner starts to graduate to the intermediate level. It’s also not afraid of oil like a host of entry-level performance bowling balls in the marketplace.
As for a spare ball, beginners will have a ton of fun with the Brunswick Tzone Deep Space. It’s an easy-to-control ball which brings with it the added bonus of being blacklight reactive. Cosmic bowling is a big hit for bowlers of all skill levels, but it’s an especially fun time for beginners who just want to unwind at the alley. This ball will be the star (and the universe) of the show at cosmic bowling, no doubt!
How do you pick the best beginner bowling ball?
The right beginner bowling ball for you is going to have a lot to do where you’re likely to bowl normally and what physical gifts/limitations you bring to the table.
The amount of oil your local bowling alley uses on its lanes will make it clear whether you can use a more traditional (for beginners) polyester bowling ball or if you should find a reactive bowling ball that’s forgiving for new players. If your local lanes skew drier, you can play with a polyester ball just fine.
If they’re the norm and skew medium or sometimes medium-heavy with the amount of oil they use, it would behoove a beginner to find a reactive bowling ball that’s built for oil but isn’t super aggressive.
From there, you’ll want to find a ball that caters to your needs and your physical gifts. Some balls are either redundant or not suitable for those who throw faster. Some balls need speed to give you the extra oomph you want hitting the pins.
Ask your local pro shop and be honest with yourself. Throw some house balls for awhile and write down your average speeds. Bring that info to the pro shop (and some ideas from the above list) and you’ll get a good idea what type of beginner bowling ball will be best for you.
What size bowling ball should I use?
The size of a bowling ball is universal, as bowling ball manufacturers around the world stick with a standard diameter size of 8.5 inches and deviate very little to either side of that (if at all).
You’ll use the same size bowling ball as your wife or your friend or the best PBA bowlers on the circuit today. However, the weight of your bowling ball will be a completely different story.
How do I choose the right bowling ball weight?
If you’re struggling trying to find the right weight of bowling ball for you, we’ve got you covered with our ultimate bowling ball weight guide.
In short, there are a ton of variant factors from your weight to your injury history which need to be taken into account before settling on the right weight of bowling ball for you. Give our extensive guide a thorough look and you’ll have a really good idea of what weight of bowling ball is going to work best as you continue to learn the game.
Closing Thoughts
The best bowling ball for beginners and intermediate players is a source of hot debate, but it’s always going to come down to the ball which highlights your strengths and limits the impact of your opportunity areas. The right ball for your neighbor may not be the right ball for you due to a host of extenuating factors.
However, there’s a near 100% chance that one of the eight balls in our list of the Best Bowling Balls For Beginner to Intermediate In 2021 will get the job done for you. If you have a solid idea what you’re good at and what you’re going to get better at, one of the balls on this list is bound to correlate. And with that ball in hand, you’re going to grow exponentially as a bowler from game to game.
