What Are Bowling Balls Made Of? – Bowling has been a popular sport and pastime for centuries. Whether you’re a professional or a casual bowler, the weight, size, and composition of your bowling ball can greatly affect your performance. Today’s bowling balls are made from a variety of materials, allowing for a range of performance styles. This article will discuss the different components that make up a bowling ball, the materials used, and the importance of customization and maintenance.
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History of Bowling Balls
Bowling has been around for centuries, with the earliest known bowling balls dating back to ancient Egypt. During the Middle Ages, bowling was popular in Europe and even featured in some of William Shakespeare’s plays. The bowling balls of the time were made of wood, such as hardwood, and were often referred to as “kegels” or “ninepins”.
Types of Bowling Balls
Modern bowling balls are made of many different materials and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most bowling balls are made of rubber, urethane, or reactive resin, and come in a variety of colors and designs. There are also different types of bowling balls designed for different types of bowling, such as ten-pin bowling and candlepin bowling.
Standard Bowling Ball Components
Regardless of the material used, all bowling balls have the same basic components. The coverstock is the outer layer of the bowling ball and is usually made of a hard plastic called polyester. The core is the inner part of the bowling ball and is usually made of a softer material such as rubber or urethane. The weight block is the section of the ball that affects the ball’s overall weight. The drilling process is the process of creating the holes in the bowling ball that allow for customization. Finally, the finishing process is the process of adding designs and textures to the outer layer of the ball.
Types of Covers
The coverstock is the outer layer of the bowling ball and is usually made of a hard plastic called polyester. Polyester is a durable material that offers great performance and is used in the majority of bowling balls. However, some bowling balls are made of other materials such as urethane, reactive resin, and particle. Urethane bowling balls are usually used by professional bowlers and offer great control and accuracy. Reactive resin bowling balls are designed to hook more than polyester and are used by bowlers who want a more aggressive hook. Particle bowling balls are designed to create more friction between the ball and the lane and are used by bowlers who want more control and predictability.
Core Materials
The core of the bowling ball is made of a softer material than the coverstock and is usually made of rubber or urethane. Rubber cores are usually used in entry-level bowling balls and offer good overall performance. Urethane cores are usually used in more advanced bowling balls and offer more control and accuracy.
Urethane Bowling Balls
Urethane bowling balls are usually used by professional bowlers and offer great control and accuracy. Urethane bowling balls have a harder coverstock than rubber or reactive resin and are designed to hook less and offer more control.
Reactive Resin Bowling Balls
Reactive resin bowling balls are designed to hook more than polyester and are used by bowlers who want a more aggressive hook. Reactive resin bowling balls have a softer coverstock than urethane and are designed to create more friction between the ball and the lane.
Particle Bowling Balls
Particle bowling balls are designed to create more friction between the ball and the lane and are used by bowlers who want more control and predictability. Particle bowling balls have a softer coverstock than urethane and are designed to create more friction between the ball and the lane.
Weight Blocks
The weight block is the section of the ball that affects the ball’s overall weight. Weight blocks come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can be customized to fit the bowler’s needs. The weight block is usually made of a metal material such as brass, bronze, or lead.
Drilling Process
The drilling process is the process of creating the holes in the bowling ball that allow for customization. The holes are drilled in specific locations in order to create the desired balance and weight distribution of the ball. The drilling process is usually done by a professional who can customize the ball to the bowler’s needs.
Finishing Process
The finishing process is the process of adding designs and textures to the outer layer of the ball. The finishing process is usually done with a special paint or coating that is applied to the ball and can be customized to the bowler’s needs. The finishing process is also used to create special textures that can help the ball hook more or less depending on the bowler’s needs.

Hello, my name is Alex Johnson and I am the proud owner of Dolrbillsbowlingcenter.com. This website is dedicated to providing helpful information and resources to bowlers of all skill levels.
I have been a passionate bowler for over 20 years, and my goal is to help others to improve their bowling skills. I have been blogging about bowling for over five years and I have a wealth of knowledge to share with the bowling community.
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Bowling is my hobby. Your sharing details are bookmarked to read later.
Bookmarked your article. It is nice to know what bowling balls are made out of. Eliz..
Yoo…There you go…Good point to mention about these details. Bowling balls made of things. Haha
How about premium bowling balls? Can you give more details about these premium balls?
Wow. Good points there. Now I know what bowling balls are made of. Woohoo!
Nice ideas. I love to watch people who playing bowling. Your sharing about the materials of bowling balls is good.