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Bowling is a beloved sport that brings families together and gets friends feuding. It has no age limit, and all you need to have is a good swing- well, mostly. A good bowling ball also gives you an edge over not just your friendly bowling team, but during a bowling tournament. Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, a good bowling ball is essential. If you want to get serious about bowling as a hobby or profession, we have today’s most expensive bowling balls for you to consider. They are not just pricey but the best. They are guaranteed to make a statement anywhere you go.
The brands discussed are Brunswick Quantum Bias, Brunswick Magnitude 055, Brunswick KingPin, Ebonite Choice, Ebonite Verdict, Storm Code x, Storm Intense Fire, Storm Code Red, Hammer Gauntlet Fury, and MOTIV Jackal Ghost. These brands offer some of the most expensive bowling balls in the market, but the technology behind it will impress you. They are designed to give you premium service and the best that bowling has to offer. We picked out ten bowling balls that you should consider buying if you want to be the crème of the crop. Most of them are also the top bowling balls for heavy oil lanes.
Table of Contents
# Comparison chart
# Most Expensive Bowling Balls in 2020
1. Brunswick Quantum Bias
If you need a bowling ball that gives you a lot of pin action for massive lanes, Brunswick quantum bias is an ideal choice. It has an asymmetrical core that provides a stable motion for hooking due to its high density. It is one of the top-rated bowling balls thanks to its ECA-XR coverstock that boost your performance and offers a robust hitting power. The thick urethane coverstock also enhances durability and longevity.
Unlike other bowling balls, this comes with a different design on each core which compensates for the weight of the ball. The coefficient of restitution is enhanced to allow the pins to fly fast to give you more strikes. This white mushroom ball features an asymmetrical weight block. It gives you a high hook scale. The white pigment is added a traction additive to enhance your game.
It is the only asymmetrical type of bowling ball in the quantum line. It contains a down lane design which enhances its strength better than other quantum bowling balls. The lack of a filler means that it offers up to 13% more carry than bowling balls that provide fillers. The ball works as expected. It rolls well without needing extra effort. The white color is not the best since your bowling ball gets dirty quickly. Its dull surface, however, regains its brightness easily. Get a Siiar pad to maintain a transparent surface of your bowling ball after sessions to improve its appearance. You can also use a cleaner to maintain your ball.
Why We Recommend It
- It works well on heavy oil.
- Provides high pin action and good strikes.
- It has an asymmetrical design that gives proper hooking motion.
Other Considerations
- The white color gets dirty easily.
2. Ebonite Choice
Ebonite added yet another high performing bowling ball to their lineup. It includes the GSV-1 coverstock and an asymmetrical weight block. It is designed with an Abralon finish that makes it look elegant.
Ebonite choice has a lot of hook potential that making it ideal for heavy lanes. It is an aggressive ball that provides a lot of mid lanes and creates a comfortable length on the front lane. It also provides a good flow down the lane. The coverstock formulation used to make this bowling ball comes highly recommended by a lot of bowling experts.
It has a sturdy cover and a dull finish. You can prevent it from chewing up its fronts by getting it into some oil. It is versatile since you can use it on conditions such as through fresh oil as it provides a slow pace in the down lane. You may, however, have problems when using it in house conditions.
This is a top bowling ball since it maneuvers corners well making it easy to roll in different directions. Unlike other bowling balls, this does not burn up, meaning you can use it for long without such worries. It also does not roll out during bowling so that you can get a strong motion while using it in different directions.
The weight is 12-16 pounds meaning your ball will not keep on bouncing as you bowl. It has a smooth surface which makes it easy to clean. The polished surface also ensures that your ball remains in great shape even after a few years of use. Regular cleaning prevents your ball from the accumulation of grime and dust. Get a regular polish for easy maintenance.
Why We Recommend It
- Works on different conditions
- Provides numerous mid lanes and a continuous down lane
- High-quality coverstock
- The cover is strong
Other Considerations
- It is not ideal for house conditions.
3. Storm Code x
Are you tired of bowling balls that don’t hit hard enough to make a score? Get storm cord x-spot that provides a lot of strikes; thanks to its hard-hitting capacity. You get plenty of midlane reads, making it ideal for conditions containing heavy oil — the bowling ball blends with both wet and dry conditions thus versatile for various situations.
You will like the predictable reaction of storm code. The bowling ball contains R2S coverstock located under the RAD4 core. You get a durable coverstock that prevents your ball from chipping or cracking due to friction from the ground. The RAD4 core supports the cover of the ball so that different bowlers can have numerous fine-tuning capabilities.
An Abralon pad is used in the finishing to provide the ball with additional length and an extra hook. It gives you a smooth flow on both the front and middle lane without worries of losing energy. It also offers continuous motion through different pins and provides a good reaction on the backend. The smooth-rolling you get from the ball is due to the design used in the making.
It is an asymmetrical piece that provides you with an excellent motion. It gives a better hook on more extended patterns compared to short ones due to its early traction during motion. It is also ideal for low rev rate.
The bowling ball has a strong core that delivers high torque. It is unfortunate that its cover is not as strong as what you get from other balls. Bowlers of different skill levels can use this ball since it provides various bowling styles.
Storm code X is a high-quality bowling ball that gives you accurate shots since it rolls straight on oily surfaces. You get a high performance regardless of the conditions you are bowling in.
Why We Recommend It
- It is strong and predictable
- The ball is also versatile
- Works well on house conditions
Other Considerations
- Transition hits may be hard to make
4. Storm Intense Fire
Get one of the best bowling balls on the market that give you an impressive reaction in the mid lane. Storm intensive fire makes use of the RAD-E core which is a design that offers your ball the extra energy to roll through lanes.
Its R3S cover is upgraded from R2S that is used in the storm timeless to give you a stronger reaction. Unlike other storm brands which utilize a Symmetric weight block, this has an Asymmetric weight block giving you a different response on your lanes.
It also offers more length and strong motion on the down lane for excellent pin carry. The bowling ball also comes with a grit pad on its cover stock for a more polished look. It hooks well even on the middle lane and gives you an impressive backend response.
The total hook you get from this ball is also impressive. It is not easy to use the ball on a dry pattern. You can either choose a black or ultramarine bowling ball.
Why We Recommend It
- Works well on the mid lane and backend
- The design used offers additional energy that enhances performance.
- You get more length and strong motion.
Other Considerations
- It is not easy to control its angular motion.
5. Storm Code Red
This bowling ball has no holes, and you, therefore, have to add extra cash for drilling. It has a RAD4 core which has done very well internationally. The coverstock is R2S Hybrid Reactive and has a 1500 grit polish. It means that the ball glides on the lane to the front and after that creates the hook and backend reaction that uniquely to it. It comes in red pearl and red solid. It ball is for medium-heavy oil lanes. It has an RG of 2.50 and a differential of 0.058. The coolest thing about this bowling ball is that it comes with a cinnamon fragrance.
Things we liked
- You get to customize the holes to fit your fingers perfectly.
- It is an internationally well-known brand that produces top rated bowling balls.
- Has an exceptional hook and backend reaction.
- The ball’s cinnamon fragrance.
Things we didn’t like
- If you’re on a tight budget, you wouldn’t appreciate the extra drilling cost.
- Not ideal for dry lanes.
Would we recommend It?
You custom make your drills. It’s the go-to cool bowling ball for those who want a brand that internationally known to deliver and has a delightful scent.
6. Hammer Gauntlet Fury
The pearl coverstock on this bowling ball is the strongest that Hammer has to offer. It has a backend angularity and unleashes its fury on medium to heavy oil. The coverstock is that of the Semtex CFI, a well-recognized coverstock, and has a Gauntlet asymmetric core. It offers length at the front with sufficient mid-lane and backend angularity. What makes this coverstock among the top brands is the carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is one of the most robust materials available.
Hammer added this to the inner core to give strength and durability to the ball. That is why this bowling ball comes with a three-year warranty. That is a lot of value for money. It comes in purple, smoke, and orange. The surface is Flex-Resin additive with angular backend finish and 500/1000 backend finish. It has an RG of 2.50 and a differential of 0.050. It is good for medium to high oil lanes.
Things we liked
- One of the most aggressive bowling balls in the market.
- Best bowling ball for medium to heavy oil patterns.
- Made to last; the carbon fiber coverstock means this ball could potentially last generations.
- It has a powerful backend finish.
Things we didn’t like
- You can’t harness all its power on dry lanes.
- Though not the most expensive, it’s still pricey.
Would we recommend It?
It is made of carbon fiber and makes it the hardest bowling ball in the market. It is perfect for anyone on a budget and wants full value for their money on medium to high oil lanes.
7. MOTIV Jackal Ghost
This bowling ball is purposely made of heavy oil. It has a low RG and great continuation down the lane. It comes in solid black or purple. The coverstock is a coercion HFS solid reactive. This MOTIV Jackal Ghost version has a total hook potential than previous versions of it. It has Predator V2 core with a high differential. The asymmetric core gives the bowler a chance to pull off more revolutions and maximum track flare. It has a 3000 Grit LSS finish that offers excellent mid-lane read and fantastic continuation for that perfect strike.
Things we liked
- Great for heavy oil conditions
- Better than the previous MOTIV bowling ball
- The ball gives more revolutions for maximum effect as it goes down the lane.
Things we didn’t like
- It is on the pricey side of the budget scale.
- Not suitable for dry or medium oil lanes.
Would we recommend It?
The low RG gives it great continuation as it goes down the lane. It is ideal for those who don’t want to sacrifice continuation due to high volumes of oil but still want a great hook.
8. Brunswick KingPin
This bowling ball comes in black, red or orange. The ball has the Relativity Traction coverstock that’s high power and asymmetrical core. Its core is known as the DynamiCore and is exclusive to Brunswick and designed for bowlers who want an increased hook that consistent regardless of the oil pattern. On heavy oil conditions, the ball gets aggressive mid-lane traction and ends with an excellent pin carry. It has a siaair micro pad of 500/1500. It has an RG of 2.544 and a differential of 0.55 based off 15lb.On a 10-250 it has a hook potential of 245.
Things we liked
- You can use this on any oil situation.
- It’s a top bowling ball for heavy oil to give excellent pin carry.
- One of the best hooking bowling ball.
- Made of the exclusive DynamiCore that Brunswick is well known for, but is stronger than its counterparts.
Things we didn’t like
- You only get maximum results on heavy oil.
- You have to part with quite a bit of money to get it.
Would we recommend It?
It’s aggressive mid-lane on heavy oil conditions and ends with a mighty pin carry. It’s best for getting those strikes in the oiliest of conditions.
9. Brunswick Magnitude 055
The Brunswick bowling ball has a coverstock that is Relativity Traction Solid and a symmetrical core. It’s superb for bowlers who want an increased hook consistency for exceptional pin carries on different oil patterns. On heavy oil conditions, its reaction is the comfortable length and aggressive mid-lane traction for that fantastic finish. It has the DynamiCore that’s exclusive to Brunswick. This core means that it has an increased hitting power leading to pin carry. It comes in black, orange, and red. It has a 500/1500 finish, an RG of 2.544 and a differential of 0.055. It is recommended for heavy oil.
Things we liked
- Increases your hook consistency in different oil patterns.
- One of the best hooking bowling balls.
- Has the DynamiCore that’s known for its power.
- The powerful ball gives you more pin carry.
Things we didn’t like
- It’s not an all-rounded ball to use.
- You have to pay a premium price for it.
Would we recommend It?
Increases hook consistency for exceptional pin carry. This bowling ball is one of the best hooking bowling ball and perfect for people who want to look like a pro in heavy oil conditions.
10. Ebonite Verdict
The new release bowling ball is Ebonite Verdict. It is known for its high performance and features the new Ebonite’s GSV-1 coverstock and the Justice core. This duo creates fantastic mid-lane traction with backend sharpness and continuation. The ball motion is a hit with bowling lovers because of the strikes you’re guaranteed to get. The GSV-1 coverstock has proven itself time and again as being the trusted coverstock in bowling. The ball comes in the dark blue, blue and green. This coverstock has paved the way for ball motion to go to the next level. Its Justice core is 3rd generation Warrior core. It has aggressive mid-lane traction and a backend factory finish of 500/2000.
Things we liked
- Has excellent mid-lane traction.
- The hook potential of this ball is quite high.
- The powerful coverstock gives you more strikes than any other bowling ball.
- It’s the most aggressive bowling ball.
Things we didn’t like
- Ebonite doesn’t specify what oil patterns work best for this bowling ball.
- You get to the part with quite a bit of money.
Would we recommend It?
The GSV-1 coverstock has been winning in the market for years now. This coverstock is excellent if you want a reliable brand with a track record of an elite bowling ball that guarantees strikes.
# Things to Consider before Buying
Before picking your bowling ball
Do you want to buy a bowling ball but not sure what features are best? Here’s a quick guide for you.
Weight
First, check the size of the finger holes. If they are too small or too large, it means that it’s either too light or too small for you. The perfect fit entails that it’s the right weight for you. Another thing to look at is how much you weigh and how tall you are as this will also influence your selection. Two people of the same height but different weights will typically end up choosing different weights. If you’re choosing a cool bowling ball for your child, their age is used to determine the weight they can carry. The minimum weight for a professional bowling ball is 12 pounds.
Caution: If you experience back problems, we advise you to go for a bowling ball that lighter in weight than you’d typically choose. It is to avoid further back injuries.
Material
A typical bowling ball is made of a core encased in a shell called the coverstock. The coverstock is either made of solid resin, polyester (plastic) or urethane.
Polyester bowling balls are what you find at your local bowling alley. They are low cost compared to other materials and durable as well. They are also low-friction, skid more than its counterparts but also keeps a straight trajectory. They work well on dry lanes, so professional bowler sometimes opts to use them.
For a perfect hook, resin or urethane is best because they grip the lane better than balls made of plastic material. Urethane is ideal for beginner and experienced bowlers for very dry paths. Of the two, resin works best as it doesn’t hook as much as urethane does on oil.
What you’ll find professionals using is reactive resin. Manufacturers usually classify them are reactive solid, reactive pearl or reactive hybrid. Solid provides a more stable roll than the other two. Pearl, a solid with mica added, works the same but has lower friction in the oiled portion of the lane. It gives it that sharp hook you see when a bowler strikes. Hybrid is a combination of both, hence the name. They are one part solid and one part pearl, with each side indicated by different color sides. It makes them perfectly balanced for getting that strike.
The core is what determines the weight of the ball. There are three different types of cores: pancake-type cores, symmetrical cores, and asymmetrical cores. As with any sporting equipment, customization for maximum effect is possible with a bowling ball. You can have custom drills made for your fingers. This way, when you pick up the ball, the weight is evenly distributed throughout the body. It, of course, comes at an added cost.
How to care for your winning bowling ball
Clean your ball with cleaners made explicitly for reactive bowling balls. This way you keep your ball from dirt and reduces the oil absorbed into the material.
# Final Verdict
When choosing a bowling ball, it is essential that you understand what you want to get out of it. It is not just about how many strikes you can get, but about how it moves down the lane. If you’re just starting out, with this guide, you are less intimidated about making a purchase, especially since you’re about to spend big money.
There are cheaper bowling balls out there, and your local bowling early has examples of it. However, if you want to stand out and shine, consider getting yourself a quality and expensive bowling ball from the brands mentioned. With all the terms explained and the brands suggested to you, picking the perfect bowling ball for yourself should be a lot easier now.
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Last update on 2024-07-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
