Bowling balls are come in two basic sizes: ten-pin and five-pin. Ten-pin bowling balls are typically eight and a half inches in diameter and contain three finger holes. Five-pin bowling balls, on the other hand, have no finger holes and are five inches in diameter.

Bowling balls are also available in many weights. Adult sized bowling balls are available in weights of ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, or sixteen pounds. Smaller bowling balls, which are specifically designed to fit a child’s hand, come in weights of six, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen pounds. Upper body and arm strength need to be considered when choosing the proper bowling ball weight. Sixteen-pound bowling balls can be tiring to someone unaccustomed to handling that amount of weight for an extended period of time.

There are four basic makes of bowling balls: urethane, reactive resin, particle, and plastic. Although all bowling balls are round, each make has unique traits and a distinct feel.

Urethane bowling balls are softer than other makes. These bowling balls also drag on the wooden bowling lane, which increases their hook potential. For those who tend to bowl toward the gutter, this hook can help drag the ball back to the strike zone in the center of the lane. These bowling balls can be sanded or buffed to help limit the amount of hook if desired.

Reactive resin bowling balls are similar to urethane bowling balls in many ways. To create reactive resin bowling balls, small particles of resin are added to the same mixture used to make urethane bowling balls. Resin tends to be sticky, so it further increases the bowling ball’s grip on the lane and creates more hook potential. At the same time, resin bowling balls tend to skid across the oiled bowling lane and, therefore, reach faster speeds.

Particle bowling balls are reactive resin balls with small ground pieces of glass added to the mix. This glass increases the bowling ball’s grit, which helps it grip the lane. Professional bowlers generally prefer particle bowling balls because they help make spin and hook easier to control.

Plastic bowling balls are the most common type because they are the cheapest to manufacture. Made from polyester, plastic bowling balls handle intense wear and last much longer than urethane, reactive resin, or particle bowling balls. Professional bowlers avoid plastic bowling balls because they tend to skid across an oiled bowling lane rather than roll, which makes them harder to control.