All professional bowlers understand the importance of all their tools and necessities. And they very much realize that whether it is the bowling ball or the shoes or even the hand towels, every article used in the game of bowling has its unique utility. Similarly, in addition to giving high importance to the main strike ball, they very much realize the significance of the spare ball. They know it pretty well that their spare bowling ball can save them in a competition. In certain situations, it can be more important than even the main strike ball.
We know that selecting the right spare bowling ball, at times, can be really tricky. And to help you out in identifying the suitable spare ball, we are reviewing here the top 12 best spare bowling balls available in the market. To further assist you in finalizing the best ball, we will also share with you our detailed buyer’s guide.
Top 12 Best Spare Bowling Balls Reviewed
- Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball
- Pyramid Path Bowling Ball
- Storm Ice Blue/White
- Ebonite Maxim Bowling Ball
- Pyramid Path Rising Bowling Ball
- Brunswick Lizard Eye Glow Viz-a-Ball
- Columbia 300 White Dot Scarlet Bowling Ball
- DV8 Zombie Spare Viz-A-Ball
- Storm Mix Sky/Cobalt/Violet
- Brunswick T-Zone Patriot Blaze Bowling Ball
- Motiv Midnight Sniper Bowling Ball
- Globe Viz-A-Ball Bowling Ball
#1. Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball
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Specifications
- Coverstock: Polyester
- Core: T-Zone Bullet
- Finish: Crown Factory Shine
With the Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball in your kit, you come out confident in the alley. If you are a beginner you know that your practice session is going to be highly fruitful. This bowling ball will allow you to learn the basic traits of the game without distracting you with its curves and turns on different lane conditions. And as you grow to perfect the art of bowling, the same ball will accompany you at the advanced level as the most accurate spare ball.
The polyester cover stock does not get influenced by any lane surface. It moves straight until it accomplishes its task of dislodging the deck pins at the far end in style. The Tzone Bullet core supports the most disciplined movements the cover stock gives to the bowling ball. And the Crown Factory Shine further enhances the straight travel of the bowling ball.
Apart from the performance features, the ball also has a superb design and other soft features to attract bowlers at different levels. From the kids to the most advanced bowlers, everyone loves the Swirl pattern of the bowling ball. With many color options, the ball allows you to select your favorite color combination that gives you confidence in the alley.
The ball comes in a very affordable price range thus making it a perfect choice for the beginners who do not want to invest too much until they perfect the basic skills. Moreover, the high durability of the plastic ball makes it even more cost-effective in the long run.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide range of colors | A shade heavy |
| Strong and durable | |
| Ideal for beginners | |
| Perfect spare ball | |
#2. Pyramid Path Bowling Ball
[amazon fields=”B00LZBIDQG” value=”thumb” image_size=“medium” image_align=”center” image_title =“spare bowling balls” image_alt = “Pyramid Path Bowling Ball” image_width=“250” image_height=“250”/]Specifications
- Coverstock: Polyester
- Core: Pancake
- Finish: Factory Finish Polish
The Pyramid bowling balls are famous for offering high performance balls at a very affordable price range. And Pyramid Path is no exception. On the performance front, the Polyester cover stock of the bowling ball does not allow the bowling ball to deflect from the straight-line motion on any lane surface. The Pancake core innocently follows its wrapping in dislodging standing pins on the other end.
As a beginner, you will enjoy the process of learning the bowling skills. You can perfect your lifting, gripping, and releasing technique as the ball doesn’t distract you by making abnormal angles on the lane. Moreover, the pros can keep this bowling ball with the other main strike balls to hit when the main balls fail to do the required damage.
The ball not only offers superb performance on the medium oil lane surface but also move with great discipline over the dry lanes by offering minimum traction to the surface.
The bowling ball is available in a wide range of weights from 8lbs to 16lbs making it suitable for a wide range of bowlers of different age groups. To offer you flexibility, the ball does not come pre-drilled allowing you to drill your preferred pin layout as per your hand measurement and style.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Multiple weight and color options | Not suitable for heavy oil lane conditions |
| Perfect for pros as spare ball | |
| Ideal for straight shots | |
| Highly affordable | |
#3. Storm Ice Blue/White
[amazon fields=”B01MRE89JF” value=”thumb” image_size=“medium” image_align=”center” image_title =“spare bowling balls” image_alt = “Storm Ice Blue/White Bowling Ball” image_width=“250” image_height=“250”/]Specifications
- Coverstock: Polyester Pearl
- Core: Traditional 3-Piece
- Finish: 3500-Grit Polished
The Storm Ice Storm Blue/ White bowling ball is a wonderful spare bowling ball for all lane conditions. The bowling ball has got all characteristics that allow it to move perfectly straight on the lane surface. The Storm Ice will keep you cool as ice in the alley you do not need to worry if you have missed hitting the pins with your strike ball.
The Pearl Polyester cover stock does not allow the ball to hook on the lane surface thus giving it highly predictable motion with every stroke. The Traditional 3-piece core is an absolute loyal companion of its cover stock. It doesn’t allow for any deflection during its travel from your hands to the deck. Coupled with 3500 Grit Polish finish the ball provides extreme consistency on any lane conditions.
The bowling ball supports the varying needs of different bowlers. It offers you maximum entertainment if you are playing the game for recreational purposes. Besides, if you are a beginner, the ball gives you enough freedom to focus on your core bowling skills. And for the pros, it acts as a perfect spare ball that can get you at the top of the scoring tally in any competition.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Moves straight on varying lane conditions | A shade pricey |
| Easy to maintain a shiny finish | |
| Highly predictable | |
| Multi-purpose | |
#4. Ebonite Maxim Bowling Ball
[amazon fields=”B01I1X96MA” value=”thumb” image_size=“medium” image_align=”center” image_title =“spare bowling balls” image_alt = “Ebonite Maxim Bowling Ball” image_width=“250” image_height=“250”/]Specifications
- Coverstock: Polyester
- Core: 3-Piece Core
- Finish: High Polish
A polyester-wrapped ball made while keeping style at high priority, the Ebonite Maxim-37 is a perfect spare ball for bowling enthusiasts of any particular age group. The night glow feature of this eye-catching ball takes style and aesthetics to an altogether different level.
Switch off the lights and roll this glowing beauty out for putting a jaw-dropping impression on everyone. The ball, with its high versatility, is perfectly suitable for dry to even heavy oil conditions thanks to the high-quality polyester coverstock.
The core has a 3-piece design that allows much better control and predictability. The ball is especially very suitable for kids and beginners who are looking for such unique features and design. For professionals, the ball being a straight and plastic covered ball is a very good choice as a spare ball in their kitty.
Moreover, the ball is available in a wide range of weight for varying bowling styles and bowler age groups.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A 3-piece top quality core design | Inconsistent on some oil patterns |
| Wide weight range | Vulnerable to cracks |
| Glow-in-dark | |
| Versatile | |
#5. Pyramid Path Rising Bowling Ball
[amazon fields=”B00JJID72W” value=”thumb” image_size=“medium” image_align=”center” image_title =“spare bowling balls” image_alt = “Pyramid Path Rising Bowling Ball” image_width=“250” image_height=“250”/]Specifications
- Coverstock: Path Reactive
- Core: New Era 139
- Finish: 1500-grit polish
Having a bowling ball that offers superb performance in the bowling alley and offers it for a long time is a boon. The Pyramid Path Rising Bowling Ball provides you with a blend of high performance and high durability.
It allows you to learn the skills of the bowling game, score high in competition, and accompany you for many years as you transcend from the beginner level to the advanced bowler. And as an added advantage Pyramid offers the bowling ball at a highly affordable price range.
The cover stock of Pyramid Path is though reactive, its New Era 139 symmetrical core does not allow changing its path on the lane surface and moves straight to the deck pin to do the intended damage.
If you are a beginner, the unique combination of cover stock and core, allows you to perfect your gripping and releasing skills with the straight motion. After perfecting those skills you also learn the intermediate level skill on the same bowling ball as you can get the ball to have a controlled hook. However, on dry lanes, it is a perfectly straight line ball and thus is an ideal spare ball for the pros.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ideal for bowlers transitioning to the next level | Not perfectly straight on oily lanes |
| Straight-line motion on dry lanes | |
| Wide range of color and pattern | |
| Perfect for newbies | |
#6. Brunswick Lizard Eye Glow Viz-a-Ball
[amazon fields=”B002HE0G0G” value=”thumb” image_size=“medium” image_align=”center” image_title =“spare bowling balls” image_alt = “Brunswick Lizard Eye Glow Viz-a-Ball” image_width=“250” image_height=“250”/]Specifications
- Coverstock: Plastic
- Core: Dynamics
- Finish: Crown Factory Polish
The bowling ball that glows in dark gets special attention in the alley. These balls are loved by the kids and the adults alike. The Brunswick Lizard Eye Glow Viz-a-Ball is the bowling ball that glows in the dark and displays its highly attractive 360-degree graphic in the alley.
The bowling ball has Plastic cover stock that does not allow it to absorb oil from the lane surface. It allows the ball to move straight even in the heavy oil conditions. On the dry lanes, the ball does not offer much traction and thus moves without an inch of deflection. So, the ball does not give any reason to you for not choosing it as the most favorite spare ball.
The real picture of Lizard makes it one of the most attractive bowling balls for the kids. Besides, you will love to begin your bowling career with this ball. The straight motion on the lanes will allow you to build your much-needed confidence in the alley as you dislodge a few deck pins in every shot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Suitable for all line conditions | A shade expensive |
| Excellent appearance | |
| Multiple size variants | |
| Highly durable | |
#7. Columbia 300 White Dot Scarlet Bowling Ball
[amazon fields=”B07QTB14N1″ value=”thumb” image_size=“medium” image_align=”center” image_title =“spare bowling balls” image_alt = “Columbia 300 White Dot Scarlet Bowling Ball” image_width=“250” image_height=“250”/]Specifications
- Coverstock: Polyester
- Core: Pancake
- Finish: Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish
The USBC approved bowling ball is a perfect spare ball for the advanced bowler. The Columbia 300 White Dot Scarlet also offers a superb option for the newbies with its absolute straight line motion on varying lane conditions. The bowling ball is highly durable and will witness your performance for long years while participating in innumerable games with your other main strike bowling balls.
The bowling ball does not come with pre-drilled holes. So, you can get it done at a pro-shop by providing them your exact hand measurements and showing them your style of bowling by throwing a few bowling shots. The ball comes at an attractive price range and thus makes it a great choice for the beginners. Besides, it also is a wonderful choice for the advanced bowlers who are looking for an affordable bowling ball performing high in the competitions.
On the performance front, the Polyester cover stock gives the ball a perfect straight-line motion required for the spare ball. Moreover, the Pancake core doesn’t allow the ball to change its trajectory on the lane and supports the most disciplined travel until the ball reaches the far end.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide range of color options | Not suitable for dry lanes |
| Perfect straight-line motion | |
| Multiple weight options | |
| Highly affordable | |
#8. DV8 Zombie Spare Viz-A-Ball
[amazon fields=”B008DUMN1I” value=”thumb” image_size=“medium” image_align=”center” image_title =“spare bowling balls” image_alt = “DV8 Zombie Spare Viz-A-Ball” image_width=“250” image_height=“250”/]Specifications
- Coverstock: Polyester
- Core: Bullet
- Finish: High-Gloss Polish
The DV8 has given some highly convenient bowling balls to different types of bowlers. The DV8 Zombie Spare Viz-A-Ball is another great addition to their highly adorable bowling balls. The bowling ball has an attractive picture of a Zombie with his one eyeball oozing out and looking desperate to find his new prey.
With the Plastic cover stock, the ball allows you to strike the deck pins with its most straight shots on the lane. Besides, the Symmetrical Bullet core does not let you down and offer superb control over the lane to get you high scores consistently shot after shot. Furthermore, the High Gloss finish of the bowling ball makes it super smooth over the dry lanes and does not let it hook even in the driest conditions.
The bowling ball comes in four different weights viz. 10, 12, 15, and 16lbs and thus makes it an excellent ball for the adult men and women bowlers. The ball is not pre-drilled so you can get it drilled in your preferred pin layout.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfect straight shots | Not too good for the left-handers |
| Ideal for beginners | |
| Attractive design | |
| Highly affordable | |
#9. Storm Mix Sky/Cobalt/Violet
[amazon fields=”B08BLSWF3X” value=”thumb” image_size=“medium” image_align=”center” image_title =“spare bowling balls” image_alt = “Storm Mix Sky/Cobalt/Violet” image_width=“250” image_height=“250”/]Specifications
- Coverstock: U1S Pearl Urethane
- Core: Traditional 3-piece
- Finish: 3500-grit Polished
Have you ever wondered if you can get a bowling ball that can be used both as a strike ball as well as a spare ball? The Storm Mix Sky/Cobalt/Violet responds to you positively with its very presence.
The bowling ball has a U1S Pearl Urethane cover stock. The solid cover stock offers superb straight-line motion on varying lane conditions while making it a strike ball for the dry lane conditions. The Traditional 3-piece core offers it the control much-needed for a straight bowling ball. The 3500-grit Polished Finish fulfills the final requirement of giving very low traction to the lane surface. All combined, the Storm Mix provides a great option to the pros to use it as the spare ball.
The bowling has a very attractive and colorful design. If you give high importance to the aesthetics of the bowling balls, this ball will certainly please you with its looks. The Storm with its wide range of weight options provides amazing options to the bowlers with all age groups. The ball is available from 6 to 16lbs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can be used as a spare as well as a strike bowling ball | Pricey |
| Excellent for desert-dry lanes | |
| Very attractive and colorful | |
| Wide weight range | |
#10. Brunswick T-Zone Patriot Blaze Bowling Ball-52
Specifications
- Coverstock: Plastic/Polyester
- Core: T-Zone Bullet
- Finish: High Gloss Polish
A straight and smartly designed ball with superb discipline through the lane, the Brunswick T-Zone is one of the best choices for spare by the well-known manufacturers. With the top-quality T-Zone Bullet and finely polished Plastic coverstock, the ball offers a straight and predictable trajectory through lanes in almost all oil patterns.
For beginners, this ball proves to be a very convenient straight ball with better control and comfortable grip, whereas for the professionals, this ball can be a perfect option as a spare ball so as to precisely dislodge the spare pins when required.
It is an alluring ball with catchy aesthetics- thanks to the top quality high glass polish. The perfectly distributed weight of the ball offers ideal swing and momentum and in turn, provides much better control and confidence.
T-Zone is available in a wide variety of color patterns as well as weight option for suitability among all age groups and bowling styles. Being a plastic-wrapped ball with tidy finish the ball shows ultimate versatility.
In addition, the most attractive part of this bowling ball is its surprisingly pocket-friendly price tag. Even while offering such high quality and features the ball has very high affordability.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide color and weight options | Lower hook potential reduces suitability in heavy oil |
| Extremely Affordable | |
| Top-quality finish | |
| Aesthetic | |
#11. Motiv Midnight Sniper Bowling Ball-3
[amazon fields=”B07CMCGMQW” value=”thumb” image_size=“medium” image_align=”center” image_title =“spare bowling balls” image_alt = “Motiv Midnight Sniper Bowling Ball-3” image_width=“250” image_height=“250”/]Specifications
- Coverstock: TruShot Polythane
- Core: Hollow-Point
- Finish: 5500 Grit LSP
One of the most disciplined urethane covered balls with unique design and high quality is the Motiv Midnight Sniper. It is a surprisingly accurate ball that allows sling-like straight shots to smash-off the spare pins smoothly.
It is not a pre-drilled ball which means that you can ask the expert to drill the ball exactly as per your bowling style. The ball performs perfectly well over dry to moderate oil conditions.
It has a TruShot Polythane coverstock that shows negligible frictional interactions with the surface and displays a well-disciplined and neat trajectory towards the back end. Moreover, the ball has the symmetric Hollow-Point core for lesser hook potential, greater stability, and better control.
It has a superb 5500 Grit LSP finish that even gives it outstanding aesthetics and offers great convenience while cleaning.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfect for dry-moderate oil conditions | Quite expensive |
| Highly disciplined trajectory | |
| Impressive symmetrical core | |
| Top-quality coverstock | |
#12. Globe Viz-A-Ball Bowling Ball
[amazon fields=”B00DIRAWUU” value=”thumb” image_size=“medium” image_align=”center” image_title =“spare bowling balls” image_alt = “Globe Viz-A-Ball Bowling Ball” image_width=“250” image_height=“250”/]Specifications
- Coverstock: Polyester
- Core: Symmetrical
- Finish: Rubbing and Finishing Compound Single Buff
Another kids’ favorite glow-in-the-dark ball is the Brunswick’s Globe Viz-A Bowling Ball. It is a very smartly designed ball with highly attractive features that take the bowling ball style to a different level. For beginners and kids, it is an exciting member of the kitty with a stylish touch while for pros this masterpiece acts as a superb spare ball.
It is a polyester covered ball with a symmetric core made to show a highly disciplinary trajectory and smash out the spare pins accurately. The ball has a high glass polish and an alluring 360-degree graphics of the globe that add on to its value.
Overall, it is very easy to control and precise ball which is suitable for most of the oil patters.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Super attractive | Comes undrilled |
| Predictable | |
| Disciplined | |
| Versatile | |
Top Pick- Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball
The Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball is our top pick. The bowling ball has many features that make it our best choice among the top 12 spare bowling balls.
A spare bowling ball should have the ability to travel straight on any lane surface. The Tzone has got Polyester cover stock that makes it to move perfectly straight in different lane conditions. Besides, the Tzone core further supports the disciplined movement of the bowling ball.
The bowling ball is an excellent spare ball for the medium to dry lane conditions. Moreover, it can also be used as a strike ball on the heavy oil conditions as it offers a decent hook in these lane conditions.
With its affordable price range, it makes a great option for beginners also who can perfect their bowling skills without worrying about the reactions of the ball.
Buyer’s Guide for Choosing the Best Spare Bowling Ball
A spare bowling ball is all about traveling straight and smashing out the leftover pins. There are a bunch of factors that determine the ease of your perfect control over the ball including the ball’s structural and compositional aspects.
Weight
The weight of the ball defines how close to perfect your swing will be to dislodge the right pins. Following the 10% rule is always the right way to find out the ideal weight of your bowling ball. According to this, the weight of your ball should be about a tenth of your body weight. With the optimal weight of the ball not only will you gain momentum and achieve higher accuracy, but you will also have to focus less on applying extra or less power.
Cover Stock
A good spare bowling ball should have a solid cover stock. They shouldn’t be porous so that they do not absorb oil from the lane. You won’t look for the hook potential of the ball rather would want the ball to move straight on the lane. So, Plastic/Polyester cover stock is the best suited for the spare balls. Some Solid Urethane cover stocks also perform as effective spare balls.
Core
There are mainly three types of cores; Pancake, Symmetrical and Asymmetrical. Pancake and Symmetrical core offer a more controlled motion of the ball over the lane and hence preferred over asymmetrical bowling ball as a spare ball.
Another important factor related to the core is its weight that is defined by its design. The structural design of the core defines the angularity, trajectory as well as the speed of the ball. On one hand, the lightweight core gives low traction over the lanes and has high velocity. On the other hand, heavier cores are easier to control and more predictable.
Drill
While many of the balls come pre-drilled, there are several bowling balls that require you to take them to the expert at a proshop who drills the finger holes as per your playing style and hand measurements. For a spare ball, it is not necessary to have thumb hole as you are not trying to attempt a hook shot. However, it is still better to have the thumb hole to have better control over your straight shots.
Durability
In the case of spare bowling balls, durability becomes a very crucial factor. Scratch-resistant balls with tough constructs are certainly a pretty good choice in any given scenario. Try to go with a ball with a much better finish and build quality. The inferior quality spare balls tend to develop cracks or chip off with repeated use. So, you should buy a spare bowling ball from a reputed brand.
Aesthetics
This factor is a matter of personal preference. Some bowlers consider this factor to be of great importance as good aesthetics give them confidence in the alley. However, some bowlers do not consider it to be an important factor at all. The reviewed bowling balls have many spare balls that offer excellent design features and attractive color combinations. If you also give importance to this factor, you can select the bowling ball of your preferred choice.
Budget
Many bowlers do not consider spare ball while setting their budgets. However, spare balls are not the thing to be taken too lightly. Therefore, even while investing less; it is better to not compromise with the quality of balls. When the game gets cut-throat, you won’t want your opponent to get an edge by small margins.
Conclusion
Plastic bowling balls are generally the preferred choice for a straight bowling ball. However, some Urethane balls with symmetrical core also offer a very good alternative as they can also be used for other purposes.
The bowling balls reviewed above cover different styles of bowlers playing in different lane conditions. You can select the most suitable spare ball as per your style after giving due consideration to the important factors presented in the buyer’s guide.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Q: What is a spare bowling ball?
A: You have the option of using two or more bowling balls during your chance of delivering the ball. You can have one or more than one strike balls and one spare ball with you. The strike balls hook. If you control the hook well the ball will dislodge more deck pins, however, if gone awry, it may not strike even a single pin. On the other hand, the spare ball does not hook and though will strike off fewer pins yet will dislodge a few pins for sure. So, if in your first release with a strike ball, you miss on the pins, you will try to strike off a few pins with a spare ball in your next throw.
Q: Which is the right spare ball for me?
You should consider a few factors before finalizing the right spare ball for you. A plastic ball is generally the best option for a spare ball however; some urethane balls also offer good results. You should select the ball from a trusted brand that is reliable and durable apart from being high on basic performance features. Select the design and color of your choice among the available options in the selected bowling ball model. Make sure that the weight of the spare ball is the same as that of your main strike ball
Q: Why do bowlers use a plastic bowling ball for spares?
Any bowling ball that is solid and non-porous is ideal for the spare ball. If the ball has pores it will absorb oil from the lane surface and won’t move straight on the lane which is the basic purpose of a spare ball. Plastic balls are non-porous and hence are the most suitable as spare balls. Besides, these balls are more affordable compared to other bowling balls.
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