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Urethane vs. Reactive Bowling Balls: A Guide to Choosing the Right Ball

Written By: Cortez Schenck | Written On: Thursday, December 26, 2024


Urethane bowling balls have become a major trend in today’s modern game. It’s fascinating to see urethane make such a strong comeback, considering it has been around for decades. In the past, urethane and rubber bowling balls were the standard, as reactive resin balls had yet to be developed. Nowadays, everyone from league bowlers and amateurs to regional players and top touring professionals is using urethane bowling balls.

Urethane is an excellent tool to have in your arsenal. It typically hooks early and provides a smooth, predictable shape down the lane. In contrast, reactive balls travel farther down the lane before making a sharper, more angular turn. Reactive balls also tend to be more continuous through the pins than urethane balls. However, modern urethane balls are significantly more effective than those from earlier generations. They strike more consistently because they are designed with advanced materials and benefit from extensive research and development. Unlike older urethane balls, which were primarily effective for shallow angles and keeping the ball in front of the bowler, modern urethane balls can be shaped more effectively around the lane. This ability to create additional hook and shape is part of what makes them so popular today.

That said, urethane does have its limitations. When you move too far inside the lane and try to hook the ball excessively, you may encounter issues with maintaining striking consistency. I personally recommend using urethane balls on shorter to medium oil patterns or when the lanes are particularly challenging. Shorter and medium patterns often have more friction, which makes urethane ideal for controlling that friction without being overly aggressive down the lane. On tougher patterns, urethane helps maintain control, allowing you to keep your angles more in front of you and avoid swinging the ball excessively. This reduces your margin for error and often results in more manageable spare opportunities.

On the other hand, reactive bowling balls are better suited for conditions with more oil carry-down, longer oil patterns, or easier patterns. When oil has been carried down the lane, it tamps down the aggressiveness of reactive balls, making them more controllable. Longer patterns benefit from reactive balls because they are stronger and more continuous, allowing for better pin carry. Easier patterns also favor reactive balls, as they enable you to swing the ball and create greater entry angles, which can lead to a higher strike rate.

In summary, both urethane and reactive bowling balls have their strengths, and understanding when to use each can significantly improve your game. Urethane is great for controlling friction and staying safe on challenging patterns, while reactive balls excel in oil-heavy or easier conditions, providing greater hook potential and pin carry.

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