How to Choose a Bowling Ball Weight

Written By: Rich Carubba | Written On: Saturday, December 12, 2009 | Updated On: Monday, February 17, 2025

Selecting the Correct Bowling Ball Weight

Selecting the correct bowling ball weight is essential for ensuring comfort, safety, and optimal performance, particularly for children, seniors, and beginners. The right ball weight helps bowlers maintain control, avoid injury, and enjoy the game. Here’s a guide to help you choose the appropriate bowling ball weight for these groups:

General Guidelines for Selecting Ball Weight

Bowling balls typically range in weight from 6 pounds to 16 pounds, with the heaviest balls often used by experienced adult bowlers. A good general rule is that a bowling ball should weigh approximately 10% of the bowler's body weight, up to the 16-pound maximum. However, the final choice should consider factors like strength, physical limitations, and comfort.

Choosing the Right Bowling Ball Weight for Children

Children, especially younger ones, need a ball that they can handle without strain. The goal is to pick a ball light enough for them to control but heavy enough to knock down pins effectively.

Age and Strength Considerations: For younger children (ages 4 to 7), balls that weigh between 6 to 8 pounds are generally recommended. These are the lightest balls available in most bowling alleys and are designed for the smallest and least experienced bowlers.

6-pound balls are usually a good starting point for children just learning to bowl. As they grow stronger and more confident, they can progress to heavier balls, like an 8-pound or 10-pound ball.

- Older children (ages 8 to 12) who are larger or more physically developed might feel comfortable with 10- to 12-pound balls. However, it’s essential to let them experiment with different weights to see what they can comfortably manage.

Comfort and Control: Make sure that the child can easily lift, hold, and swing the ball with control. The ball should not feel too heavy, as this could lead to injury, particularly in their arms or wrists. If the child struggles to swing or release the ball smoothly, the ball is too heavy.

Selecting the Right Ball Weight for Seniors

Seniors often need to consider physical limitations, such as joint pain, reduced muscle strength, or arthritis, when choosing the right bowling ball. Selecting a ball that’s too heavy can strain muscles and joints, while one that’s too light may reduce the bowler’s effectiveness.

Weight Range: Most seniors will use a ball between 10 to 14 pounds, depending on their strength and fitness level.

- For seniors with strength or mobility limitations, a ball around 10-12 pounds might be ideal. A lighter ball allows for easier control, reducing the risk of injury while still enabling a solid roll down the lane.

- More active seniors or those with bowling experience who have maintained good muscle strength might feel comfortable with a 12-14 pound ball. The key is to find the balance between comfort and performance.

Physical Considerations: If a senior experiences any discomfort in their wrists, shoulders, or lower back, it's advisable to go for a lighter ball. Proper form and technique are essential, but comfort should always come first.

Selecting the Right Ball Weight for Beginners

For beginners of any age, it’s important to focus on building skills, improving control, and developing consistency. Choosing the right ball weight is a big part of that.

Weight Recommendations: Beginners should typically start with a ball that feels manageable and allows them to maintain control throughout their swing and release. For most adult beginners, a ball in the 12-14 pound range works well.

- For women and some smaller men, starting with a 10-12 pound ball might feel more comfortable, while men with greater strength might prefer a 12-14 pound ball. If the ball feels too heavy, it can lead to poor form, which can develop into bad habits or increase the risk of injury.

Testing Ball Weights: Many bowling centers offer a variety of ball weights. Beginners should try a few different weights during practice to see which one provides a balance between control and effectiveness. The ball should feel manageable, and the bowler should be able to maintain proper form and avoid muscling the ball down the lane.

Signs a Bowling Ball is Too Heavy

Whether you're selecting a ball for children, seniors, or beginners, it’s important to recognize when a ball is too heavy. Some clear indicators include:

• Straining to Hold the Ball: If the bowler struggles to lift the ball or needs both hands to carry it, it's likely too heavy.
• Dropping the Ball: A ball that frequently slips out of the hand before the intended release point is too heavy for the bowler to control.
• Loss of Accuracy: If the bowler finds it difficult to aim or keep the ball on a straight path, this could be due to a lack of control caused by the weight.
• Fatigue or Soreness: If the bowler feels muscle soreness, especially in the wrist, forearm, or shoulder, after a few frames, this could indicate the ball is too heavy for their strength level.

IMPORTANT: All of the reasons above could also indicate an improper fit. A poor fit causes more issues than any other for a bowler.

Selecting the correct bowling ball weight is a fundamental step for children, seniors, and beginners alike. The ball should allow the bowler to play comfortably without strain, injury, or loss of control. For children, lighter balls between 6 and 10 pounds are ideal, while seniors should consider physical limitations and opt for balls between 10 and 14 pounds. Beginners should test different weights within their strength range, usually between 10 and 14 pounds, to find the most suitable option. By ensuring the right ball weight, players can enjoy the game more, improve their technique, and protect themselves from injury.

If you are searching for a bowling ball for your son or daughter or perhaps for a senior citizen who can no longer handle a heavier ball, there are a few important factors we ask you to consider before making the decision to purchase. How to choose a bowling ball weight can be as simple as following “rules of thumb” the top coaches in the country use in making this choice.

If you are buying a bowling ball for a bowler from six years of age to fourteen years of age, a good idea is to match the weight of the bowling ball to the age of the youngster. In many cases, a ten-year-old bowler will handle a ten-pound ball perfectly, give or take a few ounces. If the ten-year-old, as an example, is particularly strong for his or her age, then consider a twelve-pound ball. Matching the age of the bowler to the bowling ball weight will help the kids get the most out of their time on the lanes.

For senior players or those folks who are no longer strong enough to handle the full sixteen-pound weight without feeling discomfort or without losing significant ball speed, how to choose a bowling ball weight is an easier decision today than in the past.

Using lower than the maximum allowed weight of sixteen pounds no longer sacrifices impact power with the pins or the ability of a bowling ball to react consistently in its travel down the lane. Using twelve to fifteen-pound weight bowling balls has become more popular today than ever. Male adult bowlers typically select 15 or 16-pound balls while female adult bowlers generally use 13 to 15-pound equipment.

The best thing to do if you are new to the game is to test various ball weights using a house ball found in any bowling center and then check with a local pro shop professional to discuss which weight ball might be best for your needs. Shopping with bowlingball.com is the smart choice to guide you how to choose a bowling ball weight. When you are ready to place an order, follow our simple online instructions or call 1-(888) 265-BOWL (2695) and speak with a sales associate. Thanks for visiting bowlingball.com.