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Having a well-built bowling ball arsenal is an important component of successful bowling. Bowling arsenals can be successfully constructed from two or three bowling balls, but if you, like us, bowl every week in leagues or tournaments at different bowling centers and oil patterns, having a diverse bowling ball arsenal is crucial.
The team of testers at BowlingLife really had some intense debates to put together the ultimate six-ball arsenal for 2024. It wasn't a walk in the park, especially since we insisted on picking from currently available bowling balls only. We get it, there are plenty of legendary balls from the past, but in this review, we're sticking to the ones you can actually find on the market. We want to make sure that if you decide to upgrade your arsenal, you won't be left hunting for discontinued bowling ball models.
After endless talks and nights spent tossing and turning, we've landed on what we are confident is the best six ball bowling arsenal for 2024. Now, let's get up close and personal with our picks!
Top BowlingLife picks for six bowling ball arsenal
Don't feel like reading the full review? Check out our top bowling ball picks for the best six ball arsenal in 2024.
Hammer Black Widow 3.0 - best asymmetrical bowling ball for heavy oil
Storm Phaze II - best symmetrical benchmark bowling ball
Hammer Effect - best asymmetrical bowling ball for transition oil
Storm Summit Peak - best symmetrical bowling ball for medium oil
Hammer Scorpion Low Flare - the best bowling ball for house shot
Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane - the best bowling ball dry lanes
How to build a bowling ball arsenal?
Building the perfect bowling ball arsenal requires careful selection and consideration. With an array of options available, it's essential to curate a bowling ball collection that complements your playing style and the lane conditions you encounter.
Identifying Benchmark Bowling Ball
Start by identifying your benchmark ball - your go-to choice for deciphering oil patterns and gauging lane friction. This baby is your lane whisperer, giving you the lowdown on oil patterns and where the action is happening. It's your first pick out of the bag, designed to handle those medium-heavy oil conditions. This ball will be your initial read, offering insights that help you adapt your strategy for the game.
Diversify Your Bowling Ball Arsenal
Now when you successfully identified your benchmark bowling ball, diversify your arsenal with balls of varying strengths. Incorporate a stronger-reacting ball for aggressive moves and a weaker option for situations when the lanes start to break down. Mix with different bowling ball coverstocks and cores, as each ball should serve a distinct purpose, avoiding redundancy in performance.
With these fundamental motions in mind, customize your arsenal to bridge any gaps in performance.
Best six bowling ball arsenal in 2024 - detailed list
Now that we've covered the crucial aspects of selecting bowling balls for your arsenal, it's time for the most anticipated chapter – a comprehensive list of the best six bowling balls, carefully selected by our staff. Dive into the details of each ball, explore their unique features, and find the perfect match to enhance your performance on the lanes.
Best asymmetrical bowling ball for heavy oil
(Release date: January 25th, 2024)
Key advantages:
Proven Excellence: Black Widow 3.0 excels in ball reaction, continuing its lineage.
Enhanced Traction: Improved surface and oil tractions for heavy oil conditions.
Versatile Performance: Ideal for heavy to medium oil, ensuring superior gameplay.
The Hammer Black Widow 3.0 takes the exceptional lineage of its predecessors to new heights. This revolutionary bowling ball, designed as the perfect companion to the Widow 2.0 Hybrid, continues the trend of excellence in ball reaction. With enhanced surface and oil tractions, it's your go-to bowling ball for heavy oil conditions in 2024. Featuring a solid reactive composition and an upgraded asymmetrical cover, the Black Widow 3.0 maintains the iconic black and orange colors. Ideal for heavy to medium oil, this ball ensures superior performance.
Other options for asymmetrical bowling ball for heavy oil:
Best symmetrical benchmark bowling ball for all lane conditions
(Release date: October 4th, 2016)
Key advantages:
World-renowned Traction: the famed TX-16 solid coverstock delivers enhanced traction in oil.
Controlled Breakpoint Motion: With a low RG/high diff Velocity core, it offers a more controlled motion at the breakpoint.
Versatile for All Styles: Accommodates various playing styles, from high rev rates to low rev rates, making it a versatile choice.
The Storm Phaze II stands out as one of the strongest symmetric balls ever produced by Storm. Storm Phaze II features the same low RG/high diff Velocity core as the original Phaze but is enveloped in the new TX-16 solid coverstock with a 3000 grit box finish, which granted Phaze II its worldwide fame. This combination provides the Phaze II with enhanced traction in the oil and a more controlled motion at the breakpoint. Unlike balls that deliver sharp backend motion, the Phaze II is perfect as the first ball out of your bag when assessing lane conditions. It accommodates a wide range of playing styles, from those with a high rev rate and significant curve to those with a low rev rate who prefer playing up the lane. Best benchmark bowling ball after all these years? Always.
Best asymmetrical bowling ball for transition oil
(Release date: March 21st, 2024)
Key advantages:
Hockey stick motion: Clean in the front, but very reactive off the friction in the back.
Best for transition: Works well on heavier oil compared to other pearl bowling balls.
Creates big arc motion.
The Hammer Effect is the strongest pearl bowling ball ever created, not only by Hammer but by the entire Brunswick Bowling Inc. With the new Huntsman core, it incorporates all the best core qualities from iconic Hammer balls like the Vibe and Black Widow. Additionally, the brand-new HK22 Cohesion Pearl coverstock, coupled with the 1500 Siaair polish finish, will produce a very strong skip flip motion down the lane. Overall, the Hammer Effect is a true hooking beast, destined to be one of the favorite bowling balls of the year for those who love the massive hockey stick bowling ball motion in the backend. Plus, it looks amazing, thanks to its first-ever four-color design.
Other options for asymmetrical bowling ball for transition oil:
Best bowling ball 2024 for medium oil
(Release date: January 19th, 2024)
Key advantages:
Enhanced Performance: Innovative Centripetal HD for optimised play.
Early Revs: Quick response, improved control for diverse conditions.
TX-23 Pearl Formula: Unbeatable grip on slick lanes, consistent performance.
Meet the Storm Summit Peak – a bowling ball that's not just crafted, but tailored for a one-of-a-kind experience in your bowling ball collection. Why is it different? Well, with the Centripetal HD nestled in the A.I. Core, Storm has redefined the game, pushing RG and differential boundaries to ensure every shot hits the mark with confidence. Early revs and a reliable lane performance come standard with this ball. Thanks to the TX-23 Pearl formula (born from the trusted Phaze II TX-16), you get unbeatable grip on slick lanes and controllable overall motion. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, the Summit Peak, with its pearl TX-23 and A.I. Core Technology, is your "must have" for 2024 bowling ball arsenal.
Other options for symmetrical bowling ball for medium oil:
Best bowling ball 2024 for house shot
(Release date: January 25th, 2024)
Key advantages:
Consistent Motion: Predictable and reliable performance.
Versatility: Adaptable for high and low-rev players.
Smooth Ride: Core and Semtex Hybrid offer a comfortable, controlled experience.
Scorpion Low Flare promises a seamlessly predictable motion on the lanes. Fuelled by the core numbers and embraced by the Semtex Hybrid cover, finely finished at 2000 Siaair, this ball guarantees a smooth ride. Whether you're a high-rev player using it across the lanes or a lower-rev enthusiast relying on it for tricky conditions and lane transitions, the Scorpion Low Flare is another "must-have" for 2024. Don't step onto the bowling scene without this game-changer in your arsenal.
Other options for bowling ball with predictable reaction:
The best urethane bowling ball for dry lanes
(Release date: July 16th, 2021)
Key advantages:
A real game-changer: Revolutionized play at elite level.
Versatile Across Patterns: Excels on various oil patterns, adapting to diverse conditions.
Super responsive to cover changes: Don't forget to grab some sanding pads, as the Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane works with all kinds of grit.
The Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane bowling ball stands out as one of Hammer's top offerings and probably the most popular bowling ball of all time. Praised by ones and cursed by others, it has become a game-changer in competitive bowling circles. Featuring a traditional high RG/low diff light bulb-shaped LED core and a urethane pearl coverstock, the Purple Pearl Urethane delivers enhanced control and a smoother delivery to the pocket. The Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane has seen remarkable success on medium-dry sport oil patterns as well as on typical house shot. Over the years, we've witnessed numerous league players who have literally transformed their perception of bowling because of this ball. They've used it on dry, medium, and even heavy oil patterns, Like no other reactive bowling ball ever existed. Surprisingly, Purple Hammer consistently delivered phenomenal bowling ball reaction and impressive scores. Undoubtedly, the Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane bowling ball ranks among the best ever produced. If you're considering upgrading your bowling ball arsenal, this masterpiece from Hammer is a standout choice.
Other options for urethane bowling ball for medium-dry oil:
How do we choose the best bowling ball?
At BowlingLife, we're committed to providing our readers with reliable guidance when it comes to choosing bowling balls. That's why we conduct thorough testing on all the balls we recommend. We believe that only after our team has personally put each ball through its paces can we offer an unbiased opinion.
Our testing team consists of three individuals, each bringing a unique skill set to the table - one with dominant speed, one with dominant revs, and a two-handed player. This ensures that every ball has the opportunity to showcase its strengths across a range of lane conditions.
Our ball reviews strike a balance between being casual and informative. We regularly update the links in our articles to make it easy for you to find the reviewed bowling balls. Please note that some of the links provided may be affiliate links. It's important to remember that our reviews are subjective opinions, and just because a ball worked well for us doesn't guarantee the same results for everyone. However, you can trust that our reviews are conducted with fairness, consistency, objectivity, and honesty - by bowlers, for bowlers.
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