In the 1980s, while Michael Jackson was topping the pop charts, the urethane bowling ball was making its mark in the bowling sport. This innovation brought a major advancement to bowling, as urethane-covered balls offered improved friction on the lane, resulting in a sharper hook and a more precise angle when hitting the pins compared to plastic balls. As a result, players experienced a significant boost in performance. Plus, the hard urethane surface made these balls highly durable, ensuring they could last for many years.
The world of urethane bowling balls has seen significant changes recently, especially with the PBA's stricter regulations on hardness. But these changes have only fueled innovation, leading to some of the best urethane options we’ve ever seen. Whether you’re aiming for controlled shots on dry lanes or seeking a ball that offers a consistent reaction, urethane bowling balls remain a crucial part of any serious bowler's arsenal.
At BowlingLife, we’re here to help you navigate these changes and choose the best urethane bowling balls of 2024. We’ve tested a range of options to bring you the latest and greatest in urethane technology. From classic models to brand-new releases, this list covers it all.
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Top 5 Urethane Bowling Balls for 2024
Don’t have time to read the full review? Here’s a quick look at our top 5 urethane bowling balls for 2024.
Storm IQ Tour 78-U - Renowned for its exceptional control and versatility, the IQ Tour 78-U offers a reliable performance on various lane conditions.
Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane - A classic in the urethane category, the Purple Pearl Urethane delivers a smooth and consistent motion with a proven track record.
Storm Pitch Black - Known for its strong and predictable hook, the Pitch Black excels in providing precise and controlled ball movement.
Motiv Tank Yellowjacket - The Tank Yellowjacket combines innovative coverstock technology with a high-performance core, making it ideal for challenging lane conditions.
Hammer Black Pearl Urethane - Offering a cleaner and slightly less aggressive hook than its predecessors, the Black Pearl Urethane stands out for its durability and consistent performance.
How To Choose the Right Urethane Bowling Ball?
Not all urethane bowling balls are the same. Selecting the right urethane bowling ball is all about matching the ball to your specific needs and playing style as each bowling ball must supplement your current bowling ball arsenal. While urethane balls are known for their smooth, predictable reactions, some of them excel not only on dry lanes and short oil patterns. Here’s what you need to consider:
Selecting the right urethane bowling ball involves understanding several key aspects:
Understanding Coverstock
Urethane coverstocks offer a smoother, more controlled reaction compared to reactive resin balls, making them ideal for dry lanes and short oil patterns. Urethane coverstock will provide the consistency you need to dominate the lanes.
Choosing the Right Hardness
With recent changes in PBA regulations, hardness has become an even more important factor. On PBA Tour, urethane balls now need to meet stricter standards, so it is only a matter of time when the rest of the world will follow this rule as well.
Best Urethane Bowling Balls 2024 - Detailed Reviews
Now, let’s dive into the detailed reviews of the best urethane bowling balls of 2024. Each ball has been carefully tested and selected to help you find the perfect match for your game.
Best Overall Urethane Bowling Ball 2024
(Release date: December 15th, 2023)
Key advantages:
Rule-Compliant Hardness: Designed to meet the latest regulations.
Consistent Reaction: Ensures a smooth and predictable response on the lanes.
Proven Performance: Swiftly recognized and trusted by professionals on the PBA Tour.
The name says it all: 78 hardness urethane ball designed to comply with the latest hardness rule. If you seek a smooth and predictable reaction, the !Q Tour 78/U might be your perfect match! With its newly formulated Controll 78 Solid urethane coverstock and a 500-Grit finish, it offers a distinct reaction not seen in current urethane options in the bowling industry. Released just a month ago, it has swiftly gained recognition as an incredibly reliable bowling ball among professionals on the PBA Tour. Be among the first to experience the difference with an advanced urethane bowling ball technology!
Bowler Feedback: 'The ball does EXACTLY what you need it to do when bowling on short patterns. Hook a lot and Roll out WITHOUT losing pin carry.' - Joel E.
Price on Amazon: $167.45 - $207.63
Best Hammer Urethane Bowling Ball
(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.
This particular ball has been a prevalent topic of conversation, with those who possess one (or many) sharing their experiences, and even those without it discussing the Purple Hammer. Ultimately, it revolutionized the game at the highest echelons of bowling, gaining a status as a pila non grata on the PBA Tour. The Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane utilizes the same traditional high RG/low diff light bulb-shaped LED core but adds a urethane pearl coverstock for enhanced control. This combination creates a more rounded shape compared to conventional urethanes, facilitating smoother delivery to the pocket. Moreover, the Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane bowling ball is highly adaptable to cover changes; you can use it with the factory box finish at 2000 grit or even dull it to 180 grit and still utilize it efficiently. If you doubt our testers, just take a look at the game of numerous bowlers at the Men or Youth World Championships in the past few years.
Bowler Feedback: 'Absolutely love this ball. Always finds the pocket when the lanes get tough!' - Ryan H.
Price on Amazon: from $149.95
Best Motiv Urethane Bowling Ball
(Release date: July 12th, 2023)
Key advantages:
Unique Coverstock: The microcell polymer coverstock is perfect for dry lanes, providing just enough hook without overreacting.
Controlled Hook: Offers a smooth, controlled hook that’s easy to manage.
Versatile Performance: Works well across various lane conditions, particularly dry lanes.
The Motiv Tank Yellowjacket is not quite am urethane bowling ball, but it features a microcell polymer (MCP) coverstock enhanced by Motiv's Duramax additive, delivering a urethane-like performance with easy adaptability. Motiv Tank Yellowjacket's overstock resists lane shine, so the cover finish holds longer. The Flux core, with its ultra-high RG and low differential, minimizes down-lane motion, allowing for precise adjustments. Whether in extreme wet/dry conditions or challenging lanes, the Tank Yellowjacket provides the control you need to excel.
Bowler Feedback: 'The Motiv Tank Yellowjacket is my secret weapon on dry lanes. It’s smooth, controlled, and exactly what I need when the lanes dry out. And it looks amazing!' - Mike R.
Price on Amazon: from $178.99
Best Storm Urethane Bowling Ball
(Release date: May 27th, 2014)
Key advantages:
Superior Performance on Dry Lanes: Designed specifically for dry lanes and short oil patterns.
Predictable Ball Motion: Offers a predictable and easily manageable ball motion.
Proven Performance: Swiftly recognized and trusted by professionals.
Yes, it's true—Storm already holds the title for the best overall urethane bowling ball. So why do they have another ball listed as the best of Storm? Well, when you're the best, you get to enjoy certain privileges. Produced back in 2014, the Storm Pitch Black is arguably the best Storm urethane bowling ball for dry lanes to date. The Storm Pitch was crafted to tackle dry short oil patterns with a predictable ball motion that is easily manageable. To achieve this desired reaction, Storm combined the Controll Solid Urethane coverstock, ensuring a controllable mid-lane roll with an innovative Capacitor core. The core is engineered to moderate flare potential, enhancing the ball's controllability and preventing overreactions on short oil. Storm Pitch Black bowling ball is still one of the favorites of our rev-dominant two-hander tester!
Bowler Feedback: 'Storm Pitch Black is my go-to when I get lost on the lanes. It’s smooth, controlled, and predictable—exactly what I need when I struggle.' - Noah P.
Price on Amazon: from $139.72
Best 900 Global Urethane Bowling Ball
(Release date: November 18th, 2022)
Key advantages:
More Motion: Offers a faster response time than traditional urethane.
Versatility: Works well on house shot compared to other urethane balls.
The 900 Global Zen U is equipped with the Meditate LD Core, a lower-density design that enhances control while maintaining the signature large footprint and shape that made the original Meditate Core so popular. Its brand-new s35 Urethane+ Cover offers a faster response time than traditional urethane. This core and cover synergy shines on short oil patterns and handles challenging over/under or "cliffed" house conditions with ease!
Bowler Feedback: 'The 900 Global Zen U is my go-to when I need a reliable, versatile ball. It performs well in so many different situations.' - Jessica L.
Price on Amazon: from $120.00
Best Pyramid Urethane Bowling Ball
(Release date: March 9th, 2018)
Key advantages:
Optimized for super-low oil conditions.
Consistent and controlled motion on dry lanes.
High-scoring potential in challenging lane environments.
The Pathogen Plague is built to excel in extremely low oil conditions, thanks to its advanced GPS Navigational Urethane coverstock. This innovation allows it to maintain strong performance and achieve high scores even in challenging lane environments. At the heart of this ball is the New Era 139 core, which, with its medium RG and differential, works seamlessly with the Breach Urethane coverstock to deliver controlled motion, even on the driest lanes.
Bowler Feedback: 'The Pathogen Plague is a game-changer on dry lanes. It delivers a strong hook and rolls out perfectly, all without sacrificing pin carry.' - Mark A.
Price on Amazon: $94.99
Other Best Urethane Bowling Balls to Buy in 2024
(Release date: March 21st, 2024)
Key advantages:
Smoother Motion: The 78D hardness offers a cleaner, more consistent roll on dry lanes.
Controlled Hook: Provides a milder hook, ideal for straighter shots and precision.
Proven Performance: Professionals have achieved impressive results with the Black Pearl Urethane.
Hammer has remained the leader in urethane bowling since the introduction of the Purple Pearl Urethane, and they're extending that legacy with a new generation of harder urethane balls. Following the PBA's rule change mandating urethane balls to be 78D or harder, Hammer's team developed the NU Blue Hammer and the Black Pearl Urethane. The Black Pearl delivers a similar experience to the Purple Pearl, but with a cleaner motion and slightly less overall hook. Hammer's pros have reported about four boards less with their feet and two with their eyes, allowing for straighter angles. Despite initial skepticism, the Black Pearl Urethane has already proven its effectiveness in competition.
Bowler Feedback: 'The Hammer Black Pearl Urethane offers a cleaner motion and slightly less hook compared to the Purple Pearl, making it perfect for straighter angles on drier lanes. It's quickly become a favorite in our tournaments.' - Jason R.
Price on Amazon: $149.95
(Release date: November 16th, 2023)
Key advantages:
Great predictability: The time-tested 3-piece Core ensures predictability for anyone who rolls it.
Unmatched Durability: urethane coverstock provides durability compared to other materials and makes it a reliable choice for first ball.
Versatility for All Ages: Available in various colors and starting from 8 pounds, the Mix series offers versatile options suitable for bowlers of all ages.
The Mix series is a fantastic option for beginners trying out bowling, straight-style bowlers, or any player in need of a spare shooting choice. It is not just a spare ball but also an excellent choice for extremely dry conditions. With its traditional 3-piece core, the Mix offers enhanced predictability, while its urethane coverstock guarantees unmatched durability and a better reaction on dry lanes than a plastic bowling ball. Available in various colors, it accommodates every bowler.
Bowler Feedback: 'I love you this Hammer NU Blue bowling ball had a great 800 series game.' - Brandon G.
Price on Amazon: from $81.00
How We Select the Best Urethane Bowling Balls
Our selection process is based on rigorous testing and feedback from professional bowlers. We consider factors such as coverstock performance, core design, and overall durability to ensure that we recommend only the best urethane bowling balls available. Each ball is tested across a variety of lane conditions to determine its strengths and weaknesses, ensuring that our recommendations are tailored to meet the needs of all bowlers.
FAQ
What is a urethane bowling ball?
A urethane bowling ball is made with a coverstock composed of urethane, which provides a smooth, controlled motion on the lanes. Unlike reactive resin balls, urethane balls offer a more predictable roll and are known for their durability and consistent performance.
When should you use a urethane bowling ball?
Urethane bowling balls are ideal for use on dry or medium-oil lane conditions. They excel when you need a more controlled, predictable hook and are particularly useful for short or over-under lane patterns.
