When it comes to the fit, it’s best if you try out several balls and see which one fits best and most comfortable in your hand. FitĪnother factor you need to consider is the fit of the ball, which typically includes the gripping holes’ sizes and the distance between your finger and thumbholes. However, if you’re a novice, it might be best to start lighter as you will need to get used to how the ball fits in your hand. In terms of bowling ball numbers, this will usually mean the ball with the number 14 indicated on it. For example, if you weigh around 140 lbs, you should select a ball that’s not heavier than 14 lbs. The general rule of thumb for adults is that they should choose a bowling ball that’s only a maximum of 10% of their total body weight.Īny heavier than that would be too heavy to roll on the lane properly. If you want to play a great game, you will need a ball that’s suitable for your weight and height. This is because you must select a ball with the appropriate weight for your height and weight. It can also be a point of reference for novice bowlers when choosing a house ball. Indicating the weight as numbers can make it easy to differentiate the bowling balls from each other.

While adults usually use house balls that weigh 8 lbs and above, bowling alleys have generally lighter balls for younger players. House balls are available in several ranges of weights, typically from 6 to 16 lbs. Additionally, if you’re like me, you might have wondered what those large numbers are.Īs mentioned, those large numbers indicate the weight of the ball.

Large Numbers on Bowling Ballsįor enthusiasts like me who don’t have their own bowling balls or for those who don’t bowl frequently enough, renting a house ball from the bowling alley is an excellent and cost-effective solution. Smaller numbers typically indicate the serial number of the ball. In bowling alleys, the large numbers found on bowling balls indicate the weight, usually ranging from 6 to 16 lbs. The numbers on a bowling ball mean different things. There are varying answers for this – from indication of weight to the serial numbers of that particular ball. If you’re an avid bowler like me, you probably noticed those numbers on your bowling balls and wondered about what they could mean.

Bowling ball serial number search