Best Heavy Oil Bowling Balls Buying Guide
In this guide, we are going to walk you through the best heavy oil bowling balls on the market in 2023. Not much has changed since 2022, but keep reading to see which balls we recommend.
We’ll also provide a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right ball for your needs. Whether you are looking for hook shots or simply to up your bowling game, a solid reactive cover stock seems to be the common thread.
Heavy oil bowling balls are designed to hook more on oily lane conditions. These balls typically have a reactive resin coverstock that can “react” even in the greasiest oil conditions and still deliver a strong hook.
Advanced bowlers usually use a heavy oil ball on oily lane conditions to create more hook and lane interaction. These balls are also often used by beginners and intermediate bowlers who need help controlling their shots on oily lanes.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the best heavy oil bowling balls on the market in
Here is a List of the Best Heavy Oil Bowling Balls.
We know you came for the bowling balls. So here is a nice list of some of the best heavy oil bowling balls to help you bowl those big scores. Learn more below about what makes these the best and get back to crushing those pins.
Hybrid Reactive Bowling Balls
- Motiv Forge Fire
- Motiv Ripcord
- Roto Grip Idol Synergy
- Storm Parallax
- Radical Zing Hybrid
- Storm Incite
- Motiv Trident Horizon
Pearl Reactive Bowling Balls
- Storm Omega Crux
- Motiv Jackal Flash – Retired (hard to find)
- Storm Axiom Pearl
- Storm IQ Tour Nano Pearl
- Storm Trend
- Motiv Villain Shock
- Radical Maximum Results
Solid Reactive Bowling Balls
Choosing Balls for Heavy Oil Conditions
When bowling on heavy oil conditions, it is important to have a heavy oil bowling ball that can adequately grip the lane. The coverstock of the heavy oil bowling ball should be reactive resin. Reactive resin coverstocks can be either solid, pearl, or hybrid styles.
The absorptive nature of the coverstock aids in gripping the lane, but it also creates a greater demand for maintenance and care. On heavy oil conditions, the heavy oil bowling ball will need to be polished more frequently to maintain its tackiness and prevent it from becoming too slippery.
When polishing a heavy oil bowling ball, it is important to use a high-quality polish that will not damage the coverstock. Once the heavy oil bowling ball has been properly polished, it should be able to provide an adequate amount of traction on heavy oil conditions.
Things To Look For In A Bowling Ball for Heavy Oil Lanes
When choosing a heavy oil bowling ball, you need to decide whether you want a symmetrical or asymmetrical core. A “symmetrical” core is more predictable and offers better control, while an asymmetrical core provides more hook potential and backend reaction.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which type of core best suits your playing style. If you’re looking for maximum hook potential, go with an asymmetrical core. However, if you prefer greater control and predictability, stick with a symmetrical core.
The Coverstock Material
When choosing a heavy oil bowling ball, it is important to consider the coverstock. Reactive resin coverstocks are the best choice for heavy oil lanes, as they provide superior gripping power.
However, the absorbent nature of reactive resin coverstocks also means that they require more maintenance and care. Every throw will see more oil and debris accumulation, which can eventually lead to poor performance.
For this reason, it is important to be prepared toclean and care for your heavy oil bowling ball on a regular basis. With proper care, a reactive resin coverstock can provide superior performance on heavy oil lanes.
Bowling Ball Core
When choosing a heavy oil bowling ball, you have the option of selecting a symmetrical or asymmetrical core. If you are looking for a ball with excellent hook potential and backend reaction, then an asymmetrical core is the best option.
However, keep in mind that you may not have as much control over your throw in heavy oil lane conditions. For this reason, many bowlers prefer symmetrical cores in heavy oil situations. Whichever type of core you choose, make sure to select a heavy oil bowling ball that fits your playing style and lane conditions.
Bowling Ball Weight
Bowling balls come in a wide range of weights, from 6 pounds all the way up to 16 pounds. When choosing a ball, many bowlers believe that the heavier the ball, the better it will perform on heavy oil lanes. However, this is not always the case. In fact, heavy oil bowling balls can be notoriously difficult to control, especially for beginners.
A better option is to choose a ball that you can comfortably control. While it may not be the heaviest ball on the lane, it will be much easier to strike with consistent accuracy. In the end, this will improve your scores far more than a heavy ball ever could.
Why Do Bowling Allies Put Oil on the Lanes?
There are two primary justifications to put oil on bowling lanes:
- To protect the lane.
- To allow for better play.
By oiling the lane, they are essentially creating a barrier between the heavy bowling balls and the wood, reducing the amount of friction and wear-and-tear on the lane.
This also has the added benefit of making the game more fair, as dry lanes tend to be faster and cause the ball to hook more, while oily lanes are slower and cause the ball to slide more.
As a result, oiling the lanes is essential for keeping them in good condition and ensuring that everyone has a fair chance of bowling a strike.
Features of the Best Heavy Oil Bowling Balls
For heavy oil conditions, a bowling ball must be able to create friction despite the oil’s presence. The materials that accomplish this goal also absorb the oil as the ball rolls through it. The coverstock of a heavy oil bowling ball is designed to dig into the lane and create friction.
The heavy oil bowling ball is also made to have a higher differential so it can create more track flare and create more friction.
These design elements work together to help the heavy oil bowling ball create friction and absorb oil.
Hook Shot on Heavy Oil Lane
To execute a hook shot on a heavy oil lane, you will need to use a bowling ball with a solid reactive coverstock. This type of coverstock is designed to dig into the lane and create friction.
In addition, you will need to choose a ball with a high differential so that it can create more track flare. This will help the ball hook more and give you a better chance of hitting the pins.
When executing a hook shot on a heavy oil lane, it is important to remember that the ball will not hook as much as it would on a dry lane.
Key Factors Heavy Oil Patterns Present
When lane conditions are heavy, there are three key factors that you need to be aware of:
- The amount of oil on the lane.
- The location of the oil on the lane.
- The type of oil used on the lane.
Each of these factors will affect how your ball reacts when it hits the lane.
The amount of oil on the lane will determine how slippery the lane is. The more oil there is, the more slippery the lane will be.
The location of the oil on the lane will also affect how your ball reacts. If the oil is concentrated in the middle of the lane, your ball will hook less than if the oil is evenly distributed across the lane.
The type of oil used on the lane will also have an effect on how your ball reacts. Some oils are designed to be more slippery than others. If you are unsure about what type of oil is being used, ask a staff member at the bowling alley.
By understanding these three factors, you will be better able to adjust your game and make the necessary shots.
Different Bowling Styles on Heavy Oil Lane Conditions
Finding the right bowling ball, especially when looking for heavy oil balls can often depend on your bowling style.
If you are trying to make a straight shot or a hook shot oil patterns can affect your bowling ball.
High-performance bowling balls typically have a solid reactive cover stock and are great for hook shots. Make sure before you buy any custom bowling ball that you check the cover stock.
Straight bowling is best used on lanes that are dry or have very little oil. This type of bowling is less likely to cause your ball to hook, making it easier to control.
Hook bowling is best used on lanes that are heavily oiled. This type of bowling makes it easier to hook your ball, making it more likely to hit the pins.
When choosing a bowling style, you should consider the lane conditions and choose a style that will give you the best chance of success.
Do Oil Patterns Affect High-Performance balls?
Yes, even high-performance balls are affected by oil patterns on the bowling lane. This is especially true for heavy oil patterns. You will want a strong bowling ball with a symmetrical core if you are just starting out on heavy-oiled lanes. This is because an angular asymmetric ball will have more flare potential, when really what you want is more hook potential.
Best Bowling Ball for Hook Potential and Flare Potential
Flare potential is the amount of sideways rotation a bowling ball can make before it reaches the pins. The more flare potential a ball has, the higher hook potential it also has. This is due to the fact that the more revolutions you can generate, the more flare you will get.
Flare allows the fresh ball surface to contact the lane each time it rolls, providing more traction and thus a better hook. It is important to note that heavy oil bowling balls have less flare potential than lighter oil balls.
This is why heavy oil patterns require a more durable ball that can withstand high friction levels. Drilling a heavy oil ball to take advantage of its flare potential can be a great way to improve your game.
Do All Bowling Alleys Oil The Bowling Lane?
No, not all bowling alleys oil their lanes. In fact, some bowling alleys don’t use any oil at all. Synthetic lanes, for example, don’t require oil because they don’t get damaged by the bowling balls.
No-oil lanes are becoming more and more common, so it is important to ask about the lane conditions before you rent a ball.
If you are planning to bowl at a new alley, it is always a good idea to call ahead and ask about their lane conditions. This way, you will know what to expect and can adjust your game accordingly.
Conclusion
When choosing a heavy oil bowling ball, it is important to consider the coverstock, core, and weight. Reactive resin coverstocks are the best choice for heavy oil lanes, as they provide superior gripping power. However, the absorbent nature of reactive resin coverstocks also means that they require more maintenance and care.
For this reason, it is important to be prepared to clean and care for your heavy oil bowling ball on a regular basis. With proper care, a reactive resin coverstock can provide superior performance on heavy oil lanes.
Symmetrical cores are the best choice for beginners, as they are easier to control. Asymmetrical cores are best for experienced bowlers who are looking for maximum hook potential.
The weight of the ball is also an important consideration. While heavy balls may seem like they would be the best choice for heavy oil lanes, they can actually be difficult to control. A better option is to choose a ball that you can comfortably control.
When used correctly, heavy oil bowling balls can provide a fair and challenging game for all bowlers. With the right ball, you can improve your scores and enjoy a fair game on heavy oil lanes.