Find Your Perfect Spare Bowling Ball in 2023: Complete Guide

As you begin playing bowling, you will certainly need the appropriate equipment to compete and enjoy the sport.

Whether you are just starting off or already a professional bowler, it pays to know that you need to get yourself a good spare ball.

Bowling conditions can be tricky sometimes and having a spare ball that you can use and that reacts properly no matter the condition is important.

Regardless of your level of experience, you’re always looking for an edge in the competition. A good spare bowling ball is one way to stay ahead of the game.

Choosing a spare bowling ball can be tricky. Here are some of the best spare bowling balls that you can consider for 2023.

List of Best Spare Bowling Balls to Have

Ebonite Maxim Bowling Ball

Designed with the entry-level bowler in mind, the Ebonite Maxim is surprisingly durable and features an astonishingly straight reaction.

This ball has proven itself to be one of the most durable and forgiving bowling balls in the game which is extremely versatile and budget-friendly.

Its polyester coverstock gives you the confidence to swing away knowing that it’s still going to pick up its line. It easily hooks out of any situation, so you can easily overcome spares.

To pair with the durable coverstock, the ball has an 800/1000/2000 Abralon finish designed to provide further traction on any lane condition.

This high-performance spare ball also comes equipped with a three-piece core design in pin-grabbing and lane traction.

Choose a weight option that matches your needs from six, eight to 15 lbs. This bowling ball is also relatively lighter and easier to handle perfect for bowlers of all levels.

With the attractive look, versatility on dry and oiled lanes, and impressive durability of the Ebonite Maxim Bowling Ball, you can never go wrong with this as a spare ball.

The only thing is that this bowling ball can be too straight when throwing on the lane so you have to be very precise with it.

Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball

The Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball is a unique blend of style and performance.

This ball is a high-performance spare ball at an affordable price. It is a competition-approved ball and is used by elite bowlers around the world.

It gives bowlers great back end and straight-line performance for a spare ball with a controlled hook on the back end.

In other words, you’re going to be able to use this bowling ball on different lane conditions and lengths and still expect a consistent performance.

With its smooth-rolling polyester coverstock and Brunswick crown factory polish, the Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball gives bowlers what they need on the lane.

It offers incredible durability and traction in light to heavy oil lane conditions to give you lane control allowing you to play your best. Plus, its glossy sheen and its stunning design are a head-turner.

The Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball provides perfect trajectory control because of its TZone bullet core design.

It is engineered with even weight distribution to provide pinpoint accuracy and absolute control at all skill levels. As a result, you can throw a smooth, straight ball with perfect control to fit your game.

The Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball is available in six, eight to 15 lbs. weight options. However, some mentioned that the coverstock tends to scratch easily.

Hammer Widow Spare Bowling Ball

The Hammer Widow Spare Bowling Ball is a spare ball that pairs perfectly with the other bowling balls in your arsenal.

The solid construction gives it a longer life compared to other balls while keeping its smoothness intact, which makes it a very versatile ball that can be used in different lane-playing conditions.

The Hammer Widow Spare carries an asymmetric core design that gives you maximum ball carry and control no matter what.

Although it doesn’t have as much hook as other asymmetrical balls, the predictability of this ball makes it a great spare ball delivering a straight reaction on your shots regardless of how you throw it.

With its polyester coverstock that is incredibly smooth and durable and 800/1000/2000 Abralon finish, it provides you with ample friction off on any lane condition.

This ball is best suited for light oil conditions but can also be used on dry lanes and still expect a good hook potential in every roll.

The Hammer Widow Spare Bowling Ball is available in 12 to 16 lbs. weight options only. If you need a lighter-weight spare ball below 12 lbs. you might want to pass on this ball.

Brunswick Lizard Glow Viz-A Bowling Ball

Brunswick is proud to present a ball that’s perfect as a spare bowling ball.

The Lizard Glow Viz-A Bowling Ball features a striking, one-of-a-kind Lizard Eye design, but it’s the quality you’d expect from a Brunswick product that makes this a true standout ball.

This ball is made to capture the attention of avid bowlers with its mesmerizing glow-in-the-dark feature and its exclusive 360 degrees striking graphics.

Its polyester coverstock and fine-tuned performance characteristics give bowlers the confidence to tackle any lane condition from dry lanes to oil lane conditions.

It also has a crown factory finish for that nice glossy look while offering sufficient traction on the lane.

Even though this ball has a low hook potential and is typically used in extremely dry lane conditions, the consistency and straight reaction of this ball make it a perfect choice as a reliable spare ball for bowlers.

The Brunswick Lizard Glow Viz-A Bowling Ball comes in six, eight to 16 lbs. weight options for bowlers of all skills and ages.

DV8 Zombie Spare Bowling Ball

The DV8 Zombie Spare Bowling Ball is perfectly balanced for outstanding performance. It boasts a frightening spooky zombie design that bowlers love to see roll.

The striking designs and performance core give bowlers the confidence, reliability, and performance they need in their spare balls.

The polyester coverstock is incredibly smooth while providing the extra length and backend hook needed to hit the pocket time after time.

This ball also has superb durability to withstand long, grueling games. To complete the look, a high gloss polish is employed while still providing enough traction on dry lanes to oil lane conditions.

The core of this ball is made of a non-reactive material, which keeps the ball from hooking hence reducing its hook potential. Even so, this enables bowlers to accomplish a more precise and straight shot in every roll.

Developed to give you an edge on the lanes, this bowling ball is ideal for all types of bowlers from beginners to professional players. It’s a smooth and powerful bowling ball that gives you accurate strikes every time.

What to Look for When Buying Spare Bowling Balls

Versatility

When choosing a spare bowling ball, it is important to think about how versatile the ball is. A good starting point is to choose one that can be used virtually on any lane condition.

This way, your spare ball can come in handy no matter what the lane condition of your bowling alley is.

Spare bowling balls are also typically made to roll on a straight shot. This produces predictability and consistency so you can accurately roll the ball any time of the game and still produce a strike.

The price it costs, however, is the lower hook potential and low flares of the ball compared to your normal strike bowling ball.

Durability

A good spare ball is typically going to be made of plastic or polyester. Spare balls with more durable cover stocks are often the best choice for those who bowl regularly.

Remember that a good spare ball needs to have the highest possible durability so that it does not wear down quickly.

Plastic or polyester bowling balls also have a solid construction in contrast to other types of bowling balls that have porous coverstocks.

This makes them more resistant to oil absorption so they will last longer without disrupting their overall performance.

The durability of the ball from the inside out is also one crucial factor to take into account.

The inside of the ball needs to be strong enough to withstand the inevitable impact it will experience during each game.

On the other hand, you want the exterior of the ball to be resistant to possible scratches that might ruin the ball and prevent any external damage so it stays looking new and unchanged.

A material that will scratch less and will not lose its shine as easily is the best choice.

Price

Another reason why plastic or polyester bowling balls are the best choice is due to their inexpensive price tag.

Although you shouldn’t disregard the price of your spare ball, you will most likely use it less frequently so it makes much more sense to choose a more affordable option rather than a super expensive one that will likely sit idle most of the time.

Some FAQs about Spare Bowling Balls

Final Words

It’s always a good idea to have a spare ball available when bowling regardless of whether you’re new to the sport or a veteran bowler.

While many bowlers believe spares are just a backup to their high-performance balls, they soon find out that they can cause more damage than good if they take the decision too lightly.

Not only should you take care when selecting spare bowling balls that fit your style and preferences, but you should also consider how versatile and durable they are.