Welcome to this article, I will guide you through Bowling Ball Coverstock Types which are very helpful for you.
A bowling ball is mainly composed of two components, a coverstock, and a weight block. The coverstock is the outer cover of the bowling ball you see. The outer cover can see is polished and well-maintained. That’s not because of aesthetics but also due to its influence on hook potential.
The hook potential decides the performance of a bowling ball and a bowler. That hook potential depends on the outer surface which is called coverstock. Coverstock is important because it is the only part that comes in contact with the lane surface.
Generally, bowling balls are constructed with four types of coverstocks which include Plastic, Urethane, Reactive Resin, and Particle (Proactive). But due to advancements in the bowling industry and the performance abilities of bowlers many other types of coverstocks are also introduced.
The material of the coverstock decides the performance of the bowling ball on the lane. It decides how the ball will react on the lane surface.
When the ball is released to roll down the lane it feels friction with the lane surface. This friction measures the amount of hook potential. More friction means more hook potential.
The friction between the bowling ball and the lane surface depends on the type of coverstock.
Here are some bowling ball coverstock types you should know if you want to become a professional league player.
6 Bowling Ball Coverstock Types
Plastic Coverstock
The plastic coverstock is often considered by beginners and kids. To get started with the bowling ball you should grab a plastic coverstock bowling ball. The plastic coverstock types are made smooth and offer the least friction when coming in contact with the lane. Less friction means less hook potential so it is useful for beginners and kids who don’t know how to handle hook potential.
Moreover, professional and advanced bowlers also keep plastic bowling balls in their arsenal. They keep plastic bowling balls as spare bowling balls because of their predictable motion down the lane and low hook potential.
Urethane Coverstock
If you want to step up as a beginner and want to increase your level then shift to urethane coverstock bowling balls. Urethane coverstocks are more durable than plastic coverstocks. Urethane coverstock bowling balls offer more friction when coming in contact with the lane surface. That’s why it offers relatively high hook potential as compared to plastic coverstocks.
Due to increased friction between the bowling ball and the lane surface, it offers better pin action due to reduced deflection. So if you are an intermediate bowler then you must keep a urethane bowling ball. It offers average hook potential and better pin action.
Reactive Resin Coverstock
Reactive resin falls under advanced bowling ball coverstock types. Reactive resin coverstock is relatively less durable as compared to plastic or urethane coverstocks. But reactive resin is a coverstock suggested for intermediate to advanced bowlers due to high hook potential, more friction, and pin action. These specs make any bowling ball advanced that’s why you should try when you have learned to control hook potential and pin action.
Due to higher friction and higher hook potential the reactive resin coverstocks tend to be more sensitive on the lane surface. Reactive resin coverstocks offer great pin action but with higher hook potential so it could be a little hard to control them.
Pearl Coverstock
Pearl coverstocks are designed for advanced and professional league bowlers. The pearl coverstock is made to cater to the tournament bowlers. And that’s why a pearl coverstock is equipped with high hook potential, pin action, and improved lane length. So if you cannot achieve the required lane length before pin action you should shift to pearl reactive bowling balls.
It lasts longer and offers exceptional performance on lane surfaces. It allows you to achieve the required lane length before pin action. Tournament and professional bowlers opt for pearl reactive bowling balls to attain high hook potential, great pin action, and maximum lane length.
Hybrid Coverstock
Hybrid coverstock makes the bowling ball react earlier than the pearl coverstock bowling ball. If you want to get a quality bowling ball for medium lane conditions then choose a hybrid coverstock. The hybrid coverstock is pretty versatile for any type of bowler. A hybrid bowling ball offers required pin action, lane length, and hook potential to professional and advanced bowlers.
Most of the best-selling bowling balls in the market are made up of hybrid coverstocks. That’s because these coverstocks deliver the required amount of all parameters. If you want to learn advanced bowling skills then you have to shift to hybrid coverstock bowling balls.
Solid Coverstock
If we compare the reactivity of solid coverstock with other reactive coverstocks then solid will win. Solid coverstocks offer the earliest reactivity among all other coverstocks. This coverstock is mainly designed to deliver performance on fresh to heavy-volume oil patterns. The solid coverstocks are made to deliver high-end performance on heavy oiled lanes because of their ability to absorb oils.
No doubt, solid coverstock offers great performance but it requires more maintenance than other types of coverstocks. To help with the reaction, the bowlers with high speed should stay with solid coverstocks.
Conclusion
We have discussed the main types of bowling ball coverstock. But it’s not the end because technology keeps improving. You would see more types of advanced quality bowling ball coverstocks getting introduced in the market in near future.
I would suggest you keep improving your bowing skills until you achieve the highest level. To get started with bowling you should start with small steps. You shouldn’t start with advanced-quality bowling coverstocks. Make sure to start with less reactive bowling coverstocks that offer medium to low hook potential.
Plastic or urethane coverstocks are easy to handle for beginners to intermediate bowlers. But advanced and professional league bowlers should opt for high-end bowling balls to handle heavily oiled lane patterns.
Bowling coverstocks don’t affect your overall bowling. They just change with your skill levels. You keep upgrading your coverstocks with your skill levels. But make sure you are determined and keep practicing.