If you’ve ever stepped foot in a bowling alley, you’ve probably seen some retro-style bowling balls on the lanes. These retro models are called urethane bowling balls.
They’re the latest, state-of-the-art bowling ball designs that have emerged in the last couple of years. Urethane bowling balls are better for the environment, but they’re also more affordable than the classic leather bowling balls. These new urethane bowling balls have been created with inexpensive, modern materials that make them long-lasting.
They’re also much lighter than leather bowling balls. This means that they’re easier to control as you bowl. Many retro bowlers have switched to urethane bowling balls because they’re better than the classic leather designs.
This article will explore what it is and the advantages of using one.
What Is A Urethane Bowling Ball?
A urethane bowling ball is a synthetic bowling ball made with polyurethane. These balls are made using engineering and materials that make them lighter, stronger, and more durable than other synthetic materials used in bowling balls.
They are synthetic because they’re made of a synthetic material, not a living organic material. The two most common types of urethane balls are G10 and G30. G10 balls are made of a solid piece of graphite and are very light.
They also come at a very affordable price. G30 balls are made of a heavier piece of graphite, and they’re more durable. These balls are also cheaper to create and produce than leather balls. They’re the perfect combination of affordability and modern technology.
Why Use A Urethane Bowling Ball?
- Bowling with a leather ball will leave a sticky mark on your lane, shoes, and pants. This residue is what makes the sport a little more challenging.
- The urethane balls are much more affordable to own and are also much more environmentally friendly.
- The urethane balls are also more lightweight than leather balls, making it easier to bowl with consistency.
- The urethane balls also last much longer than leather balls. This means that you’ll save money and have a much longer-lasting ball.
- The urethane balls are also easy to clean. You won’t have to worry about scum or dirt build-up in your hop.
- They’re also easier to store.
How To Care For A Urethane Bowling Ball
Urethane balls are tough, resilient, and durable. They’re also very similar to leather bowling balls.
Because of this, it’s easier to clean and maintain them than it is with leather balls.
You can dust a urethane ball with a chalk eraser or brush to remove residue from your lane or a smooth-finished ball. You can also use a microfiber cloth or make your cleaning solution with denatured alcohol and water.
If you choose to clean your urethane ball after each round of bowling, you will need to use denatured alcohol on the cleaning solution you have created.
The alcohol will remove any oily residue that might have accumulated on the surface of your ball during the game while maintaining its long-lasting durability and shine.
The Alcohol-Water Cleaning Solution:
Create a mixture by putting two parts water and 1-part denatured alcohol in a spray bottle for more accessible application on your urethane ball. You may want to store the bottle in an airtight container so as not to dry out until you need it again (i.e., when you bowl).
Spray some liquid onto a clean microfiber cloth and wipe the ball. Spray the solution on a second microfiber cloth and tap the ball again for a deeper clean. Wash off your ball with warm water and soap when you’re done.
The Chalk Eraser Cleaning Method:
To clean your urethane ball, spray some alcohol-water mixture onto an old scrap piece of clothing (such as an old shirt or T-shirt). Rub it in until you have created a chalk eraser-like consistency.
Then rub three to four quick passes over your ball’s surface to remove any dust or residue from last night’s bowling session. This is similar to using a dry-erase marker eraser on a chalkboard to erase writing from the board. Dab dry with some paper towels if needed.
FAQs
Q. Are Urethane Bowling Balls Worth the Extra Cost?
A. Urethane is a relatively new type of bowling ball material, so there’s not a lot of validity to claims that it’s better than any other type of ball.
They perform very well in high-scoring games because their core and cover materials are resilient and can withstand high degrees of impact without cracking or breaking. These balls’ design allows them to maintain an even reaction throughout their surface, making them great on medium to heavy oil lanes.
Because these balls have so much design potential, one could easily say that they are worth the extra cost based on how much more expensive it is to make a ball with this kind of technology included than one without it (maybe three times more expensive).
Q. What Does Urethane Coverstock Mean?
A. Urethane coverstock means an outer coating on your ball made of polyurethane plastic instead of your typical polyester or vinyl plastic blend found on conventional bowling balls. The polyurethane blend provides more durability while remaining easy to maintain and clean between bowling sessions.
If a ball says it has a “urethane cover,” it is 100% urethane. If it says that the cover is “urethane/plastic,” then there is another type of plastic coating layered on top.
Final Words: Should You Swap Out Your Bowling Balls?
Many new bowlers think that they should replace their bowling balls every season. This can be expensive and unnecessary. Many urethane balls are designed to last a season or more. You don’t need to swap them out every couple of months. You can also save money by keeping your balls for a more extended period.
It would help if you also thought about the condition of the lanes in your local bowling alley. This can affect how long your ball lasts. If the lane conditions in your bowling alley are challenging on your balls, you might want to consider swapping them out.
