How To Build a Bowling Ball Arsenal

 

WHERE TO START

Selecting the right bowling ball can be a little overwhelming when there are so many options.  We get it. That’s why we created the MOTIV® Ball Guide, your go-to resource to simplify the process and help you feel confident about your choices.

Think of the Ball Guide as your personal roadmap, showing you all the different ball motions across the MOTIV® lineup. Not sure how to read it? No worries—we’ve got a breakdown of the heat map used in the guide so you can make sense of it all.

 

FINDING YOUR BENCHMARK

When you’re building your bowling ball lineup, the first piece you’ll need is your benchmark ball. Think of it as your starting point—the first ball you pull out of your bag when you hit the lanes. It helps you figure out how the oil pattern is playing and where the friction spots are on the lane.

A solid benchmark ball is usually designed for medium oil conditions. It gives you the flexibility to “ball up” to something stronger or “ball down” to something weaker, depending on how the lane condition plays.

One of the most popular benchmark balls out there? The Venom Shock. It’s a go-to for tons of bowlers because of its versatility and control, especially on typical house shots. Want to dive deeper into picking the perfect benchmark? We’ve got more info for you HERE.

 

BUILD AROUND YOUR BENCHMARK

Once you’ve got your benchmark nailed down, it’s time to build around it. At a minimum, you’ll want one ball that’s stronger and one that’s weaker. But here’s the thing—what you need really depends on your bowling style.

Speed-dominant bowlers (those who throw the ball faster than it revs) usually need balls that can grip the lane and slow down sooner. Asymmetrical cores, high differential, and strong coverstocks are key here. Pearls? Not so much—they’re too clean through the front. A speed-dominant bowler might love the Jackal Onyx or Subzero Forge for heavier oil—both have strong, solid covers that dig into the lane when needed. Something like the Crimson Jackal might be too clean and angular for these bowlers on heavy oil.

Rev-dominant bowlers (those with higher rev rates compared to speed) are a different story. They need balls that get down the lane without burning up early. High RG balls are often the answer, especially as the lanes dry out. Pearls and hybrids are great for these bowlers—they create length and smooth transitions. For heavy oil, the Jackal Ghost or Crimson Jackal are solid picks. On lighter oil? The Supra GT will give you that cleaner look through the front with plenty of backend pop.

 

AVOID OVERLAP

Here’s a common trap: buying a bunch of balls that all do the same thing. It’s like having five screwdrivers in your toolbox when you really need a wrench. Each ball in your arsenal should serve a purpose.

A simple, effective setup includes:

  1. A strong, smooth ball for fresh oil that reads early.
  2. Your versatile benchmark ball for medium conditions.
  3. A cleaner, more angular ball for when the lanes break down.

With these three ball motions covered, you can add more pieces to fill gaps as needed, but the key is making sure each ball offers something different.

 

DETERMINING YOUR ARSENAL SIZE

How big should your arsenal be? Well, it depends on how and where you bowl.

  • Same center, same oil pattern? A solid 3-ball MOTIV® setup (strong, benchmark, clean) will probably cover your needs.
  • Bowl leagues at multiple centers or hit tournaments? You’ll want a deeper lineup with more options to handle different oil patterns and lane conditions.

The MOTIV® Ball Guide makes it easy to build your arsenal, no matter how big or small. Plus, as new MOTIV® balls hit the market, the guide helps you figure out where they fit into your existing lineup—so you’re never stuck guessing.

 

INTRODUCING THE ARSENAL BUILDER

Now that you know how to build your arsenal, let’s talk about making the process even easier. Imagine being able to see all your favorite MOTIV® bowling balls laid out on your very own personalized ball guide—a heat map that highlights any performance gaps so you can perfect your lineup. Sounds awesome, right?

That’s exactly what the MOTIV® Arsenal Builder does.  

And here’s where it really shines—you can save your setup for each bowling center or tournament.  You won’t need to play the guessing game anymore when you’re packing your bag. Just open the Arsenal Builder, check out your saved arsenals, and you’re good to go. You can even include retired MOTIV® gems in your collection. It’s like having your own cheat sheet for every lane condition and tournament.

Ready to level up your game? All you need to do is log in to your MOTIV® account and start building. Don’t have one yet? Create your MOTIV® account now and start crafting your ultimate arsenal today.