Best Bowling Balls for Heavy Oil Lanes of 2024

Bowling lanes are oiled both to provide a uniquely smooth surface finish and to ensure that the bowling lanes aren’t damaged by repeated impacts of heavy bowling balls.

The surface finish affects how the ball travels from the player down to the pin end and thus, every player has to adjust his or her technique in order to make the best use of the bowling ball lane.

This leads us to heavy oil lanes.

Heavy oil lanes involve a hefty use of mineral oil on the bowling lane surface to keep it slippery. Not only does this enable bowlers to achieve sharp hook shots but also keeps the lane surfaces safe from constant wear and tear.

Therefore, not every bowling ball will work on heavy oil lanes as high oil density will inhibit ball motion. Heavy oil balls are thus a specialized breed designed to move through the oil with ease due to their unique surface finish.  

To make the process of finding the perfect bowling ball best for heavy oil lanes, I have listed some of the best options currently on the market. Heavy oil lanes present a unique set of challenges and the nine balls below are sure to provide optimum performance in such a scenario.

Contents

At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Bowling Balls for Heavy Oil Lanes

If you’re in a hurry, you can jump straight into our top picks (these are the bowling balls for heavy oil lanes that most people buy).

  • Storm Physix Bowling Ball Top Pick
  • Ebonite Choice Runner-up
  • Hammer Black Widow Runner-up

Top 9 Best Bowling Balls for Heavy Oil Lanes 2024 – Our Reviews:

1. Storm Physix Bowling Ball

Arguably the best Storm bowling ball, the Storm Physix is a heavy oil bowling ball that means business. Made with cutting edge technology, this ball is designed to blow away the competition at every game it is employed.

The hybrid reactive coverstock (which uses carbon fiber nanotechnology) works wonders on oil lanes, ensuring that the ball flies and turns on the slippery lanes as it hurtles towards the target. This superior traction provided by the cover stock gives the ball an edge over its competition.

The asymmetrical weight block that makes up the atomic core ensures that the bowling ball blows the pins away on impact. However, the ball has an angular hook potential that will cause difficulty to a bowler with an arcing hook shot.

With a 3000 grit Abralon finish, the surface of the Physix bowling ball feels extremely smooth. Available in three different colors that pop under any light, the ball is a hoot to use due to the Apple berry scent that comes off of it.

Pros

  • Unparalleled traction on oily surface makes it the best bowling ball currently available
  • Perfect for professionals who want an edge over the competition

Cons

  • None so to speak

2. Ebonite Choice

The Ebonite Choice combines ease of use and great design into a ball that works well in heavy oil conditions. Available in a red and black luster, the Choice from Ebonite works as well for weekend bowlers as it does for the pros.

The GS-1 coverstock ensures that the Choice propels through the mid lane as it hurtles towards blowing away the pins at the end. The cover stock is specially designed to conquer heavy oil by working against inhibiting forces.

The Mod 1 core that makes up the center of the bowling ball is symmetrical. This symmetrical core allows seamless movement through all three regions of the bowling lane.

The hook potential developed using this bowling ball is sure to result in a powerful back end, meaning more points for the bowler at every opportunity.

With five different weight classes available, the Ebonite Choice also comes in three different combinations of Abralon finish for every prospective consumer.

Pros

  • Symmetrical core gives the ball a powerful punch
  • Beautiful red and black design

Cons

  • Too much to handle for novices due to its powerful back end

3. Hammer Black Widow

Specifically designed for heavy oil lane conditions, the Black Widow from Hammer is a beast. With superior technology employed in its manufacture, anyone who employs the Black Widow can be sure to blow away the competition with ease.

The presence of the Aggression hybrid cover stock ensures the outer surface absorbs and breezes through the lane oil, enabling the bowler to consistently hit the pins accurately. The coverstock absorbs the oil as the ball moves through the lane, ensuring minimum resistance.

Another feature of the Black Widow that makes it a bowling ball best for oily lanes is its gas mask core that maintains high speeds and enables the ball to be carried far on slippery surfaces.

The hook potential is above average and a combination of gold and black colors makes the ball visually striking as well. 

Weighing almost 16 pounds and priced around $160, the Black Widow is a potent heavy oil bowling ball designed specifically to power through and demolish as many pins as possible.

Pros

  • Great hook potential that results in stylish hits
  • One of the cheaper options on this list
  • Great pro performance

Cons

  • Only available in a single color

4. Roto Grip Halo

Engineered to provide stunning performance in adverse surface conditions, the Roto Grip Halo is a powerful ball capable of hitting the target from all angles.

The reactive coverstock is MicroTrax S-18 which enables the ball to smooth through heavy oil patterns without compromising its speed and target. The coverstock aggressively gobbles up the oil on the lane, preventing slippage.

At the center of the ball is its asymmetrical core which ensures optimum forward motion as the ball pushes through the oily surface. With a low RG of 2.49, more of the mass is concentrated at the center which allows the ball to attain fast speeds.

The ball is available in three cool colors and its surface is topped off by a matte finish.

Furthermore, the ball even has a great backend reaction. However, not every hook shot will feel perfect.

Costing $170 and seamlessly melding revolutionary technology and a bright palette, this bowling ball is sure to be the talk of the town at every game.

Pros

  • Asymmetric core helps greatly in forward motion
  • Available in three colors

Cons

  • Every single hook shot will not hit consistently

5. Brunswick Kingpin Rule

Available in maroon, orange, and white, the Kingpin Rule is for professionals who want something more than a ball to knock pins off.

Designed with a high demanding professional in mind, the ball gives an unparalleled back end hook. The coverstock is ECA-XR solid reactive which works well on heavy oil lanes, providing the necessary traction and perfect control of hook shots.

The Kingpin Ultra low RG core helps propel the ball forward and houses an asymmetric weight block at its center for rotational motion. With 500/2000 grit finish, the outer surface travels well on a variety of oil patterns.

The Kingpin Rule has consistently been a top pick among serious bowlers for its unparalleled grip and control over medium to heavy oil lanes.

Pros

  • Reactive coverstock helps the ball move over oily lane with ease
  • Good pro performance; professionals would love it due to its serious hook potential

Cons

  • Not for novices who may have a hard time controlling this heavy oil bowling ball

6. Motiv Trident Abyss

The Motiv Trident Abyss has a fantastic color scheme that will catch every eye in the bowling alley.

Made to twist and turn on heavy-oiled surfaces, the Abyss has the 3rd generation Coercion reactive cover that ensures seamless control for hook shots. The porous cover stock eats up the oil as the ball travels through the oiled lane.

The 2000 grit finish provides further traction on oily surfaces. The bowling ball is also available in three distinct weights for bowlers of various strengths.

With high-speed movement enabled by its revolutionary design, the Abyss is extremely sensitive to the bowler’s intended direction, ensuring maximum carnage is transferred to the pins at the end of the lane.

A contentious aspect about this ball is that it won’t work for beginners who should stay clear of it due to its high flare potential. Also, the cover stock demands continuous maintenance to ensure consistent performance.

Pros

  • Extremely responsive to the bowler’s intentions
  • Engineered to deliver explosive hits to the pins
  • Beautiful color adds to the ball’s design

Cons

  • Costs a little more as compared to the other bowling balls on this list
  • Coverstock needs to be constantly maintained

7. Storm Code Red

The second bowling ball from Storm on this list, the Code Red packs a neat little punch in its own right.

The R2S Hybrid Reactive coverstock ensures great movement over heavy oil lane conditions. This particular cover stock also ensures that the ball doesn’t slip to the sides and is able to curve and twist exactly according to what the bowler demands.

The RAD4 core works in tandem with the cover stock to propel the ball forward and blow the pins away on impact. The core is light with most of the weight concentrated at the center.

The dense center of the core also helps to develop good torque that comes in handy during developing hook potential. The 1500 grit finish at the outer surface enables the ball to have a good grip during movement on heavy oil lanes.

The Code Red, although not as great as the Physix, is an effective and efficient heavy oil bowling ball bound to be loved by intermediates and professionals alike.

Pros

  • Visually stunning due to its beautiful deep red color
  • Great movement on heavy oil patterns
  • Core works in tandem with the coverstock to achieve increased speed

Cons

  • A hook using this bowling ball isn’t as great as its competitors

8. Brunswick DV8 Quantum Bias

Available only in a sleek white color, the DV8 Quantum Bias is a powerful bowling ball for heavy oil lanes.

A solid reactive cover stock enables the ball to gain friction on slippery oily surfaces. This helps in developing a formidable hook, resulting in a greater chance of knocking over most of the pins.

The 1000 Siaair Micro Pad finish may not hold a candle to bowling balls with 2000 or 5000 finishes, but provides sufficient traction for the ball to roll over heavy lane oil. In addition, the ball is available in 14, 15, and 16-pound designs.

Another great feature of the DV8 is its asymmetric Quantum core that adds to the dynamic motion of the ball. The core aids in the curvature of the ball as it travels to the end of the lane towards the pins.

Bowlers looking for a variety of color options are out of luck as the DV8 is only available in white. Nevertheless, it’s a potent bowling ball for heavy oil lanes and is bound to be loved by newbies and professionals alike.

Pros

  • Beautiful design that exudes minimalism
  • Great back end makes for a sharp hook
  • The reactive coverstock plows through heavy oil

C0ns

  • Since the bowling ball is white, it’s bound to get dirty after some time

9. Hammer Scandal

Being the flagship model of Hammer’s High-Performance series, the Scandal is a high-performance bowling ball for heavy oil conditions.

The carbon fiber outer core and the solid reactive cover stock help the ball to easily move on slippery surfaces, ensuring that the bowler has maximum control.

The core is symmetrical, propelling the ball through the mid lane and resulting in a significant hook through to the pin area. Available in either 500 or 2000 Abralon finish, the ball plows through heavy oiled lanes.

The Scandal is available in three distinct colors and works well for intermediate bowlers who aspire to achieve complex hooks. At $150, the Scandal remains one of the most potent bowling balls at an affordable price point.

Pros

  • Specifically designed bowling ball for heavy oil lane
  • Can be used for high-velocity hits aided by its symmetrical core

Cons

  • Professionals may find it somewhat lacking

Conclusion

As the variety of heavy oil bowling balls available on the market are low, finding the best bowling ball for heavy oil surfaces ends up being a bit of a chore.

However, this is hardly a cause for worry. Scouring the best of the best heavy oil bowling balls on the market, the list above contains nine of the top bowling balls for heavy oil that I think take the cake.

However, I have one more distinction to make.

Heavy oil bowling balls work differently in the hands of both novices and pro bowlers. Therefore, it’s only fitting that I outline the best heavy oil bowling ball for each level of expertise.

Regarding the best bowling ball for novices, I would recommend the Roto Grip Halo.

Due to its ease of use and lightweight design, beginners wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by it. The ball also serves as a nice stepping stone for those looking to make the leap to professional bowling.

If I were to put my finger on the best bowling ball for professionals, they can do no better than the Storm Physix. Employing the latest technology, this ball is bound to be the perfect match for individuals who want to conquer the competition.