There are a plethora of bowling accessories out there, ranging all the way from the practical to the novel to the downright absurd.
It can be quite the task sifting through the web, trying to find the right product to keep your equipment in tip-top condition while also trying to find the gear that’ll maximize your own performance.
Wherever there’s a need, you can be sure to find an accessory purpose-built to cater for it.
Noting this, it’s very much up to you to assess your own requirements and identify which of those you’re considering seeking aid for in the form of a nifty bowling accessory.
In this article, I’ll be giving you a rundown of the most essential bowling accessories to help you maintain your bowling equipment and let you get the most out of your game.
Contents
At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Bowling Accessories
If you’re in a hurry, you can jump straight into our top picks (these are the bowling accessories that most people buy).
- Storm Shammy Bowling Ball Cleaning Pad Top Pick
- Monster Tac Remove All Bowling Ball Cleaner Runner-up
- Dexter Men’s Pro-Am II Bowling Shoes Runner-up
Top 5 Best Bowling Accessories – Our Reviews:
1. Storm Shammy Bowling Ball Cleaning Pad
Fingermarks, lane oil, and dust are just a few of the elements that can significantly build up over time on the surface of your bowling ball. This is neither hygienic nor beneficial to your ball’s performance.
The Storm Shammy Cleaning Pad is your greatest ally in combating such performance inhibitors and health hazards.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find any serious bowler leaving home without a bowling towel, and this particular entry into the market comes highly recommended.
Use it between plays and games to keep your ball looking fresh and the coverstock ready to take whatever the lane throws at it.
The fibers are great at absorbing oil and work when used to clean your bowling ball or when drying your hands mid-game. Additionally, you’ll suffer from less finger slippage if you’re regularly giving your ball a wipe.
The Storm cleaning pad is slightly more expensive than other similar products on the market, but that doesn’t detract from the fact of this bowling towel being a firm favorite among bowlers worldwide.
Pros
- Quickly removes and absorbs excess moisture
- Can be used on any bowling ball
- Small, convenient size
Cons
- One of the more expensive bowling towels available
2. Monster Tac Remove All Bowling Ball Cleaner
A good towel, while important, is only half the battle. To really make your bowling balls glitter and gleam, you need to be investing in a good quality, specialized cleaning agent.
The Monster Tac Remove All Bowling Ball Cleaner is exactly that. It effectively cuts through tough grime that would likely hamper your performance and even cause permanent damage to your equipment.
It doesn’t contain any chemicals that could damage your ball or cause skin irritation when playing, and its spray top makes it easy enough to apply at home or even mid-game.
It’s advisable that you apply a cleaner to your bowling ball in between plays to keep dust and excess oil at bay and the compact size of this cleaner allows for that with minimal hassle.
However, its small volume is a blessing and a curse, meaning if you bowl regularly, you could well find yourself running through these in haste.
Pros
- Easy application
- No harmful chemicals
- Effectively cuts through grease and dust
Cons
- Small bottle makes it easy to run through quickly
3. Dexter Men’s Pro-Am II Bowling Shoes
If you’ve been bowling for a while, you’re likely thinking of graduating from the ill-fitting and uncomfortable house shoes you often have to put up with at public lanes.
It may surprise you to learn that most bowling shoes available to buy for personal use are often a far cry from the clownlike two-tone colorway you may be used to from the rental counter.
The Dexter Pro-Am II is a highly functional, comfortable, and subtly-designed bowling shoe that can be worn for long periods just as you would with your regular sneakers.
These bowling shoes come highly recommended to those looking for something reliable, robust, and resilient that feels good on foot too.
Pros
- Cushioned and comfortable
- Clean and understated design
- Durable materials
Cons
- May not be favorable to those who prefer a more sneaker-like design
4. Bowlingball.com Bowling Shoe Slider
While bowling shoes are designed to give you a sufficient amount of slide to help you smoothly transition into your bowl, you can really get an edge on your opponents with the use of a bowling shoe slider.
This slider from Bowlingball.com comes highly recommended as a durable and effective option to achieve a controlled and clean slide during plays.
It’s especially beneficial if you’re using old shoes or house shoes that have seen better days and are picking up a little extra friction.
Pros
- Helps you achieve a smooth slide
- Subtle and clean design
- Great quality and long-lasting
Cons
- A little slippy for some users
5. Ebonite React Bowling Glove
The Ebonite React Bowling Glove is a firm favorite for those who want a firm grip.
A good bowling glove is a highly advisable purchase for any player looking to step up their game and enhance their ball control and get a little extra wrist support.
This glove features a special compound on the palm side to greatly improve your gripping power.
It’s also padded to keep your hands protected while staying ventilated enough to reduce any clamminess that often comes with long periods of glove wear.
The wrist strap also offers a surprising amount of wrist support to help prevent strains while improving your control.
Pros
- Comfortable and padded
- Well ventilated
- Superior grip
Cons
- Users have reported some decay after long periods of use
Wrap Up
That rounds up our shortlist of some of the most essential bowling accessories that you should never leave home without.
Some of these entries are fundamental items every bowler will swear by, whereas others are a little more left of field. Nevertheless, they all come highly recommended by hobbyists and pros alike.