Get the office team together for an afternoon at your local bowling alley and be sure to bring along some low-cost bowling accessories. Bowling equipment prices depend on your skill level; if your business is a regular on a local company league, then equipment and accessories may be more expensive. But if you and your employees are casual bowlers who are out for a team building exercise or an office party, then there is some bowling ball equipment that is low-cost, yet good quality.

When you are looking into the pricing and costs of bowling equipment the first step is to decide what kind of bowling accessories you need. Look at these items when deciding:

1. Consider a high quality, cheaper alternative when you are in the market for a bowling ball.

2. Save your back — and wallet — with the right bowling ball bag at the right price.

3. Step onto the lanes in style with bowling shoes for every budget.

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Ensure you knock the most pins down with the right low-cost bowling ball

After the obvious bowling lane equipment, the most important part of bowling is the bowling ball. Whether your company has a bowling party now and then or you are one of the best teams in a bowling league, it is important to have the right ball for success. There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a top-of-the-line bowling ball, though. Even though the ball is the most expensive bowling accessories, low-cost balls for the novice are always an option.

I recommend: Bowling balls like these Ebonite ones on the One Stop Golf and Bowling website range in cost from about $50 up to about $160. Ebonite is a leading manufacturer of bowling balls so it’s no surprise that Bowlingball.com has Ebonite bowling balls in a large array of colors, styles and prices. Expect to pay between around $20 per ball up to around $400 per ball.

Take an easy-to-carry bowling ball bag for a spin to transport your equipment to and from the office

Carry your ball in style with a great looking, easy to carry bowling bag. There are many styles to choose from and just as many price ranges. The most expensive bags are easier to carry or even roll and tend to have more compartments for your other bowling equipment, such as bowling shoes.

I recommend: You will have a hard time deciding which stylish bag from bowling.com you want to use. They carry all of the major brands and their prices run from about $10 up to around $140. If you want to shop around then be sure to check out these bags from BowlersParadise.com that cost around $10 up to about $120.

Show off your team spirit with fun, matching bowling shoes

Now it is time to really let your company's personality shine through. Pick up some matching bowling shoes in fun colors and stand out at that league. There is no need to spend a lot of money on fancy bowling shoes, since the amount of time you will spend in them is minimal. One of the most important factors to consider after price though, is comfort. It is certainly possible to get a low-cost, comfortable shoe that your employees will be proud to jump into on league day.

I recommend: Be sure to purchase from a store that carries bowling shoes that fit your personality. Consider these Brunswick shoes from the Bowling Shoe Depot website that cost around $45. Check out Blockbusterbowling.com for a huge assortment of bowling shoes including various Brunswick styles. Shoes on this site range in price from around $27 up to about $140.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many bowling leagues begin in the fall and winter months. Check out the pricing and costs of bowling equipment in the spring and summer since that is when many bowling equipment stores put much of their equipment and accessories on sale.

If you manage a bowling alley or are opening a pro shop or stocking a sports equipment store, you need to find top-rated bowling equipment. This equipment needs to fit men, women and children. It also needs to appeal to a variety of bowlers.

Bowling remains a popular participation sport in the United States. Studies show that many adults bowl in leagues every week. Children also participate, with bowling birthday parties and outings becoming a staple on the weekends. Bowling is also a televised competitive sport, with bowlers competing for big money and prizes. This means that you need to offer bowling balls and bowling accessories for bowlers of all ages and skill levels.

With bowling still popular and participation strong, bowlers young and old will be interested in finding affordable, durable, and cutting-edge bowling shoes, bowling balls, and bowling accessories to improve their performance on the lanes. For your business to be successful, you will have to:

1. Be knowledgeable about brands, styles, new technology, and applications of a wide variety of bowling balls, bowling shoes, and bowling accessories like gloves and supports
2. Offer an expert fit on bowling balls and bowling shoes
3. Update your inventory with the newest and most innovative products to generate long-term patronage from coaches, bowling alley managers, and serious and casual bowlers

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Offer a bowling ball for every age, skill and experience level

Bowlers of all skill levels need a durable and high-performance bowling ball. It is the most important piece of equipment a bowler needs to play the game! Make sure to offer various weights, finishes, cover stocks and brands for bowlers to choose from.

I recommend: One of the top bowling ball wholesalers, cheapbowlingballs.com offers the top bowling ball brands as well as wholesale bowling balls. Ebonite International provides a range of cutting-edge bowling balls. Another top bowling ball manufacturer, Columbia 300, carries bowling balls and other bowling ball equipment. Brunswick is a top bowling ball manufacturer that offers a nice selection of bowling balls to choose from.

Comfortable and well-fitting bowling shoes are another essential piece of bowling equipment

There are two types of bowling shoes: athletic bowling shoes, which look like regular sneakers but have a special tread that will provide the proper grip without damaging the floor, and performance shoes, designed to provide optimum performance. You must ascertain a bowler's needs to fit him/her with the proper shoe.

I recommend: 900Global has a great selection of performance shoes for the serious bowler, and even provides special shoe fitting equipment, such as heel adjustments, replaceable toe caps and soles. Etonic manufacturers a top-rated line of bowling shoes for men and women, including a popular retro style. Elite International also carries a selection of men’s and women’s bowling shoes in different styles and colors.

Provide a broad range of bowling equipment to improve a bowler's performance

A bowler needs to buy a bowling ball, shoes, and a bowling bag to hold all bowling supplies. Gloves, supports, bowling bags and totes, bowling ball inserts and maintenance products are items you need to keep in stock. You may also want to purchase ball fitting equipment, such as a bowling ball drill and a fitting system, if it fits your needs.

I recommend: Powerhouse manufactures bowling ball drills, cleaning and refinishing supplies and plugging products. They also offer classes on how to repair bowling balls and bowling equipment and how to set up and run a bowling pro shop. MoRich Bowling Ball Co sells an easy-to-use bowling ball fitting system, which allows pro shops to provide a customized bowling ball fit. Storm Products, Inc. is an acknowledged leader in bowling accessories, particularly bowling ball bags and totes. Turbo 2-N-1 Grips is a leading manufacturer of bowling insert products and accessories, including the original 2-N-1 and 4-N-1 insert.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Plastic bowling balls are the most common type. Polyester is the material used to make them, and this makes them cheap to manufacture. They handle intense wear and last much longer than urethane, reactive resin, or particle bowling balls. If you are stocking a bowling alley and expect to attract inexperienced and casual bowlers just looking for a night of fun, consider plastic bowling balls. Remember, serious bowlers usually have their own balls and will bring them to use on league nights.
• •  Fitting a bowler to the right bowling ball is a challenging process. You want to allow the bowler to deliver the ball without excessive grip pressure. Make sure to get proper training in fitting techniques and consider purchasing equipment to help you with the fitting process. Train your staff to provide an excellent fit for every bowler and to be knowledgeable about the different brands, styles, and specifications of bowling balls on the market.
• •  Bowling shoes also require a careful fit. For example, the performance shoe design helps maximize a bowler's performance: one sole is for sliding, the other for breaking. If you bowl with your right hand, then the 'sliding' sole should be on the left shoe; if you bowl with your left hand, then it should be on the right.
• •  If you are opening a pro shop, be knowledgeable on bowling ball maintenance and repair. Customers will expect you to help them refinish and repair their bowling balls. Ensure you have trained staff-preferably experienced bowlers-who can perform these tasks quickly and efficiently. By having the right repair products and equipment and responding effectively to your customer's needs, you are generating loyalty and long-term business.

Bowling equipment training, as the equipment itself improves, becomes more of a necessity than a luxury. In the past, the technology changed so slowly that you simply trained people at your own pace. Now there is almost constant innovation even as the bowling process stays somewhat the same. Therefore, if you want to stay on the cutting edge of this industry, it's important to have the most current bowling equipment education and training.

Whether you're an avid bowler, want to work in the industry, sell equipment or own a bowling alley, reading the latest bowling accessories and equipment manuals are a must. To work in the industry, training on the equipment is also a requirement. Bowling associations can also provide an excellent source of equipment knowledge, reviews and support. However, before you take a course, read a manual, or contact an association, here are a few items to consider:

1. Review available courses and job requirements for a bowling lane equipment professional.

2. Examine the latest bowling equipment manuals.

3. Join bowling associations for help with bowling ball equipment training and education.

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Study the training information and job description for the bowling ball equipment industry

Learning about bowling equipment is more than simply picking out bowling shoes. It involves knowing what a pinsetter does and where to go for the training to operate and maintain such a machine. Prior to working with bowling equipment, it's also important to know just what the work entails.

I recommend: Evaluate the bowling equipment-training curriculum that the Brunswick Company has to offer. Review the bowling maintenance topics at Navy Bowling to understand the process of maintaining and operating bowling equipment.

Understand just how the bowling equipment functions through the use of manuals

In order to gain a complete education on bowling equipment, it's important to read the manuals related to the products. Manuals can also help you or your company makes the correct purchase decision about a bowling bag, bowling ball drill or bowling ball spinner. In other words, the proper equipment education and training can save you time and money, both of which are often in short supply.

I recommend: Print and read the bowling equipment manuals available at the Brunswick Parts Manuals website. Review the manuals located at the United States Bowling Congress for more equipment information.

Speak to a representative at a bowling or bowling equipment association

Bowling associations can offer a network where you can learn the latest equipment information and reviews on what equipment to purchase. They also offer updates on industry conferences at which bowling equipment companies demonstrate their products. Associations with their large networks make for a great educational resource.

I recommend: Contact the Professional Bowlers Association for any equipment information or recommendation that they might offer. Join the International Association of Bowling Equipment Specialists for bowling equipment knowledge assistance on almost any product within the industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to check for continuing educational opportunities on a regular basis, as bowling equipment technology can change in a short period of time.

If you plan to do business with bowlers or a bowling alley, then you'll need to know how to speak the language of the lanes. Bowling is a sport with passionate and dedicated players. So you should know exactly what your customers are talking about when they ask for items such as inserts, grip sacks, shoe covers and see-saws. You'll also want to understand the difference between various types of bowling bags and wrist supports.

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Bowling bags

Bowling bags are used to store and transport bowling balls. Various models are available and some can hold six balls or more. Also, many models have space for additional bowling accessories. Bowling bags come in two types, bags with handles that are carried and so-called 'rollers,' which have wheels.

I recommend: Cheapbowlingballs.com is a great resource for more information on bowling bags. Under "Shop By Bag Type" on the linked page, click the headings for pictures of each type of bag and more detailed information.

Finger and thumb inserts

Finger and thumb inserts are placed in the holes on bowling balls in order to improve the fit. They can make the grip more comfortable, help create more ball speed and give you a consistent feel when you use different balls.

I recommend: Check out Turbo 2-N-1 Grips for more information on the many different types of finger and thumb grips that are available.

Wrist supports

Wrist supports help prevent wrist fatigue during play and help keep the wrist and hand in proper alignment for optimal ball release. Dozens of types of wrist supports are available and many can be customized for the user's preference.

I recommend: To view examples of some of the many types of wrist supports, and learn more about their features, visit Bowling Index.

Grip sack

A grip sack, sometimes called a grip ball, grip bag or rosin bag, absorbs moisture in a bowler's hand picking up the ball. This helps provide a better grip on the ball and makes for a more consistent delivery of the ball down the lane.

I recommend: Check out Bowling.com to see examples of some of the many types of grip sacks that are on the market. Click each picture for more information.

See-saw

A see-saw is a sling made out of cloth that is used to clean a bowling ball. Various types of fibers are used to quickly and effectively remove dirt and oil from the ball. See-saws are also used to hold, carry and protect bowling balls.

I recommend: BowlingBallSales.com provides pictures of see-saws. Click the pictures for more information.

Shoe covers

Shoe covers are used to protect a bowler's bowling shoes when he or she leaves the lanes and walks to another part of the bowling alley. They keep the bowling shoes clean and free from moisture.

I recommend: To see what shoe covers look like, visit BowlersParadise.com. Click the pictures for more information about the benefits and sizing of shoe covers.