What bowling equipment does your child need? The most basic answer is none -- bowling alleys provide house balls and rental shoes that are perfectly suitable for a kid bowling in a league. It certainly saves you a lot of money because bowling equipment is not inexpensive.
Purchasing equipment for your child does have its advantages, however. As in any sport, equipment that is chosen specifically for your child will help him perform better. Unlike many sports, however, bowling balls are not only chosen for your child, but custom drilled to fit your child's hand perfectly, making it much more comfortable for him to bowl well.
So, how do you know if your child is ready for her own equipment?
- How long has she been bowling? And how serious is she? A child who is just beginning or just playing around with the sport probably doesn't need her own equipment. Wait until you believe she'll stick with it, at least for a while, before investhing this kind of money.
- How old is he? A younger child is likely to outgrow his equipment quickly, so you may not want to invest in a ball that will be too light or shoes that will be too tight in a couple of months. Older children are more settled in their growth, or at least tend to grow more slowly and will get more use from a purchase.
- Is she struggling with house equipment? A custom drilled ball fits a bowler's hand much better than a house ball. If your child is uncomfortable with the house ball and is stuggling with her grip and release because of it, you might consider getting her her own ball. No one really likes house shoes, but if they're hurting or slipping, perhaps her own shoes are in order.
- How advanced is he? House balls are usually fine for beginners, probably even intermediate bowlers, but as your child's skills improve a better quality ball will help his game, especially if he's ready to start rolling a curve ball.
- Can you afford it? You're already paying for league fees and possibly tournament entry fees not to mention the gas to get her there. Be sure to check out what the equipment is going to cost you before you decide. Balls, shoes and bags vary greatly in price. And don't forget about the cost to drill the balls.
Page 3: Bowling Shoes
Page 4: Bowling Bags and Accessories