Bowling Gloves

Bowling gloves are a piece of equipment that is very commonly used in bowling. Typically bowling gloves will be used by more advanced bowlers and ones that play the sport competitively. They can offer a number of different benefits, and there is a lot to learn about them.

What are gloves used for?

Bowling gloves can improve a bowler’s performance as well as reduce the risk of short term and long term injury. Some bowling gloves have padding or bracing built in to help prevent injury to joints and ligaments. Bowling gloves also provide a better grip to the bowler, which can take the pressure off the fingers, wrists, and forearms. They can even help maintain proper form when bowling which can prevent injury as well. 

On top of injury prevention, gloves can greatly improve a bowler’s performance. Having a better grip on the ball will allow for more control and more consistent results. If you get sweaty hands, gloves can eliminate that problem as well. By helping to maintain proper form, not only will bowling gloves prevent injury but will also help provide better results through a consistent motion.

Things To Consider

When looking for a bowling glove, you'll want to consider the following:

• What size bowling glove are you looking for?
• How much do you want to spend on a bowling glove?
• What type of bowling glove is right for your game?
• What level are you competing at?

Types

The four main types of bowling gloves are fingerless, single-finger, two-finger, and sock gloves.

Fingerless

Fingerless bowling gloves are gloves that only provide grip to the palm and the base of the fingers. This type of glove is preferred by bowlers who like the natural feel of a bowling ball while also providing some additional grip.

Single-Finger

Unlike fingerless bowling gloves, single-finger gloves have a grip covering the palm and the index finger. Some people prefer this style of glove as it provides some natural feel to the ball but takes some pressure off the middle finger which is inside of a hole.

Two-Finger

Two-finger gloves are the most common form of bowling gloves. They provide grip to the palm, index finger, and pinky finger. This leaves only the thumb fully exposed. This style of glove is most preferred as it provides grip to all fingers outside of the bowling ball holes.

Sock Glove

Sock gloves can come in a few different varieties. They may be a part of the glove, which looks similar to a two-finger glove but also has the thumb covered. Some bowlers may prefer to have the thumb sock as a separate piece. Sock gloves provide some grip as well as protection to the thumb.

Materials

The most common materials found in bowling gloves are leather, nylon, and spandex.

• Leather: Leather is one of the two main materials that bowling gloves are made from. Many bowlers prefer leather because of its natural feel and softness. It is usually mixed with other materials since it is not naturally stretchy.
• Nylon: Nylon is the other main material that bowling gloves are made from. Nylon is very flexible and light, making it a good option. It is also relatively cheap to produce.
• Spandex: Spandex is usually found mixed with leather gloves. This allows the leather to be more conforming and comfortable. 

Brands

The most popular bowling glove brands are Brunswick, Ebonite, and Storm.

• Brunswick: Brunswick is one of the most popular bowling equipment brands. They are known for their high quality products, and their gloves fit that category. They even make gloves with built-in wrist support.
• Ebonite: Ebonite is a brand that has recently been acquired by Brunswick, although their products are still produced. Their line of gloves typically features leather and spandex.
• Storm: Storm is a bowling brand that makes high quality equipment. They produce a wide variety of bowling gloves and are relatively cheaper than other brands.

Considerations

When deciding which bowling gloves to buy, you should always consider the durability, cost, and different sizes.

Durability

The lifespan of bowling gloves can vary greatly based on a few different factors. Depending on how often they are used and how hard the bowler is throwing, bowling gloves can sometimes last 200-300 games. It is recommended to get new gloves if the grip or padding begin to become less effective.

Cost

The cost of bowling gloves will vary based on brand and materials. Some of the higher quality gloves will range from around $40 to $60 while some of the cheaper kinds can be had for around $25. Brunswick tends to make some of the most expensive gloves on the market.

Sizes

Bowling gloves typically range from X-Small to XX-Large. While they typically do not vary much from brand to brand, it is best to look on the company’s website to find the size that fits your exact measurements. The most common place to measure is your knuckles.

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