Why are most bowling balls multi-colored, or "swirled"?

[Monte]

I've noticed that most balls on the market now are multi-colored, or "swirled". I'm just wondering why. Whatever happened to single-color, or solid-color balls (aside from the logo)?

I've had a few different balls like this. When I was much younger I was given a Columbia 300 yellow dot that looked very much like this:

1457-1.jpg

I graduated from that, to a black Hammer, that basically looked like this:

290-1.jpg

However, a lot of balls these days aren't these "solid" colors. They're all multi-colored and "swirled".

Is there any real reason for that? I'm simply curious.

[Mike White]

Bowling with a single color ball is like bowling with one eye tied behind your back.

The ball need to enter the roll phase shortly before hitting the pins.

The ball starts going down the lane in somewhat of a spiral appearance, and then changes into a forward roll.

If it never changes, you either need to play on a different part of the lane, or select a ball with a rougher surface.

If it changes too early, you need to find oil, or a polished ball.

That transition is very hard to see if you have a single color ball.

[Monte]

Mike:

Thanks for the explanation. That makes sense. I used to just use some sort of "marker" on my ball to determine what it was doing. When I had my Columbia 300 yellow dot, I'd basically have to watch the dot as best as I could. With my black hammer, I had white finger inserts, so I would watch those.

[bowl1820]

However, a lot of balls these days aren't these "solid" colors. They're all multi-colored and "swirled".

Is there any real reason for that? I'm simply curious.

Saying they made them swirled so you can see the ball transition is ludicrous.

The closest thing to a company doing that was AMF with the tracers dots on the old classic S3D ball.

The real reason is Marketing and Shelf Appeal.

[Mike White]

AMF had the magic line (red circle on perimeter of the ball) and Manhattan Rubber had a ball with green swirls, and another with yellow swirls.

The magic line (or circle) was completely about how it looked when thrown, not on the shelf.

[bowl1820]

AMF had the magic line (red circle on perimeter of the ball) and Manhattan Rubber had a ball with green swirls, and another with yellow swirls.

The magic line (or circle) was completely about how it looked when thrown, not on the shelf.

I saw a magic line back when I started, And yes the magic line and the S3D tracer dots were not about shelf appeal.

But they also were just a couple of specialty balls and made 40-50 years ago Marketing has changed a bit since then.

[RobLV1]

The other day I was throwing a Brunswick Melee Cross and someone on the other team asked why I was using that old Teal Rhino. I guess people just think that solid colored balls look old.

[Amyers]

I have never overly liked solid colored balls. I do think it makes it more difficult to read what the lane is doing.

[MICHAEL]

The other day I was throwing a Brunswick Melee Cross and someone on the other team asked why I was using that old Teal Rhino. I guess people just think that solid colored balls look old.

yes and to people like Aslan, old stinks! You will always be SOLID in my eyes Bob,, I mean Rob!!!

[MICHAEL]

When are they going to come up with a ball that as it spins, it creates a cool image as it goes down the lanes!