Expert: - 3/23/2009

Question
Do bowling balls lose value over time. I have a 1975 rubber cork center ball. What is the value at this time?

Answer
Teresa,
Is this a trick question? What was the value, undrilled in 1975? $40? An entry level plastic ball costs around $70 now. A basic black rubber ball may not offer the looks that current options offer. The rubber ball was all you could get before the plastic ball was introduced in the late '60's. Is the ball drilled or undrilled?

Rubber balls haven't been made in the US for about 15 or 20 years. The demand for a ball, especially a used ball, will dictate it's value.

Here in Chicago, you can probably find old rubber bowling balls on the house ball racks in every center in the area. The fact that so many have been "donated" to those centers reveal that while people don't value them enough to keep them, they think enough to recycle them to centers that can offer them to patrons as a house ball option.

I own a couple rubber balls, as they are a great option for a ball that doesn't hook (much). But, as a part of a tournament arsenal, they have their place. My favorite is probably 50 years old (very hard, doesn't hook on sandpaper rolling uphill).

Weight is crucial. My best selling ball weight is 15lbs.

So, depending on the weight, condition, drilled or undrilled, your ball maybe near worthless, or have some value to a better bowler as a spare ball. Thanks for the question.