Essential Bowling Accessories: What Every Bowler Needs
## Why Accessories Matter
Walk into any competitive bowling center and watch the serious bowlers. Their bags are filled with small accessories that casual bowlers do not think about: tape, towels, rosin bags, slide pads, and more. These are not luxury items β they are practical tools that solve real problems.
Finger inserts give you a clean, consistent release. Tape adjusts your thumb fit as your hand swells during a session. A microfiber towel removes oil that would otherwise soak into your coverstock and kill performance. A wrist support adds revs and prevents injury.
None of these accessories are expensive, and together they make a meaningful difference in your game. Here is what you need and why.
## Finger Inserts and Thumb Slugs
Your fingers and thumb are the connection points between you and the ball. The quality of that connection directly affects your release, your accuracy, and your comfort. For a detailed guide, see our [finger grips and tape article](/en/guide/bowling-finger-grips-tape-guide).
### Finger Inserts
Finger inserts are molded sleeves that fit inside your ball's finger holes. They provide a consistent, comfortable gripping surface and allow you to customize the feel of your grip.
- **[VISE](/en/brands/vise) Grip Inserts** β The industry standard. Available in multiple sizes and textures (smooth, ribbed, semi-ribbed). Used by more bowlers than any other brand.
- **[Turbo](/en/brands/turbo) 2-N-1 Grips** β The original combination finger grip, designed to guide your fingers for a cleaner release. Revolutionary when introduced in 1989 and still popular today.
- **Oval inserts** β Shaped to match the natural finger shape rather than a perfect circle. More comfortable for some bowlers.
Your pro shop will measure your fingers and install the correct size during drilling. Replace inserts when they become worn, stretched, or cracked β typically every 50-100 games.
### Thumb Slugs
A thumb slug is a solid insert that replaces the drilled thumb hole with a precisely sized, interchangeable piece. Benefits:
- **Consistent feel** across all your balls (same thumb slug size in every ball)
- **Easy replacement** if your thumb size changes
- **Smoother release** compared to a raw-drilled hole
- **Available in different textures** (smooth, matte, ridged)
VISE and Turbo are the leading manufacturers. Your pro shop handles installation.
## Bowling Tape: White and Black
Bowling tape is one of the cheapest and most impactful accessories you can own. It goes inside the thumb hole to adjust fit.
### White Tape (Textured/Grip)
- Applied to the **back of the thumb hole** (the side facing away from your palm)
- Creates more friction, making the thumb hole feel **tighter**
- Use when your thumb is thin (early in a session, cool weather, dry conditions)
- Add strips to tighten; remove strips to loosen
### Black Tape (Smooth/Slick)
- Applied to the **front of the thumb hole** (the palm side)
- Creates a slicker surface for a **cleaner release**
- Helps the thumb exit the ball more smoothly
- Some bowlers use it year-round for release consistency
### Why Tape Matters
Your thumb swells and shrinks throughout a bowling session due to temperature, exertion, and humidity. What fits perfectly during warm-ups may be too tight by game two or too loose by game three. Tape lets you make micro-adjustments in seconds, maintaining a perfect fit all session long.
Keep a roll of white and black tape in your bag at all times. Cost: $3-$5 per roll, lasting weeks of regular use.
## Wrist Supports
A wrist support is a device worn on the bowling hand that stabilizes the wrist during the approach and release. For a complete breakdown, see our [wrist support guide](/en/guide/bowling-wrist-support-guide).
### What They Do
- **Prevent wrist breakdown** β Keeps the wrist in a firm, cupped position through the release
- **Add revolutions** β A supported wrist generates more rev rate, which means more hook
- **Reduce fatigue** β Especially beneficial over long sessions or multi-game tournaments
- **Prevent injury** β Supports tendons and ligaments during repetitive motion
### Major Brands
- **[Robby's](/en/brands/robbys)** β Wide range from basic supports to full wrist-and-forearm braces. The Revs line is a favorite.
- **[Mongoose](/en/brands/mongoose)** β Known for the Optimum and Lifter models. Durable, adjustable, and effective.
- **[Storm](/en/brands/storm)** β Offers the Gizmo line of wrist supports with multiple adjustment points.
Not every bowler needs a wrist support, but if you struggle with wrist breakdown, experience fatigue, or want to increase your rev rate, try one. Prices range from $20 for basic models to $80+ for premium adjustable supports.
## Bowling Towels
You need two types of towels in your bag:
### Microfiber Towels
Thick, absorbent microfiber towels are essential for wiping lane oil off your ball after every shot or between games. The microfiber material lifts oil away from the coverstock surface rather than just smearing it around.
- Keep one in your bag and use it every session
- Wash it weekly β an oil-saturated towel does not clean, it redistributes oil
- Cost: $5-$10 each
### Shammy Pads
A shammy (also spelled "chamois") is a small leather or synthetic pad that excels at removing oil from the ball surface during play. Many bowlers prefer a shammy over a towel for between-shot cleaning because it absorbs oil more effectively.
- The [Storm](/en/brands/storm) Shammy and [Hammer](/en/brands/hammer) Shammy are the most popular options
- Clean and dry after each session for maximum effectiveness
- Cost: $10-$15
## Rosin Bags and Grip Aids
### Rosin Bags
A small cloth bag filled with rosin powder. Squeeze it to dust your bowling hand for a dry, consistent grip. Essential in humid conditions or for bowlers whose hands sweat during play.
- Cost: $3-$5
- Replace when the bag stops releasing powder effectively
- Some leagues restrict the use of rosin during competition β check local rules
### Grip Sack / Grip Aids
Similar to rosin bags but with different materials (often a microfiber exterior). Products like the Storm Grip Sack provide a quick way to dry your hand between shots.
## Slide Aids and Shoe Covers
### Slide Sole Powder/Spray
Products like Storm Slide EZ and Brunswick Shoe Slide allow you to add a small amount of slickness to your slide sole without swapping pads. Useful for fine-tuning when changing the interchangeable pad would be too much.
### Shoe Covers
Rubber or fabric covers that you pull over your bowling shoes when leaving the approach area. They protect your slide sole from dirt, moisture, and debris when walking to the concession stand, restroom, or parking lot. An absolute essential β even a small amount of grit on your slide sole can cause you to stick and risk injury.
- Cost: $10-$20 per pair
- Available from all major shoe brands
## Ball Spinners
A ball spinner is a motorized device that holds and rotates your bowling ball while you apply Abralon pads, polish, or cleaner. It makes surface maintenance dramatically easier and more consistent than doing it by hand.
- **Entry-level spinners:** $40-$60 β adequate for home maintenance
- **Mid-range spinners:** $60-$100 β more powerful motor, better stability
- **Pro shop spinners:** $200+ β heavy-duty, used for professional resurfacing
If you do your own ball maintenance regularly (see our [ball maintenance guide](/en/guide/bowling-ball-maintenance-guide)), a spinner is a worthwhile investment.
## Gloves and Bowling Apparel
### Bowling Gloves
Full-hand or half-finger gloves that provide grip and wrist support. Less common than dedicated wrist supports but preferred by some bowlers for their all-in-one convenience.
### Performance Apparel
Bowling-specific shirts are designed with stretch panels for unrestricted arm swing and moisture-wicking fabric for comfort. While not essential, they are a nice quality-of-life upgrade over regular clothing.
## Building Your Accessory Kit
Here is what we recommend for every bowler, organized by priority:
### Must-Have (Day One)
- Microfiber towel ($5-$10)
- White bowling tape ($3-$5)
- Shoe covers ($10-$15)
- USBC-approved ball cleaner spray ($8-$12)
### Strongly Recommended (Within First Month)
- Shammy pad ($10-$15)
- Black bowling tape ($3-$5)
- Rosin bag or grip sack ($3-$5)
- Second microfiber towel ($5-$10)
### For Serious Bowlers
- Wrist support ($20-$80)
- Extra interchangeable slide soles ($10-$20 each)
- Abralon pad set for surface maintenance ($20-$30)
- Ball spinner ($50-$100)
**Total cost for the must-have kit: approximately $26-$42.** That is a small investment that protects your equipment and improves your game from day one.
Browse all accessories in our [accessories category](/en/category/accessories).