What do you want from your bowling ball? Do you want maximum performance, or do you just want to look good?

There’s no shame in looking great on the bowling alley, breaking out that colossal ball when you have the spare that puts you over the top. There are customized clear bowling balls that will definitely turn some heads, whether they are decorated with funny pigs, an elegant rose, or a skull that shows them what you’re made of.

Keep in mind, however, that a bowling ball that looks good might not always have the best performance. Clear balls don’t have a core because you can see right through them. That means they aren’t the most accurate balls on the lane. They may look one-of-a-kind and turn heads at the alley, but they might not be the best balls if you’re looking for that perfect strike.

The core is the heart and soul of any bowling ball. The placement and design of the core truly determines a ball’s performance. The core is what makes each ball do something different, the very element that gives a ball its personality and performance. Cores are dynamically imbalanced so that a ball will try to stabilize as it rolls down the lane. This causes the ball to flare as it rolls, causing multiple oil rings and a dynamic imbalance that gives the ball its performance personality.

Clear balls, however, have no core as they are hollow and encased with a design or object to give them a more unique look. This can dynamically affect the ball’s performance, making it less accurate and unpredictable.

No professional bowler would use a clear bowling ball for an entire game. Since the performance is dampened, clear bowling balls are best used for those sure shots, ideally for spares when you are already over the top. When you take the spare, however, that’s when you want to turn heads, so it’s the perfect time to use a clear bowling ball.

For typical bowling, however, it’s best to find a ball that has a core that’s agreeable to your style. When you own your own ball, you form a unique bond with the ball, uniting its dynamics with your own particular style for spectacular performance, again and again. It’s really best to own a variety of balls, depending on the specifics of the game and performance dimensions. Find a ball that works for you, one to turn heads, another to get the strike in the first place.