How to Buy a Bocce Ball Set

Buying the right bocce set for you or your family is really quite simple after you considered just a few questions. Here's what to consider when you want to buy a bocce ball set.

• What are the ages of the players?
• How many people will play?
• What kind of playing surface will you be playing on?
• What is your budget like?

These questions will help you determine the size of your bocce ball set, the material that they are made of, the quality of your set, and the color design.

Bocce ball is definitely a game for all ages. However, if you or your family will just be casual bocce ball players, perhaps playing only once in a while at a family gathering, you don't want to discourage players with balls that are too heavy to throw! Furthermore, a comfortable grasp of the balls makes the game easier to play. Below are general guidelines for buying the appropriate size.

 

Ages

Ball Size

 

 

3-7 years old

80+ mm

 

 

7-10 years old

90+ mm

 

 

10 and up

100+ mm

 

A note on size: The diameter of the bocce balls are measured in millimeters (25.4 mm = 1 inch). Typically, people are talking about the 8 large balls in a bocce ball set when they are discussing the size. The smaller ball, called a pallino or jack, also comes in a variety of sizes.

Bocce ball is typically played with 2 players or 2 teams of 2 players. Certainly, variations on rules exist for an odd number of players, but those tend to be exceptions.

Thus, bocce ball sets usually come with 2 colors, traditionally, red and green. If you look closely, oftentimes, each set of colored balls are striped in 2 different ways, making the balls easily differentiable if you decide to play with 4 players. This type of bocce ball set, 2 colors but striped, is pretty flexible and generally a good buy.

There are also bocce ball sets with 4 colors. This just means that if only 2 people are playing, each player will toss two colors of balls.

Truthfully, there are lots of different ball designs. In the end, you should simply pick the design that you like. Those who are more traditional may prefer to buy bocce ball sets of red and green, while younger children may prefer the 4 bright colors instead.

Tip: It's also possible to buy two bocce ball sets of 4 color balls and mix-and-match them to make 2 complete sets of 2 colored balls.

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Professional bocce ball players will typically play on a bocce ball court. These courts generally have some wood side and back walls while the floor is a smooth, hard-packed clay-like surface of oyster shells. For this situation, buy heavier (larger) bocce balls because they tend to roll better.

Most social games of bocce happen on a backyard lawn or beach. In these cases, the balls do not usually roll very far, meaning much of the game will be won or lost by tossing. Buying a bocce set that is light is generally preferred in these scenarios. Also, if playing primarily in grass, a larger pallino will be easier to see from afar.

Another possible place to play bocce is indoors. This is where you'll have to be careful about hitting or breaking fragile objects, so you should buy bocce balls that are soft.

 

Terrain

Recommendation

 

 

Bocce Court

107/110/115 mm

 

 

Backyard Bocce

107 mm or lighter

 

 

Mixed Terrain

107 mm

 

A note on materials: Although bocce balls were originally made from wood, the most popular and durable balls today are made from phenolic resin, the stuff of billiard balls and pool balls. There are, however, special water-filled balls made especially for the beach. You can also find wool bocce ball sets for indoors.

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For just casual, social play, you can buy a new bocce ball set for around $50-$100. This is very reasonable for a high-quality, durable, plastic (phenolic resin) set that will last you a long time.

Above $100 is where you'll find most of the "tournament" sets. There is no one specific "tournament size" so you'll be able to buy very high quality balls in almost any standard size larger than 100 mm. Many serious players buy their own bocce balls because they prefer to bring their own balls to games.

It's in the under $50 range that you'll find the more novelty-type sets (water-filled or mini-sets). If you're buying bocce balls for younger children, this may also be the range for you.

Tip: Don't forget that many places may also offer to personalize your bocce balls with your name or initials for a small additional fee. Also, it is quite handy to buy bocce balls with the carrying case or bag included.

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