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So, You Want to Buy Bocce Balls?
Image shown here under Creative Commons licensing. Original photo.
How to Buy a Bocce Ball Set?
Questions to help you choose 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?
What are the ages of the bocce ball players?
Buy bocce balls to encourage fun for everyone
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.
How many people will play bocce ball?
Buy bocce balls that make the game convenient
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.
Image shown here under Creative Commons licensing. Original photo.
What kind of terrain will you be playing bocce ball on?
Buy bocce balls that are easy to throw or easy to roll
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.
Image shown here under Creative Commons licensing. Original photo.
What is your bocce ball budget?
Buy bocce balls without breaking the bank
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.
Image shown here under Creative Commons licensing. Original photo.
Bloggers on Bocce Ball
Let them tell you how great bocce ball is!
- Need set of wooden Bocce Balls for GC trip - Mountain Buzz
- Howdy and Happy Holidays to all! Not sure if this post belongs here but I'm desperate. I'm headed back to the Grand in three weeks and neet to find a set of wooden Bocce Balls. Wood is the best; resin.
- Bocce Ball Court Installation | Greg In The Desert
- Sunset Magazine's Fresh Dirt blog has and article about a couple in San Diego who replaced their pool with a Bocce Ball court. I found this interesting because.
- Bocce Ball Rules
- Most people just play Bocce in any open area. The Pallino is tossed and then the Bocce balls follow. If you are interested in building your own official backyard Bocce course, then the dimensions are as follows: ...
- Fifty-Dollar Gift Ideas: Bocce Ball Set
- Bocce Ball Set. Bocce is a game I really love to play. The following set includes resin bocce balls. Very nice. ... Bocce Ball Set. ? November (1). Victorinox Swissflash 2GB Thumb Drive and Swiss Ar.. ...
Buy Bocce Balls on eBay
Find a bargain when buying bocce balls
Not ready to buy a brand-new bocce ball set? You can find many "gently-used" sets on eBay. It's also a great place to look for cheap replacement balls.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Buy Bocce Balls on Amazon
Buy bocce balls at your own convenience
Halex Premier Bocce Set (107mm Resin Balls)
Amazon Price: $48.06 (as of 12/24/2009) 
Halex Classic Series Bocce Set (90mm Composite Molded Balls)
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 12/24/2009)
Halex Select Series Bocce Set (100mm Composite Molded Balls)
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 12/24/2009)
More Bocce Ball!
Check out these great bocce ball lenses on Squidoo
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Buy Novelty Bocce Balls
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Don't limit yourself to the regular red and green bocce (or bocci or boccie) ball sets. There are many different varieties in ball design and having an unusual set of bocce balls is sure to set you apart. This lens offers just some of the unique bocc...
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Bocce Leagues in the United States
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This lens is a directory of recreational bocce leagues in the United States. The list strives to be complete and is open for any bocce league in the US to submit their information for this index. Join a bocce league! Meet new friends and have a great...
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Bocce Ball Variants and Rules
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Bocce (commonly called 'Bocce Ball') is a game that is extremely popular in Italy and has a loyal and growing following in the US. This classic lawn game can provide maximum fun with a minimum learning curve, making it perfect for summer parties.
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Bocce Ball
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I love Bocce Ball. We always used to play Bocce Ball at family gatherings and it was so much fun. Bocce Ball sometimes called Lawn Bowling or Pétanque was developed in Italy and is played on soil or a lawn. Large wooden or plastic colored ball...
Any Questions about Buying Bocce Ball Sets?
Buying bocce balls can be confusing....
Do you have a bocce ball buying question that I haven't answered? Feel free to leave a message here! Also, you can rate this lens at The Isle of Squid or even submit your own lens there.
Thanks for visiting this page! If you liked it, please take some time give props to this page by giving this lens a star rating at the top of the page. If you aren't a Squidoo member, you'll have to join Squidoo before you can rate. Thanks again and leave me if note, if you'd like.
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Reply
- TopDog TopDog Jun 27, 2009 @ 11:33 am
- If you like Bocce you are ready for your local Leisure Sports League. Bocce is just one small part of the DOG Daze of Summer Leisure Sports League. Los Angeles and San Diego are up and running.
YOUR CITY is around the corner.
http://www.thedayofgames.com/dogdaze.html
Email dogdaze@thedayofgames.com to stay in the loop or have your team sign up!
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Reply
- Joan4 Joan4 Aug 14, 2008 @ 11:11 am
- Great information! Super lens! Our family had fun at the beach this year with bocce ball for the first time! Age range 4 years old - 70 years old! Fun for all!
by mosaic
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