How Much Do Bocce Balls Weigh?

Bocce balls come in various weights to meet different skill levels and playing styles. Read on to learn about the weight of bocce balls and other essential information.

When I am shopping for bocce balls, I make sure to check out their weight. The last thing I want is to buy balls that are too light and feel cheap.

That is why I made it a point to research the recommended bocce ball weight. I will share my findings in this article. I will also discuss how the load can impact how you throw the ball and what weight professional bocce players use.

Are Bocce Balls Round?

If you aren’t familiar with bocce, you may be wondering about the shape of the balls. After all, there are different definitions of round, and some people might call an (American) football round despite it having an oval shape.

So, it makes sense if you are unsure. But to answer your question, bocce balls are round. Their spherical shape allows them to roll across the court easily.

How Much Do Bocce Balls Weigh?

Bocce balls are weighted to ensure better accuracy when tossing them at the pallino or jack ball. If they were too light, they would end up blown around by the wind, which makes it harder to aim.

Now that you know that bocce balls are weighted, you are probably curious about their exact load.

In general, each bocce ball weighs around a pound or so.

However, regulation rules state that 107mm bocce balls must be 920 grams or two pounds each.

On the other hand, the standard US Bocce Federation size balls are around 1.2 pounds. They are lighter than those from the Bocce Standards Association.

It is up to you to choose which bocce ball weight best suits your skill level and playing style.

Go with heavier balls if you want to achieve more control when rolling them. The greater load allows the weighted balls to grip the ground better and increase bounce. However, if you want to travel with ease or have a weak grip, it is best to invest in lighter bocce balls. Such a smaller ball is also perfect for playing indoors or participating in casual play.

Finally, it is essential to know that the material used in bocce ball sets will affect their weight. Do you know what bocce balls are made of? For instance, solid resin bocce balls will be heavier than plastic bocce balls, and even wooden balls. On the other hand, a metal bocce ball set will have more weight than resin balls. So while they can probably withstand any bocce ball court, these materials make the bocce set considerably heavier.

How Much Does a Pallino Ball Weigh?

Besides the eight balls, a bocce set also includes a pallino or jack ball. It serves as the target for the other large balls in play.

A jack ball typically weighs less than a pound. However, there is no standard weight assigned to the pallino in most best bocce ball sets. It simply must be smaller than the bocce ball and often colored white, similar to the size of a golf ball.

Are All Bocce Balls the Same Weight?

You might also be wondering whether bocce balls have the same weight or not.

The answer is yes; within a set balls need to be the same weight, except for the pallino. The reason behind this is to give every player on the team a fair chance when tossing the ball. If one ball is lighter than another, it would be more difficult to aim and handle the ball.

However, as previously mentioned, the pallino or jack ball included in the set must be smaller and lighter than the bocce balls.

Are Bocce Balls Filled With Water?

Some bocce ball sets include water inside the shell to add weight. This is not common and you would never see this material in one of the luxury bocce ball sets, but you may see it in a more casual set for kids or beach bocce.

However, most manufacturers use a foam core for their bocce ball sets. Then, they will suspend this core inside a mold and pour liquid resin. This material gives the bocce ball enough heft and a tough exterior to withstand rough bocce ball court surfaces. 

What is the Official Bocce Ball Size?

Besides the bocce ball weight, you might also be curious about the different sizes of bocce balls.

The official bocce ball size used in professional leagues and tournaments is 107mm in diameter. This regulation-weight bocce ball set offers just the right amount of heft for advanced players to take aim with ease. However, it can be relatively difficult to handle for new and young players, such as children.

That is why smaller and lighter balls ranging from 74mm to 100mm are common. They are smaller than a regulation-size bocce ball set. These non-regulation sets are ideal for those with a weak grip or those who are learning how to play bocce.

Tournament-grade balls with a diameter of 100mm to 115mm are also available. These larger balls are suitable for more competitive gameplay and any large bocce court.

To sum up, you do not necessarily need to buy regulation bocce balls if you are not playing professionally. You can go with smaller, lighter, and often cheaper bocce sets to enjoy the popular backyard sport of bocce.

If you want a professional regulation-size bocce ball set, you need to buy eight balls with a diameter of 107mm. This official bocce size is what professionals use in international leagues and tournaments. It can also take your game to the highest level possible. So even if you are not a pro, you can get an excellent bocce ball set at this size for playing bocce ball competitively.

What Size Is a Pallino for Bocce Ball?

When playing bocce ball, it is essential that you have the pallino or jack ball. It is the target to hit with all the balls in your best bocce ball set.

This target ball is also smaller in dimensions than the throwing balls. The international standard pallino has a diameter of 1.6 inches. However, the jack ball used in the United States is a little bit bigger, with a diameter of 1.97 inches. 

But at the end of the day, regulations do not apply as strictly to the pallino. All you need to remember is that it must be smaller than standard bocce balls and white in color.

Conclusion

That concludes this article about bocce ball weight. I hope you learned how much do the best bocce ball sets weigh, along with other essential information about the pallino or jack ball. It will help you choose the right bocce ball set that meets your needs, skill levels, and personal preferences.

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