Bocce ball is a traditional Italian game that is enjoyed by people all over the world. It involves rolling and throwing balls of a certain size and weight toward a target. While most would agree it’s a fun activity for any occasion, you might not always have access to a true bocce ball set.
What Can I Substitute for Bocce Balls In A Pinch?
Fortunately, there are plenty of substitutes that you can use to play the game
In this article, we’ll explore the typical size and weight of bocce balls, and list some of the best alternatives that you can use for your next game.
As a big fan of bocce, I totally understand that my suggestions below won’t align with bocce tradition or official tournament rules. If you’re looking for bocce ball substitutes, I’m going to assume you aren’t playing in a serious tournament and are just looking to have a fun and casual game!
If you do find yourself in need of a regulation bocce ball set so you can follow the rules for every frame in the game, you can check out my favorites here.
Typical Bocce Ball Size and Weight
Bocce balls are typically around 107mm (4.2 in) in diameter, with a weight of 920g (2 lbs).
They are made of wood, resin, or metal and are designed to be thrown and rolled across a fairly smooth playing surface such as grass, oyster shells, decomposed granite, or clay. If you don’t have access to bocce balls in your location, there are several alternatives that you can use.
One option is to use balls that are of a similar size and weight, such as petanque balls, croquet balls, softballs, or even soccer balls which are clearly larger and lighter. Although these may not provide the exact same feel as bocce ball sets, they can all be suitable for a fun game inspired by traditional bocce.
Petanque Balls as a Substitute for Bocce Balls
If you have access to a petanque set, it is of course possible to use these balls as bocce ball substitutes. Petanque is a similar game to bocce, originating from France, and the balls are typically slightly smaller and a bit lighter than bocce balls. Playing with petanque balls is a great option if you want the closest feel of playing with original bocce balls. While they are unique sports, petanque and bocce share a common origin and do have many similarities.
Using Croquet Balls As A Substitute
Croquet is another yard game that uses similar sized balls that have a good weight to them. So if you have a croquet set around, it can borrow the balls to use for a round of bocce.
Ideas for Other DIY Bocce Ball Substitutes
Another option is to make your own DIY bocce balls. You can easily create your own using materials such as tennis balls, baseballs, softballs, or even oranges. These items can be easily found at your local sports store or grocery store if you don’t already have some around.
You can decorate your balls to look like traditional bocce balls using paint or markers. Colors are important because it can be a bit challenging to tell the teams apart if all the balls are one color. The traditional colors for bocce are red and green but feel free to get creative and show off your own style as long as the colors help you clearly tell each team’s balls apart.
This option can be a fun project for you and your friends, and also an affordable way to create your own DIY set of bocce balls.
Modifying Bocce for the Balls You Have
If you want to play a variation of bocce ball, another idea is to try using different shaped balls. For example, you could use beach balls, soccer balls, or even basketballs to adapt to the available playing conditions. These alternatives can offer different challenges and gameplay experiences, making for a fun and exciting way to play the game. It can be pretty fun to play this way on a large lawn or soccer field.
Golf Ball as a Substitute For The Pallino
When you don’t need your golf ball to chip and putt out on the course, a white golf ball makes a great substitute for a bocce pallino. A golf ball is a bit smaller than a typical pallino ball, but it will do the job in a pinch. I think this is a great option for a pallino regardless of what ball you choose to substitute for the actual bocce ball.
If You’re Missing A Single Bocce Ball
Bocce balls have been known to disappear from time to time, especially if kids (or adults) start throwing them too hard in the backyard or out at a public park. If you just need a single replacement ball, you might be able to order one online instead of living with your DIY substitute for the long term. You can find my advice on ordering a replacement bocce ball here.
Conclusion
Bocce ball is a fun and engaging game that is played all over the world. While it is traditionally played with specific equipment, there are plenty of substitutes that can be used for a casual and fun game if you don’t have access to bocce balls.
From DIY solutions to different shaped balls, there are plenty of options for you to experiment with and enjoy. So, next time you want to play bocce but don’t have the balls, try one of these alternatives and let the games begin!
