The bowling accessories most bowlers actually use are a shammy or towel, a ball cleaner, bowler's tape, finger and thumb inserts, and a rosin bag or grip sack. Most cost RM15 to RM85 at Malaysian pro shops (October 2026). Start with a towel and cleaner, then add tape and grip aids once you own a drilled ball. Shoe covers and a sole brush protect your own shoes.
Bowling accessories at a glance
We read these prices on the X Proshop and Sunway Megalanes web stores on 16 October 2026. Rows marked "verify locally" had no Malaysian price on the pages we checked.
| Accessory | What it does | Price (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| Bowler's tape | Adjusts thumb hole fit or protects skin | 45–75 per pack |
| Finger insert | Rubber sleeve in finger holes for grip and comfort | 14–16 each |
| Thumb slug or switch thumb | Replaceable thumb hole liner | 35–110 |
| Rosin bag | Dries sweat, adds tack to the hand | Listed, price not captured (verify locally) |
| Hand conditioner | Dries or conditions the skin | 18–26 |
| Grip sack | Small pouch you hold to dry your hand | About 30 |
| Tacky grip aid | Adds tack to the hand | About 70 (ABS Tacky Palm) |
| Shammy or towel | Wipes oil off the ball between shots | 25–78 |
| Ball cleaner | Removes oil after each session | 20–85 |
| Abralon pads | Sand the ball surface to adjust hook | 25–28 |
| Ball cup | Holds the ball steady at home or in the shop | Verify locally |
| Shoe covers | Protect soles off the approach | Verify locally |
| Shoe brush | Restores slide on the sole | Verify locally |
Tape for your thumb and fingers
Tape comes in two kinds, and both matter in humid Malaysian centres.
In-ball tape
This goes inside the thumb hole. Your thumb swells and shrinks with heat, humidity and effort. So a hole that fits at the start of a session may feel loose later. Adding or removing a strip restores the fit. White tape is tackier and sits on the front of the hole, nearer your fingers. Black tape is slicker and sits at the back.
Skin tape
This goes on your thumb or fingers to stop blisters and calluses. It also makes the holes feel the same from shot to shot. Keep small scissors in your bag to cut it cleanly. For small cuts, a liquid skin patch seals the skin so you can keep bowling.
Finger and thumb inserts
Inserts are rubber or urethane sleeves that a pro shop fits into the holes of your ball. Finger inserts give extra grip and help your fingers leave the ball cleanly. Meanwhile, a thumb slug or switch thumb gives a smooth, replaceable thumb hole. Bowlers with interchangeable thumbs often carry a spare in a slightly different size for days when the thumb swells. Inserts are part of the drilling process, so read our drilling layouts guide and ask your shop.
Grip aids: rosin, grip sacks and conditioners
Sweaty hands are a common problem in our climate. These bowling accessories help you hold the ball without squeezing:
- Rosin bag: pat it on your hand to dry sweat and add tack.
- Grip sack: a small drying pouch you hold between shots.
- Hand conditioner or tacky cream: dries or tacks the skin, depending on the product.
Use them on your hand only. Under the USBC playing rules, you cannot pat rosin or powder onto the ball during competition. Also, powder that falls on your shoes can transfer to the approach, which the rules ban. So use grip aids away from the approach.
Towels, shammies and ball cleaners
A shammy wipes the oil ring off your ball between shots. Leather and synthetic shammies absorb oil better than a cotton towel, while a microfibre towel works as a backup. After the session, a ball cleaner removes the rest. Our bowling ball care guide explains the full routine and the rules on cleaning during play.
Shoe accessories
Your shoes need a little kit too.
- Shoe covers: slip-on sleeves for walking off the approach, for example to the food counter or toilet.
- Wire shoe brush: brush the slide sole after each session to lift dirt and restore glide.
- Spare slide pads and heels: for performance shoes, so you can adjust to sticky or slippery approaches.
Our bowling shoe buying guide explains slide pad numbers.
Which bowling accessories to buy first
Buy in this order, and add more only when you feel a need:
- A shammy or microfibre towel.
- A ball cleaner, once you own a ball.
- Tape and scissors, once your ball is drilled.
- A rosin bag or grip sack, if your hands sweat.
- Shoe covers and a brush, once you own shoes.
For bigger items such as bags and wrist supports, see our bowling equipment guide.
Frequently asked questions
What accessories do bowlers need?
Start with two: a shammy or microfibre towel to wipe oil off the ball, and a bowling ball cleaner for after each session. If you own a drilled ball, add bowler's tape to adjust the thumb hole. Rosin or a grip sack helps if your hands sweat. Shoe covers and a sole brush protect your own shoes.
What is bowling tape used for?
It fine-tunes the fit of the thumb hole. Thumbs swell and shrink with heat, humidity and effort, so a hole that fits at 7pm may feel loose by 10pm. Adding or removing a strip of tape inside the hole restores a snug fit. Separate skin tape goes on your thumb or fingers to protect them from blisters.
What does a rosin bag do in bowling?
A rosin bag is a small cloth pouch of powdered rosin. You pat it on your hand to dry sweat and add a little tackiness, so your fingers and thumb grip the ball without squeezing. Use it on your hand only. USBC rules forbid patting rosin onto the ball during competition, and powder on your shoes can mark the approach.
What is a shammy pad used for?
A shammy is a soft, absorbent pad, often leather or synthetic, for wiping oil off your ball between shots. Removing oil keeps the ball's reaction steadier through a session. In Malaysian pro shops in October 2026, shammies cost about RM50 to RM78, while a basic puff ball or cloth started from RM25.
Are bowling accessories worth buying for beginners?
A towel is worth it from day one, even with house balls. Most other bowling accessories only make sense once you own a drilled ball and shoes. Tape and inserts adjust your own ball's fit, and shoe covers protect your own soles. So buy the ball and shoes first, then add accessories as needs appear.
Sources
- X Proshop web store, accessory prices read 16 Oct 2026
- Sunway Megalanes web store, accessory prices read 16 Oct 2026
- Bowling.com Knowledge Hub: essential bowling accessories by category
- Bowling.com Knowledge Hub: interchangeable soles and heels (shoe care tips)
- USBC Playing Rules 2026-27, Rules 12 and 18
