How to choose your camping pétanque balls?
Before buying pétanque balls it is important to know the different selection and purchase criteria. Like any sport, the boule is an essential element of pétanque which requires a minimum of thought. You must choose it wisely in order to obtain a superior quality product adapted to your needs. Generally sold in sets of 3, with or without accessories, you will learn to make the right choice and find the right best pétanque balls depending on several elements:
- The size of the pétanque court (9 or 13 meters)
- Its location (interior, exterior)
- The type of soil and its wear (sand, gravel, etc.)
- Temperature (summer/winter)
- The playability of the terrain (flat, slightly sloping, etc.)-
- Your height, age and strength
- The material composition of the ball
Table des Matières
1 – The size of the pétanque court (9 or 13 meters)
The first criterion to take into account when choosing your boules is to know what type of terrain you are going to play on. If it is a private garden it will often be 9 meters long and if you are playing in a sports hall it will more often be 13 meters long. It is important to know this information before purchasing new balls.
2 – Location of the pétanque court (indoor, outdoor)
The choice of your ball will be different depending on whether you play indoors or outdoors. Indeed, the materials used are not the same. Indoor pétanque balls must be lightweight and can be made from a high-density polyethylene plastic, while outdoor pétanque balls must be very strong and impact resistant.
3 – The type of soil and its wear (sand, gravel, etc.)
Porous ground will require softer balls with lower compression to better maintain bounce. If the court is more compact if the ball is harder, it will have to be harder to penetrate the ground and avoid bad bounces.
4 – Temperature (summer/winter)
In summer, pétanque balls are designed to roll faster on the ground. Conversely, in winter, they must better resist cold weather conditions and a frozen or wet pitch can also damage them more easily if the balls are too hard.
5 – The playability of the terrain (flat, slightly inclined, etc.)
The slope of the terrain is also important when choosing your ball. Indeed, if it is very pronounced, you will need a ball that can roll better on this type of surface to perform better. If the area where you are playing is rather flat, you can choose a ball that has more grip.
6 – Your height, age and strength
The size of the pétanque balls must be adapted to your height. You should choose a ball that fits perfectly in your hand without being too big or too small for you. The age group also influences the materialcomposition of the ball. Children can play with a soft plastic ball, while an adult will have to use a harder material that is more resistant to wear and frictional impacts.
7 – Composition of the ball material
The choice of pétanque balls depends on their manufacturing material: plastic or rubber. In general, there are three types of materials: plastic balls, steel or stainless steel balls. Plastics being for children of course, and stainless steel balls being the most common among adults.
