Best By/Bocce Ball Sets for Backyard Play and Tournament Use
the commissioner's bocce buyer's guide
Best Bocce Ball Sets for Backyard Play and Tournament Use
6 PICKS
100MM VS 107MM
RESIN VS PHENOLIC
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Bocce sets differ most clearly by ball material, diameter, weight, included pallino, and storage. Resin is common for backyard sets, while competition-oriented products may use denser, more uniform materials. Compare the published specifications for the exact set instead of presenting subjective roll claims as verified facts.
So I sorted these by how seriously you take the game. Recreational resin sets in the common 100mm size are perfect for a family lawn and cost the least. Tournament sets step up to the regulation 107mm phenolic balls that roll true and feel substantial in the hand. The premium tier is for people who want a set that looks like an heirloom and plays like one. Every set here includes the eight balls plus the small target pallino, and most come in a carry case, since loose bocce balls are heavy and roll off into the bushes the second you set them down.
Recreational resin sets (backyard 100mm)
Lighter, lower-cost resin balls in the common 100mm size. The right call for a family lawn and casual cookout games.
This is the set I recommend to most people getting into bocce. The 100mm resin balls are a comfortable size for adult hands, they roll well enough on backyard grass, and the carry case keeps the heavy balls from scattering. It is not tournament-spec, the balls are a touch lighter and smaller than regulation, but for a relaxed game between cookout conversations it is everything you need. The painted surface picks up scuffs over time, which is normal for resin and does not affect play.
The cheapest honest way into the game. You get the full eight balls and a pallino in a case, and on a flat lawn they play perfectly well for casual fun. The tradeoff is real: the balls are lighter and less precisely balanced than a pricier set, so they wobble a bit on a slow roll and the colors are less vivid. For a family testing whether bocce earns a spot in the rotation, it is a low-risk way to find out before spending more.
Franklin lands between the budget set and the tournament tier, which makes it a sensible family pick. The balls are a solid, grippable size with bright colors that help kids tell teams apart, and the build quality is a clear notch above the cheapest sets. It plays fine on an average backyard and survives being dropped, rolled into curbs, and left out overnight more than once. The honest tradeoff is that the resin balls are lighter and roll a touch less true than a phenolic tournament set, so a serious player will feel the difference. A good middle choice if you want better than budget without paying for phenolic.
Step up to a regulation set and the game changes. The 107mm phenolic balls are heavier, more uniform, and roll truer than recreational resin, so a curl around a blocker actually goes where you aimed it. Baden's set is a longtime favorite for backyard players who got serious, and the heft makes a lumpy grass surface play far better than a light set does. The real tradeoff is weight: the full case is genuinely heavy to lug, and the price sits well above recreational sets, so buy it because you play often, not for the occasional cookout.
The TB-1 set includes eight 107 mm composite-resin balls, a 57 mm jack and a zippered nylon tote. Choose it when you want full-size bocce balls in a bag. Bocce balls are round; they are not the deliberately biased bowls used in lawn bowling.
The TB-1 set includes eight 107 mm composite-resin balls, a 57 mm jack and a zippered nylon tote. Choose it when you want full-size bocce balls in a bag. Bocce balls are round; they are not the deliberately biased bowls used in lawn bowling.
The BOCCE-90-SOFT set contains eight 90 mm balls, a pallino and a carrying bag. Each ball weighs 1 lb 11 oz, so the soft composite-rubber surface should not be mistaken for a lightweight toddler toy. It is an option for casual bocce on grass, sand or hard surfaces.
What is the difference between resin and phenolic bocce balls?
Resin balls are the standard for recreational backyard sets. They are lighter, lower-cost, and roll fine on flat grass. Phenolic resin balls, found in tournament sets, are denser and more uniform, so they roll truer and feel substantial in the hand. The heft of a phenolic ball also forgives a lumpy backyard surface better. If you play often and care about a precise roll, phenolic is worth the upgrade.
What size bocce balls should I buy?
Recreational sets are commonly 100mm, which is a comfortable size for adult hands and the most popular for backyard play. Regulation tournament balls are 107mm, slightly larger and heavier, which gives them a truer roll. For casual cookout games, 100mm is plenty. If you want the official size and a more serious game, go with a 107mm tournament set.
How many balls come in a bocce set?
A standard bocce set has eight balls, four in each of two colors, plus one small target ball called the pallino. That setup supports two, four, or eight players depending on how you split the teams. Every set in this guide includes the full eight balls and the pallino, and most come in a carry case to keep the heavy balls from rolling away.
Can you play bocce on any surface?
Bocce plays on grass, dirt, gravel, sand, and dedicated courts, and the surface changes the game. Short, flat grass gives the truest roll for standard hard balls. Lumpy or long grass favors a heavier phenolic ball that holds its line. For sand or a beach, use a soft bocce set instead, since hard balls do not roll well on sand and are no fun underfoot.
Is a tournament bocce set worth it for a backyard?
It depends how much you play. A 107mm phenolic tournament set rolls truer and plays better on imperfect grass, which serious backyard players notice immediately. But the balls are heavy to lug and cost well more than a recreational set. If bocce is a regular part of your rotation, the upgrade is worth it. For the occasional cookout game, a 100mm resin set is the smarter buy.
What are bocce balls made of?
Backyard bocce balls are usually molded resin, which holds color well and survives being left out on the lawn. Tournament-grade balls step up to a denser composite for more consistent weight and roll. Cheaper sets sometimes use hollow plastic, and you can feel the difference the moment you throw one.
Are all bocce sets the same?
Not really. Sets vary by ball size, ball weight, the material they are made from, and whether the carrying case actually holds up. A heavier regulation-size ball rolls truer on grass, while a lighter set is easier for kids and easier to pack. Match the set to who is playing and where, and you will be happier with it for years.
Learn the games before you buy
Check the rules, playing space, and setup for the games in this guide.
