Metal bocce balls are 73mm hollow steel balls used in French pétanque, the throwing variant of the broader bocce/boules family. Construction is hollow steel rather than resin, weight runs 650 to 800 grams per ball (lighter than the 920-gram 107mm resin standard), and the play style is throwing-from-a-circle rather than rolling-along-a-court. Active 73mm metal sets run $36 for a 3-set bundle, $70 for a 6-ball set, $90 for an 8-ball set, and $96 for an 8-set bundle. The 73mm metal tradition is the most affordable real-equipment bocce category.
If you're searching metal bocce balls, you're probably interested in either the French pétanque variant specifically or in lighter ball options for senior players, kids, or apartment play. Both use cases are well-served by the 73mm metal line. According to the Federazione Italiana Bocce and the Fédération Française de Pétanque et Jeu Provençal, pétanque is recognized internationally as a sibling sport to bocce under the Confederation Mondiale des Sports de Boules.
Key Takeaways
- Metal bocce balls are 73mm hollow steel, weight 650-800 grams per ball, French pétanque tradition.
- Pricing: 3-set bundle $36, 6-ball set $70, 8-ball set $90, 8-set bundle $96. Most affordable real-equipment bocce.
- Throwing style differs from resin bocce: pétanque players throw underhand from a fixed 50cm circle rather than rolling from a line.
- Lighter weight (about 30% lighter than 107mm regulation resin) makes 73mm metal sets the standard for senior players and kids.
- Plays well on gravel, dirt, packed sand, and rough natural surfaces; 107mm resin needs a smoother prepared court.
What metal bocce balls are
The 73mm metal ball is the standard French pétanque boule. Hollow steel construction (a thin steel shell over an air-filled interior) keeps the ball lighter than a solid metal equivalent while preserving enough weight for accurate throwing. Surface finish varies across manufacturers: bright steel, blackened steel, gold or silver plating, and color-coated finishes are all available.
The hollow steel construction lasts decades with normal use. Unlike resin balls (which can chip or crack from hard impacts), metal balls dent at worst and continue playing acceptably even with surface dings. According to Encyclopedia Britannica's entry on bocce, the hollow-steel boule tradition traces from early-twentieth-century French codification and has remained the metal standard ever since.
How metal bocce play differs from resin bocce
Three play differences matter:
Throwing style: pétanque players throw underhand from a fixed 50cm circle scratched into the ground; resin bocce players roll along a court from a throwing line. The throw is a short underhand toss with the ball landing within the first few feet of the target rather than rolling across the entire court.
Target ball: pétanque uses a cochonnet (small wooden ball, 25-35mm) rather than a 60mm resin pallino. The cochonnet is thrown 6-10 meters from the throwing circle.
Surface: pétanque plays on gravel, dirt, packed sand, and rough natural surfaces. The throwing style works on uneven ground that would defeat resin rolling play. Most pétanque courts in France are unprepared gravel patches in town squares; no court construction required.
The same scoring rules apply: closest ball to the target scores, max 4 points per frame, games to 13 (pétanque convention) rather than 12/15/21 (bocce convention). According to the United States Bocce Federation, North American sanctioned bocce events run on resin 107mm rather than metal 73mm, so a serious league player choosing one or the other should pick 107mm resin.
Who should buy metal bocce balls
Three primary use cases:
Pétanque players: anyone learning the French throwing-from-a-circle variant. 73mm metal is the standard equipment.
Senior players or anyone with grip/wrist limits: the 30% weight reduction vs 107mm resin makes the 73mm metal sets noticeably easier on hands and wrists. Many retirement-community casual players prefer 73mm over the heavier resin tournament balls.
Apartment, balcony, or rough-surface backyard players: the metal pétanque tradition works on the gravel patios, packed-dirt courtyards, and rough backyards that don't support resin bocce. The 50cm throwing circle requires only a small flat patch of ground.
Kids and family casual play: the 73mm size suits smaller hands and lighter throwing motions. Budget tier ($36 for a 3-set bundle) suits the casual occasional-use scenario.
The top metal bocce picks for 2026
1. 73 mm Metal Bocce/Petanque 8-Ball Set
Best for: full 8-ball pétanque or rolling-bocce metal play in two-team format.
The 73mm metal 8-ball set at $90 covers French pétanque format: 4 balls per team in two contrasting finishes, plus a small wooden cochonnet target. Hollow steel construction lasts decades. The cleanest entry to metal bocce for full two-team play.
2. 73 mm Metal Bocce/Petanque 6-Ball Set
Best for: French pétanque triplette format (3 vs 3, each player throws 2 balls).
The 73mm 6-ball set at $70 covers triplette pétanque, the standard French recreational format for 6-player social play. Hollow steel construction, lighter than 107mm resin (around 650-800 grams per ball). Easier on hands for senior players.
3. 73 mm Metal Petanque Boules 3-Set Bundle
Best for: entry-tier budget metal bocce or party-favor scale gifting.
The 73mm 3-set bundle at $36 is the most affordable real-equipment metal bocce in the active catalog. Three 3-ball pétanque sets, suitable for individual-player allocation in larger group play or as small party favors. Coverage of compact lawn games in Outside Magazine has highlighted the 73mm metal tradition as the most affordable real-equipment entry point in the broader boules family.
Why buy from BuyBocceBalls
We carry the full active 73mm metal pétanque line in singles, 6-ball, and 8-ball configurations, plus the various color and finish replacements. Most US orders ship in two to four business days from US warehouses. Browse the full 73mm pétanque collection for every active set and color finish.
Frequently asked questions
Are metal bocce balls the same as pétanque?
Yes, functionally. The 73mm hollow steel ball is the standard French pétanque boule. The terms metal bocce and pétanque are used interchangeably in the North American market.
How heavy are metal bocce balls?
About 650 to 800 grams per ball, depending on the specific weight tier. This is roughly 30% lighter than the 920-gram 107mm regulation resin bocce balls.
How much does a metal bocce ball set cost?
3-set bundle $36. 6-ball set $70. 8-ball set $90. 8-set bundle $96. The most affordable real-equipment bocce category.
Can I use metal bocce balls for regular bocce?
Yes, the 73mm metal balls can be rolled in a bocce-style game, but they're sized and weighted for pétanque throwing-from-a-circle play. For sanctioned bocce league play, 107mm resin is the regulation standard.
