A mini bocce set uses 73mm metal balls measuring about 2.9 inches across, with each ball weighing roughly 250 to 300 grams, and it is built for small hands, tight spaces, and travel. Buy a 73mm set when you want a portable game for kids ages 6 to 12, beach picnics, park lawns, or a backyard too small for regulation 107mm balls.
The size question matters because the wrong ball quietly kills the game. A second grader with a 920 gram regulation ball will fight every throw, while a strong adult on a tournament clay court with 73mm balls will lose the long roll that makes bocce satisfying. The Italian Bowls Federation (FIB), the sport's Italian governing body, codes 107mm and 110mm as competition sizes precisely because they balance heft, control, and visibility on a regulation lane.
Key Takeaways
- 73mm metal bocce/petanque balls are about 2.9 inches across and weigh roughly 250 to 300 grams each, far lighter than the 920 gram regulation 107mm ball.
- Buy a 73mm set for kids ages 6 to 12, beach and park games, small patios, or any setting where hauling a 5 kilogram regulation case feels excessive.
- 73mm balls trace back to French pétanque, where players throw rather than roll, but they work cleanly for casual bocce on grass, sand, or hard court.
- The 73 mm Metal Bocce/Petanque 8-Ball Set covers a full bocce match with eight balls and a pallino in a zippered black carry bag.
- For pocket-scale play, the 30 mm Silver Mini Metal Bocce Set lands the entire game on a desk, picnic blanket, or office floor.
What a 73mm bocce set actually is
A 73mm bocce set ships with solid steel balls measuring 73 millimeters in diameter, which lands at roughly 2.9 inches. Each ball weighs 250 to 300 grams. The metal construction and small diameter come from pétanque, the French boules variant where players throw the ball through the air rather than rolling it along the ground.
A modern 73mm set ships with 6 or 8 numbered balls plus a smaller pallino (the target ball), wrapped in a zippered carry bag. The steel finish shrugs off dirt, water, and sand without chipping or peeling, which is why nearly every beach kit and travel kit on the market lives in the 73mm family.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica's entry on pétanque, the standard pétanque ball ranges from 70.5mm to 80mm and 650 to 800 grams. The 73mm size sits at the lower end of that range. For a casual backyard buyer that translates to balls a child or grandparent can hold comfortably in one hand without finger strain.
When 73mm makes more sense than 107mm
A regulation 107mm bocce ball weighs about 920 grams. That is roughly the weight of a full quart of milk in your throwing hand. On a real court, that mass is the point: you want a heavy ball that holds its line through wind and across a crushed-oyster surface.
For most casual settings, 920 grams is too much. Kids tire after a few ends and start hooking the ball off-line. Players on uneven grass or beach sand watch the heavy ball plug into the surface instead of rolling. Buyers with arthritis or wrist injuries cannot consistently release a regulation ball without pain.
The Confederation Mondiale des Sports de Boules (CMSB), the international federation overseeing bocce, pétanque, and lyonnaise, distinguishes between adult competition equipment and the development equipment used in schools and youth programs. 73mm metal sets fall squarely into the second category, which is exactly why they shine in casual settings.
Who should buy a 73mm bocce set
Five buyer profiles get the most out of a 73mm set. Parents shopping for kids ages 6 to 12 want a game children can throw without straining a wrist. Beach and travel players hate hauling a 5 kilogram case across a sand path. Apartment and small-yard dwellers do not have 60 feet of clear lawn for a regulation court. Seniors who love bocce often find a 107mm or 110mm ball too heavy for a comfortable release. Pétanque-curious buyers want a low-commitment way to try the throwing style before committing to a full 800 gram competition set.
If you fall into more than one of those camps, the math gets simple. A 73mm set costs less than a serious 107mm bundle, packs into a backpack, and works on terrain that would humiliate a regulation ball. Our size by age and skill level guide walks through the per-age recommendations in detail.
Sizes within the mini bocce family
The mini bocce category is wider than most buyers realize. Three small-ball sizes show up in catalogs:
- 30mm to 35mm sets are pocket-scale, used on tables, beach blankets, and as gag gifts. The 30 mm Silver Mini Metal Bocce Set is the active SKU in this size band.
- 73mm sets are the workhorse "mini" size for travel, kids, and beach play. Six-ball and eight-ball sets are standard and ship with a pallino.
- 80mm to 90mm sets are pétanque competition sizes that sit between mini and regulation bocce. Most US buyers skip this band and go straight to 73mm for casual play or 107mm for serious bocce.
According to a New York Times feature on Parisian pétanque culture, competitive players have always been particular about ball size and weight by gram. For backyard play in the United States, the 73mm size has emerged as the sweet spot for portable bocce because it preserves the basic mechanics of the throw without the regulation weight.
Four 73mm bocce sets worth buying
1. 73 mm Metal Bocce/Petanque 8-Ball Set
Best for: a full bocce match with eight balls and a pallino, in the closest 73mm equivalent to a regulation 8-ball set.
This is the flagship 73mm set: eight numbered steel balls and a target ball in a zippered black carry bag. The 8-ball count means two teams of two can play full doubles right out of the box without sharing or rotating. The matte black and silver finish reads clearly across a 25 foot stretch of grass or sand. Pick the 73 mm Metal Bocce/Petanque 8-Ball Set when you want the closest 73mm equivalent to a regulation 107mm 8-ball bundle.
2. 73 mm Metal/Petanque Boules 6-Set Bundle
Best for: two players or smaller groups who want full sets in distinct colorways.
The 6-Set Bundle ships with six 73mm metal balls in clearly different finishes so you and a partner can each claim a color without confusion. Six balls is enough for two-player singles or three-player rotational play, which is the most common backyard format. Use the 73 mm Metal/Petanque Boules 6-Set Bundle for park bench bocce, beach trips, or a couple's travel game.
3. 73 mm Metal/Petanque Boules 3-Set Bundle
Best for: solo travelers, kids starting out, and low-commitment gift packs.
The 3-Set Bundle is the lightest entry to the 73mm range, with three balls plus a pallino in a compact bag. Three balls is enough for one player to practice the toss, or for a parent to introduce a child to the basic mechanics of approach and target. Gift the 73 mm Metal/Petanque Boules 3-Set Bundle when you want an inexpensive way to get a friend or grandchild into the game.
4. 30 mm Silver Mini Metal Bocce Set
Best for: desk play, beach blanket games, and pocket-sized gift toys.
The 30 mm Silver Mini Metal Bocce Set is the smallest active set we carry. Each ball is roughly the size of a marble, which means the entire game fits in a pocket or a small drawstring bag. Use it on a coffee table, a picnic blanket, or an office desk for a low-stakes round between meetings or while waiting for dinner to come off the grill.
Why buy from BuyBocceBalls
We stock the full 73mm range alongside regulation 107mm, 110mm, and 114mm sizes, so you can compare every option before committing. Every active 73mm set we carry uses solid metal balls, not painted resin, which means the finish holds up to beach sand, salt air, and outdoor storage between weekends.
Browse the full mini and regulation range in our complete bocce collection. All US orders ship from our warehouse, and our team can answer sizing questions before you order. If you start with a 73mm set and later move up to a 107mm regulation ball, our 107mm bundles use the same color-coded system so the transition feels familiar.
Frequently asked questions
Are 73mm balls actually bocce balls or pétanque balls?
Both, depending on context. 73mm metal balls trace back to pétanque, the French boules variant played by throwing rather than rolling. The same balls work for casual bocce on grass, sand, or hard court when you want a smaller, lighter game. Strict tournament bocce uses 107mm or 110mm balls, but home play is flexible enough that 73mm sets are sold and used as bocce in nearly every American retailer.
Are 73mm bocce sets safe for kids?
Yes, 73mm is the size we recommend for ages 6 and up. Each ball is small enough for a child's hand and light enough that an accidental drop on a toe is annoying rather than dangerous. For ages 5 and under, supervise closely or step down to a 30mm to 35mm mini set so the weight is closer to a billiard ball than a baseball.
How much space do you need for a 73mm bocce game?
About 15 to 25 feet of clear ground, far less than the 60 feet a regulation bocce court calls for. A backyard, driveway, beach strip, or park lawn all work. The smaller ball naturally suits the shorter throw, which is what makes 73mm popular for travel and apartment play.
Can you play tournament bocce with a 73mm set?
No. Official tournaments under USBF and CMSB rules require 107mm raffa or 110mm to 115mm volo balls. 73mm sets are designed for casual play, kids, travel, and pétanque. If your goal is league or open tournament play, start with a 107mm regulation set instead and keep a 73mm set for travel.
What is the difference between a 73mm set and a 30mm or 35mm mini set?
73mm is the standard small play size with full bocce mechanics, while 30mm and 35mm sets are pocket-scale and best used on tables, blankets, or as decorative gifts. The 73mm size is the right pick for actual outdoor play on grass or sand. The 30mm size is for shorter, low-stakes table games and gag gifts.
