Bocce Ball King

Short answer: No… unless your regular bocce ball set is a really nice one that you don’t want to get damaged.

Beach bocce ball sets differ from “regular” bocce ball sets in one of two ways:

• More colorful: Rather than the dark reds and greens of a standard set, beach bocce balls are typically more lively versions of red, orange, yellow, and blue. They’re designed to stand our more in the sand and the colors fit better with the liveliness and aloofness of the beach. In most other respects, they’re the same.
• Filled with water: Some sets are designed with portability in mind, so they are lighter to carry and the balls need to be filled with water before you can play. They are usually colorful too, much like other beach bocce ball sets.

Do you need a special beach bocce ball set? I don’t think you do. Having fun lively colors is great but do you really need to spend a hundred dollars on yet another set just because the colors are more lively? I suspect not. The standard colors are just as easy to see in the sand. As for the ones filled with water, I think that you can find someone willing to carry the heavier balls. I’ve seen water filled bocce balls crack and be rendered useless, then you’re stuck with an incomplete set which can be a hassle (though water-filled sets are usually very cheap – this Spalding Water-Filled 100mm bocce set is a mere $13!).

When would you want one? If you have a really nice bocce ball set that you don’t want to get scratched or grimed up by taking it to the beach, you might want to get a beach set so you don’t unnecessarily damage your good set. A nice set doesn’t come cheap so you’ll want to preserve it for as long as you can.

If you want a cheap colorful set, consider this Family Starter 90 mm Bocce Gift Set that retails for under $25 or visit eBay for a full selection of bocce ball sets.