15 to 16

[Gmjmma]

is there a real benefit to moving up to 16lbs ball from a 15lbs? and does anyone know the difference between the Taboo Jet Black and the Taboo Jet Black X-Out?

[kmf]

An X-out can have many differences but usually it's color or logo placement that is off. The CG can be too close or too far from the pin BUT if that's the case it's usually stated.

Is there any real benefit in going from 15 to 16 pounds? NO! With todays cover and core combinations a 14 pound ball hits as hard as a 16 pound. The difference in weight is usually offset by the difference in speed.

[Ball99999]

I couldn't possibly think of why someone would. I find 15 uncomfortable as it is but it's certainly manageable. 16 lbs is just pointless.

[MisterSinister]

Don't see the need to go up to 16. A friend told me in the mid 90's a 16lb ball was a huge advantage, but now it isn't. He even says a 14lb today hits harder that 16lbs from years ago.

[75lockwood]

here's a simple test:

record 2 shots, first with a 15lb ball, the other with a 16lb ball, calculate the speed of each. then calculate speed*weight, whichever is the higher number will impart more force on the pins and as such more carry. That being said, if when trying the 16lb ball, if it feels to heavy or causes consistency issues then don't do it.

15lb is more then enough for most people, don't think that you need to change.

[Gmjmma]

here's a simple test:

record 2 shots, first with a 15lb ball, the other with a 16lb ball, calculate the speed of each. then calculate speed*weight, whichever is the higher number will impart more force on the pins and as such more carry. That being said, if when trying the 16lb ball, if it feels to heavy or causes consistency issues then don't do it.

15lb is more then enough for most people, don't think that you need to change.

Well I know the speed will be slower at first until your body adjusts to the 1lb increase but the speed will come back. I threw a hammer nail that was 14lbs and it would always leave 1 to 2 pins and hitting it from different angles didnt help it for me. I throw my 15's at 17+mph and get faster as I play so for me 14 is too light and I throw upwards 24-26mph

[75lockwood]

Well I know the speed will be slower at first until your body adjusts to the 1lb increase but the speed will come back. I threw a hammer nail that was 14lbs and it would always leave 1 to 2 pins and hitting it from different angles didnt help it for me. I throw my 15's at 17+mph and get faster as I play so for me 14 is too light and I throw upwards 24-26mph

Well there's no harm in trying it, start out with a ball on the cheaper side so you don't waste money if it doesn't work out, if you end up liking it then over time upgrade the rest of your arsenal if not, donate the 16lb ball to some less fortunate super buff guy lol

[HughScot]

Don't see the need to go up to 16. A friend told me in the mid 90's a 16lb ball was a huge advantage, but now it isn't. He even says a 14lb today hits harder that 16lbs from years ago.

All other things being equal a 16lb ball does hit harder than a ball of lesser weight. The difference is the lower weight will probably be thrown at a faster speed hence the same effect.

Since I want more control I'm going from 15 to 14 with my next ball. The speed should be slightly higher and the increase in control hopefully will result in higher scores.

[Gunny]

Its all relative to entry angle to the pocket. In theory a heavier ball should be more powerful, but with todays technology, it's all ball motion/angle to the pocket, along with speed. I dropped from 16lbs to 14lbs two years ago, and have never looked back. Pocket carry hasn't suffered, and control has improved. You'll never know unless you give it a try. Find a used one and give it a go. This way your not out too much $

[scottymoney]

I am all about 16lbs balls. But it is personal preference. I am also 6'3 275 lbs and get comments every week of how hard I throw the ball. I did use a 15lbs ball but it was less consistent. With my new Marauder Madness I noticed I can keep my normal speed with the ball being more angular to the pocket. Yesterday during practice I saw so much pin action with the new ball. At one point the pin sweeper just made it down in time to catch a pin shooting back out onto the lane. And I saw one of the coolest things. It looked like one of the pins dropped kicked the 7 pin. Well next practice session I will try to video tape myself and show some pin action.

My advice is ball weight is all personal preference to a point. I am honestly surprised they haven't created a "weight test" to show what weight you should be using. It is tough to tell without throwing 2 exact same balls that are just different weights.

[billf]

I am all about 16lbs balls. But it is personal preference. I am also 6'3 275 lbs and get comments every week of how hard I throw the ball.

I am honestly surprised they haven't created a "weight test" to show what weight you should be using. It is tough to tell without throwing 2 exact same balls that are just different weights.

Not like you're the average size male bowler these weights were meant for. As for the test, you mean like this? http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip14.htm

[striker12]

i'm throwing 14lb balls right know went down because of wrist problem but my wrist is better know and i have way to much power throwing them so im going back up to a 15lb ball.

[Brother_jd]

I have never used 16lb. I have always used 15lb.

[Hammer]

If you have the wrist and hand strength to use it then there shouldn't be a problem.

[scottymoney]

Not like you're the average size male bowler these weights were meant for. As for the test, you mean like this? http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip14.htm

I knew about this Bill but I was thinking of more of a device type thing to measure what weight to use. But I guess that would just be a speed gun and the person throwing 2 different weighted balls.

Come on Bill give it a few years the average weight will go up in the USA and I will be closer to average. Many times I have seen people (mainly younger kids) throwing balls which are way under weight. I tried to explain to a kid a few years ago I was bowling with that he should find a heavier ball (during moonlight bowling). But I am also talking about a kid who was throwing a 12lb ball who can easily handle 16. I think of the general population actually stopped to learn a little bit about bowling you would see so many more bowlers. A month ago I spent some time practicing a few games with a friend and his dad (his dad bowls on Mondays with me and my friend doesn't bowl often). We let my friend bowl his way and try different balls for a game, he finally found a house ball that fit him alright and we then stepped in to teach him a bit, mainly stand here on this board and aim at that arrow. When you stop and educate someone who doesn't know much and they are willing to listen it goes a long way to creating a better experience. My friend went from a guy who just was tagging along to have a good time to talking about how much a ball of his own fitted to him would help.

[GoodGorilla]

I'll never go back to 16. My first ball was 16, and the only difference was my 15 is more accurate and leaves less soreness. I may even go down to 14 because I can't cup the 15 consistently. But I can throw the 15 accuratly.

[Gmjmma]

I am all about 16lbs balls. But it is personal preference. I am also 6'3 275 lbs and get comments every week of how hard I throw the ball. I did use a 15lbs ball but it was less consistent. With my new Marauder Madness I noticed I can keep my normal speed with the ball being more angular to the pocket. Yesterday during practice I saw so much pin action with the new ball. At one point the pin sweeper just made it down in time to catch a pin shooting back out onto the lane. And I saw one of the coolest things. It looked like one of the pins dropped kicked the 7 pin. Well next practice session I will try to video tape myself and show some pin action.

My advice is ball weight is all personal preference to a point. I am honestly surprised they haven't created a "weight test" to show what weight you should be using. It is tough to tell without throwing 2 exact same balls that are just different weights.

im in that size range as well being 6'4" 310lbs I have a hard time not throwing my 15 at 20+mph its like im always fighting to slow my self down.

[UBowling]

I would say to do it if your ball speed is pretty high with a 15. If you can use a 16 it is better, but not if it sacrifices comfort or accuracy. And when a 16 is drilled, it ends up being a high 15 anyway. I like 16 but I throw a 15 with over 20 mph speed at release so using a 16 was a high to bring the ball speed down and be softer with it. I am also 6'1" and have a high back swing, so it makes sense.

[GoodGorilla]

I'll never go back to 16. My first ball was 16, and the only difference was my 15 is more accurate and leaves less soreness. I may even go down to 14 because I can't cup the 15 consistently. But I can throw the 15 accuratly.

I talked to my pro shop operator today. He said my rev is good enough, and don't need to sacrafice weight for more revs.

[Rdmonster]

At 6'1 and 190 I always used a 15 (in college....many many years ago lol I was way skinnier)...when I got back into bowling and got a new ball I went with a 16. I am not sorry. Other than my thumb which is a drilling/release issue I dont have problem. If your a bigger or a stronger guy....go 16. The pin carry and power in the pocket is very close between a 15 and a 16 but more is always more. All things being the same otherwise something heavier is always going to hit harder

[J Anderson]

At 6'1 and 190 I always used a 15 (in college....many many years ago lol I was way skinnier)...when I got back into bowling and got a new ball I went with a 16. I am not sorry. Other than my thumb which is a drilling/release issue I dont have problem. If your a bigger or a stronger guy....go 16. The pin carry and power in the pocket is very close between a 15 and a 16 but more is always more. All things being the same otherwise something heavier is always going to hit harder

At 5'8" and 120 pounds in high school, my first ball was a 15. The guy at the sporting goods store refused to sell my dad anything lighter for me since I'd probably be adding a bit more muscle over the next couple of years and would out grow even a 14 too fast.

At my current weight of 160# I could probably handle a 16 but I don't. If I was still throwing very straight I would consider it, but hooking a modern ball into the pocket a 16 doesn't always deflect enough to carry the 9 pin.

[billf]

[QUOTE=scottymoney;64274Come on Bill give it a few years the average weight will go up in the USA and I will be closer to average. Many times I have seen people (mainly younger kids) throwing balls which are way under weight. I tried to explain to a kid a few years ago I was bowling with that he should find a heavier ball (during moonlight bowling). But I am also talking about a kid who was throwing a 12lb ball who can easily handle 16. I think of the general population actually stopped to learn a little bit about bowling you would see so many more bowlers.[/QUOTE]

Don't take my size comment the wrong way. I'm 6' 230 lbs myself. Although it doesn't look nearly as good as it did when I graduated high school at 268 lbs I am far from obese and in my opinion, that's where the USA weight is going. I went to by good running shoes and was told that the companies still make the shoes designed for males at 180 lbs. I believe I read recently the average height of an adult male is only 5' 8". I would have guessed 6'.

Kids and females seem to think they can't handle the proper weight ball. For years our local high school coach (a female until this year) had a rule, if you couldn't use 14 at a female and 15 as a male, you couldn't bowl varsity. Now when you go to the league nights and see the women using 15s you can bet they bowled in school. Some even use 16. I stopped using 16 after breaking my wrist three years ago. I'm not sure how much of a difference that 16 ounces is making in the cupping but it seemed smart at the time.

[Hammer]

I started at 16lbs for a ball when I was younger like early 30s. When I got into my late 50s I went down to 15lbs because of wrist and hand issues. Now that I will be 66 soon I went down to 14lbs and that feels a lot easier on me as far as control and being able to keep my wrist from breaking down in the backswing and the release mostly. You know us seniors are delicate because we abused the daylights out of ourselves when we were younger. Keep that in mind you young folk. LOL.