15# vs 16#

[MiggityMatt]

I dropped to 14lb because I had wrist surgery in April. I just purchased a 14lb Hyper Cell and it hits harder and carries better than any ball I've ever thrown. The lighter weight gives me better accuracy and a bit more rpm.

[MICHAEL]

I dropped to 14lb because I had wrist surgery in April. I just purchased a 14lb Hyper Cell and it hits harder and carries better than any ball I've ever thrown. The lighter weight gives me better accuracy and a bit more rpm.

I know from seeing some damn good bowlers in my area, that you can do HUGE AMOUNTS OF damage using a 14lb ball.

AGAIN,,, its not the ball but the BOWLER!!!!

[Aslan]

The Magic is in the bowler, not nearly as much in the ball! Tyrone, a good size black bowler I have bowled against throws NOTHING BUT 14lb balls.
He use to throw 16, and then 15s, but found the magic using 14lb balls. He has great form and delivery, lots of rev's, and is a 220 to 230 average bowler depending on what league.

Why did he stop there? He shoulda spent a season throwing a 12lber…never know…could have been the REAL magic!! Tell Tyrone Aslan says not to limit himself. He still has 6 through 13 to experiment with!! If he's got the GIFT…it ain't gonna matter. With the gift I'm sure you could throw a strike with a marble.

[Blacksox1]

I have experimented with 14, 15, and 16,,, have a few of each,,, For me the 15 works the best! A lot depends on your physical condition!

I have used all three as well. On the fence between 14 and the 15 pound ball.

With the surfaces and cores that balls have now I think that a 14lb ball can hit hard and have good carry if the person using it has a good release with good revs and a layout that works for him/her and a surface adjusted for the condition being bowled on that person can do just as good as a 15lb or 16lb ball. Knowing how to throw a ball with the correct release is the key to having a good working ball.

This is a very good and complete answer.

I made the change to 15 pound balls about 6 or 7 years ago. Doing so increased my game due to improved accuracy.

I changed to 15 over 10 years ago. Improved my accuracy as well.

I dropped to 14lb because I had wrist surgery in April. I just purchased a 14lb Hyper Cell and it hits harder and carries better than any ball I've ever thrown. The lighter weight gives me better accuracy and a bit more rpm.

Did not have any surgeries or problems, but traded for a used 14# Marvel Pearl last season. Used the ball for 20 weeks until it cracked. Raised my average to 220, the gifted range, meaning that I averaged 220+ with the 14# ball. This season I have added a 14# Marvel S. Last week in league, it became the first ball out of the bag and I shot a 661.

[foreverincamo]

Well, tonite after I stunk up the lanes with my 557 series I stopped in the pro shop, only to get a surprise. My pro shop guy ordered my Brunswick Platinum Pearl Ringer at 16# . I had asked him to see if he could beat the price I could get the ball online, and he ordered it. So some time in the very near future I'll get it drilled up . Thanks for all the info and entertainment in this post.

[MICHAEL]

It depends more on their style than their size.

I practice a LOT and you'll see college guys come in that look like they're football players and they throw 6lb bowling balls. their girlfriends are throwing 9lb bowling balls. Why? Because the guys don't care if it works...they just want the ball to go gutter to gutter because it looks cool.

If you're a high rev player, I can't see how you could throw a 16lb ball. It just simply is very difficult to get good rotation of the ball when it's that heavy. My 15lb ball I can get much better revs and axis tilt than I can with my 16lbers.

But...the downside is deflection. It's very annoying when a female player hits the pocket and then stomps her feet because she left 1-2 pins standing and can't figure out why. Ummm...because that ball is 11lbs and you should be throwing a 15lb ball. Unless you have an injury or are a very small person/stature...I think the added benefit going below 15lbs is countered by deflection. In the same respect, the added carry going from 15lbs to 16lbs is countered by a lower rev rate. Thats why 15lbs is considered the ideal weight by most pro bowlers.

That being said, I've read things and heard things recently that some pros are going back to 16lbs...

I'll have to check back in when I make the planned switch to 15lb in late 2015. I'm not doing it with the intention of staying at 15lbs...I just want to give it a try and I have a few 15lbers that would make a decet arsenal...so why not? All I'll have to do is get a 15lb plastic spare ball and I'll be all set. If nothing else it'll make the damn bag a little lighter.

It probably wouldn't hurt at all!! If fact it probably won't make much difference.... I know what a big part of your problem is! But you know it all, so I will keep it a secret! Good luck ... ice On your next chart,,, use a cool RED back drop,, ok, instead of dots,,, use chicken nuggets!!!

[Big Merl]

I find the 14 feels best so I throw it. I always feel like the 15 or 16 has more control over my release then I do, and anything lighter it feels like I'm having too much control over it. 14 just feels like me and the ball are in harmony.