16# Vs 15#

[vdubtx]

I have heard a few really good bowlers talk about control for the change but mostly it is a carry issue and they are looking for extra deflection. From my standpoint i rarely say i had a bad carry night because there is a reason why i leave 7 pins, 9 pins, flat 10s, ring 10's. There is also a reason for good carry and for me and my game, i know that a lesser weight would result in a less effective roll through the pin deck. This would obviously lead to a hell of a lot more 9 counts than an extra 1 in 10 games.

Definitely not about carry from my perspective. If you can't hit your mark 15 or 30ft down lane consistently from a heavier rock, then you can't hit where you want 60 ft down lane either.

Whatever weight gets your ball into the pocket the most consistently is going to help your carry the most.

[LyalC52]

suggestion:
both of the pro shops near me have a rack of used balls for sale
maybe you could offer a few bucks to throw a few of them

[Amyers]

I have heard a few really good bowlers talk about control for the change but mostly it is a carry issue and they are looking for extra deflection. From my standpoint i rarely say i had a bad carry night because there is a reason why i leave 7 pins, 9 pins, flat 10s, ring 10's. There is also a reason for good carry and for me and my game, i know that a lesser weight would result in a less effective roll through the pin deck. This would obviously lead to a hell of a lot more 9 counts than an extra 1 in 10 games.

You hit the nail on the head there is a reason why you left those pins. That is no different with a 15 lbs. ball. 10oz in weight is not going to realize itself with automatic weird carries on good pocket hit or make it more likely on off pocket hits. I don't really have a dog in this fight. The only reason I switched from 16 to 15 and recently even considered switching to 14 is I suffer from low ball speed which on drier conditions causes me issues with controlling the ball. I decided not to switch as I didn't add enough speed with the 14 to make it worth it to me. In my humble opinion your belief one way or the other probably through added confidence probably makes more difference than the weight of the ball ever will.

[bubba809]

I have heard a few really good bowlers talk about control for the change but mostly it is a carry issue and they are looking for extra deflection. From my standpoint i rarely say i had a bad carry night because there is a reason why i leave 7 pins, 9 pins, flat 10s, ring 10's. There is also a reason for good carry and for me and my game, i know that a lesser weight would result in a less effective roll through the pin deck. This would obviously lead to a hell of a lot more 9 counts than an extra 1 in 10 games.

Funny... when I got my 14 Lb ball and continually increased my average over that two year time span, I went to a pro shop guy I know and asked him to watch the way I know throw now. I asked him the good old standby questions of, I thought a heavier ball will promote better pin carry? I should throw whatever you are physically capable of throwing, it will be better for you in the long run, right?
He knew what my ball use to look like (a heavy 15 LB'er) as I have bowled in league with him. He was convinced what I lost in a the so-called pin carry of a slightly heavier ball, I have gained more accuracy, speed, revs/torque, entry angle and just over all body control. He said it was almost like I never truly had complete control over the ball..but like the ball controlled me. He said my form looked so much better and my release just flowed.

Bottom line: The years 2007-2012 I averaged between 182-185. I used a 15 Lb ball.
I switched to 14 Lb in 2013 and averaged 194. This past year I averaged 197.

I know what the "experts" say about ball weight and what one "should" throw. I say everyone is different and bowl with whatever your comfortable with. I believe there is a sweet spot for every bowler.

[LyalC52]

well said Bubba

[Aslan]

Whatever weight gets your ball into the pocket the most consistently is going to help your carry the most.

Agreed.

I started out with 15#. I switched to 16# over time just mainly because I got some good deals on 16# equipment. I'll be switching to 15# with my next arsenal just to give it a try. I honestly don't see much difference from one to the other...but who knows...I may see more difference than I expect to.

It's hard to judge based on average unless you're a really high level bowler because usually your average goes up over time as you get better. So a person starts with 15#, averages 158, then goes to 14# and averages 167, then 178 the following year...how much of that is just that the person got better...regardless of ball weight???

Studies have been done...opinions vary...this certainly isn't the first or last time this topic has been brought up or will be. I think there's enough data out there to say GENERALLY a 16# ball will carry more ON AVERAGE. I think there's also enough data out there to support that as you move down in weight, your rev rate will increase and that can lead to an improved angle into the pocket. That angle change and rev rate increase 'probably' outweighs the carry advantage of 16#.

But like VDub said...whatever you can control and get into the pocket is going to carry the best. One thing I don't like about 16# is it's a lot harder to get that 300+ rpm rev rate with heavier balls. One thing I LIKE about 16lb equipment is I'm less likely to loft it or hold onto it too long. When I've tried 14# I find I have a tendency to THROW it about 20ft or just way too fast.

But, we'll see. Nothing like actually experimenting with it to come to a conclusion. We debated endlessly about ball drilling effects and finally I just took two identical balls and tested it. And while those that still defend drilling layouts as being amazingly significant will poke multiple holes in my study (some valid, others questionable)...the bottom line is I tried it, I tested it, I got results. And for ME...that was the result. When I switch to 15#s...maybe I see a huge rev rate improvement. Maybe I see better carry via deflection. Maybe not. Maybe that increased rev rate makes the shot harder to control and get to the pocket. Maybe that increased deflection ISN'T a good thing. Sometimes deflection is a BAD thing...especially when I ruin a 9-in-a-row by leaving a stone 8 in the 5th because the damn ball deflects just a bit too much.

[J Anderson]

I am not sure where i should be on ball weight... I used to use a semi fingertip 16lb Piranac, with a 14lb Hammer Grenade for a spare ball. I am just starting bowling again after 20+ years and I only have the Hammer 14lb. I am thinking of getting a better ball and moving to a 15lb or 16lb, but i am retired and really can't afford to buy multiple valls to figure it out. How do you decide what weight ball to get drilled?

A good proshop operator will be able to tell you how heavy a ball you should be able to throw.
Some proshops have a limited number of demo balls. I'm not sure if the demo balls are in different weights or if they're all 15#. If they come in different weights that would give you a chance to see for yourself which weight you should use.

[ellisr63]

How do you know what speed you should be throwing the ball?

[RobLV1]

I still remember when I made the change about 10 years ago (from 16# to 15#). Try throwing ten games with the sixteen one day, and ten games with the fifteen another day. There's really not much difference for the first few games, but by game eight of ten you sure are happy to be using the lighter ball. I've never heard anyone with the exception of a very few elite professionals even hint that there is a loss of carry using 15 lb. equipment. Most people who refuse to change do so because they've always used 16# and they're NOT ABOUT TO CHANGE NOW! LOL

[Tony]

It was about 8 or 9 years ago I switched from 16 to 15 and I've never regretted it, in fact I seriously considered going down to 14 with the last couple of balls I got this season.