14# vs 15# ball
i have a 14# Storm Punch Out and 15# Storm Optimus.
My best games have been with the Optimus but I feel like I'm fighting with it when I swing it. With my Punch Out its easier to throw but it just seems to be the wrong ball for me. It doesn't get down the lane far enough before it breaks.
Two questions...
With today's technology is the difference between 14 and 15 pounds even relevant?
Is it possible the lack of length before the hook is an issue with pin placement on drilling pattern? I know these questions are probably hard to answer without seeing me throw the ball so I'm just looking for in general type answers.
Thanks!
For most bowlers, the difference between 14 and 15 pounds is pretty much irrelevant. With that being said, however, just about the only thing that coaches and PSO's agree on is that changing weights is a really bad idea. Pick the weight that is comfortable for you and start your arsenal using that weight. Donate the other ball to the junior program and claim it as a charitible contribution.
throw "man weight" IMO
Beyond Revs Pro Shop Staffer. West Valley and Riverton, Utah.
I am a proud member of Bowlingboards.com bowling Forums. 900Global Inception DCT, Inception Pearl, Honey Badger, Covert Ops, Special Ops, Desert Ops Brunswick Green Quantum Radical Tremendous
...and make sure to crack open a few brewskys while you're at it! LOLOriginally Posted by LyalC52
Speaking from personal experience I think the weight you can control is the weight you should throw. For years I threw 15 lbs, felt like the ball was throwing me and not the other way around, and I averaged in the low 180s. I dropped to 14 lbs 2 seasons ago and I jumped from averaging 184 to 197 and now 200 this past season. I contribute that average jump to the fact that I now control the ball and I can repeat shots much more easily. I have teammates that throw 15lbs and 16lbs and my carry percentage is the same or better than theirs so I really don't think it makes that much of a noticeable difference. I'd place more of an emphasis on energy retention than a pound of weight. If a ball retains energy and rolls through the pins properly it's going to carry, if a ball burns up and rolls out then it's going to deflect whether it's 14lbs or 16.
If you're fighting with 15lbs and you find 14 easier to throw then I would absolutely recommend dropping to 14. It's hard to compare weights using two different balls but it sounds to me like it is more of a ball issue than a weight issue and if you threw an identically drilled Optimus at 14 lbs you'd find similar and more easily repeatable success.
I absolutely agree with this about control. Plus a lighter weight can reduce the chance of injuries. For me, it was a choice between 13 and 14. I'm happy I went with 13.
On the other hand, a pro shop operator described to me that each additional pound is going have the additional weight in the core of the ball and that will result in the ball driving through the pins more, more pin carry, and less ball deflection off the pins. That makes sense too. However, I prefer the control and lack of injuries.
Last edited by Average200someday; 06-08-2015 at 11:17 PM.
I'd party with Norm Duke any day
Beyond Revs Pro Shop Staffer. West Valley and Riverton, Utah.
I am a proud member of Bowlingboards.com bowling Forums. 900Global Inception DCT, Inception Pearl, Honey Badger, Covert Ops, Special Ops, Desert Ops Brunswick Green Quantum Radical Tremendous
When I decreased form 15# to 14#, I saw little difference in lack of carry. Quite the opposite, as I saw more carry because I was more accurate, and I had a bit more ball speed. Coach says the ball speed I gained more than offset the difference in weight of ball, but he is opposed to dropping to 13#, as he says you will see more difference from 14# to 13# or lower. Encouraging me to do whatever is necessary (working out) in order to maintain being comfortable with 14#.
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High Series - 704; High Game - 290 (a long time ago) Current Average - 150
14# = winning
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I think going one pound lighter is generally better if you are unsure that you will be able to throw the heavier weight. When I first began bowling, I started with an 8lb ball. That was perfect for me at the time since I was still a kid under 100lbs. I moved up to a 12lb ball with a fingertip grip and it was pretty heavy for me at first. A few months later once I had grown quite a bit more, I was actually able to control the ball well and increased my average quite a bit. Now that I am going to be a college student, I'm thinking of buying a 14lb or 15lb ball for club sports use. I think I'm leaning towards the 14lb ball just so I can get more speed on it which should provide more momentum than a slower 15lb ball. It should also give me greater control, which is far more important.
For those who haven't ever heard the 10% rule, it states that you should bowl with a ball no more than 10% of your body weight. Granted, this is not at all a perfect rule and leaves out many factors, but it's a good guideline. I think that if you are under 160lbs, you probably shouldn't be throwing a 16lb ball unless you are really short and muscular.
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