15# vs 16#

[MICHAEL]

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!

[Aslan]

I started with 15lb and now throw almost primarily 16lb.

Earl Anthony says you throw the heaviest ball you can control. Granted, I can't control any weight ball…but thats another story.

I have found that I can get more revs on a 15lb ball than I can on a 16lb ball. And a 15lb IS easier to control. But I also tend to get light hits more with 15 than 16.

Rob mentioned having to "special order" 16lb balls but the counter-arguement to that is that 16lb can often be had at a bargain.

That being said, because I'm nothing if not open-minded, I plan to make an arsenal change sometime in mid to late 2015 and go with all 15lb balls. It's just going to be an experiment to see if I notice any difference…what the difference is…that kind of stuff.

[jnv32185]

I went down to 14# equipment from 15# equipment do to an injury. Honestly my average has not changed if anything It is rising slowly with the 14# ball. I was told by the guy in the pro shop that now a days weight doesn't affect things as much, at least in the realm of 14# and 15# equipment. Obviously something like a 10# 11# and 12# ball will deflect more, he was speaking to me about 14-15#.

Never threw 16# so I can not speak on that.

[RobLV1]

I started with 15lb and now throw almost primarily 16lb.

Earl Anthony says you throw the heaviest ball you can control. Granted, I can't control any weight ball…but thats another story.

I have found that I can get more revs on a 15lb ball than I can on a 16lb ball. And a 15lb IS easier to control. But I also tend to get light hits more with 15 than 16.

Rob mentioned having to "special order" 16lb balls but the counter-arguement to that is that 16lb can often be had at a bargain.

That being said, because I'm nothing if not open-minded, I plan to make an arsenal change sometime in mid to late 2015 and go with all 15lb balls. It's just going to be an experiment to see if I notice any difference…what the difference is…that kind of stuff.

Earl Anthony said that before balls had reactive resin covers and dynamic cores.

[bubba809]

I used to use a 15lb ball then I had carpal tunnel surgery a few years back. Now I use 14#..actually 13Lb 14 oz. I use A LOT of and hand and cup my wrist. I needed to throw a lighter ball, for obvious reasons. My average has gone UP the past years. I believe if you can control your breakpoint and maximize the balls energy, you can still bowl great with a 14 pounder.

[YODA]

the ways ball are designed and how great they perform today I personally dont see a need for a 16 pound ball anymore. 15 and 14 work great for me

[Amyers]

Well as a youth I started at 10 and worked my way up to 16 after throwing the 16 for a while I decided to drop to 15 when I purchase my new ball. Can't say as I can really tell much difference between the two. One of my friends tried to drop from 15 to 14 but felt it reduced hiss carry too much.

[Aslan]

Earl Anthony said that before balls had reactive resin covers and dynamic cores.

Thats not HIS fault he died!

Actually, I think he was drunk and fell down the stairs so it "might" have been his fault...but thats not the point.

I WANT to believe the reactive resin/different game today than yesterday hype...I REALLY DO...but after watching my ball (REACTIVE RESIN SPECTACULAR) miss right of the headpin over and over and over and over and leave me wonderful multi-pin leaves like the 1-2-8 and ever so lovely 1-2-4-10 or the more merciful 1-2 or 2-5...it's hard for me to buy into the hype that new balls are magical and will turn into the pocket like heat seeking missles locked on to a terrorist. But then again...I'm so frustrated with my game right now that I'm ready to drop down from 16# to 6# and just bowl glow/cosmic bowling. So...do whatever. 15#, 14#...who cares. As long as the ball is shiny and pretty and smells like a candy store it's all good.

[mc_runner]

Not to sound like captain obvious... but if you keep on missing the headpin and you're hitting your mark (if you're all over the place it's a different story) then you gotta make adjustments to get the line working in your shot! Kick it out into the dry a little. I like playing the inside oil line area but it's still my #2 shot for when it's drier, because in fresh oil my balls tend to not make the turn properly and get angle... leaving a light 2-8-10 or a flat 10. As your shot develops you've probably changed things slightly. For me I have more axis tilt now than I used to, which has affected how I play the lanes (and leads to the soft hits in fresh oil playing inside).

[Mike White]

Not to sound like captain obvious... but if you keep on missing the headpin and you're hitting your mark (if you're all over the place it's a different story) then you gotta make adjustments to get the line working in your shot! Kick it out into the dry a little. I like playing the inside oil line area but it's still my #2 shot for when it's drier, because in fresh oil my balls tend to not make the turn properly and get angle... leaving a light 2-8-10 or a flat 10. As your shot develops you've probably changed things slightly. For me I have more axis tilt now than I used to, which has affected how I play the lanes (and leads to the soft hits in fresh oil playing inside).

Aslan releases the ball with his hand in a really weak position, so a ball thrown to the right tends to go into a forward roll but not change direction.

If he happens to release the ball near the oil line it will tend to hit the pocket.

However when he misses left, it can be by an amazing amount.

He's the only person I've seen attempt to shoot a straight ball, cross alley at a 7 pin, and hit the left gutter before half way down the lane.