How heavy of a ball do you use?

**onefrombills** · 09-16-2008, 06:48 PM

What I meant is the weight block size/weight is the same in a 15 & 16 pound ball so a 16 pound ball has a pound more weight. That will make a 15 pounder w/ a pound less weight and the same size/weight weight block hit "harder"

**Duke Harding** · 09-16-2008, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by kev3inp

Define harder. If the ball speed is the same simple physics says that a heavier ball will hit the pins with more force, therefore your statement doesn't ring true. Now if you're throwing the 15 faster, I suppose there would be a rate of speed that would exceed that force amount, but there go the apples and oranges comparison again. How many variables are we changing? I'll bet an 11 pound ball in the hand of Robert Smith would hit harder than any 15 or 16 lb ball either of us could throw.

Actually, it evens out...I find that 13# or 14# will carry heavy hits, better, as there is more deflection....Instead of leaving a 4 pin, you trip it....But light hits, can result in 4-5s.
I think you should roll the weight you can handle...It's hard not to want to overhit lighter balls...since they feel so light.
I guess it all depends upon the bowler.

**kev3inp** · 09-17-2008, 04:52 AM

Originally Posted by onefrombills

What I meant is the weight block size/weight is the same in a 15 & 16 pound ball so a 16 pound ball has a pound more weight. That will make a 15 pounder w/ a pound less weight and the same size/weight weight block hit "harder"

If you say so, though I think you're confusing carry with "harder." Doesn't force equal mass times velocity?

**NoTapNorm** · 10-07-2008, 07:26 AM

Been using 16 for years, started using Track "the rising" about 2 months ago in a 15. I've only had 2 sub-200 games since.

**Joachim** · 01-07-2009, 05:41 AM

i have been using 15 for a couple of years, it has served me well

**Sylar1255** · 01-09-2009, 12:14 PM

I personally throw a Columbia 300 Cuda/c Pearl. It weights 15 pounds and when it hits pocket, it gets great reaction.

i also throw a Planet X ball that weights 14 pounds for spares.

**jaws1945** · 01-13-2009, 11:19 AM

I switched to 15# about 5 years ago. It helped my ball speed without extra effort.

**Iceman** · 01-13-2009, 01:55 PM

Isn't there a spec for your weight of body to determine proper weight of ball? I think I heard this tossed around, but never looked into it. I feel comfortable with 14 and 15, but I do get more hitting power with 15 like mentioned above. It doesn't take more effort to get speed.

**The Bowling Guru** · 02-14-2009, 12:57 PM

I started out bowling with 15 lb. equipment, and am still using 15lbs. to this day. I feel that 15 lbs. is a much more universal weight being used now-a-days.