13lbs vs 14lbs

[Mi5hka]

is there much difference in weight with each other ? i like 12 pounds but my coach said i should use a 14 pound ball should i just meet in the middle and use a 13 ?

[Danoman]

The general rule is to just use the highest weight that you can throw while having no difficulties doing it. You also want to make sure that you can throw that ball at a speed which wont be much lower than the speed you would regularly throw a lighter ball. For example if you throw a 14lb ball at 12mph, and a 13lb ball at 16mph, it would be better to go with the 13lb. You have to remember when choosing weight, maximum force is what you're aiming for.

[T-road2011]

When i was first time playing bowling, i am using houseball of 10lbs, its heavy for me but
then from time to time , i get used to it and finally feel that its too light for me. my coach uprade the ball
to 13 , and now i cannot over power the ball because of its weight, and that will be a good
idea so taht the ball will perform well base from its features.

[littlelegs]

Just to expand on the force thing a bit it comes down to pin deflection and carry. A heavier ball will achieve two things - it'll be deflected less and so usually keep a straighter/better line through the pins and it'll carry more force when hitting the pins and so cause them to move more. Hence the reason for going with the heaviest that's comfortable for you.

That said I'm pretty sure recent(ish) tests show the difference between 15lb and 16lb to be marginal and even sometimes favor the 15lb.

[got_a_300]

tests show the difference between 15lb and 16lb to be marginal and even sometimes favor the 15lb.

Just to add my experience to the above back in the mid to late 90's I threw 16lb
bowling balls. Then after a 12 year layoff from bowling when I came back this year
I dropped down to 14lb bowling ball weight and I have to say there isn't hardly any
difference in my pin carry. I have better control on the ball now and can hit my mark
more consistently now then I could when I was using the heaver ball so it has really
helped me to be a lot more constant going to a lighter ball weight.

[DanielMareina]

A major difference between 12,13, and 14 is the weight block. Many balls don't use the same weight block in bowling balls below 14lbs. Many balls will use either a different core all together, or a smaller version of the original. Most cores are designed for a 14lb bowling ball. I suggest 14 if you can handle it, or get a ball like the storm tropical heat or tropical breeze that have the same weight block in the lighter bowling balls.

[JAnderson]

Daniel Mareina is 100% correct and the weight block is an important piece of ball motion.

Some manufacturers do put advanced cores in lighter balls, but there are not many. Check with the manufacturer of the bowling ball or your pro shop operator to find out. If nothing else, sometimes you can get a "blem" or "offweight" labelled as 14lbs, but is actually 13lbs and some change, that will have the advanced core.