Ball weight

[deaf lefty]

15 lb for high performance balls in normal time.

But still risky for our left arm would getting sore (stressful).

Myself had very old colombia ball weight as around 11 lb in straight style that this ball was our first bowling ball in 1981-bought it from in second-hand from someone via the note message news wall

 

[weggy]

14 pound is enough for me. Could probably use a 15, but that's too much effort 4 me

 

[KarenMK16]

14lb- but 14lb10oz, so I guess, it's closer to 15.

 

[The Rock]

15lb for me

 

[Matt H]

14lb for me

 

[amagill]

I used to only use 16LB balls, but the wrist and shoulder cant really take it any more :-(

 

[Mul]

15 is the go for me

 

[Bigsy]

14lb 10oz for my powerup reactor 10 pin only ball.
15lb for my one day old baby "NO MERCY"
my new weapon of choice

 

[TheMatrix]

15lbs for me ... Not very sure which one will suit me well. I like the hitting power the 15 has .. with 14lbs I can rev a bit more.

Thought of having 1 or 2 14lb balls for warm up games / frames .. maybe it would help .. but some say it will affect your consistency.

 

[taker]

its 15lb for me

 

[ratter]

Sorry don't mean to take this to far off topic, but hows does a heavier ball affect your game what advantages with a heavier ball ?,
I'm 2 weeks into the bowling thing and played my first league game last night, Im trying to learn as much as I can, I use a 14 lb (well I'm learning with a 14 lb ball)

 

[AdrianS]

All my crap varies from about 14lb 10 to from memory 15 lb 12

 

[Rowey the li'l lefty]

15 pound is the main one for me, but a couple of balls I have (like my White Dot) are heavy 14's. Always helps to have a ball you can pelt down the lane!

Ciao now

Rowey

 

[Downie]

i got a 15lb (infinate one) and 14lb total inferno and 14 spare ball plus few others at 14lb

 

[gonzo69]

ive been bowling for the last 32 years using 16lb bowling bowls

 

[dunryc]

Sorry don't mean to take this to far off topic, but hows does a heavier ball affect your game what advantages with a heavier ball ?,
I'm 2 weeks into the bowling thing and played my first league game last night, Im trying to learn as much as I can, I use a 14 lb (well I'm learning with a 14 lb ball)

Welcome to the wonderful world of bowling Ratter!
Heavier ball theoretically gives you more hitting power at the pins, it's a mass x velocity equation, but with the advent of new technology, namely reactive cover stocks, stronger weight blocks, exotic drill patterns and bowler friendly oiling patterns, a common school of thought is that 15lb balls give you the best potential to carry these days. 16lb balls actually hit too hard sending the pins high or over the top, whereas 15 lb balls keep the pins slightly lower thus increasing your carry percentage. The technology is so good now, that 14lb balls probably hit harder than 16lb balls used to.
My advice is to learn the basics and fundamentals first, before getting too caught up in the "hook in a box" mentality. 14lbs is a good starting weight. When you have improved and feel ready, make the step up to 15lb unless you have any physical disabilities. In this day and age, you don't need to throw 16 anymore. It gets pretty tiring throwing a 16lb ball through 15 games of matchplay.
If you are throwing a house ball, then I would strongly suggest buying a ball (A second hand one even) and getting it drilled by a pro shop operator in your area. It makes a world of difference having a ball that fits your hand properly, and will speed up the learning curve considerably.

Good Luck.
Jan

 

[ratter]

Thank you for the help.
I've bought a columbia 300 white dot as a learning ball and had it drilled so I learn to bowl straight and then will progress to hook bowling .........maybe

 

[dunryc]

Thank you for the help.
I've bought a columbia 300 white dot as a learning ball and had it drilled so I learn to bowl straight and then will progress to hook bowling .........maybe

No worries. White dot's are about as straight as you can get! The hard plastic composition creates very little friction with the lane surface and consequently does not hook or drive through the pins. You will find that the ball deflects a lot and you won't get the carry that you will see others getting. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It's very important to get the fundamentals right first. The good news is, that once you progress, and get yourself a stronger ball, the plastic ball will be excellent for picking up spares, especially the 10 pin (Assuming you are right handed).

Good luck, I wish you well, and more importantly, have fun!
Cheers
Jan

 

[ratter]

is there a better ball for bowling straight but is harder so it will carry more?



(went social bowling 3 weeks ago for the first time, purchased my own ball and gear 2 weeks ago, played my first league game last tuesday, bowled 72 and 119 in the league games, today in practice bowled 168,154 and 141)

 

[luke]

15s for me