While I didn’t win any tournaments while throwing my 14lb stuff, I did not experience any loss in average.
I had some wrist problems a few years ago, and dropped down to 14lbs. Might still be throwing that weight, if not for a “mistake†someone made when selling me a used ball that ended up actually being heavier.
The carry was different, but not better OR worse, just different. The high flush shots you can’t tell any difference. The ONLY place I saw any difference was on those poorly thrown shots where your pin carry would be very subjective, and “iffy†to begin with. Didn’t
seem to get the same pin slinging “lucky†carry as the heavier stuff did.
Good side effect though, was I didn’t throw as many of those type shots with the 14’s. The drop in weight actually let me be a little more accurate.
I shot my only 800 ever with a ball that was 14.5lbs, and an older friend of mine, who had bowled some out on tour years ago, shot his only 800 ever with a true 14lb ball.
I, personally, am not afraid at all of 14lb stuff. You may have to make some minor adjustments if you switch though. Many people find they can use more aggressive stuff, or at least stronger drilling’s, in lighter stuff, due to the fact that they throw it harder. I, myself, never experienced this, but I have seen it firsthand.
Best advice I can give you is, you never know until you try. Get you a relatively inexpensive 14lb ball off of a close out sale somewhere, and give it a try. If you can get over that mental hurdle you’ll have for a while, you should do just fine.
P.S. Many years ago, Marshall Holman broke one of his fingers, and used a 14lb Columbia Yellow Dot in a tournament. He did well enough to make the finals, and there is a clip on YouTube where they make reference to being amazed at how the 14lb ball was carrying.
