BallReviews

General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: xrayjay on July 03, 2014, 01:59:50 PM

Title: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: xrayjay on July 03, 2014, 01:59:50 PM
I just wanted to see what is your thoughts on this, throwing a pound lighter on spare balls.  I know several bowlers in the past that threw heavier spare balls, but not lighter ones. Thanks
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: Dave81644 on July 03, 2014, 02:06:35 PM
personally, and just me. i have worked hard on my fundamentals
i want to keep everything the same in my swing whether its a strike ball or spare ball.
same loose shoulder, same pace, same tempo.
you want your body to retain muscle memory no matter what you are throwing at, so you would want the same weight spare ball (ideally)
IMO (only mine) my timing is important to my targeting that i don't want to change anything.

not to say you or anybody else cant use a lighter or heavier ball, that just my thinking
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: Good Times Good Times on July 03, 2014, 02:09:26 PM
Mine is about 1/2lb lighter.......

My stuff is all about 15.0 after drilling, my spare is 14.7ish.

It works for me but it might not be best for everyone.

To each their own.
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: bltbyj on July 03, 2014, 02:11:17 PM
I use 15lb Strike ball and a 14lb spare ball and have had zero problems with swing,timing or tempo.
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: northface28 on July 03, 2014, 02:11:44 PM
personally, and just me. i have worked hard on my fundamentals
i want to keep everything the same in my swing whether its a strike ball or spare ball.
same loose shoulder, same pace, same tempo.
you want your body to retain muscle memory no matter what you are throwing at, so you would want the same weight spare ball (ideally)
IMO (only mine) my timing is important to my targeting that i don't want to change anything.

not to say you or anybody else cant use a lighter or heavier ball, that just my thinking

Agree, I tried this (going to a 14 lb spare ball) and got into the ugly habit of pulling down on the swing due to the lighter weight.
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: Dave81644 on July 03, 2014, 02:14:58 PM
unless you have a ball that is lighter, like someone gave it to you, then use it
but if you have to redrill it, then a new spare ball is 40 or 50 bucks
kind of a no brainer at that point if you have to choose
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: xrayjay on July 03, 2014, 02:26:46 PM
I have a 14lb black ice that I onced used sitting in the storage facility i'm renting and thought about uisng it. Currently I use my strike 15lbs. balls for spares killing the hook. But, there are times when I don't...so I need to go back to plastics/poly....
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: avabob on July 03, 2014, 05:53:24 PM
I throw urethane 15, same as my strike ball.  On a side note, I think too many of the best pros throw too hard at their spares.  Ever notice how often they will have approach problems on a spare shot, or get totally off balance.  These guys are great spare shooters, but they still miss more single pins in clutch situations than I would expect. 
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: St. Croix on July 03, 2014, 06:41:20 PM
I use 15lb Strike ball and a 14lb spare ball and have had zero problems with swing,timing or tempo.

I recently went to a 14 pound spare ball with a 15 pound strike ball. So far, so good. But you have to be aware of the potential problems that Dave and Northface note.
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: BallReviews-Removed0385 on July 03, 2014, 08:51:15 PM

 I have used a 14 spare ball for years.  Easier to convert the 3-10 split, less wear and tear over the years, etc.  Everything else is 15 lbs.
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: xrayjay on July 04, 2014, 11:20:44 AM

 I have used a 14 spare ball for years.  Easier to convert the 3-10 split, less wear and tear over the years, etc.  Everything else is 15 lbs.


When I threw 14lbs, both spare ball and strike balls were easy to convert 3-10. Well, they deflected better than using my 15 lbs. strike balls I'm using now.

(Going up in weight didn't really slow me down, still rolling 16.5 mph ave.)
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: xrayjay on July 04, 2014, 11:23:37 AM
unless you have a ball that is lighter, like someone gave it to you, then use it
but if you have to redrill it, then a new spare ball is 40 or 50 bucks
kind of a no brainer at that point if you have to choose

I used to throw 14 lbs. but went up a pound recently. But you're right too, these balls are cheap and I'm sure I can find a used one at the shop or just get an NIB..
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: skwira001 on July 07, 2014, 01:23:36 PM
Yes I have done this.  I used to hold the ball up higher with a lighter ball.  I have found though that most of the reason for missing spares was due to timing.
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: Nicanor on July 07, 2014, 10:31:44 PM
I use a 15 lb ball for strikes and a 14 lb ball for most spares.  Saves on my shoulder and fingers.  Must be getting old  ;)
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: lilpossum1 on July 07, 2014, 10:38:12 PM
I hold my plastic ball up higher for more speed, and I find myself missing easy spares at times. It must be throwing my timing off! And I thought I was just missing them because I was an idiot 0.0
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: slowmofo908 on July 09, 2014, 03:38:08 PM
I have a 16lb strike and a 15lb spare.  I notice no difference in spares.  I did not do this on purpose as  i wanted to try 15 lbs again for my strike ball ( super light oil ball) and when it didnt work out i threw it in my bag as a spare ball/ light oil ball
Title: Re: Anyone using a lighter spare ball?
Post by: icon on July 18, 2014, 09:43:37 PM
nothing wrong with using lighter, you dont need a 16 pound ball to make single pins spares, lets you save more energy for your first shot.