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Author Topic: Bowling with 16lb vs 15lb  (Read 12423 times)

coreykyle3

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Bowling with 16lb vs 15lb
« on: January 14, 2015, 04:25:17 AM »
Hi, All

In the last 4 months I've been throwing 16 lb bowling balls, but I've always thrown 15 lbs. On top off that I have gone up in average since I've started throwing 16 lb balls, not to mention I'm older now 40 years old. Is this odd to, go up in weight and be more effective with heavier equipment . Thanks for any feedback.

 

3835

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Re: Bowling with 16lb vs 15lb
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2015, 05:16:44 AM »
Everyone is different. The additional weight could have caused a slight change to your timing or mechanics that gives you better timing or better mechanics and thus, you throw the ball better and the result is your average has gone up. I know others who have dropped weight and done the same thing, even someone who went from 16 pounds to 14 pounds (skipped 15 completely).

If this is what works for you, great. I throw 16 pound right now as well because that is what works for me.

3835

spencerwatts

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Re: Bowling with 16lb vs 15lb
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2015, 05:55:35 AM »
I think it's a matter of personal preference and as many will say what works best for the bowler.

Personally, I've used 16-pound equipment since I was in my late teens and I intend on using 16-pound equipment until my body (not age) tells me it's time to use lighter stuff.
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Metal_rules

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Re: Bowling with 16lb vs 15lb
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2015, 08:38:34 AM »
I used 16lb up untill about 4 years ago. I switched because of wrist pain. I now use all 15 and have improved. Most important my wrist pain has decreased. So use what works for you. I probally would not have switched if I did'nt have the pain issue.
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svengali

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Re: Bowling with 16lb vs 15lb
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2015, 11:06:49 AM »
I moved up to 16# a few months ago as well and my carry percentage is much higher. My arm swing is a lot freer with the extra weight and my backswing has gotten higher as a result. Wish I had made the change earlier.
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Steven

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Re: Bowling with 16lb vs 15lb
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2015, 03:53:33 PM »
These 16# vs. 15# vs. 14# threads pop up as nauseam….
 
Use the heaviest weight you comfortably handle given your speed and revs. I've never known a money bowler who can comfortably and effectively use 16# intentionally drop down to 14#. A good case might be made for 15#, but lighter??
 
On the other hand, if 14# is the optimal weight for an individual based on strength and comfort, that's the right decision. It doesn't matter that others might use 15# or 16#. 
 
I used 16# equipment for a good chunk of my adult life. Due to injury, I dropped down to 15# several years ago, Now that I'm a young senior, I can see the point where I'll have to drop down to 14#. It's not because I want to, but because I'll have to for longevity. When that time comes, I'll make the best of it.

avabob

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Re: Bowling with 16lb vs 15lb
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2015, 04:03:58 PM »
Everyone is different.  All other things being equal, a 16 lb ball will deflect less to enhance carry.  However all other things are not equal.  You will find as many people who say their carry got better when they dropped to 15.  The reason is that you can create more revs and ball speed with a lighter weight.  More revs often offset the decrease in weight, and more ball speed can reduce the burn on the back end that is a major impediment to good carry.  Most young guys don't have a problem generating the speed, but us older guys do.  My carry got better when I dropped to 15 because of the factors I listed. 

Polish_Hammer

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Re: Bowling with 16lb vs 15lb
« Reply #7 on: January 15, 2015, 08:26:14 AM »
Everybody has already made the point of different stokes for different folks. I'm 47 and moved back to 16 a few years ago for timing as well.  The only negative I have seen with the move up is that the balls are less dynamic at that weight then they are at 14 & 15.  The extra pound changes the RG & Differential numbers. It's a tradeoff for the extra pound of carry and also why some folks will carry better with 15 and some will carry better with 16.