Ball weight for starting out.

[RABid]

Just started bowling. Went to the pro shop looking for a 12 pound ball. The worker said he would not go below 14. We settled on a 13 pound ball, a Storm Match Up Hybrid. Took my first lesson without any practice beforehand. The instructor said I was really tossing the ball and recommended that I go up in weight. After the lesson I picked up a 14 pound Storm Soniq. Went back to the bowling alley the next day and could barely hold the ball. My hand was slightly sore and weak. Bowled 3 games with each being better than the last. Took a few days off to get over the soreness and went back this morning. Went back this morning with both balls and found that I had trouble controlling the balls. I had to really concentrate on not dropping the ball. Still a bit sore and weak. Definitely not where I was the first day. So, my question, should I drop down in weight and work my way up to the heaver balls, or should I fight through it and expect the mussels to build up to where I would have the same control that I had that first day?

[HackJandy]

Just started bowling. Went to the pro shop looking for a 12 pound ball. The worker said he would not go below 14. We settled on a 13 pound ball, a Storm Match Up Hybrid. Took my first lesson without any practice beforehand. The instructor said I was really tossing the ball and recommended that I go up in weight. After the lesson I picked up a 14 pound Storm Soniq. Went back to the bowling alley the next day and could barely hold the ball. My hand was slightly sore and weak. Bowled 3 games with each being better than the last. Took a few days off to get over the soreness and went back this morning. Went back this morning with both balls and found that I had trouble controlling the balls. I had to really concentrate on not dropping the ball. Still a bit sore and weak. Definitely not where I was the first day. So, my question, should I drop down in weight and work my way up to the heaver balls, or should I fight through it and expect the mussels to build up to where I would have the same control that I had that first day?

Others can speak to the physical aspect but as far as bowling balls go if you can build up to 14lb you tend to get better stronger cores in 14 than 13 in addition to the better carry.  In fact some of the 2 piece balls don't even come in less than 14lb.  That said bowling shouldn't cause you injury.  They say pick one weight and stay with it but I have a handful of 16lb balls I throw in practice to keep my strength up (plus some old gems rarely come in 15) but use 15lb for league.  Maybe you can do something similar.  Your strength will naturally build just by bowling with either weight though if you bowl even twice a week.  You might ask this question again in a month after bowling regularly.  Eileen's bowling buddy website has a power trainer I also used to get my strength back up and now to maintain.  Its a little pricey but can't recommend their stuff enough.

[lilpossum1]

If your hand is sore and weak the next day, it sounds like incorrect ball fit. Namely the thumb hole being too large, causing you to grip the ball. Your ball should fit in a way that allows you to keep your hand relaxed without dropping it. This sounds impossible, but it is not.

[AlonzoHarris]

If your hand is sore and weak the next day, it sounds like incorrect ball fit. Namely the thumb hole being too large, causing you to grip the ball. Your ball should fit in a way that allows you to keep your hand relaxed without dropping it. This sounds impossible, but it is not.

Second this. If you don't feel comfortable asking the pro shop to check their fitment work on your first two pieces, then stop into another shop that has a good reputation and have them check it.

[mrwizerd]

Did you switch from a conventional grip to finger tip grip?  If you switched from conventional to finger tip grip, that can cause severe hand and wrist discomfort.

[RABid]

The ball is drilled for fingertip grip, no plug in the thumb. Two plugs in the other holes. If snow does not knock me out I have my second lesson in the morning. I'm going to talk to my instructor about it then.

[RABid]

Had my second lesson this morning and talked to my instructor. The problem was that I was not sticking my thumb all the way into the ball. I was only going to the knuckle to match what I was doing with my fingers using the fingertip method. He said this was causing me to grip the ball too tightly. He corrected this, and corrected my release and things feel much better now.

[HackJandy]

Had my second lesson this morning and talked to my instructor. The problem was that I was not sticking my thumb all the way into the ball. I was only going to the knuckle to match what I was doing with my fingers using the fingertip method. He said this was causing me to grip the ball too tightly. He corrected this, and corrected my release and things feel much better now.

Good to hear things are working out for you all around.  Careful or you might get addicted