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Author Topic: Which Ball weight to choose  (Read 2481 times)

Babycash22

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Which Ball weight to choose
« on: April 06, 2006, 10:47:22 PM »
When i first started bowling i bowled with a 10lb ball but then in the last year i moved to a 13 then 14lb ball. How do i know that i dont know that i need a 15 or 16lb ball? Is there anyway to tell that my ball is to light or those balls would be too heavy/??

 

azguy

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Re: Which Ball weight to choose
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2006, 06:56:22 AM »
If you have the opportunity, use a ball from a friend or one from the rack that fits your span, that's important. Try a 14 for a game or two, then a 15. If there is no pain, strain then a 15 will probably work for you. Try that a few games and do the same with a 16.

I think some folks start out with to heavy a ball, have elbow/wrist problems and then have to drop weight, that's an expense you don't really want. Depending on the build, strength, I tell my customers to try a weight ( usually 14 or 15 ) and see. There's not much reason to go to a higher weight just so you can say I use a 15 or 16# when in a few weeks you develop problems. Telling you online is hard, I can't see your build, but an old rule is ten percent of body weight is the weight of ball.

I don't hold to that, but some do. Best thing I can say, go talk to your pro shop guys. They might have a used 15 or 16 around they'd let you use for a game or two. They will be able to help you out a lot more than someone online .

JMO
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Babycash22

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Re: Which Ball weight to choose
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2006, 07:04:11 AM »
Thanks thats a lot of help ill go do that with a house ball i hadnt thought or that before. I was wanting to buy a couple new balls and i didnt want them in all 14s and waste the money cuz i really needed a 15 or something. Thanks so much

azguy

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Re: Which Ball weight to choose
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2006, 07:06:16 AM »
Keep in mind, a house ball will not react like something you expect to buy, but for weight....they'll do just fine.
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Noy

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Re: Which Ball weight to choose
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2006, 09:03:33 AM »
The thing about house balls is that you wont know that you're truly comfortable with the weight untill you hold a ball that fits your hand spand and pitch.  Go to a pro shop and the guy should have a ball with a bunch of holes in it, thats what they use to size u up.  He'll put your fingers and thumbs in the right position and add weight to the ball and have you swing it back and forth to see if you're comfortable with it.

My pro shop guy tells me, "pick the highest weight that you're most comfortable at...there should be very little muscle involved...let gravity do its work"

Also take into consideration how many games you play a session.  Even though you might like a 15 or 16, its very easy to get tired by the 3rd and 4th game if you're not conditioned enough.  Hope this helps =)
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Babycash22

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Re: Which Ball weight to choose
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2006, 01:50:29 PM »
Thats why ive stuck with the 14lb ball because i bowled on a sport shot that was 4 games and by the 4th game i always get tired. So perhaps i should just stick with the 14. I only wanted to know cuz i wanted to buy a few new balls and they are hard to find used so i didnt want to lose out on  a bunch of money if i should be throwin a 15 or 16. But ut comments did help thanks

Lysosome

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Re: Which Ball weight to choose
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2006, 09:56:35 PM »
I too started out with a 10. Over the months, though, I gradually worked my way up, and did a little weight lifting along the way just to be on the safe side of not getting injured.