"To insert a question into your post:
When determining what ball to use on a lane condition, is it wise to throw a weak ball and move up? The reason being the weaker ball will store more energy than a strong ball and would get better carry as long as the speed and entry angle is sufficient.
If one starts with a strong ball, their line and carry may be sufficient, but far from the optimum. Some people throw "benchmark" balls to get a read of the condition. Which method is best? Does it depend on the bowler?"

Anyone to answer this interesting question?

To me it really doesn't matter wheather one uses a ball that is agressive, or weak to begin to adjust to a lane condition.  It is much more important to know the ball inside and out.  Carry will come later as one sees the reaction more clearly, however if one doesn't know what a ball will do on many different conditions they may misread the condition.  Saying that a ball that goes long and stores up more energy will carry better is not always true as often times a ball can go too long and produce too much entry angle resulting in ringing tens and if weak, buckets and the likes.  

A perfect benchmark ball for me is the zone classic.  It is easy through the heads, smooth in the midlane, with a nice, but controllable move in the backend.  I understand how the ball reacts for me on dry, on carrydown, on fresh backends, on heavy oil and can adjust from there.  This being said, sometimes, even though the classic will cover a variety of lane conditions it may be the wrong ball.  The lanes might be forcing the ball to roll out or to push too far down the lane.  If the ball is pushing I have the strike zone which has a similar breakpoint shape, but is earlier and stronger.  If the ball is reading too early, I have the sahara drilled to be late and smooth.

Start with a ball for medium that is readable and go from there.  Get to the pocket consistently and then fine tune ball reaction for optimum carry.
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