It depends on the drilling you're using. The ending top weight, along with the correct ratio of side and finger, will determine/enhance how your ball reacts.

For off label leverage type drillings, higher starting top weights will generally give you a stronger backend reaction. If the top weight is too low to start, you may end up with bottom weight and the ball may roll out and lose carry.

If the top weight is too high for a plain label drill, the ball may roll too long and not finish properly on the backend.

So, for off label leverage drillings, use higher top, between 3.5 - 4.5. For label drillings, use lower top, between 2.5 - 3.5. =:^D

Dude, why do you have to be a pro to fine tune your ball..?

Believe me, there's a big difference in the way a leverage weighted ball with bottom weight hooks on the backend, as compared to one with top weight..!!

I guess if you're not a pro, you're not good enough to notice..? =:^D

Dude, top weight does matter, even if you're just a league bowler..!! Unless you don't care about how high you score, then you're right, it really doesn't matter. =:^D

top weight definitely matters.  Think about it do you want your ball to roll out in the heads or to save energy for the backend?  There's a lot of things you should ask yourself when considering top weight...definitely not "oh im not a pro so i dont have to worry about this spec."  If you want a ball to react a certain way and at a certain length, you better put some thought into it.

Generally top weight will make the ball push more down the lane and have it hook harder on the backend.

Does it affect the hit? yes it does.

Does it matter if the top weight is close to the pin or far away? yes it does.

I agree with ALien Lefty here...3/4 oz finger vs 3/4 oz thumb will mean a lot in how the ball rolls and hits. The same goes for top vs bottom weight. A top weighted ball will always hit harder than a bottom weighted ball.

There are several people that I drill for (myself included) that cannot throw a ball if it ends up with bottom or thumb weight after drilling. So I must be sure to choose a ball with more than 3 oz to start and a drill pattern that will keep that weight in a position so as to keep the top weight.

If the weights didn't matter anymore then ABC could throw out their rules on them.
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Doug Sterner
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Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
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Edited on 8/25/2004 12:15 PM