A little bit of science will show that 16 does not necessarily have advantages.
First answering Don's points.
1) A few things here, a 16 lb ball will hydroplane through typical head oil and the puddle that exists from 10-10 on a typical house shot just as easily as a 15 lb ball will. There is a very small range in oil volume where a 16 ball will cut down to lane where a 15 lb ball hydroplanes, and usually after a few shots to make some friction in a spot, there will be no difference. Also, a 16 lb ball requires more force to change its direction, suggesting that with a defined friction spot on the lane, the 16 lb ball with assumed lower revs will actually hook less. For ultra slick lanes, a 16 lb ball will hydroplane just as long as the 15lb ball does.
2) Newer or heavier pins going down easier is all about energy transfer. A 16 lb ball going just as fast as a 15 lb ball will have a higher kinetic energy (0.5*m*v^2), but it also requires more work from the bowler to throw it at the same speed.
3) This is somewhat true, as long as going to 16 lb actually slows you down. If you keep the same rhythm and timing, chances are after a few sessions you will throw the 16 just as fast as the 15. You have to allow the 16 to change your rhythm and timing to allow you to use the same amount of force and throw it slower
4)This is not really valid, the changes to a power player's game by going from 15-16 will be the same as a tweener or strokers game.
Tweaking the weight may have one key effect. It changes your deflection a little bit. If you throw 16 and 9-pin a lot (as a righty) a 15 will deflect a little more off the headpin and 3 pin, hopefully getting it to a point where it goes a little right off the 5 pin and scrapes the 9 pin.
My main reason for using 15lb:
A 3-ball slim roller + 3x15lb balls ends up almost exactly at 49lb, just under airlines 50lb limit. 16 would put me over until somebody releases a bag that weighs less than 2 lb.
