Author Topic: 15 lbs versus 16 Lbs (can physics be wrong?) (Read 9300 times)

Polish_Hammer · « **on:** March 29, 2012, 03:31:11 PM »

Looking for some different viewpoints. About 8 years ago, I was convinced to move from 16 down to 15 pounds due to a large number of 8 & 9 pin leaves and all was right with the world. The lighter ball allowed me to create some rather contorted wrist positions and releases and probably contributed to muscling the swing as well and inconsistent ball speed. I also now leave more tens and 7-10 than 8's & 9's.

I am considering going back to 16lbs to gain more consistency in my swing and timing, as the extra pound will limit my urge and ability to muscle the ball and lower my rev rate. I have medium speed and medium to high revs which often doesn't match up with dry heads or short patterns

Baring physical limitations or injuries and all things being equal, physics would say that more mass would mean more power and better carry, wouldn't it?

Polish_Hammer · « **Reply #16 on:** April 03, 2012, 10:28:49 AM »

This is a very good question. The overall numbers for sales are that only 10% of the market is 16# but I'm not aware of too many professionals moving down to 14 lbs and I would be curious to know the breakdown on 15 vs 16 in the touring pro ranks. I know the following pros all throw 16: Duke, Barnes, Jaros (best carry of a guy with no speed or revs), Bohn, Robert Smith (I think he would throw 18 if they would let him), Walter Ray. Not sure who else

MrPerfect wrote on 4/2/2012 9:38 AM:

So how many professionals are moving to 14lbs now?

I know the local pro in our area who is a younger gentleman has just made the move down from 15, but I haven't checked on how the change has made any difference in his bowling.

sabman · « **Reply #17 on:** April 03, 2012, 07:06:42 PM »

More 16 lb bowlers : Bill O'Neil, Sean Rash, Tommy Jones, and Missy Parkin (most successful female bowler at US Open and USBC Masters). Also I heard Jack Jurek went between the two weights before going back to 16 lbs, but it was just mentioned from someone online. The others I know for sure use 16 lbs (from their own mouths or mentioned on telecast).

Although two of the most successful bowlers this year Mike Fagan and Jason Belmonte throw 15 lbs. Also, I think all the big name international players throw 15 lbs.

Jeff Mark said on XtraFrame back in November that the breakdown was like 90/10 in favor of 15 lbs a couple years ago, but it's more like 60/40 today. He mentioned that 16lbs have less of a tendency to hydroplane. Obviously some pros are feeling like 16 lbs give them a better chance to win. Then you have someone like Chris Barnes who said he doesn't understand the move to 15 lbs.

Keep in mind that on THS we have free friction and it's easy to create entry angle. The pros aren't afforded this luxury, so maybe some of them are observing better results with 16 lbs.

JustRico · « **Reply #18 on:** April 03, 2012, 10:02:58 PM »

the biggest factor over all others is matching up speed to revs...if your ball speed is too high in regards to your rev rate, the ball does not have a chance to properly slow down. If your rev rate is too high for your ball speed, then the angles necessitated to properly play the lane are obscured. This translates into the proper perception of the ball hitting.

Sales of 16lbs is closer to 5% if not lower.

The views and opinions expressed by myself are solely those of mine and NO one else, nor are they affiliated with anyone else.

Polish_Hammer · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2012, 09:20:21 AM »

I wouldn't doubt that sales of 16lb balls are less than 10% but the majority of touring pros are not buying equipment so that statistic is misleading. I agree with the statement that the pros are probably 60/40 split.

eglleftcoast · « **Reply #20 on:** April 04, 2012, 12:34:02 PM »

All I know is that the rules state 16 pounds is the maximum. If they said you could throw 20 pounds, I'd be throwing 20. There is an obvious advantage to more weight....

Xx 12 X 300 xX · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2012, 12:40:29 PM »

So what do you feel are the advantages to the 16lb balls, and what styles or speed/rev combos benefit from them the most?

I see increased pin movement from the 16s but I'm not so sure that that means better carry As a rev dominate, medium speed player the 14lb seems like the best choice for carry on conditions that have built in entry angle/friction.

Metal_rules · « **Reply #22 on:** April 04, 2012, 02:12:48 PM »

I also made the switch from 16 to 15lb about a year ago. I mainly did this because of hand / wrist pain. that has gone away, but i now seem to leave a lot more 10 pins than i ever did. i'm considering getting another 16lb ball, just to see if my carry improves. but i don't want to return to wrist pain either, so i may just need to make adjustments instead. but i do leave a lot of 10's.

Edited by Metal_rules on 4/4/2012 at 12:13 PM

Xx 12 X 300 xX · « **Reply #23 on:** April 04, 2012, 03:14:55 PM »

The 16lb ball helps the players that are prone to the flat 10 or half 10. Sometimes you can get just alittle more bounce of the 6 pin out of the flat gutter and get the 10 out. This might equal 1 more strike a game, or 2-3 strikes in a series of games.

Jesse James · « **Reply #24 on:** April 04, 2012, 06:19:02 PM »

There are so many reasons why people use 16lbs. vs. 15lbs, it is very hard to quantify! I use both, and I have my own perceptions for using them. If I am playing a flooded pattern and can't carry on the line I'm using, i will switch to 16lbs. However. most often it is my 15lbers that carry the best on heavy patterns.

If I am playing a direct line, I will go with 16lbs. My perception is that where I lay it down....that's the line it will stay on. Also, I am slower and more deliberate with 16lbs.

Most of my equipment however, is 15bs. I feel I can get better "mixer" strikes with the 15lb equipment. Just my 2cts.

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Author Topic: 15 lbs versus 16 Lbs (can physics be wrong?) (Read 9300 times)

Polish_Hammer

15 lbs versus 16 Lbs (can physics be wrong?)

Polish_Hammer

Re: 15 lbs versus 16 Lbs (can physics be wrong?)

sabman

Re: 15 lbs versus 16 Lbs (can physics be wrong?)

JustRico

Re: 15 lbs versus 16 Lbs (can physics be wrong?)

Polish_Hammer

Re: 15 lbs versus 16 Lbs (can physics be wrong?)

eglleftcoast

Re: 15 lbs versus 16 Lbs (can physics be wrong?)

Xx 12 X 300 xX

Re: 15 lbs versus 16 Lbs (can physics be wrong?)

Metal_rules

Re: 15 lbs versus 16 Lbs (can physics be wrong?)

Xx 12 X 300 xX

Re: 15 lbs versus 16 Lbs (can physics be wrong?)

Jesse James

Re: 15 lbs versus 16 Lbs (can physics be wrong?)