BallReviews

General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: jmattox on June 11, 2010, 05:28:14 AM

Title: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: jmattox on June 11, 2010, 05:28:14 AM

I am going to drop from 15 to 14# balls and was wondering since most the balls that I got are 15.3 before drilling should I get 14.3 when I drop? Not really sure but thought I would ask the good people here on BR.

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: FastTracker33 on June 12, 2010, 12:24:12 AM

You'll be fine going to 14lbs. I went from 15 to 14 due to wrist problems (which caught up to me finally and has kept me from bowling for over a year now) and it was a good switch til my hand/wrist finally broke lol. I didn't lose any hitting power. I had my first 300/800 with a 14.6ish pound ball.
--------------------
- Brian
http://BeansProShop.com

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: Lillen on June 12, 2010, 01:27:28 AM

Don't think you'll notice any difference from a 14.1 ball to a 14.3 and I haven't noticed less carry since I dropped down from 15 to 14 either..

So I say, go for it..
--------------------
-------------------
www.dteracing.se

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: astrodanco on June 12, 2010, 04:55:49 AM

My average went UP over 14 pins almost immediately after I upgraded from 14 to 15 pound balls last summer.  I think that one pound made quite a difference.

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: jmattox on June 12, 2010, 05:23:05 AM

Thanks for the answers everyone. Just wanted to have a better understanding before I get my new equipment.

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: APheLion on June 12, 2010, 05:56:32 AM

i would say depends, for oily lanes, u have to roll more, so 15 lb is a better idea

now for drier lanes, 14 is fine, at least for me, since im speed challenged
--------------------
When a house bowler misses the mark, misses the break point and strike, for many ppl its called a wallshot. When a pro does that its call adjustment

When a house bowler gets his finger stuck in the ball and fall on the lanes, for many ppl its called lame bowler. When a pro does that its called the Machuga flop! ha i like this one.

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: Track_Fanatic on June 12, 2010, 07:04:59 AM

I've recently made the switch from 15 to 14 and have had no problems at all.  If you also look at the RG and Diff, a good part of most manufacturer's equipment are actually stronger than 15 or 16.  If you were going to go less than 14, I'd say you probably would have a problem.  Not to get too off the subject, but you probably have been hearing also that static weights don't really mean anything anymore as well as the "cg no matter".  We just need to deal with the normal problems of entry angle that everyone deals with, with whatever weight they use.

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: abrown on June 12, 2010, 07:09:00 AM

having went threw that transition several times due to shoulder injuries that keep comming back. my avg. has stayed the same with 14 or 15lb stuff. my speed hasnt really changed but the breakpoint has changed just a little as well as foot work once you get your timing back you wont see much of a difference you'll get a little more deflection. may have to simply go with stronger drills or stronger balls

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: TamerBowling on June 12, 2010, 08:08:42 AM

Just to answer your original question, as long as you get a "spec" 14 pound ball, you'll be fine.  There's usually a variation of a few ounces for it to be officially called a 14 pound ball.  Don't worry about that, just ask your pro shop operator for a 14 pound ball.
There will be small differences between 14 and 15 lb balls reaction, but nothing to be concerned about.  You may get increased speed and a more dynamic release which will compensate for the weight.
--------------------
www.TamerBowling.com
Everything Bowling, coaching tips, ball reviews, General bowling discussions
USBC Certified Level I

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: jgrip on June 12, 2010, 08:17:07 AM

i switched from 15 to 14 a few years ago and have to say that my average went up do to the fact that going a pound down has let me increase my speed and made me be more consistent with my release also get alittle more rotation on the ball which has helped my pin carry greatly so i think you will be fine

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: Gunny on June 12, 2010, 08:30:40 AM

i usually look for something in the 14.3 range, but really didnt matter as long as it was 14.  i switched from 16 to 14 because of wrist problems almost 2 years ago and never noticed any loss of pin carry.  I switched to 15lbs for the summer just to see if my wrist and arm strength would hold up.

the only way you may see a loss in carry would be based on how you play the lanes.  if you cant create the angle to the pocket, your gonna leave alot more corner pins and such.

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: Juggernaut on June 12, 2010, 11:35:08 AM

No need to worry over an ounce or two. I wanted a ball which had been discontinued, but could only find one that weighed 14.0 before drilling.

 After drilling, the ball weighed in at 13lb 13oz. I then proceeded to shoot 279-745 with it that evening.

 Switching to 14lb has been something I have not regretted, and I didn't even have to. I had done it several years ago, due to a wrist problem (which healed), but had gone back up to 15lb. Got one of my old 14's out one night because I hadn't been able to find a 15lber to replace it, and bowled my highest series of the year, so I made my mind up to stay at 14lbs and have ever since.

 14lbs is easier on my hands, easier to hit my target with, and strikes just as much (if not more) than heavier balls, at least for me.
--------------------
Good transactions list in my profile

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: BeansProShop on June 13, 2010, 12:02:26 AM

Check the PBA East Region leaders....

Thomas "beans" Biniek Jr.  (Me)

Bowls strictly with 14# balls...

(2) PBA 300's with 6 weeks of each other on 2 different patterns..

I order all my balls 14.3 or better if I want to use a weight hole or 14.1 is fine...

Not a Figjam.... Just proving that 14 can compete on a higher volume oil pattern and at a high level!
--------------------
www.beansproshop.com
--------------------
Thomas "Beans" Biniek Jr.
PBA Member and Pro Shop Owner/Operator
 Check out current eBay auctions at:
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=bowling_with_leah Official Pro Shop of "ALL" F.O.S. Members!!!

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: jmattox on June 14, 2010, 10:53:21 AM

Drrev2000 - I am dropping down for a few reasons. One would be to get more speed and revs. Another is to see if it will correct a release problem I am having. Some of the guys that I bowl with have been using 14# and they love them. From bowling some tourneys the later I get into them I get some elbow and shoulder pain.

Title: Re: Dropping from 15# to 14# balls
Post by: PLM on June 14, 2010, 11:03:20 AM

IMHO - I use 15's, and when I buy them I look for something in the 15.1 to 15.3 range.  I cannot feel 2 ounces of differnce in weight when I throw them.  I have one, however, that was 15.6 OOB and that is enough of a difference that I feel it.  So, an ounce or two won't matter much, but 4 or 5 will. I think the average drilling without a balance hole takes @ 3 ounces out of a ball.