Should a person expect the same hitting power and carry if they were to switch from a 15 pound bowling ball to a 14 pound bowling ball. A friend and I were talking about it. Thanks for input

Yes.

Agreed...

When you do everything correctly (rotation, speed, entry angle), you'll notice little if any difference.


Unfortunately, few of us are that consistent. Throw a 14# ball a bit too fast, don't get it clean off your hand, or come in the pocket a little off angle, then in many cases you'll be punished relative to 15# hit -- painfully so.


I bowl with several 230+ average bowlers (including a successful proshop owner) who tried the 14# experiment. I observed closely their respective journeys. Not one stuck with 14# for more than a year. They all took significant hits to average and consistency. I suppose it's possible for some styles to successfully make the switch, but I just haven't seen it.

When you do everything correctly (rotation, speed, entry angle), you'll notice little if any difference.


Unfortunately, few of us are that consistent. Throw a 14# ball a bit too fast, don't get it clean off your hand, or come in the pocket a little off angle, then in many cases you'll be punished relative to 15# hit -- painfully so.


I bowl with several 230+ average bowlers (including a successful proshop owner) who tried the 14# experiment. I observed closely their respective journeys. Not one stuck with 14# for more than a year. They all took significant hits to average and consistency. I suppose it's possible for some styles to successfully make the switch, but I just haven't seen it.

I found the exact opposite and I'd never ever go back to 15's.  I picked up close to a mile an hour at the backend which is so important with today's equipment.  Carry is as good or better average is up after the change.

I found the exact opposite and I'd never ever go back to 15's.  I picked up close to a mile an hour at the backend which is so important with today's equipment.  Carry is as good or better average is up after the change.

Scott, I'm glad it worked out well for you.


The fact that you picked up close to a mile per hour to get to a more effective speed says you could no longer throw 15# equipment at the most optimum level. Unless I'm reading you wrong, in your case it's not really an apples-to-apples comparison.


In the 15# vs 14# debate, the question should really be that if you can throw both weights without any compromise (speed, rotation, physical endurance), which is more effective? I believe for most (what's generally true), is that 15# is the correct answer.


For anyone, if throwing 15/16# equipment has to be done with compromise, it's not even a question. You go down to 14# balls. Health and comfort trumps everything.

Sound like a person would not suffer much if they were to drop down to a lower weight. Thanks for all the advise. Carlos