BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Strapper_Squared on March 15, 2015, 06:39:58 PM
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I have thrown 15lb equipment for the past 25 years. Over the past 5 years, I've started to feel as though 15lb equipment was heavy. Have not experienced wrist problems, but was having some thumb issues and had seen some loss of revs. I had been considering making the switch for some time now, finally went with it.
One pound in weight makes a big difference! I feel like I have better control, and now am able to throw 4-5 games without fatigue. I feel like I've gained a touch more speed, and back to my "old" rev rate from years back (estimate I'm at 18 mph and 425 rpms). The revs are more effortless, and the ball doesn't seem t8o jump/over react as much as in years past. I feel like my accuracy and speed control are better.
However....
I just can't seem to score. I've dropped 5 pins in average over that last month and a half. I just can't seem to put 3 games together... I'm noticing that on dead flush shots, that truthfully I'd expect to carry... usually do carry, but occasionally will leave a very odd stone 7 or 8 pin. Ive left more in yhe last 5 weeks than I have in the last 5 years! I'm also seeing reduced carry on the slightly off shots. A little high and I'm seeing more 4 pins and 9s or even occasionally a 7. Light shots seem to mix relatively well. A few less strikes over the course of a night and it's not hard to see why scores are down.
That being said, I feel like I am really close to throwing a big set. I feel like I'm throwing the ball better and not tired after 2 games.
I'll continue for a while longer...see how it turns out.
S^2
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I went down the same road, then went back to 15's due to lack of carry. I did flirt with 14.5 for a while, and that wasn't too bad, for me there is a big difference in carry between 14 and 14.5. Basically, once I got back up to 30 games a week, I could handle the 15's again, I'm just trying to stay on the lighter side undrilled (15.0-15.2) and putting a hole in everything.
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The reduced weight, PLUS the changed, mostly increased RG, PLUS the changed RG differential require sometimes a MAJOR change in the drilling. I have been struggling with this for 3 - 4 years now, due a hip injury. (Oh, how traumatic! My strength says the 14 lb. ball is too light; my hip says I need to use it.)
It can be too easy to throw it throw the breakpoint. You also need to consider a possible, but likely change in the amount of surface you use.
Good freaking luck!
(I have no had that luck; still struggling)
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I dropped from 15# to 14# years ago... I have the same high game and 3 game series with each weight.
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went to 14lb ball from 15 and average went from the 2 teens to mid 220s. ball speed was up revs went up, can bowl all day now. the guys gave me some grief at first, telling me i'd be throwing 12lbs pretty soon, but my scores pretty much ended that situation. as far as carry goes, has not been an issue. one thing for sure my 55 year old body sure appreciates the change!
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I shot 15# 10 years ago and injured my wrist. Didn't shoot again till this past summer and used a hav-a-ball league to drop to 14# to give it a try. Haven't looked back. Selling all my 15# stuff and can throw more than 4 games without being dead tired anymore (now its 9-10 is about my limit).
Avg. is the same at the moment, but think I am getting more consistent so avg. is on the upside.
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If your speed and revs don't increase enough to offset the 7% decrease in weight the ball will deflect more. That may or may not be bad. -- JohnP
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Go figure... throw front 9, 279 game...missed a couple easy spares the other two games and still shoot 750. Maybe there is something to this 14lb equipment ;-)
Scott