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Author Topic: 14# Balls vs 15# Balls  (Read 5731 times)

Brickguy221

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14# Balls vs 15# Balls
« on: December 30, 2004, 01:47:42 AM »
I'm 67 and will be 68 in Feb. I've been throwing 15# balls since the mid 80's. The last couple of years they have began to feel heavy at times. Some days they aren't too bad and other days they feel like they weigh 20#. Some days my arm and shoulder are tired after only 3 games and other days they are OK. I have been playing around with a 14# ball. Have probably thrown it 15-20 games over the last couple months. Some days it feels perfect and some days it feels like it only weighs 10#. If I throw it several games and then throw my 15# balls regardless of whether it is that same day or the next, I can't hardley get the 15# out on the lane for the first 5-6 frames or so.....So, what I am leading to here is that I hope I didn't make a mistake by ordering a 14# ball today. I hope my hit and carry don't suffer. What is everyones opinion about the hit and carry of 14# vs 15#?
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seadrive

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Re: 14# Balls vs 15# Balls
« Reply #16 on: December 31, 2004, 06:57:27 AM »
Brick,

If you get more revs and are more accurate with 14#, and you can roll it (free armswing) rather than throw it, and it doesn't screw up your timing, then I think the switch will do you good.  Some people are so used to the extra pound or two that it's difficult for them to throw lighter-weight balls.
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seadrive
Cogito ergo bowl
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Brickguy221

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Re: 14# Balls vs 15# Balls
« Reply #17 on: December 31, 2004, 09:57:35 AM »
quote:
Brick,

If you get more revs and are more accurate with 14#, and you can roll it (free armswing) rather than throw it, and it doesn't screw up your timing, then I think the switch will do you good. Some people are so used to the extra pound or two that it's difficult for them to throw lighter-weight balls.
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Seadrive, excellent point/advice. Time will tell, as I definitely swing the ball easier and better at 14#. I'll be practicing some more with the 14# this afternoon. I'm limited to one ball at the moment, but when practicing, working on technique is more important than score anyhow.

Edited on 12/31/2004 10:57 AM
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baiki

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Re: 14# Balls vs 15# Balls
« Reply #18 on: December 31, 2004, 10:29:45 AM »

Brickguy221,

I'm in your age group. My main arsenal is 15 with a couple of 14's. ( Thunder Road Pearl, Zone pro azure)
I use the 14's when my 15's is too strong at the back leaving solid 9's. I have scored 290's and high 7's with them.

All my balls have magic carpets. If I feel that I'm squeezing the ball,I'll first use some rosin on the thumb hole. If still squeezing, I'll put in another white tape or move the tape higher or lower.

At our age bowling without discomfort is of prime importance.






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baiki
"Faulty mechanics makes all balls bad."  Bill Hall, BTM Dec. '98
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Brickguy221

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Re: 14# Balls vs 15# Balls
« Reply #19 on: December 31, 2004, 03:41:40 PM »
OK Everyone!.....The 14# works like a dream. Lots of open bowlers today, heads were spotty and the lanes had carrydown from all the open bowling. I used the only 14# ball I currrently have which is a highly polished STORM Triple X Factor that I got in a trade with Harry Legthigh. To make a long story short, I averaged 206 for 6 games on these poor conditions. Two years ago, I would have thought nothing of it to average that but the way I have bowled since my major surgery in May of last year, it made me feel really good.

I would have averaged 160-170 with my 15# based on past experience over the past 18 months or so in this house on these conditions. That wasn't great bowling, but when a person that has always had a 190 something average for the past 15-18 years like myself, until 15-18 months ago and then drop down to the 168-180 range, I felt good about it. My accuracy was very much improved, I had way-way more revs, and had way more strikes. I kicked out a lot of 10 pins with this 14# ball today that would have stood straight up with my 15# balls.

I can't wait to get my Impulse Zone next week to see what it will do. I want to thank all of you people that responded to this post. again many thanks to all of you.


Edited on 12/31/2004 4:41 PM
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Old Coach

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Re: 14# Balls vs 15# Balls
« Reply #20 on: January 01, 2005, 09:36:35 AM »
I think you have gotten some GOOD advice in your post.  I also have tried a couple of 14lbs this year just to practice with (Nemesis and Threat).  I have been throwing 15 for a number of years.  What Rags and others have said is basically very accurate.  Get something you are comfortable with that you don't get tired (physically)of throwing and don't have to muscle to get it down the lane.  Ball speed and revs and REPEATIBLILITY OF THE SHOT are the key. I have a granddaughter who is 15 years old and one of the top high school bowlers in her conference 198 average, she throws 14, great rev, 15 mph+ ball speed and can carry light hits, brooklyns and just scatters the pins, with her it is like everyone has said,"ball speed, revs and such match up".  Recently she has started to throw the ball through the breakpoint, not much but she is starting to overpower her equipment (revs and ball speed)so I can see us moving her up to 15 lbs when the high school season is over in Feb. NICE TO BE YOUNG AND STRONG.  You and I are on the other side of the age thing, going down and getting our equipment to match up to us physically is important to maintain the Repeatability THING.  NOW TO GET TO MY MAIN POINT!  Don't jump back and forth from 15 to 14.  If you decide to go the 14lb route, put the 15's away and let your body "MUSCLE MEMORY" get adjusted to the lesser weight. After a few weeks you should reach a comfort zone and know whether it was a good move.  Also, if you don't already use a wrist brace don't be afraid to try a number of them as they can drastically help your rev rate.  SORRY FOR THE LONG REPLY.  GOOD LUCK.
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