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Author Topic: Plastic Spare ball - get a lower weight?  (Read 3954 times)

duvallite

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Plastic Spare ball - get a lower weight?
« on: January 04, 2010, 05:40:35 AM »
After blowing my first 700 plus series (247-255-160) by missing several ten pins in the final game, I'm breaking down and am going to buy a plastic ball.  One of the better bowlers in our league suggested that I get a 14 pound plastic ball, even though I use 15 pound normally.  He thinks that it helps to get a little more speed which helps keep the ball straighter.  Do most of you go with a lighter plastic spare ball?  Does it really matter that much?  I'm thinking a Storm Ice Storm in either 14 or 15, depending on what I hear back from everyone.

 

Strider

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Re: Plastic Spare ball - get a lower weight?
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2010, 01:50:14 PM »
Personally, I like the same weight so everything feels the same.  Before I dropped to 15# permanently, I could easily switch from the 16 to the 15, but if I went back to the 16, it felt extra heavy.  Timing is a weak point for me, so I want everything to feel the same.  Plus, the point of throwing a plastic ball is that it will go straight.  Why would you need to throw it harder also?
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johns811

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Re: Plastic Spare ball - get a lower weight?
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2010, 02:00:39 PM »
I've got a 14lb spare ball and use 15 and 16. No problems. I like the lighter weight.

sluggo35

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Re: Plastic Spare ball - get a lower weight?
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2010, 02:37:33 PM »
i use a 14 pound plastic just to get more speed for 7 and 10 pin spares and for the baby splits.

MC

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Re: Plastic Spare ball - get a lower weight?
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2010, 04:01:33 PM »
Mine is 15, which is my normal weight. Plastic should go pretty straight. I don't think one pound would make a difference. I agree with Strider. I want it to be the same weight.
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coop1760

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Re: Plastic Spare ball - get a lower weight?
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2010, 04:10:37 PM »
my plastic is 15 and i throw 16 it does help to get more speed to keep it on line alittle better i would recomend 1/2 to 1 pound lighter

Goof1073

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Re: Plastic Spare ball - get a lower weight?
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2010, 06:10:30 PM »
It's such and individual thing but in general I would say that most folks get the same weight spare ball and it's what I would recommend for most of my customers.

Having said that I utilize a 14lb spare ball compared to my 15lb strike ball.  When I dropped to 15's I got a used really light 15lb'r from my pro-shop owner.  I really liked the lighter ball and when it was time to replace it I drilled a 14lb'r.  I didn't do it to gain ball speed, it was just a "feel thing" for me.  That and at the time I drilled it I was going through some injury recovery issues and the lighter spare ball helped it and forced me to wait on the ball more during spare shots rather than trying to throw it harder.  In the long run I think it also improved my strike ball timing given the fact that I now wait on the ball better in the down swing.

Everyone is different though...
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duvallite

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Re: Plastic Spare ball - get a lower weight?
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2010, 06:23:58 PM »
Thanks for all of the input.  I went to the pro shop at Evergreen Lanes in Everett this afternoon to get a thumb mold made so that I can get all my thumbholes reworked for the same fit.  The owner, Matt Surina - PBA Pro, said either weight would be okay.  So, with your input and his, I had him order me a 14# Storm Ice Storm.  Here's hoping it helps with those d*mn 10s.