I currently throw 16, but have been having wrist and finger pain.  it hurt to make a fist and bend my fingers back a bit and it hurts as the night goes on to lift the ball on release and eventually get to like17mph and slower, and by then the ball just over hooks due to my lagging for power.

Went to the docs to get checked out and are awaiting X-rays and what not.  Was considering moving down to 15lb but i think that might not be enough and am seriously considering a move to 14lb equipment. 

 

My question is, is there a massive difference in hitting power by dropping 2lbs instead of 1?  My rev rate has never  been recorded but i would have to guess im in the 350-400 rpm rate and throw 18-19 mph's.  Any suggestions, or input would help.  

if you need a few used 14lbs..i have some that i'm selling drilled RH..900g lunatic,morich n'tense levrg,storm natural,ebonite striking motion.

let me know..

chris

 

Edited by bigz on 1/29/2012 at 1:33 AM

I too had to drop from 16 then to 15 and now 14, all from wrist problems (surgeries). I too was worried about how I was going to adjust to the lower wt#. But in fact, since I've went to 14 the honor scores came a commin.

Never had any honor scores til 2006 ( been bowling since I was 9, I'm now 45). But have 6-300's and 3-800's since the drop to 14. The wrist feels a hell of alot better. And I think the pin carry is alot better.

I have a similar injury that's been lingering for a few years because I went from working a physical job to typing on a computer all day. Tried 16lbs and I quickly ended that. So during that time I've moved down from 15lbs to light 14lbs. and to me it feels so much better when my wrist is not stress with the pain of using a higher weight. Hitting power and rev rate for me feels alittle better with 14lbs but sometimes I can get a habit of throwing too hard, expecially on longer oil patterns. I use to practice like 30 games a week but now I barely get 8 games of practice a week because of the wrist injury. If you have to cut down on practice (which I hate to do) abit and do some light exercises to strengthen up your wrist and hand, it does wonders.   

I dropped to 14 pounds around the start of the winter league season and I couldn't be happier.  Initially I was leaving a lot of 7 pins and 10 pins but then realized I was playing the lanes like I was still using a 15 pound ball. 

 

The lighter ball gave me the ability to control and increase my speed allowing me to play straighter angles to the pocket.  Now I am averaging 200 on the 3 leagues I bowl on.

 

I can also use more aggressive equipment too.  I picked up 3 used balls from my pro shop guy.  Hammer Arson, Storm Tropical Heat, Track 300C and Hammer Blue Urethane.