My bro dropped from 15 to 14 and began throwing the ball better and increased his speed and revs some as well.

With the strong covers and the same core as the 15 and 16lb equipment I wouldn't hesitate to make the change if needed.

Plus physics tells us that a 15lb ball at 14mph hits with the same force as a 14lb ball at 15mph.

basically
15 at 14
14 at 15

So with the same core and cover as the 15 I think your safe to use 14lbs. Pros aren't scared to.
--------------------
" hand, don't step on the lanes without some "

I have not seen anyone go from  15 to 14 that liked the results.  They all did it due to physical restrictions (like your hand).  And because they love the game, this is the way they are able to stay in the game.  14s don't hit as well as 15s from what I've seen.  But you can still bowl.  Enjoy the game.  

Erin

!4# balls carry just as well as 15# balls do(minisculely less) Some balls you find the diff to be much higher on the 14#(Ebonite Xcel series) some lower. I have had just as much success with the 14# as I did with the 15# stuff. The only difference that I noticed in the beginning was the difference in swing weight. Had to change my timing to match up with the slower swing .

As a partial answer to your question, very few people should be weighing 300
pounts.  There may be other things you can do to improve your game.

OK, bear with my long post!

i went from throwing nothing but 16/15, mostly being 16s, to now throwing 14lbs the last 2 years.  and to let everyone know I HAVE NOT LOST ANY CARRY! this question i keep hearing that people who throw 14 cant compete or cant score, is BULL LARKY!  I carry the 10, 7, 4, 6, whatever, better than most.  I rarely leave 10pins, stone 9s, 8s, or what not.  if you throw the ball properly and get the right entry angle, your going to carry.  plain and simple.  i just shot 750 wednesday night throwing a 14lb Bounty Hunter, (4000 abralon & 2 coats of Snake oil).  shot 640 monday with it.  shot 630 last weds with it.  shot 640 with a 14lb clutch the previous wed.  shot 740 with a 14lb S75 a few weeks ago.  so, YES!  they do carry just as good as 15s & 16s.

I initially went to 14lbs because of a wrist problem.  thought i was going to have surgery and figured i would talk to a sports medicine guy and he told me that I didnt need surgery, just rest and rehab.  i took 3 weeks off and just rested the wrist than started rehab with the exercises he gave me.  My wrist is fine and stronger than ever, but yet I havent moved back up to 16s because I like the better control i get with the 14lb stuff.  Plus, I like the specs better on the 14lbers, most have a higher RG, which is perfect for me as hit the ball alot and need something with natural length.

IMHO, the only people that my suffer are the srokers.  if they cant create the angle needed they may not carry.  I've been playing a 12-5 fluff shot and carrying fine.  I hate playing that shot, but have learned to deal with it.  This past wednesday, I moved back inside and was playin a 15-5 shot only because the team we were bowling was throwing virtual gravity's.  all pretty much strokers playing down ten, and i knew i would have a nice bumper on the outside.  They didnt have the carry, next highest set was 670 on the pair.  So, in some sense the strokers may have carry issues if they cant get the angle.

Boos, i'm 5'9" 200lbs, not a real big guy but the 14s did at first feel like golf balls in my hand.  After I slowed my feet and got the timing down I feel now like I've had the most control over the ball than ever.  I am extremely amazed on how I can manipulate the ball more than I have ever before.  Now I do not know if the 14s will be a better fit for you, but I do know they are every bit a ball as the 15/16s.  When I first started throwing them my average did drop 10 pins, but only because of timing issues.  went from 200 to 190.  the last year ive gone from 190 to currently 210 on monday and 215 on wednesday, and this is a tough house to score on.  only 5-300s in the 3 1/2 years i've been bowling there and only 1-800 series.

I'm not trying to sway you to the 14s, only you will know whats right for yourself.  But, if you can get your feet and timing together who knows what might happen.