Bowling Ball Weight Vs. Speed and Pin Carry | How To Bowl Better With Physics
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ม.ค. 2019
- Can the weight of your bowling ball affect how hard you hit the pins? And if so, does going heavier mean a harder hit? We tackle that question in this video, and we welcome your input! Leave your comments below on your thoughts on bowling ball weight and how hard they hit the pins.
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I switched to 14lbs years ago. My average went up drastically as I stopped leaving so many 9 pins. Great video!
Im the exact opposite, my 14 pounder leaves the 10 pin almost every time I hit pocket and 16 pounder never leaves it.
@@adamdemirs3466 😂😂
I’m not good at math and I’m not even a great bowler (210ish average on a house shot), but I would assume that’s because a lighter ball experiences less friction, causing your ball to not overhook and sail past the 9 pin as often. That could’ve fairly easily been fixed with a small change to your release, rather than buying new equipment, but it kind of sounds like maybe it was for the better all around. I had been throwing 14 when I came back to bowling but now I’m fairly comfortable in 15s, so I’m not sure I’ll make any equipment changes at the present time 🤷🏻♂️
You could have reduced your 9 pin problem by using less entry angle. Also, the 9 pin is the easiest single pin conversion for most bowlers. PBA statistics confirms it. Personally, I prefer 16 lbs.
I've drilled and rolled them all. Multiple times. The results are always the same.
#16 slightly slower ball speed and slight loss of rev rate but not ball motion.
#15 standard
#14 slightly higher speed and rev rate for a while. Carry seems to suffer somewhat and I tend to muscle ball . Probably the results of muscling.
Swing timing is best with a exact weight.
For myself it seems 15. Sometimes switching to a lighter or heavier ball is just fun to do. Lighter balls are easier on the joints. As we age it's natural to gravitate towards the lighter stuff
Whatever is comfortable to you. But mostly relax and enjoy the sport. Be thankful .
i hope ypu watched the followup video
I can't argue the math but as you pointed out with speed the 16 on ball always wins. I personally use a 14 because I find it easier on my body and more consistently hitting my mark.
I need moreinfo
Exactly, if you're ball speed doesn't increase the energy will actually drop with a lower weight.
@@MikeDCWeld But I think that was his point - If you throw the balls with the same momentum, the 14 will go faster than the 16. Therefore it will hit harder.
@@drsudz but if you throw them both at the same *speed* the energy will be higher with the higher weight ball. That's why I won't be dropping weight. I don't see increased ball speed and don't want to lose energy.
@@MikeDCWeld I don't know... I've used a 16 or 15 my entire life, but I just bought a 14lb Hammer Purple Pearl. I don't get it until next week. I'll post what I find.
I used to throw 15 all the time but switch to 14 and I really love it I just believe it depends on what the bowler is more comfortable in throwing since there so many styles and different rev rates.
Which is kind of the point of this video. Watch the deflection video as we move on with this topic. Thanks for watching!
Exactly. It's all personal preference.
When you went from 15 to 14lbs, how was the change in your speed/rev rate?
I want to get new balls but I always think I should go up to 15lb from a 14.
My rev rate is in the 250-320rpm range and my speed is 16mph ish.
@@Kris-WT I feel like when I switched to 14 my accuracy and speed went up so has my average went from a 192 threw 199 to now average 209 to 220 the control the speed is more easy coming out the ball with ball rotation as well I'm a speed dominant and loft the ball and I seen much improvement in my personal game then the15 pounds but it's whatever you are more comfortable with everyone is different.
thats what im wanting to do. i use a 15 but i feel like it controls me more than i do. if i get a lighter ball i can roll it off my hand the way i need too
I just dropped to 13 lbs.
I haven’t suffered any issues or carry. Actually leaving less corners. BUT Motiv bowling balls are the only company that uses the same shape weight through the weights. That’s a very important factor. The other manufactures change the weight block design after 14 lbs. By doing that they have changed the dynamics, ie: RG,differential, plus the filler is weaker to bring down the overall weight. Motiv stays consistent with their weight block. Thus the 13 vs 14 wasn’t anything I could see in ball reaction, carry, or defection
Good news for me. I have a fused back and was told every pound I drop will take 4 lbs off my back bowling. I dropped to 14 lbs and my back feels better and this video is the cherry on top.
I used a 14 lb ball for a year average went up 10 pins that year but really believe the light weight made it easier to make spares better control
After years of trial and error with 15 and 16-pounders, I made the switch to a 14-pound ball and haven't looked back. It's not just about the weight; it's about how you handle the game. With a lighter ball, my speed's up, and I'm nailing those pins with a force that feels like it doubles what I got from heavier balls. Plus, my arm's thanking me every game-less strain, more gain. It's all physics at the end of the day, and this strategy's been a game-changer for me.
welcome to the darkside
Subscribed!! Loved it
I have been using 15 pound bowling balls for almost 29 yrs now. And I have thought about going one lower than I use. Thank you very much
Good information! I shared this with my league teammates. Thanks
This helped me pick the weight of my next ball. Thank you.
Although this was done almost 2 years ago, but I had someone ask about dropping from 16 and it came in very handy in explaining just that.
I switched to a 16 lb ball a few years ago. I did not do so because I thought it would hit harder. I did it because I was able to control the ball a bit better. I’m no muscle man but 15 lbs felt light to the point I was pulling it a bit. I did not see an increase nor decrease in average. Throw what feels comfortable.
Im a 2 finger/Thumbless Bowler and I bowl with a 12lb ball Axiom 276 is my Best score on a house pattern ... no i do not play league or Tournaments im just a dude who bowls for fun
Fun bowling...having fun shouldn't it zlwzys be that way
But what average do you have?
@@rudyruiz9521 240-250ish
I had a thumb hole drilled where my thumb tip sits. I use that one to help with back swing balance by just using my thumb tip. It kicked up my control and have improved 40 pins/game and continue to improve.
@@Fuzzie22 you aren't carrying a 240 average and not bowling leagues, if you are, then you're either crazy or an idiot because you could making crazy money
as a physics major we actually used bowling in tons of examples, it's awesome for that. math aside, which obviously I apply to most things I do, most people notice if you're less sore you can bowl harder tomorrow
Just curious as a physical major - shouldn't we be calculating 'force' here not kinetic energy? It feels like it to me.
Iiiiinteresting. I think that's a good point. If one feels less sore the next day or next bowling time, regardless of whatever weight, go with that one to help overall. I think that sentence made sense lol
What a conversation!
Thank you
I’m about to purchase my first bowling ball and I was convinced I needed a 15 but now I definitely will consider the 14!
Good luck with your new ball, and let us know how it turns out, Jon
I have two 15s, I am going to buy a 14 today.
I believe the proof is that you need to be able to manage control, and that more than ball weight and speed, ones ability to deliver consistently provides the best benefit to the bowler in the form of KE.
M1V1=M2V2 shows that we can also achieve better pin action with higher velocity. Where M2V2 is the transfer of the balls energy to the pins.
Poppycock is my new word of the week. :)
Nice
Been throwing 14lbs for last couple of years and had thrown it for a while years ago. I actually see a slight improvement with carry using 14lbs.
Because your strike percentage is directly determined by how much kinetic energy you impose on the pins... If speed is that imparative, why do we bother sanding a ball to get it to slow down and hook more? Why hook the ball at all? Why not go down to a 10 lb ball and throw it 25mph at the headpin.
Pin carry is SO MUCH MORE than kinetic energy imparted on the pins.
Not much more, I believe angle that you hit has to do with this also it is not 100% kenetic energy. If you throw a 10 pound ball you will not hzve the accuracy you need and also not the weight block. And we will cover this in future episodes. And will be doing other tests. To prove or disprove these points. Thanks for watching!
Like the chinese are doing! 12 lbs ball and using deflection for striking.
6 degrees to the pocket.. that's all you need
djrickysmith So 6 degrees at 5 mph with a 6 lbs ball will work the same as 6 degrees at 20 mph with a 16 lbs ball? Think maybe 6 degrees alone isn’t the answer.
@Marco Deo An educated guess, no first hand knowledge to back it up, but here goes my theory.
The Chinese team started off bowling "normal" but came to the conclusion that getting the 10 pin out was not an easy task.
Someone tried the light weight ball and discovered that "splatter" strikes were just and likely (or unlikely) as their attempts to throw normal strikes.
The "splatter" strike attempt has the side benefit of when not striking, the spare left consisted of middle pins, because the ball will take out the 1-3-6 10.
I've also heard the origin of that styles was from a tournament with very little oil.
A normally thrown ball was very difficult to hit the pocket.
So while a "helicopter" shot may deflect more, it is much easier to get the "helicopter" to hit the head pin for a chance at a strike.
On a "normal" condition, the "helicopter" shouldn't be a competitive style.
Whoaaa, that's awesome! I guess I'll be switching from 16 to 14 lbs now! Thank you
How fast do you throw the ball make sur you watch oart 2 of that about drflection and inertia. As long as you dont muccle the ball you are good
Thanks for letting us know that
It depends. If you're a type of player who muscle the ball, you will create more ball speed on a lighter ball. Otherwise, it will be about the same speed. This is just 1 factor in varying or fine tuning your game. More importantly is that we use the ball with the weight that is comfortable to us, well preferably from 14 to 16 lbs.
For me, I use the 14 lbs ball as I'm not that strong of a bowler and also cannot bowl regularly.
I agree that this is an over simplified way to discuss the energy of a ball going down the lane this does not take into account angular momentum which is more important than the linear momentum the video talks about also friction is a huge factor when talking about energy loss. I still love the art of bowling sooooo ill look over it i guess
yes but if you throw a 16# at 17 mph its much better. E.J. Tackett!!
Nickstick33 that guy hooks a ball like he throws it with two hands! Incredible
E.J. tackett went back to 15Lb with higher speed
I'd attribute the difference 2 E.J. and not the ball weight.
Then it drives the pocket so hard that it blows right past the 9 pin leaving it there for you to scowl at.
@@ryanlane3784 At least least it's an easier spare than a flat ten... 😀
I have always wondered if i should switch down from a 16lb ball to a 15lb and I think this actually helped my decision to make a switch down!
This video has a great explanation of the concepts, thanks.
I've just finished reading "Bowling Beyond the Basics" and think it's an excellent collection of useful information, and as an engineer I enjoyed the analytical rigor. However, I remember when reading this section of the book, I doubted whether a lighter ball will "automatically" or "inherently" travel faster than a heavier ball--your video implies that momentum will remain constant across the ball change. When I changed from 16 to 15, strangely, I find myself actually throwing the ball slower, not faster! That slowdown may be partially psychological--because of my reliance on the greater ease of control a lighter ball allows (FYI: my sense of control, entry angle, and strike percentage have improved with the lighter ball). I can see how a bowler might be tempted to hurl a lighter ball faster, but I'm still skeptical that a relaxed arm will "automatically" or "inherently" roll it faster. Thoughts?
DoRayMeFa A small note, Arthur ( the guy who made the video) is not the author of the book. Arthur believes in the figures presented in the book. Hopefully we can convince him in the error of his beliefs so he doesn’t perpetuate the misinformation.
Math is Math at an equal speed the 16 hits harder deflects less. That said lighter hitting pretty solid nay deflect and mix better. Many other variables in play. KEY IS WHICH WEIGHT FITS YOUR THROWING MOTION ECT.
Try that trick with a 7 pound ball. Watch out it might come back down the lanes. However. Lighter is better is true when you throw 50 games in a couple days!
I am 68 and some health issues I can roll a 14 and hold my 40 year old avg. Just find what works and go. These things are argued over in the ballistics arena all the time.
simply put, it's all relative.
every one is different.
so for example if you can bowl a 8lb ball well and get high scores, but can't do it at heavier weights, should you switch just because everyone says you need to use a heavier ball aka a 15/16lber? the answer is no.
exactly the point
Great formulas. With a lighter ball, most veteran senior bowlers are also able to get more revs as well that can also increase pocket angles as well as create drive through the deck and/or minimize deflection. I went down to 14lb due to injuries, but found a significant increase in revs. My ball speed decreased however due to delivery changes necessitated by injuries.
Nice Video Arthur
We will see. I coming back to bowling after a long time. I am now going to throw a 14 lbs ball from 15 lbs ball. My last league average was around 210. I decided on the change because of physical reasons. I’ll comment back after our season ends.
What was the result?
@@cthebeastyt5107 I ended up averaging 199. The 14 lbs felt really light for me but it could be me adjusting to bowling again and adjusting my swing and hand release. The RG and Diff of course are different from a 15 lbs so maybe it has something to do with that as well. We play on 42 feet THS. What I did find is that it's a lot easier to fix your release using a lighter ball, I was low-medium track before but now I am closer to being high track. My axis tilt was probably high before but now it's less than 9 degrees. My measurement came out to be 13-13.25" end to end and my revs has gone up close to 400.
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I have all 18 of my bowling balls 14 lb I like it because 14lb is comfortable enough for me and it gets the job done
Years ago, I downsized to a 14 lb ball. My average leaped up into the 220's amazingly. It was a combination of easier control, and consistent speed. Prior to the 220's I was bowling around 195 or so in league. I agree with the presentation.....you may not get the deflection, but you will bowl without a lot of bad splits. I feel it is worth it, and the bowling proved it.
As my main arsenal consists of 16lb balls for my league play, I am starting to believe in what you are tying to teach. I never liked math all that much but your results speak for themselves. Now I can start buying up 14 pounders and maybe I can go pro finally!! Woooooooo
Hi. How was your experience moving to 14s? If you go up to my other reply above (near the top), I explain why the equations as presented were misleading and I'm keen to know 1) whether you find it easier to hook a lighter ball , 2) whether you have experienced a reduction or increase in ball speed, and 3) if you think your ball impact has increased, stayed the same, or decreased. Thanks.
six weeks after i had my highest series at my home house 804 and shot 300 numbrr 16, 2 months later
This argument only works when throwing the ball straight. Most bowlers throw a hook and lane conditions dictate speed based upon the amount of hook or angle you are trying to produce. In the case of most hook bowlers their ball speed tends to remain very similar regardless of ball weight. In fact, increasing ball speed with a lighter ball is only beneficial if you can also produce more hook revolutions so that the ball hits the same spot with more speed at the same angle. If you throw a 16 lb ball at 16 mph and switch to a 14 lb ball at 17 mph you may have to increase your rev rate by 100 to hit the same spot which is something most bowlers won't be able to do. For most league bowlers who throw a hook, the best advice is to use the heaviest ball you can that doesn't cause pain or fatigue. If you bowl well with a 16 lb ball and you switch to a 14 lb ball you will not see more carry unless you increase your ball speed and increasing your ball speed will likely cause you to be less accurate, will change your angle, and will force you to put more revolutions on the ball which will also reduce your accuracy.
You are correct but the question he asked is [What ball hits the hardest.] not which ball scores the best. Having read the book, which was excellent, it assumes that the bowler throws each ball with the same level of effort, assumed to be their max effort. What you point out is that’s not a real world scenario. So in effect, you’re saying that the extra energy of the “hardest hitting ball” will not translate to higher scores if it can’t get to the pocket. (The book also goes into great detail about how important it is to hit the pocket, so don’t get the idea that it advocates for the highest energy ball. If I recall, I think it advocates using the lightest ball that you can accurately throw. The assumption there is that lighter balls are less accurate. My memory is shaky on that though. )
This may actually explain why I actually got better scores on a 14 after using a 16 for a few years. I do not have a strong hook. When I went from 16 to 14 I had better accuracy because I had struggled with speed and grip control on a 16 pounder. Once I went to a 14 I was even able to go to a finger tip grip and got just a little more hook going from that. The hook thing makes sense though. I literally got more speed and more accuracy with the 14 but that is not a universal thing or every serious bowler would be moving down from their 16s lol.
As a Silver Coach who has been coaching for many years, 43, I have seen bowlers adjust weight in bowling balls and I have seen speed changes on a free swing, which is what all Pro's strive for, of only 1/2 to 3/4 of mile per hour. As this formula proves that you need a significant speed change of over 1 and 1/2 miles per hour consistently, you are better off worrying about the weight of the ball that gives you the best and most consistent arm swing and release. If you are increasing your speed by 3 miles per hour by dropping weight, you are squeezing the ball, using muscles that interfere with a freeswing and are less consistent. While on house shots that give you 7 to 10 boards area on a sport shot or tournament when accuracy is needed you will be at a loss. Use the weight you can handle that helps you create a consistent swing or add a 12 pound ball to this formula and see how fast you can throw the ball. Also I am 63 years old use a 16 pound ball, both right and left handed and roll the ball at 18 MPH consistently.
nice report - can't wait to hear the next section because deflection is definitely a worry
Storm and i think also ebonite have done videos on this.
Deflection is extremely minimal. The energy (and “push” as a result) offset the deflection and minimize it mostly
Great info
I'm extremely happy switching to 14 I just have to be consistent. But it clearly makes the pins deflect much less.
Ya I agree with one of the comments below. I throw 16 because I can control it better. I lift way to much for 15. I throw it 18.5 to 19.5 with a 600+ rev rate one hand. I've tried 15 on demo days but I can not keep my balance or swing right. I would agree 15 is for most people. If I could throw 17 I would. I weigh 165. I am a bronze coach soon to be silver. The only difference I so between the 2 is comfort for the bowler. I get more pin action because my numbers are higher. I've seen older guys use 14 and throw it 14mph and go through the pins perfectly. It's just going to be matching the ball with bowler dynamics. I've used 16 for 15 years so far no issues. I'm also picky on my 16's. It has to be 16lbs 3oz or I feel it and it throws me off. People say I lie but I've been tested and handed balls different weights and my speed with style tells me the exact weight. Manly because I lift so much I can tell the weight even without a speed tracker. This is not a bad video. I would only say that one is better than the other in terms for the bowler. It will give you those greater stats with weight change.
Ok. I used the same equations to calculate the momentum for a 10lb ball, and predictably, the kinetic energy was even higher at 261 J. For a mere 1lb ball, the kinetic energy is a massive 2589 J! Clearly there is a problem here. No-one would suggest that a 1lb ball would strike with ten times the energy of a 10lb ball.
The problem has arisen from using the same momentum for each ball. Momentum increases with the weight of each ball used, as momentum is a product of mass and velocity.
Generally, a bowler's swing rate will be roughly equivalent despite the weight of the ball, because the swing rate is determined by bowling rhythm, which stays the same.
This means that someone bowling with a 16lb ball at 18mp/h has a momentum of 58.4kg m/s. Someone bowling with a 14lb ball at 18mp/h has a momentum of 51kg m/s. The momentum of the 16ln ball is clearly greater.
Now, if you plug this data into the energy equation, we see something closer to the correct results:
A 16lb ball will exert 235J at 18mp/h.
A 14lb ball will exert 206J at 18mp/h.
Therefore, a sixteen 16lb ball (if thrown at the same speed as a 14lb ball) will hit the pins with over 10% more energy.
I always thought the heavier the ball, the harder the hit, but i got the 3d offset drilled at 15 lbs tonight...and shot 709 with a clean 30, averaged 17.26 mph which is about .75 mph higher than i usually threw my 16 lbs, noticed no difference with how it crushed the pocket, in fact the strikes might have been more dynamic
When I was still a youth and got on my first Bowling League all the coaches and adults pushed me to use the 16 pound ball. In my case they pushed me to use it to "slow me down" because I was taking off fast and launching my ball with little control. As I get better at controlling my ball I really started hating the 16 pounds. It always felt like I was struggling to keep a solid grip toward the end of my swing and sometimes would pre-release. Also I felt like my ball speed was low. When I finally got my own ball with my own money I got a 14 pounder and my scores shot up. I have always preferred a 14pounder and just assumed the speed was making up for my lack of weight. Now I know I was not far off the mark. The speed was actually giving me more power and the reduced weight gave me better grip control through the entire swing translating to more accuracy. One other odd thing is when I was about 11 or 12 I used to place the ball on the lane with an almost silent contact and very close to the beginning of the boards. Later when I took up bowling again at about 15 years old I was throwing it farther down the lane with a good ole thump lol. Not sure what caused that change. Now My ball contact with the lane is pretty standard.
I dropped to 15 pounds after an injury 20 years ago. Best move I ever made. When I get older, and I have to drop to 14, I'll still be able to bowl well.
Hi, I loved the video, and the good exposure of the underlying Physics. I played around with the equation in Excel just for the heck of it and just to re-enforce your point, if I shift up from 16mph and hit the pins at 18mph, I'll hit the rack with 26% move force! But one small negative comment - Joules is a metric unit, what you calculated was using Imperial units so you calculated the equivalent "foot pound force". No biggie.. maybe next time :)
I understand the units are different but extrapolations are the same?
depends on your technique and physique.
Great 👍 tip
I have read bowling beyond physics and am an engineer major going into my senior year. Unfortunately, the equation is not as simple as you state. There is no regard for for the weight/energy of the person throwing the ball, rotational motion, friction, inertia, or even gravity. Especially in today's game inertia and rotation are extremely relevant. In saying that there is honestly not enough of a difference to justify throwing a 16 lbs ball. For someone with more strength or mass a 14 lbs will be really hard to control or make adjustments as the lane breaks down. That is the only reason throwing a 16 lb. Ball makes sense in my opinion.
I did an experiment and changed all my equipment to 14 lbs for 5 months. My Average dropped 10+ pins in all my leagues and did nothing in tournaments. After the five months I went back to my 15 lb balls and my average is coming back up. Not ready to drop the LB.
Bingo!
Matthew Sedan Wouldn’t the higher speed decrease accuracy as well?
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I am a two finger, 214 avg bowler, 400-450 rev/16.5-17.0 speed, 15lb ball, I had an elbow injury (bad tendon strain in elbow), took about 3 months off, and when I came back I started throwing my buddies 14lb equipment to ease back into it.... Within 4 weeks of league (ths) had two 300 games and was avg'ing 237.... I found that I was carrying more with 14lb as I was getting more beneficial deflection off pocket hits. I decided to go all-in with 14lb and changed all my equipment..... as of now, avg'ing 223.. loving the change and not looking back... only problem with going to 14lb is finding balls sometimes, especially when they are discontinued.
Great! Being senior im using 14 lbs ball..every time i played with my friends using their 15 or 16 lbs ball, im felt they have bigger advantage in hitting the pins because of heavier balls..now i have different idea..thanks for the information..i will wait about the deflection effect.
Deflection video is up and your case is the case that I use as we get older the carry will be better with a lighter ball.
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned, sometimes the lane dictates throwing slower, to allow the ball to hook up. So, your 14 pound ball has to be slowed down, to get to the pocket, or to get your ball into the roll phase, before it hits the pins. 16 pounds is still 16 pounds, 14 pounds is still 14 pounds, so then, the 16 will hit harder. That’s the only scenario where I see that the 16 would be really better though.
My most consistent flush strikes that sent pins out onto the lanes was a 12lb plastic ball I used for a long time. You had to be accurate with it though..It did have some good pin action as well because it had the speed and deflection. However, my "rack blaster" lately has been my 15lb Black Widow Ghost... Although I throw it much slower....when it hits pocket it absolutely destroys the pins with all that energy....the issue is, trying to stay accurate with it hooking the lane so much. I have recently decided to drop to a 13lb ball on a couple of balls that share the same weight block 12-16lbs (like the Dark Code).... and 14lbs on other balls. Ball speed and accuracy is more important to me to match my very high rev rate...and trying to ramp speed up on a 15lb and stay accurate is killing my consistency. Don't let people talk down to you for not throwing "man weight". I am in good shape and have no problems handling the weight...but I find I am far more accurate with 14 and under..... and the difference is literally a 155 avg vs. a 202 avg for 50 games throwing my 13 and 14lb and 50 games with my 15lb balls. I keep track of stuff like that.
this video made it better for me in dropping from 15 to 14lb balls
I have trouble slowing my ball down now to get any hook action. That's with a 16 pound ball.
I have been using 14 pound balls for years. I have 4 of them. I didn't want to get worn out using a 15 or 16 so I went a little lighter weight. I have always been comfortable.
I went down to a 15lb ball and it did wonders for my game
I have always used a 16 lb ball but next week I am buying a new ball and it will be a hammer black widow ghost 14 lbs, I just feel my current 16 lb hammer is just to heavy and I cant control the ball on the lane excited to see the results of the widow ghost.
Let us know how it goes! Good luck and good bowling
I've been getting made fun of for not upping my 14lb ball, but my strike percentage has gone through the roof in the last couple months.
Bright eyeball with a 12lb two finger Style and I find it very effective at crushing pins
What do the numbers look like on a 12 pound ball? Thanks in advance
I bowl with a 16. I have a violent throw w plenty of rev and can peak around 17mph, but usually get about 15.85 to 16.20. That's good enough to carry well, but I've been thinking of dropping to a 15lb, or at least trying it. That extra consistent mph, or even the same but increase the revs, might actually help a lot. Something to be considered. God damn 16lber is heavy too over the course of many games through a lot of bowling.
I've seen examples of people switching to 14# and having great success. However it is usually short lived. And I believe that is because they are used to throwing a heavier ball and this allows them to throw the lighter ball harder and with a higher Rev rate. As time passes I believe you get used to this lighter weight and the speed and Rev rate work back to what they were with the heavier weight. This results in now much less hitting power with the new weight. Just my opinion based on what I've seen in real life application.
I will be sure to let you know as my experiment with this continues. I am switching my arsnel to all 14# balls. To see if this holds up.
Timothy Waid I can 100% confirm this. Took me a whole summer, but by the end my speed of the 14lb ball I was using, was back to where I was with the 15. Throughout the summer, my carry steadily declined. Went back to 15, carry % started to go back up.
The only reason to step down is injury/age/ability. Basically, as your ability to maintain the speed you usually throw weakens you want to drop weight. If you're throwing the ball 17/18mph+( which would read 15/16 on monitors) there is zero reason to throw 14. As people dip below 12/13mph, then they want to start dropping weight.
With how high rev rates are getting, most people have dropped from 16 to 15. Only a few on tour still throw 16 for very specific reasons. If you're an average league bowler with not a very high rev rate but still throw it faster, you may benefit from 16lbs if you can handle it. Any skilled pro shop operator is not going to put anyone in 16lbs anymore unless they specifically ask for it and are a larger person who can obviously handle it.
Case in point, one of my teammates may be 60 years old, but a very stout individual that has a 500+ rev rate whose been bowling for 40 years, but throws it 17/18mph, which is extremely rev dominant. Because of his way above average physical strength, 15lbs for him would be a 600+ rev rate. And he doesnt have the ability to throw it fast enough for that kind of rev rate. In 5-10 years he will most likely dip to 15 and eventually 14 when his physical strength starts to decline and his rev rate drops.
Also, EJ Tacket is one of the few 16lbers. He weighs about 140. Because of his specific muscle development bowling all the time, he can handle it. If he dropped to 15, he'd probably throw the ball too fast and rev it too hard, losing control. Norm Duke as well, but he grew up in the 16lb era, and the extra lb does help him carry. Expect him to drop to 15 as he nears 60, though maybe not out of stubborness, coining the term for 16lbs as "man weight."
Once I get a job and can afford to bowl again, I'm going to start out with 14 lbers. Last I remember I was throwing a 15 at 13mph with low revs.
@@James-un5bc I guess you haven't been informed EJ has been using 15 for a while now!
Hey guys I’m been thinking about getting a 14 pound what’s the highest ounce of a 14 you can get and what’s the lowest ??
OMG YOU ARE FUNNY🎳😂. THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO. NICE TO KNOW THAT . I AM MOVING FROM A 12 POUNDS THAT I USE BEFORE TO A 14 pounds. I ALSO LEARNED LAST FRIDAY THAT MOST OF THE REACTIVE BOWLING 🎳 BALLS CORE IN 12 or 13 pounds is SMALLER THAN THE ONE THEY PUT IN THE 14,15 and 16. THE GENTLEMAN THAT TOLD ME THAT IS A PRO SHOP OWNER AND COACH ALSO . HE SAID THAT MOST COMPANIES USE GENERIC CORES IN SMALLER BALLS LIKE 13 and under .
Thst is true...
I only bowl once or twice a year, but I have found that 13 pounds is a good balance for speed and power for me. It typically hits the pins at about 17-19 mph and I usually get one or two strikes and 2-3 spares in each game.
I can believe it but never thought of dropping below 15
I was considering moving up from a 15-pound ball to 16... but after this, I’m good with staying with 15
how does momentum compare to kenetic energy for impact of a bowling ball? moment is the mass times the velocity so it might be higher on the heavier ball
I throw a 16, i used to throw 13. I switched to 16 after i felt 13 was too soft. I do much better with it but had to adjust my technique
i just started bowling 2 weeks ago and use a 10 pound ball and hit speeds of 23 mph and it feels great.. Pretty sure i can get that ball up to 30 mph with time. At 25 mph its hard not to get a strike even if the middle pin is missed. Also i can roll 20 games before burning out because the ball is lighter. Getting in the 150/160 range... i don;t think that's bad for only starting 2 weeks ago but i could be wrong
Welcome to the sport! If you can keep the accuracy the this sport demands and it works for you go for it. I would try a 14 , as ut will keep your arm swing strighter at the speed you generate you are going to get a lot of pin action. If you can apply that with accuracy you will be averaging 200 befire you know it.
I personally throw 15 put of comfort. I use to throw 16 but switched to 15 because it came off my hand nicer. I tried a 14 once and felt too light for me.
Good one, Arthur. I read the book and the video coverage really helps comprehend this. I would add that one needs to be cautious not to take this principle to the extreme and start throwing 8 pound balls however, as you and I both know the dangers to accuracy of swinging a ball that’s too light.
Thanks Al i will be covering that in future episodes. This is a three part series!
What about deflection?
This all depends though because I use a 14 lb ball in my ball speed is anywhere between 15 to 16 1/2 mph.
now it's someone roll a 16-pound ball at same speed of course the 16 lb ball is going to carry more weight towards the pins.
What about ball deflection? A 14 lb ball my carry more KE but, wont it also deflect more?
Not really we will explain in a future video
The author made a number of mistakes in the area computing deflection. 1st off he interpreted the pin study as indicating what board the ball was on when it made contact with the head pin. This is not 100% correct. The Pin Carry Study used the term offset in inches. He then came up with the idea that the ball would be on the 17.5 board when contacting the head pin. If there are 39 boards on the lane, the center of the head pin would be the 19.5 board, or 20.75 inches from the gutter. Doing the math, that would be the 17.15 board, in the case of the 0 degree angle of entry. As the angle of entry increases, while the offset remain 2.5 inches, the point of contact is further to the right, but the amount of deflection remains the same. That brings up another mistake. The author calculates a 15 lbs ball at 16 mph with 0 degrees of entry angle will have 11.54 degrees of deflection. With 2 degrees it's 8.92, with 4 its 6.24, and with 6 it's 3.47. Each of those have slight errors due to the incorrect offset being used, but the real bonehead comment is that a 4 degrees entry angle results on over 5 degree decrease in deflection. NOT TRUE. 11.54, 8.92, 6.24, and 3.47 are all angles towards the 10 pin side of the lane, while the angle of entry is towards the 7 pin side, so 4 degrees left, to 6.24 degrees right is a deflection of 10.24 degrees, a decrease of only 1.3 degrees, not over 5. And even that difference is because he maintained the same contact point on the pin, not the same offset from center of the pin. The same offset as defined by the pin carry study will result in the same amount of deflection 11.54, or a ball heading of 7.54 degrees. I can show the math, but as the author stated, most bowlers don't want to know the math. What is important is knowing that for any given adjustment, what the change in pin carry is expected.
The lighter ball only hits harder if you actually get a higher speed out of it. I'll stick with increasing energy by throwing more mass since I throw with a consistent ball speed regardless of the weight of the ball.
Hey art, does dropping weight impact yoru rev rate? I.e. do you have to worry about becoming speed dominant due to the likely increase in speed, or does the lighter weight naturally allow a higher rev rate to match the increased speed?
rev rate gies up as you will stay under the ball better you will be able to stay under the ball better giving more forward roll
@@ArtOfBowling Thanks Art.
definitely knew this and argued...........this is a great video......now I can out math them
Ken Morgan Don’t try to out math anyone by using this video as “proof”. You’ll be disappointed.The math that this video is based on is flawed.
@@mikewhite735 Could be but they wont know. We will have fun arguing about it and try showing the other guy up......!
Ken Morgan lets just hope your bluff doesn’t get called.
I’ve been bowling a 16 pound ball and after 3 games I fell like my arm is going to fall off. So I got myself an early Christmas present by buying the Columbia 300 Baller 14 pounds and it’s much better
I had been bowling with 14lbs until relatively recently and moved to 15. What I found is that my velocity decreased the first week or so. (I bowl around 15 games a week or so.) But about midway through week number two, I noticed that the speeds I was throwing the 15 were now what I was at with the 14 without any additional exertion. I'm getting carries that I wasn't previously. When I have gone back to the 14 just to experiment I am throwing it much faster than I was previously, but without the revs to counter the speed, it's pushing through the oil and never makes it back to the pocket. So the increased speed does provide more KE, but if I'm not hitting where I need to be, what's the point?
Go up to 16# while you're young to have the ease of throwing lighter balls, you'll avoid getting stuck in middle age having already gone down to 14 too soon?
What happens when you have a THICKER cover stock such as the Hyroads?
You are my Jedi master
63, in shape, Love my 13's!!!
Here is where I am confused…..correct me if I’m wrong but is this formula basically saying that because a ball is lighter, you can throw it harder so it will hit harder? Because if you throw a heavier ball at the same speed there will be less deflection and have more hitting power into the pins. However that being said, a certain amount of deflection is needed to go through the pins correctly which is why 95% of pros use 15# because it’s a good combination of both hitting power with deflection.
I have the book and have read it. You can’t argue with science however it really comes down to a couple of things. First, does swinging a heavier ball feel comfortable; if it’s feeling heavy (or if it’s wearing you down quicker) then drop down in weight. The other issue is control.....you don’t want to lose control by dropping down in ball weight. Bottom line.....choose the heaviest ball weight that feels comfortable and that you can control.
I have time using 14#
WOW! Can't wait until the next episode.
Thank you chris we will be filming it shortly as i wanted to wait for comments to answer some of the questions.
@@ArtOfBowling So, it's been a while. When is the next video coming? A few of us in Tampa watched this and are DYING to see the resolution! Part 2 can't come soon enough!
@@chrislabrado900 we finished filming yesterday it is in the cutting room now and will be out shortly. I think you will like what you hear!
@@chrislabrado900 are you going to go to the pro am in clearwater?
Art Of Bowling possibly. When is it?
I’m switching to a 6 pound ball. Thanks for the math lesson.
I've always been using 15 pounds as my go to weight. Now I want to try 14 and see what happens. Personally I don't think my game will change too much but I might be wrong.
The main thing is what weight is comfortable for you. I had to drop down from 16 to 15 to 14 and
with the reactive coverstock and the weight blocks of today's balls I did just as well with 14 pound as 15. I had already switched to 15 before reactive came out so I can't compare it to 16. If the weight is too heavy and you can't roll the ball properly then the added weight will hurt you more than help you.
I feel ball would make a difference with Rubber and Plastic Bowling Balls
I think the 16lb bowling ball had a carry advantage back in the days of hard rubber, polyester, and early urethane bowling balls. When reactive bowling balls hit the scene, that advantage was pretty much moot. I've rolled everything from 14 to 16lbs, and didn't see any real difference in carry between them
I'm glad I came across this video, but I think it would be fascinating to see this information for the 11, 12, 13 lb ball weights. As someone new to bowling and not exactly in shape, I bowl with a lighter bowl. My Pro Shop recommends my next ball being a 13 pound ball, but I feel like an 11 pound ball makes more sense for me. At present I bowl with a 12 pound ball and get quite a few pins left when bowling due to inconsistency.
The problem I see is at least for someone newer is as you're learning more and you find an interesting ball with a unique core, it may not be offered in a lighter weight, which is frustrated. :(
watch the what about deflection follow up video for the answer to your question
the difference is the weights make sure you watch the follow up video on deflection
Well I think the lighter weight can be rolled faster and smack the pins as apposed to the heavier ball pushes the pins rather than the explosive effect of a faster moving ball
When your ball collides with the pins - in physics this is called force. The equation for Force = Mass X Acceleration. The equation for Mass includes weight. The equation for Acceleration includes speed (velocity.) Of course if you throw a heavier bowling ball you will throw it more slowly!
Love it
*facepalm*
My son is virtually the only U17 bowler I know who still throws 14. He's bowled several tournaments across the nation against some of the best youth bowlers alive where he's outscored them all by a considerable amount throwing a 14 Lb ball. At a major national tournament he threw 279, 279, 268 in that order and then followed those scores up with a 243 throwing a 14lb ball. Junior Gold Champions where present at this event and he outscored them all. Does that mean 15 lb balls are not as effective? Of course not. But what that does mean is that if a 14 lb ball is thrown with enough accuracy, speed, a desirable axis tilt and rotation, and a high enough rev rate, the 14lb ball has the capability of knocking down as many or more pins than 15lb ball.
One thing this gentleman didn't add to this equation is REV RATE. STORM Bowling did a similar video where they also factored in Rev Rate and they did the math and came to a similar conclusion to this gentleman. STORM Bowling concluded that Rev Rate in fact increase when throwing the 14lb ball which added in hitting power and potential pin carry benefits. The 14lb ball did outstanding.
So one might ask, "If that's the case, what's the benefit to even throwing 15lbs"? The size, weight and strength of the human being throwing the ball. There is certainly the possibility of someone throwing a ball TOO fast because the ball is too light which can also cause control issues. If that's the case, there would be no reason to stay with 14 or even in some cases 15. I big, giant, strong human being might even throw 16 if there was a notable and measurable scoring benefit. And also, there are RG and Diff variations between each ball weight that often can benefit one bowler but take away from another. It's not just weight that has to be considered. RG and Differential are extremely important as well. My son prefers the lower diff options that occasionally can be found in 14lb balls and he takes advantage of that diff because he has such a high Rev Rate. It give him more control. So what works for one, many not work for another. But don't assume 14 is not good because it's lighter because the simply invalid. Fact
Also, from the Impulse-Momentum theorem if you give the bowling ball momentum from an applied force over a time t, if that time stays the same for different weight balls (proabaly a reasonable assumption), the momentum being the same means that the average force applied to the ball is the same.
However, this force is going to be due to you AND gravity. Your force is probably about the same but gravity is different - this would mean that the higher weight ball would get more momentum
like i said it is so little it does not matter