15 pounds vs 14 pounds - Which Bowling Ball weight wins???

A lot of bowlers are wondering if they should go down to 14 pounds from 15 pounds, and there are a lot of questions floating around. Former College Player of the Year and Track Staffer Jeff Piroozshad will answer them for you, while pitting these two weights against each other in a Race to 2 match!!
Remember to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!
Intro (0:05)
The Contestants! (2:19)
Game 1 (3:11)
Game 2 (9:30)

[@savvy_slick]

Appreciate the video with nice insight. I’m leaning towards dropping to 14… and your words didn’t support my decision but your scores did!

[@TheWildwoodPicker]

It looks like you bowl so much better with the 14lb ball vs the 15lb ball. If I was putting up scores like that I think I would just stick with the 14lb ball.

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

I did , for a while, but as I pointed out in the video, I was less consistent with the 14 and I'd rather be consistent because I think there will be higher scores over the long run. This video is just one game.

[@LiveHealthyWealthy]

Nice Video! Honestly, as a 63yr old, for a few pins here and there, I don't think the 14lb is a bad choice for us older bowlers and ironically, both of your 14lb games kicked your 15lb games ass! Thanks for giving me the confidence that I made the right choice!

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

Glad to help!

[@thebigeasy8609]

Before I even watch I'm so looking forward to this since I switched to 14lbs. going on three years ago and no regrets. I haven't noticed any differences in carry but my ball speed went up and that's what I was looking for. Good stuff sir.

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

I hope that you'll find this interesting then! Enjoy! 😁

[@anthonyc.5982]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It was good information. I personally went down to 14 a few years ago due to wrist pain and am pretty happy with the outcome. I believe the extra speed and rev I am able to generate makes up for the weight difference. Thanks again!

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@deadpolymers3416]

I switched from 15 to 14 over 5 years ago, due to injury issues. What hitting power you lose on slightly light hits with 14, you gain on slightly high hits. A 15lb light swisher strike might be a 5-7 with 14lb... but on the other slighly high 15lb might 4-9, and the 14lb will have slightly more deflection and carry. The only other difference in the weights, is as was mentioned in the video, different RG/Diff values... especially in 2 piece balls. A ball like the Hyroad is high high RG/High Diff at 15lb, but at 14 it's basically a budget ball with 2.58/.037. If you're throwing 14, pay attention to rg/diffs, because some balls are just different.

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

I agree with everything you said. All very important points! Thanks!

[@bowlingxp8345]

Great point, and it's been my view as well. I currently use mainly 15 but also have a few 16p balls. I do see less RPM with the 16, but a more steady swing. And less deflection / more carry because i don't have many revs anyway.

[@danielflack1369]

I went down to 14 & killed it at 67 yrs old !! !3 is incredible too !!! So easy too stand left & throw right -- 67 yr old 2hANDR

[@nathanbray2336]

Nice video Jeff! An important topic for the bowling world!

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

Thank you, sir! 😁😁

[@SuperFatPainterMan81]

Thanks for your insights. Honestly, 15 lb was giving me so much wrist pain that it just was dumb for me to not switch to 14lb. Also had a 14.5 Danger Zone way back that I maybe should have kept.

[@JohnSmith-oj6ir]

Good info. I'm 75, haven't league bowed in 10 years but plan to start in the spring. 14 will fit.

[@BooyaCS]

I went from 14 to 15 back to 14 over 3 years. Here are my thoughts. I see no real difference in carry with 14 to 15 (and with the extra speed I can generate I can get more messengers with 14 than 15). From a pure Kinetic energy standpoint. 1/2mv^2 if you can gain 1mph losing 1 lb the ball will hit harder. What I have seen. I am the opposite. I am more consistent due to not having to torque nearly as hard to keep my speed up so it matches my revs (we are talking no thumb revs here so ~550 on a hit it as hard as I can day). With the modern core/cover technology the moral of the story is this. Throw the lowest weight you feel comfortable with (14 being the min) that keeps you having a loose relaxed swing.

[@retiredslamjamm]

When I retires I went from a 16 to a 15. A big difference. I am thinking of going to a 14, because of arthritis on my middle finger first knuckle. Hoping maybe a little less pressure on the knuckle may be a positive thing.

[@aydengianes2515]

When you were talking about the consistency now it explains why I'm deadly constant with 16lb then a 14 and it feels like I'm not as consistent. my rev rate is the same with a 16lb and 14lb is what it feels like

[@AV8R_1]

12 lbs. I used to bowl league in my late teens with a 15 pound ball, and then only recreationally for a few years after. I'm 47 now. A few weeks ago I went and tried to bowl and even though I technically could use the 15, it was very uncomfortable. Just for kicks, I picked up a 10 pound house ball, and just started slamming strikes. With the 15 pound ball I bowled below 100, and then a 120. Once I started using the 10 pounder, I bowled a 168, a 177, a 180, and a 190, at one point hitting seven strikes consecutively. I bowled one handed, thumb out to get the revs out of the house ball, but even the 10 pound ball had plenty of energy to throw strikes. The next day I went and bought two 12 pound balls to get myself back in the game. With a proper fit and layout, I should be able to regularly break 200, even after not playing for 30+ years.

[@JoeBrrFan]

I tried to use a 14lb ball. It was too heavy for me. I use a 12lb Ocean Vibe and 12lb. Purple Hammer Urethane, and when I hit the pocket, BOOOOM.. I get as much carry and perhaps a little more deflection that the 14lb, but it's barely noticable. I still maintain a 205 average with a 12lb ball. Could be because I can roll it at 15-17 mph, where with the 14lb I could only get 13-14 mph. Anyways, my friends have dropped to 14 from 15 or 16, and they love it. Average is the same or better in most cases, but wrist and arm issues are way down for them.

[@AV8R_1]

I used to bowl league in my late teens with a 15 pound ball, and then only recreationally for a few years after. I'm 47 now. A few weeks ago I went and tried to bowl and even though I technically could use the 15, it was very uncomfortable. Just for kicks, I picked up a 10 pound house ball, and just started slamming strikes. With the 15 pound ball I bowled below 100, and then a 120. Once I started using the 10 pounder, I bowled a 168, a 177, a 180, and a 190, at one point hitting seven strikes consecutively. I bowled one handed, thumb out to get the revs out of the house ball, but even the 10 pound ball had plenty of energy to throw strikes. The next day I went and bought two 12 pound balls to get myself back in the game. With a proper fit and layout, I should be able to regularly break 200, even after not playing for 30+ years.

[@anthonydeloach805]

Thank you , this was wonderful

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

You're welcome, happy to help!

[@richardsantine7318]

I decided to stay with 15#.. I feel like that i got more control overall. Great video... one question though: Is the (2022) Legion stronger than the (2015) ball. I had the (2015) ball, but looking at the (2022) ball. How close aren they. Sorry for the off the subject question.

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

The newer one should be stronger, as the coverstock was updated to deal with the higher oil volumes that are being applied to lanes today.

[@BARBELLS-AND-BUDS]

It seemed like with the 14 real to string of strikes together a lot better than the 15 where you were less consistent. It was only two games so you can't make it thesis about it, but it's evident that there was some difference whether it was. The 14 was easier to be more consistent with or the 15 was unable to be comfortable after using the 14 if you're doing back to back shots, but it may have been easier to do strings of 15 if you used it consecutively instead of alternating?

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

A lot of those shots with the 15 weren't bad, though. I think maybe as the lane started to dry up, it was easier to power the 14 to the pocket, where the 15 depended more on reading the dry in the right place. For what it's worth, I did this same thing two years ago (didn't make s video though) and the 15 won 250-230. Score doesn't tell the entire story. It's just two games.

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

It also wouldn't be a true comparison if I used one of them consecutively because it would change the lane condition a lot for the other one.

[@BARBELLS-AND-BUDS]

@@JeffTeachesBowling Definitely

[@BARBELLS-AND-BUDS]

@@JeffTeachesBowling Yeah it likely could have gone either way

[@orenalsager]

Is throwing 14 bad? I’ve been told to throw 15 but I’m sticking with 14 now

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

No, it's not bad at all. What's important is that you throw the weight that's best for you. If you feel that 14 is better for you than 15, there's no reason to throw 15!

[@gigeo48]

no, they're not drilled the same. notice the position of the small logo on the 14 and the 15.

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

CG position is irrelevant now. It's not the 1980's anymore. Static Weights have 0% contribution to ball reaction.

[@randymelissabutton2159]

So actually the name of the game in pin count, and the 14 performed much better in both of these games. Does it change your thought process or do you still feel the 14 is a little less consistent?

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

No, not at all. Score is specific, for that day, those conditions, how I felt that morning, etc. But that can change. I could redo the video on the same day and time next week and maybe I shot 279 with the 15. I'm looking at other things than score, because those are often more indicative of what happens over the long run.

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

Also keep in mind that the lower score could just have been me personally not figuring out the correct adjustment. That would have nothing to do with the ball. A lot of my leaves with the 15 were close to striking... 10-pins, a blower 7, I think there was a 4-9 in there somewhere, too. Maybe I should have moved a little more or a little differently, changed my target, who knows. But then again, I'm that guy who changes balls after shooting 258 because I felt like it should hedge been 279 and wanted a "better shape." (Yes, I've done that, I blame the ADD/OCD haha)

[@russellgilbert3453]

Yes, I wouldn't want to sacrifice repeatability.

[@rogerredford6242]

I seriously doubt that there would be much difference between 15-14. Age and injury to wrist from years of ice hockey has me at 14-13 with no affect. I noticed that those were the most beat up bowling pins I have ever seen. Time for replacements?

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

Totally needed new pins! Fortunately we got new ones 3 months ago at the start of the league season.

[@randymelissabutton2159]

Sorry but just focusing on the pin deck, it looked like the 15 is deflecting much more....?

[@royplayer]

If you can create the right entry angle even a thirteen pound ball will consistently carry.

[@H.R.6688]

Having to deal with a bad back, (degenerative disk disease). Nerve damage on my right leg, possible tendinitis in my shoulder, wrist and hand problems..14 is as high as I'm going lol.

[@digfidge]

Light 14 or heavy 14?

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

Neither. Normal, run-of-the-mill 14.

[@tryhardsweat5224]

I almost feel your commentary is contradictory to your results

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

I get what you're saying, but score isn't the result that I was taking into consideration. Score is fleeting. There one day, not there the next. I'm looking at the big picture, the long run. Obviously I wish the final score was a little closer, but that wouldn't be honest if I were to just do it again and refilm it. I'm here just to present the facts as I experienced them. I will say two additional things that weren't in the video. First, I actually originally filmed this video with a couple of different balls about two years ago, but personal circumstances weresuch that I want able to compile and create the video. But if you're interested, the score was 15: 258 vs. 14: 236 (I believe, and I opened in the tenth or else it would have been almost 250). Second, the score didn't show that many of the shots with the 15 were pretty close. Corner pins, a 4-9 split, etc. I don't think the final score was indicative of what I actually felt in my body throwing the balls, which isn't something that can be recorded on a scorecard.

[@lt8473]

Clearly the 14 was the better choice 235 to 207 That’s the answer right there

[@SuperGlenn1966]

Well, here’s my story. I threw 15 lbs for years and went to a 14 lb ball. At first the pin carry was great and now after throwing a 14 lb ball for 10+ years I’m going back to 15 lbs. I threw my old ultimate weapon last week in league bowling and the pin carry was amazing. I’ve been struggling to get pins to carry with my 14 lb arsenal and with the 15 lb balls the pin action is just so much better. All of my 14 lb equipment is pretty new such as Radical results+, Katana Assault etc. Bottom line is if you don’t have a physical reason stay with 15 lbs.

[@remoevans7847]

I know several guys averaging 180-193 on multiple leagues that follow this antiquated line of thinking. I listen to them say things like “I’ll stop bowling if I have to drop from a 15# ball”. I just shake my head and agree, I average 210-215 and don’t want to bruise their egos by telling them I’m beating them every week with a 13# ball. 😂😂

[@SuperGlenn1966]

@@remoevans7847 not antiquated at all. Did you read my post at all?

[@oswaldokatz2523]

I have 3 identical balls. 14 for dry 16 for heavy oil 15 for medium

[@mollynorthrop3657]

The 14 kicked ass

[@harleydad1975]

Well, 14 won 😂

[@godspartans117]

If u are using 2 different weight balls at the same time, the control of either will be bad

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

I think I did pretty well! It's easier when you have experience doing that, which I do.

[@gregamerson9172]

@Swish 7-10 Bowling and Gaming been bowling since 68. It would seem to me going back n forth would alter yr timing considerably

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

@@gregamerson9172 It actually ideally doesn't, because timing is based on when you push the ball away in coordination with your feet. The only thing that would impact it after that is if you muscle the ball, which you shouldn't be doing anyway. Objects fall at the same speed and have the same downward acceleration (9.8 meters per second per second) regardless of weight.

[@TheJayBat]

Now do 13lb

[@JeffTeachesBowling]

Haha when I get older maybe lol

[@TheWildwoodPicker]

It looks like you bowl so much better with the 14lb ball vs the 15lb ball. If I was putting up scores like that I think I would just stick with the 14lb ball.