16 LB vs 15 LB | Which Is BETTER?

MAN WEIGHT vs. 15LB! Should every capable bowler be using the heaviest weight allowed by the rules?! I'm testing 16lb vs 15lb heads up with SPECTO running to see if there's a noticeable difference with how much it hooks, how hard it hits or how many revs I can put on the bowling ball. I have 2 Radical ZigZags drilled I-dentical so let's get on with the show!
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With the help of SPECTO data, it'll help tell the story about reaction shape, overall hook and continuation through the pins. Here are the SPECTO data points used and definition of each term:
Launch Speed - Speed measured off the hand.
Entry Speed - Speed measured at the pins. (What you'd see on your home center MPH screens)
Rev Rate - Revolutions Per Minute (RPM)
Launch Angle - The angle the ball traveled the first 10 feet.
Break Point Position - Board at which the ball was at its outermost position.
Total Hook - Total number of boards the ball crosses on the way to the pins.
Hook Power - Number of boards the ball hooked based on the True Breakpoint.
Entry Angle - The angle of the ball between 51 and 55 feet.
Impact Angle - The angle of the ball between 57 and 59.5 feet.
Pin Deck Exit - Ball position at the end of the pin deck.
#Bowling #BowlingTips #BowlingBall

[@ddallas8540]

I went up from 15 to 16. My strike percentage and average went up dramatically. I was a 190 low 200 bowler to 220+.

[@igoramaral95]

A friend of mine who used to bowl with me was a really athletic sports addict. He threw 16 not because of carry, but because he said himself that he couldn't feel the ball nor the swing with 15. He could bowl 10-game blocks with extreme ease even with 16. People are made in different sizes and strengths and just like I feel more comfortable at 14, some people like 16 more for confort, not for carry.

[@KingOfTVBowling]

Wish you did this with throbot

[@MrMice...]

Whatever weight begets you consistency with mechanics/swing for duration is your ideal weight. I've thrown all 3; 14#, 15#, 16# (several years on each) and found 15# allowed more consistency for longer (league and tournaments). Felt too strong with 14 and scattered my shots. With 16, was mark accurate but speed and rev rate varied. 15 is baby bear's porridge...jussss right.

[@millsdjr]

I moved from 15 to 16lbs to slow myself down a bit. It has been a successful transition for me. I am speed dominate though and working on that part of my game.

[@dustinfalconer8793]

I have the same issue.

[@scottberkhous3379]

😂 Spray Pattern... @Brunsnick - start practicing with an 18lb trainer. Then 16lb will feel light again!

[@JohnMiller-yi4fu]

I had been using 16 lbs since i was 18. Now at 50 I've dropped down to 14 lb due to issues with my elbow and the heavier bowling ball. To be fair the heavier ball didn't cause the initial elbow injury but it certainly exacerbated it to the point that I decided to drop down to 14. At 14 lbs I've shot my best series and high score and cant wait to really keep practicing to see how much my game can improve.

[@scottwilson6712]

You keep wondering if you'll have to "throw the ball harder." It seems to me the goal is to develop an effortless swing no matter what the weight. Swinging and rolling a ball vs.throwing it. I'm 63 and the less muscle I put into it the more speed, power, and pin action I'm getting. I have 1 15, everything else 16.

[@BeardedStigg]

See for me 14lbs feels like air I can't gage my release strength, and tend to over throw it, I just have a harder time making the muscle mind connection with a lower weight.

[@mhub3576]

Been using a 16lb Rhino Pro for 32 years. It really hammers the pins when you get it around the pocket. But i just bought a 2nd hand 15lb Roto Grip Idol and gonna see if i can be more consistently accurate and maybe play the middle more.

[@SirJoelsuf1]

9:10 I used to do that in college. 15lbs on first ball, 14lbs on spares. BUT I would also throw straight at all my spares. Single pin conversion rate was in the low to mid 90% range, multiple pin conversion rate was approaching the 60% mark (and that included splits/washouts). I would have been a WAY better college bowler if I was 14lbs for both.

[@TrevorPrinceMusic]

I threw a 16 up until my late teens. Then i quit for 20 years. Came back in November started off with a 14 to get a groove. Then i moved up to a 15. Tried a 16 and i didn't have the control so i drop back to a 15 and I'm rolling it well. I do do no step warm up with a 16 though to loosen my hand

[@nlwnathanw4123]

I use both 15lb and 16lb bowling balls. It really depends on the lane conditions which weight I will use. I have rolled 300 games using a 15lb ball on one lane and a 16lb ball on the other lane.

[@mrguru091]

I have a 16lb Quantum raven from 95 and that thing still hits hard. I havent thrown 16 in 5 yrs and i decided to try it. Also havent bowled in 2 yrs almost and 4th gane in practice shot 300. What a ball. Im thinking of goin back to 16 again. I need a good Brunswick ball lineup

[@Harvard_Fairway]

I have commented on similar videos comparing 15lb and 16lb…I will share the same thing here. I switched from a 16lb ball to a 15lb ball two years ago. In those two years, my bowling performance improved, I got my first sanctioned 300 and my failing marriage became what I would call “saved”. I will never throw a 16lb ball again.

[@MikeR65]

So are you saying your wife doesn’t like big balls?

[@squidly2112]

I throw a 13lb spare ball (14lb normal balls) .. when I throw it I do the opposite of what some people do, that is, if anything I probably throw it a little bit slower than my normal balls. The reasoning I have behind it is, I want to ensure that my swing arm and everything is absolutely as relaxed as I can so that my swing is as straight as possible and I don't want much rev's and the rev's I do have I want to be as much 0 degree axis rotation that I can. All this is to try to be as consistent and straight as I possibly can with my spare ball. I think my results are pretty good in doing that. Last Sunday league I was 100% on spares other than splits and threw the first 2 games clean. I am nearly 100% for 1 pin spares most nights (sometimes get 100%).

[@nicknackdaddyack]

I have both….I switched to 15 because I’m 52. I still throw my 16 but only for fun once in a while.

[@user-gt1wr1vh3i]

Thanks Nick! I threw 16lbs back when I was a younger adult, from 1992-2010. I went down to 15 about 14-15 years ago when I started throwing longer format tournaments. Different strojes for different folks. Once I turn 60, I will rebuild my arsenal once again with 14lb pieces.

[@HeroPotatoDB]

Awesome video as always! All the stuff i throw is currently 14ibs except 1 which is a 16 GB3, the only time i throw the 16 is just during practice when i want to get some strength exercise, maybe i might throw the 16 in competition if I needed it but for me, even as big as i am, I prefer just 14ib cause it’s comfortable and i feel like i can be more consistent with it.

[@ghost_rider_0768]

Personally the drop in weight to save on fatigue is worth it. Recently went to a 14# and it is way less taxing.

[@garrettpreszler7857]

I've thrown 16 pretty exclusively since I started bowling 10-11 years ago, and I still prefer it. I've dabbled with a 15 a few times recently, just to test it, and I think I prefer it for urethane/urethane like bowling balls because I don't want to take anything off of urethane, I want to make sure I'm really getting into it every time, and I can definitely rip a 15 much harder. But, I do feel like I lose carry when I lose that extra pound. I don't have any issues getting revs into a 16, I think I'm in the 415-425 RPM range with it. I'm also a big guy, so my launch speed is also in the 18.5 to 19 MPH range too. I only bowl once a week now, compared to 3-4 times a week years back, so dropping to a 15 could be beneficial, but my biggest issue is my slide knee, not really anything else lol Plus, since nobody wants to buy a 16 pound ball, there are lots of deals out there for the balls that aren't new to the market. LOTS.

[@ak252m]

I started bowling around age *not yet 40* and with some previous back issues. I quickly found out 2 handed was a bit tough on the body. My spare ball is 14lbs to just save my body the a little bit of effort and strain. Same reasoning for days practicing with only the spare ball. I'm only getting stronger and losing weight, so when my spare ball cracks or gets put to rest in the future, my urethane spare replacement will be 15lbs :) My spare % was terrible all around until coaching got my hand behind the ball consistently. I'm pretty new and dont have tons of free time :P

[@RaceU4her]

ive gone back and forth... basically the deeper i have to play the more i prefer 16, when i have to get in front of the ball return or loft the cap that little extra oomph of 16 just kind of relaxes me knowing im not gonna plaque 10 on those half hits you were going for, if im playing more "normal" angles though i dont notice much difference. would like to see midweight balls still available like back in the day, 15 1/2 would be ideal

[@elveskickass]

I started using 16lbs again. I collect old bowling balls, and I find the majority of them in the upper 15-16lbs range. I'll continue with the 16lbs until my body tells me otherwise. Great video.

[@nordattack]

It obvious the ball motion of the 16 lb is smooth and continuous while the 15 lb is much more whippy. The 16 lb definitely was in a heavier roll and hit harder and your accuracy with it was actually better. Not worth it though in my opinion due the toll it will take on your body, arm and wrist. But if you are a jacked beast of a bowler, for sure use 16 lbs.

[@craigkisro5481]

At the age of 71 last year, my back and shoulder dictated the drop to 15. It's taken about a year to get everything together and figure out how to make the lighter balls hit. Only one league but still 30+ games a week.

[@brunsnick]

Is the Brunswick Gold card no good anymore I’m guessing?

[@craigkisro5481]

@@brunsnick As long as the Brunswick signage was on the buildings I could use it at the Bowlero centers. Once they renamed them I never pushed the issue. About the only place I was using it at the end was at Fontana when I visited Marv. Got about 30 years with it and estimated game cost for the $1 grand was under 3 cents.

[@tryingtobowlgood]

spare ball is 13 and strike ball is 15. Mainly for 10 pin in travel league when lanes are dry. spare rate is 87% per lanetalk

[@cindydemanche3839]

When you said about the last time you used a 16 lb ball being in about 2003-2004, that's when I had to stop bowling for a while (20 years averaging about 170) due to bad knees, arthritic back, etc., and was using 16 lb. also. I just this past September started back to bowling at 65 years of age (after two knee replacements, lost 100 lbs,) using a 14 lb. IQ Tour Ruby (now averaging roughly 150) at the advice of my son who averages 230 most often and works in a pro shop in NH.

[@joeleypants8837]

I throw 16 pound balls. Force= mass x acceleration. Throw a 16 slower, focus on aiming and revs. I threw a buddy's 15 pound ball and I needed to yeet much faster. I felt I had less control. Although, my spare ball is a 10 pound 1965 ebonite Maxum that my mom threw. As a previous 5 pin bowler, I can bowl straight very well with light balls. 5 pin balls are just 4 pounds. I'm also an endurance bowler. I'll get a lane for 2 hours and bowl 20 - 25 games. I'm dead afterwards, but the next time I do it, it's easier.

[@Willie-C]

16 to 10 id gutter for sure 😜

[@ripvanrevs]

It also takes more energy to get a larger mass to change direction. That change of direction is what throws the pins around. If you get one messenger a game instead of a corner pin, that could mean an extra 21 pins.

[@skataneric]

I had been bowling with a 16lb for the past 10 years and just dropped to a 15lb getting the new Widow 3.0. Developed some arthritis and mild carpal (computer work not bowling) over the years so I thought I should drop down. The biggest thing I notice is I am less fatigued over a night and, because of that, I pull it less in those later games. But that 1lb difference is crazy because I can barely feel the ball in my swing now.

[@user-gt1wr1vh3i]

I dropped from 16 to 15 lbs around 15 years ago when I started throwing more longer format tournaments. There is a lot less fatigue. If I stu k with just throwing 3 game blocks for league (sometimes 6 when there were 2 league sessions per night) I would still be throwing 16lbs. However, I felt the beginning of carpal tunnel with the 16lbs.

[@justinhoward2108]

"What in the heck is that, a 3, 4, 9?" 😁 I said the same thing when I left a high 3, 7, 10 the other day. Also, people simply saying force = mass x acceleration is an over-simplification since bowling has direction/speed that impact acceleration as well as a core that changes the acceleration depending on the revs of the player, and there is also the direction of the roll of the ball. Too many factors to simply say heavier at the same speed is better.

[@brunsnick]

Exactly. If you throw a lighter ball harder it doesn’t mean anything unless the ball can still slow down and change direction properly.

[@TheEasy10pins]

Standing by for the 14# vs. 15# video.

[@brunsnick]

Already done a few months ago. 👍🏻

[@KingOfTVBowling]

Nick is going back to 16 💪🏻😂💥

[@BigSkyBowler]

Neither - 14 lbs is the true king!

[@brunsnick]

Is it now? Hmmmmm

[@BigSkyBowler]

@@brunsnick as far as I'm concerned yes. Provides higher ball speed and Rev rate with just as much hitting power. In fact, my 14 lb balls go through the pins better than my 15 lb balls ever did. Of course, in the end it really comes down to what kind of player you are. I'm a low tilt, high rev medium speed two hander. I need a ball that gets further down the lane before it starts to react. Most 14 lb balls have a higher RG than their 15 or 16 lb counterparts so this aids my game quite well.

[@brunsnick]

For you, it is King. 👑

[@BigSkyBowler]

​@@brunsnickexactly. I coach a rather young two hander who is speed dominant as a two hander even though his rev rate is between 550 and 600. We upped him to 16 lbs this past season to help his ball slow down. Makes it harder for him to overthrow it. Specific to the player for certain.

[@AnotherNewBowler]

With all the changes in technology of bowling balls I have to agree You can find most popular balls have similar/same RG and Diff numbers. Like you mentioned, you can choose to also use a 14 with boosted numbers also

[@abrianmontoya336]

I'm not sure of my percentage.. but the extra speed a 14# spare ball for pins helps me get is the difference between the tiny hook I put on my ball for spares and whiffing it left and picking it up. I don't notice the weight difference (as far as accuracy) from when I'm throwing my spare straight and hooking my strike ball. 2 different feelings off the hand, I just know I can clear the dry easier with a slightly lighter spare. Doesn't effect my next shot for striking. Not shooting back to back balls anyway

[@dennisshea6934]

Love the " my cousin Vinny " reference. Identical

[@brunsnick]

The two yutes

[@michaeljamrozy4299]

sac-o-sudz

[@playdiscgolf1546]

“What’s a yute?”

[@jefferydaniels6717]

I know numbers are similar undrilled, but I am seeing an earlier / harder roll on the 16. As for the comment about % of pros using 16#, what's the diff in their rev rate / speed? Seems like the extra roll would be useful to certain speeds / styles once you adapted.

[@matttraynham4663]

16 pound spray pattern lol classic

[@mrecho360]

In my mid 30's been throwing 16 for the past 10 yrs.....its been wearing on me lately, this video just convinced me to drop back down to 15.

[@440bowler]

It comes down to what’s best for the power , I took years off , started back up , struggled with 15 hand hurt , wrist hurt , dropped to 14 and different fit on a couple different equipment, felt great bowled great like I never left , shot back to back 300s after a week of practice on a low scoring house in my area for 826 , 14 is great for me , but I do have some 15 lbs equipment in my arsenal just because I love old equipment I can’t find in 14#

[@drumorrison7625]

14. Used 16 for a long time, a long time ago.

[@kevlarV2rocketRSV]

"I---dentical!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Sampalingkita]

As a first time player throwing with two hands in a league, I throw a 15lbs as my strike ball and drop down to a 14lbs spare ball. Tbh I was just given the spare ball when I asked for one and he gave me a lighter one. I suck at throwing spares so I would think it would make no difference if I were to switch to a similar weight ball Lol. Up until recently I figured out a way to hit my spare over 5% of the time. Haha. Love your vids!

[@stvmann1966]

I'm 57 and I've always thrown a 16lb. My speed is usually between 17 and 18, though I do slow it down sometimes. I can't imagine throwing a lighter ball - I'd be afraid of throwing it too fast and losing control of it.

[@the.original.K]

"Nice, Good, Crunchy strike"

[@tonyneuman1500]

Nick, I’m a mess! - First ball is 14lb, no thumb, one-handed - For left side spares and 3-9 or 3-6-9-10, I throw my NU Blue no thumb, one-handed - For right side spares I throw a 13lb plastic ball one-handed with a thumb Somehow I still manage to average 190-205 in league ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@brunsnick]

That is a mess 😁

[@tonyneuman1500]

@@brunsnick I appreciate the validation! 😜

[@vance836]

To answer your question regarding the dropping weight for a spare ball, as a two hander I can still generate 18.5 - 19 mph at my release using 16. But when I go to shoot at a 10 pin, I use my thumb and weight of the ball is 14 (still use an Ebonite Skull). I do that because it trained me to not muscle the ball. But, if I leave a 7-10 or big 4; then I can get the speed in that 22 - 23 mph range. I would say I am around 90% on my ten pin conversions as most of my misses are more due to thumb changing and not having a good feel thanks to the heat/humidity down here in Florida.

[@brunsnick]

Why use your thumb at all? Have you tried?

[@vance836]

@@brunsnick I did try years ago but I have rather small hands (span cut to cut is around 4 inches) and the ball tends to want to slide off my hand before I have a chance to get through it at release. I have always kind of wondered how Belmo, Troup, Simo, and other two handers are able to no thumb a plastic ball without the ball wanting to slide off too early. I may try again and experiment with it this Summer to see if it has gotten better. But I was a one hander for 12 years before I converted over. So shooting at 10 pins one handed has always felt natural.

[@amazingmordecai2661]

Good video per usual. I have a comparison video request. Can you do a radioactive vibe vs a 2.0 hybrid? I feel like that would be an interesting video!

[@brunsnick]

Building Your BEST 3 Ball Hammer Arsenal | SPECTO Data | BrunsNick kzbin.info/www/bejne/en3Un2acgJ6Ng6s

[@amazingmordecai2661]

@brunsnick well damn. This is why you're the best lol. Thank you!

[@jojomcduffie]

I already get fast with a 16 at times. I can throw a 6 game block with little arm fatigue. I worry that if I drop to 15 it'll never hook because I'm going to launch it.

[@wvuis1]

I recently dropped to 15 lbs a year or 2 ago but when I was throwing 16 lbs I did use a 15 lb T-Zone for spares. The less weight helped with speed and limiting any potential for late hook on dry lanes. My spare % when using the lighter ball was around 95% on non splits. Since dropping to 15 lb for the full arsenal there really isn’t any difference for me to 16lb but I’m less wore out when bowling long blocks in tournaments

[@ScottyThompson-lt7wl]

Cool video talk tech bowling ball radical zig zag bowling ball with dynamic core technology in the bowling ball more strike and spares hitting power at time Brunsnick

[@brunsnick]

That’s Radical!

[@ScottyThompson-lt7wl]

@@brunsnick yes

[@glenandbrandy]

It’s good to read most folks realize that different weights work better for different bowlers. Some of these type of discussions descend into name calling. Before I had to retire due to leg problems, I was more comfortable throwing 16. If I pick it up again, I’ll probably need to throw lighter. We’ll see. 😎

[@Vinnielagrange]

I still throw 16ers at 68…

[@waynewells915]

My Cousin Vinny reference👏🤩

[@Bryan_Matlock]

I just bought very first Bowling Ball. It's a STORM : Tropical Surge 16 lb ball. I just bought it. Yes.... it's my very first ball. I have been curling 25 lb cast iron dumbbells for a long time. I can toss any ball less than 15....15-20 mph down the lane. Plus it was mentioned to me to get the heaviest ball because the weight of the ball will knock more pins down. I'm 256 lb 6'3" in height that's trying to get back into bowling. This guy is a quetip compared to me

[@golfnewt28]

Love the "My Cousin Vinny' reference! 🤣

[@remington1439]

9:33 I’ve never spare w/A lighter ball

[@lowerider84]

I switch down a size for my spare. In the pro shop they note I was hitting on the spare ball even harder and miss my spares.. step down in size and finesse the ball.. went from five or six open frames to now having two open frames. Something in my mind clicks. At the end of the day different strokes for different folks. We do have plans to go back up in size.

[@bobapep20]

I've been debating now for a few months if I want to go back and try a 16 lb ball. The first time I tried a 15 was way back in 96 I think with the Columbia Red Pulse. Hated it. I really felt like I over threw it. I had to slow it way down to make it hook and when I hit pocket I almost always left something in the back row. Then I used 16 till about 2014 I think. Now I'm using 15. Like it sometimes but I still feel like I overthrow it and on light hits there is too much deflection. I throw about 15.5 to 16 MPH. My main ball now is Brunswick vintage Teal Rhino Pro. Think I would like to try a 16 drilled same way.

[@user-gi2ex8rw5z]

I throw no-thimb, mostly 15lb strike balls and usually throw a 13lb plastic spare ball. The 13lb spare gives me more velocity and I can make the ball do very different things with hand position that I’m not able to do with a heavier ball. My spare percentage improved by 30% with the lighter ball. It is a very different feel though.

[@walterm.dubiel]

I've been bowling for 40 years and have always used 16 lb balls. The only reason I would go to 15 is that the distributor that we do business with doesn't carry many 16 lb balls.

[@KC-zz1so]

Retired for 5 years and just came back and because I am a dinosaur, I switched to 15lb. Have never left more 8 pins...😂 🙄🤬

[@brunsnick]

You need a shirt 😁😆

[@KC-zz1so]

@@brunsnick could definitely be in my future. 😁

[@idahospyder1620]

I'm 64, 16 lbs is all I've ever thrown. Maybe 16 is your answer to the 8 pin

[@brunsnick]

Just might be.

[@Davi-did]

Regarding a lighter ball for spares: my little girl uses a 6 pound ball to pick up 5-7 and 5-10 splits. Try that with a 15 or 16 pounder.

[@nathangreen9167]

I only use 16 cause I workout lifting heavy weights. So I just like the feel of 16.

[@alexhoernke1030]

Started with 15lbs, used my dad's 14lbs spare ball. Moved up to 16lbs, still use the 14lbs spare ball. Average 230 with +95% fill rate

[@KennyMinerBowling]

I throw 15 for strikes and 14 for spares. For me, it’s just a bit easier to stay up the back with a lighter ball. I’m not a perfect spare shooter by any stretch, but I’d say I’m a good one for a HS bowler.

[@michaeljavier2678]

I dropped to #14 and kept using my #15 for spare shooting. Feeling the extra weight kept my wrist in a more neutral position.

[@Brogers97]

Interesting video! Maybe it's a combination of things - being more comfortable with 15, slightly higher possible rev rate, etc, but the 15lb appeared to have more motion than the 16lb to me. I still agree with you - going through the pins, the 16lb is simply stronger. But with the reduced dynamics in 16lb's in most balls, it makes you wonder. Your next video should do this with urethane - the 16lb's have double the diff of 15lbs. Would be interesting to see!

[@brunsnick]

Yep it’s coming next. Mentioned in the vid 👍🏻

[@Brogers97]

Can't wait!@@brunsnick

[@michaeljamrozy4299]

I'm wondering what your numbers do to the specs on that particular ball (Zig Zag). I saw via drilling sheet that ball can be way different depending how it's laid out... It's max versatility layout, if I remember is 45x4x35 with an int diff of .019... You can get that int diff around .030

[@brunsnick]

They’re all drilled the same way. I know what my numbers after drilling are on my 15lb ball because I put it on the RG Swing. I did not do that for the 16. They are very likely ball park though.

[@jefferyboring4410]

If u throw a lighter ball for spares or whatever you’ll tend to want to pull it. It’s lighter u will pull it without extreme concentration

[@MrPottsTeaching]

I use lighter Wight for Greater entry Angle. I use Heavier balls for less entry angle!!!

[@joshuaburke9516]

I use 16 lbs currently. As soon as I could handle the weight as a teenager, I jumped up to it. I perceived it would hit the pins harder, which is technically correct. I am still under 35 years old now, and I throw my 16lb Quantum Bias around 15 mph at the down-lane radar. I am sure at some point I will probably go down to 15 lbs. I know a lot of the retired bowlers (62+ years old) all have moved to 15lbs to prevent injuries.

[@kevlarV2rocketRSV]

I've used 16 lbs. for 40 years. I had a 15 lb. "spare ball" in the early 90's. A black Hammer with a ton of finger weight only for 7-pins. Changing weight during the game would throw off my timing. I'll stick with 16 as long as I can.

[@vance836]

I dont necessarily think one is better than the other. I say if you have no physical ailments and you may be more speed dominate, you could go to 16 to maybe help bring the speed back to match the rev rate. Exact opposite applies. If you are rev dominate; then drop weight to being the speed up providing no other adjustments increase the speed. The thing I noticed initially is that you were not lofting the ball as far (which is to be expected) which could cause a minor difference if you know what you are looking at.

[@Redsox3600]

I personally like the hit of 16, but i enjoy both when the core numbers are in favor of 16 lbs

[@sebastianrose3811]

I use 15 as my strike ball, but go up to 16 for my spare because I feel like the heavier ball gives me a consistently straighter throw.

[@brandonferris8934]

I drop a pound on my spare ball, but that's because I am a late-in-life convert to two hands who still has a significant technical flaw or two that keeps my speed a bit on the slow side. I'm so busy generating as much speed as I can that I don't feel a problematic difference in the weight change the way I would if I used my thumb. I throw my spare ball upwards of 1 mile per hour faster. I happen to use a Hammer Axe, and when I use it as an emergency strike ball, it strikes more than I would expect, so I am thinking about dropping to 14 pounds on everything - but only after I've had some coaching and get my technique optimized. But if I do drop to 14, I'm confident, given how much I strike with a glorified spare ball, that I will be able to strike with 14 pound balls with actual weight blocks.

[@ripvanrevs]

I don't have any problem striking with 14. I throw one hand no thumb.

[@timothyschaffer2287]

Well.. Barnes captured it well a while back. You will have more rev and speed until your accustomed to the weight then it’s basically equal. For most league bowlers, no difference. It’s not rapid fire, you’re really not fatigued ( pending person maybe 2 shots of your favorite beverage something later). It’s nothing more than preference. It’s definitely not worth changing bags for. Plus KE=1/2 MV 2 so all being equal 16 will offer more energy. Unless some injury more ball weight will always equal better pin carry. Or why are we not rolling 10#?!

[@Perry2186]

I use a 14lb ball but is use a 13lb plastic for spares i feel way more accurate with the 13 to pick up 1 or 3 pins

[@kingpinproshops]

Just wondering if you checked to see if the PAP changes between 14-15-16 pounds… layout are identical but are the PAP’s as well. Thanks

[@brunsnick]

I did not. They didn’t seem to be tracking or flaring any different to me.

[@michaelrhoads6349]

I tried going from 16lb to a 15lb ball and I did not like it. My control is much better with a 16lb ball and the pin action is better.

[@alexanderson9540]

You get a like and sub just for the identical quote lol my cousin Vinny is a great movie.

[@MastaFame]

Love the "My Cousin Vinny" reference

[@biIIyball]

B7 can't get the #s right in 16. So whatever you gain in hitting power you immediately lose because the ball has less diff and less int diff than its 15# counterpart.

[@Bowler4Ever]

I have to throw 16 pounds because of my build. I find that I leave a lot of pocket 7-9's with 15 pounds (I'm a lefty) and 16 carries those hits way better. 14's are just going through the masking unit!

[@SirJoelsuf1]

Actually, even 15lbs is starting to be phased out. Many bowlers are going to 14lbs now, myself included. It's something I should have done years ago.

[@brunsnick]

It’s really not though speaking directly from sales numbers broken down by weight.

[@Samuel-xs2yv]

Yeah there are so many times I see a good deal on a ball and they have every weight EXCEPT 14! So frustrating. But yeah, it seems as though 14 is the most sought after now

[@harveywallbanger2899]

Bill O’Neill before the PBA season started thought he needed to drop down to a 14 pound ball. He said he struggled with the 14 pound ball. He went back to the 15 pound ball and has dominated on the PBA tour so far. If you want high scores 14 pounds is not a good choice.

[@SirJoelsuf1]

@@brunsnick Will be eventually.

[@SirJoelsuf1]

@@harveywallbanger2899 That's great, but are you Bill O'Neill, who is tasked with shooting 250+ games pretty much on command in order to win money that you put in? Probably not. But are you someone who wants to bowl well into his old age? Probably. And O'Neill is also probably thinking the same. He'll go back to 14 eventually.

[@joshuamckinley4465]

I grew up throwing one handed but switched to two handed. I throw a 16 pound ball but I throw a 12 pound one handed for spares on the rights side(right handed.) but pins on the left I throw my 16 pound two handed. Depends on the night some nights I average over 2 hundred and have almost clean or clean games some nights I’m off and I miss spares I should make by a board or 2 typically I have 1-3 opens a game with clean ones here’s n there. Really depends on the night and how much I’ve practiced them recently.

[@joshuamckinley4465]

Bowling two handed no reason I shouldn’t be able to throw 16. With a thumb I have to throw 14. But I don’t get tired at all throwing 16 pounds two handed and it also slows me down and gets me into a rythym vs forcing myself to wing it down there. Just let it flow and try to roll it smooth and come up out the ball with the right timing

[@tmtmtlsml]

Currently, my strike balls are 15# and my spare ball is 14#. Before this year, I was throwing 16# strike balls with the 14# spare ball. The two reasons why I wanted a lighter spare ball are because I want more deflection for multipin spares, and because a lighter ball will force me to have a shorter arm swing, and thereby let me focus on keeping my swing straight and increase my accuracy. Here are some thoughts I've had: 1) The difference in feel between 15# and 14# is nothing, but the difference in feel between 16# and 15# is enormous. If I throw a 15# game 1, I am incapable of throwing 16# game 2 with any real accuracy or power. 2) The previous year, with a 16# arsenal I had had for four years, I achieved a high average of 212. So far this year, with an all-new 15# arsenal, my high average is 217. My consistency at release and accuracy has demonstrably improved, and I suspect my rev rate has gotten a minor boost as well. The speed difference has actually been negligible. 3) It took a while to get used to throwing a lighter spare ball when I first got it, but after some practice, I don't even notice it anymore. All my focus is on my arm swing and my target. As to how accurate I am, over the past three months, I am 85% at tens, 93% at nines, 90% at sevens, and 91% at fours.

[@brunsnick]

It would be worthwhile to test your 10 pin averages with a 15lb ball. 85% has a lot of room for improvement. 👍🏻

[@tmtmtlsml]

@@brunsnick For a few months last year, I did attempt to throw a 15# urethane at single pin spares to free up a spot in my bag, but it was an abysmal failure. Even flattening my hand completely, my control was significantly decreased. I do have to say, my current spare ball is almost 7 years old now. I'll probably snag a 15# plastic one when I do replace it to test it out

[@Redsox3600]

The storm Hyroad is completely 3 different balls. That’s the biggest change from 14-16 i believe

[@brunsnick]

Not good.

[@joshualehrman5862]

"What is a Yut?" lol

[@johnrotar3692]

I throw 16lbs. Been Useing 16lbs For over 20yrs. The Best Thing is It Hits Hard. And Price Diff when 16lb ball is on clearence

[@michaeltovrea7947]

Best reason to buy a 16 pound ball today is the price since nobody's buying them! They're about half the price of a 14 pound ball

[@relvilian]

From a local shop? Aren't they the same price regardless of weight?

[@michaeltovrea7947]

@@relvilian was online purchase.

[@relvilian]

@@michaeltovrea7947 ah got yeah. I was going to buy an ultimate defender but now I'm tempted to bump it to 16. I'm more a low rev higher speed player. I think my biggest issue is stopping about 3' from the foul line lol I'm so far away from it but I'm 6'7 so my reach kind of brings it closer I guess? That's a lot of text for saying I'm looking at getting a 16 lb lol

[@michaeltovrea7947]

@@relvilian really no advantage either way. It is all about the comfort of the player. I've seen a 6 pound ball hit the pocket at 4 mph and get 10 back.

[@ralphjerome2442]

Throw a 14 lb ball for primary ball and for all single pin spares I have started using a old Brunswick track master 3 hard rubber ball single pin conversion rate is at 90% go figure also just turned 78.

[@masterlegacy1]

Definitely seems like you are more controlled with the 16 pounder. I could be wrong though.

[@KingOfTVBowling]

Man Weight! 💪🏻 lol Flex

[@MikeR65]

Now you are going force me to buy a new ball. My 40 year old 16 pound black Hammer ain’t gonna cut it amymore!!😂

[@crankshop9349]

Love that shirt. BWAHAHAHA

[@aaronaudett6121]

Heh, heh, Nick said doo doo

[@terriehawkins8130]

I am 13 i throw a 16lb ufo. It hit hard.i got all types of messanger. Is 14lb the new ball weight?

[@stevemorgan6175]

I switched from 15 to 16 cause i was getting my ball speed too fast and wa having issues slowing down