Best Bowling Ball For Dry Lanes? Top Answer Update

Bowling balls come in a variety of weights, from as little as 6 pounds to as much as 16 pounds; The question is, does weight really matter, and if so, which bowling ball weight is best for knocking down more pins.

This article will discuss this in detail and compare heavy and light bowling balls, which will debunk the myth: heavier balls mean more shots. And at the end I will tell you which bowling ball is best for you, which in the end can help you throw more strikes.

You can buy a ball that is too heavy knowing that other bowlers will throw a heavy ball with ease. But you should know the different benefits of bowling balls of different weights, and you should know what suits you best before using or buying a ball, which I will discuss later in this article.

How are bowling balls made?

Before we talk more about weight, you should know about the formation of bowling balls as it is crucial to understand the importance of bowling ball weight. And no other video can explain this better than this video-

Hard rubber bowling balls were used for this game in the 1960s.

From the 1970s, polyester balls took over the ball of choice. Most “house balls” at the local bowling alley are made of polyester. Urethane balls were developed in the 80’s which further evolved into reactivating and proactive urethane.

source

It is not an easy process to make a ball suitable for bowling; Many regulations must be complied with. Ball manufacturers end up making many different balls for bowling.

Average weight of a bowling ball

Bowling balls typically weigh 6-16 pounds; 6-8 pound balls are primarily used by children who want to bowl while most adults use the 12-16 pound ball.

Does the weight of the bowling ball matter?

The first thing that will come to mind when considering the weight of a bowling ball is does the weight of a bowling ball make a difference? What is the difference between light and heavy bowling ball throws? Will heavy balls knock down more pins?

The weight of the bowling ball is important and can make a big difference, a heavy bowling ball has more power and can create a bigger hook. Still, it’s difficult to control, and people using heavy balls often face wrist strain, while light bowling balls are easier to maintain and are recommended for beginners.

Although the weight of the bowling ball doesn’t affect RPM too much, it can make a big difference in shot impact/power, ball hooking and controllability.

By heavy bowling ball I mean balls weighing 15 to 16 pounds and by light balls I mean balls weighing less than 10 pounds.

There are many other advantages of a heavy bowling ball and advantages of a light bowling ball that I have discussed below.

A real ball is more comfortable and easier to throw because it offers more control and power. It lowers your arm and hand fatigue and reduces the chance of injuring yourself from muscle strains.

Bowling balls that are too light will bounce off the pins, and even at 16 pounds the ball will be thrown at a reasonable speed; You won’t just run over the pins without bouncing them off. Both have some advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of heavy bowling balls

Some of the main advantages of heavy bowling balls are:

More effective throws

A heavy bowling ball carries much more momentum than a light bowling ball because it weighs more; Therefore, it has more power and affects the pins more.

Second, you only have to hit four pins, and the remaining six pins will be knocked down by the four pins that will knock you down. Since all of the bowling ball’s inertia is transferred to the pins it hits, there are far more chances of a strike.

Easier to swing

Swinging a heavy ball is much easier than a light ball. Heavier bowling balls have more pounds per square inch, which lighter balls don’t.

With light balls, the more speed a ball has, the more speed a ball has, the more speed a ball has, you need to throw them with more force, while heavy balls can get the high momentum quickly because of their weight, thus allowing the person to focus on swinging the ball more.

These balls roll with your arm and hands. If you maintain good posture while swinging the ball, it will move perfectly.

Less distraction

Heavier bowling balls prevent the deflection from ruining your shot. This is generally the main advantage of heavy balls. They stick to the trajectory they follow when you release the ball. Also, you can increase your carry percentage for better accuracy.

Easier to hook and bigger hook

I don’t need to tell you how important a hook is in bowling; without hooking your ball, you must never throw a strike. It’s easier to hook a heavy bowling ball than a light bowling ball, and therefore it’s also easier to have a bigger hook with heavy balls.

More strikes

Heavier balls have better chances of hitting. With more weight, the ball contains more power, has more chances to hook, because it has more power and more hook power, the chances of hitting a shot increase dramatically.

Disadvantages of heavy bowling balls

Although heavy balls have many advantages, there are also some disadvantages that counteract all advantages.

Wrist strains and point pain

Carrying a 16-pound ball and throwing it with power with reasonable accuracy is no easy feat, especially if you’re not that physically fit. You may experience pain in your wrist, shoulder, or elbow from using a heavy bowling ball.

Many people get wrist strains when bowling because they are using a ball that is too heavy and just not suitable for their physique.

That means you’re going to struggle with your ball speed and RPM, which are pretty important for a good bowler. Maintaining correct posture can make a difference, but there is still a risk of overexertion. This is one of the reasons bowlers are switching from lightweight bowling balls.

bad control

Because the ball is heavy, you can’t give it much speed and therefore have less control over it. You must have enough strength behind you.

Even if the ball does not have the required speed, it will swing and fall into the chute. Even if you are able to control the ball, you will most likely fall victim to the first disadvantage I talked about.

Advantages of light bowling balls

Now let’s talk about some of the benefits of using a lightweight bowling ball.

Easy to control

This is one of the main reasons people prefer light bowling balls to heavier ones. They are much easier to control and not that complicated, and they are also relatively fast. You can take the trajectory by moving your arm in any direction.

Because they are lightweight, they are easy for people to handle and throw as the person wants.

Easy to roll and convenient

Light bowling balls feel much smoother than heavy ones. and therefore it is easier to roll them; They don’t require much force to force them. You don’t have to deal with an uncomfortable swing if you’re not used to bowling. Plus, you don’t have to worry about joint or muscle pain.

With all the above benefits of the light weight bowling balls, they tend to be more comfortable compared to the heavy weight bowling balls. You don’t have to bend your arms as much to throw. They also fit your hands well.

You won’t experience wrist strains or pain in your arms after your bowling game when using a lightweight bowling ball in most cases as it doesn’t put much pressure on your arms.

Good for beginners

As mentioned earlier, a light bowling ball is easier to control which is a very important part of bowling where beginners struggle, heavy balls are not easy to control and that is why light balls are considered good for beginners.

Beginners should choose a light bowling ball as they have little knowledge of hooks and straight shots. Therefore, they need something light to exercise better. With these balls you can control the whole process and learn the ropes better.

More customization options

You can make adjustments on light balls; Whether you want to create a sharp hook or shove it to the last pin super fast, these balls will respond to every subtle movement you make.

Disadvantages of light bowling balls

ball deflection

With the light balls it is difficult to achieve the perfect ball deflection. Sometimes even the best shots end up disappointing with lighter balls. They affect the pin action and therefore deflect the pin by a larger significant percentage.

Less impact

Lighter bowling balls tend to have less inertia than heavier ones. Means they won’t hit many pins. The reason is that they are not the same weight as heavy balls. Therefore, you suffer a disadvantage in bowling.

It is worth comparing the heavy and light bowling balls, specially chosen for the first time. You can go to a local bowling center and try both if you still can’t find the right weight ball for you.

Do heavy bowling balls roll faster?

Heavy bowling balls don’t roll faster than light bowling balls; In fact, light balls roll faster than heavy bowling balls because they don’t require as much energy to roll, and therefore lighter balls roll easier and faster, but there’s not much of a difference.

Technically, it depends on how much friction these balls have with the surface and how long the track is. The heavier bowling ball gives more energy than the lighter ones. Because of this, it’s easier to hit as many pins as possible.

When the external force is applied with more energy, the heavy bowling ball will eventually roll faster. However, a slight push on the ball would cause it to accelerate and continue rolling at that speed. If you roll these balls uphill, you will no doubt roll the heavier ones slower.

It should be noted that the smaller bowling ball will likely accelerate faster since it has a smaller circumference. It will come out of the line faster. But if the distance is long enough, the heavy ball will catch up and win.

Does a heavy bowling ball hang more?

In general, heavier bowling balls will stick more than lighter bowling balls. Because of the extra weight, it’s easier to hook a heavier bowling ball and make a bigger hook. You can handle a larger hook on a relatively more prominent bow.

A hook is stronger and more important than a straight ball because a hook spreads the energy evenly across all the pins of the pocket, while a straight shot transfers most of the energy to just the head pin and going straight left a few pins standing.

However, if you get tired of throwing balls that are too heavy, you don’t have much control over it and you can’t add much speed to the ball. Therefore, it is recommended to stick to a weight that is comfortable for you.

Are heavy bowling balls better?

In general, the heavier the bowling ball, the better, since a heavy ball hits harder, carries more power, and has more chance of snagging than a light bowling ball. The heavier ball can knock down more pins when two bowling balls are bowled at the same speed.

In this scenario, the two bowling balls should have everything the same except for weight; a 16 pound ball will do better than the 15 pound ball in this scenario, and so on.

But it’s hard to control a heavy bowling ball; You will not be able to throw a 16 pound ball without practice or if you are not physically strong.

A 14 pound ball works much better if you can control the ball properly than a 16 pound ball that you cannot control.

Basically, control is more important than anything else when choosing the right weight for your bowling ball.

What bowling ball weight should I use?

Well, as you know, heavier balls perform better than lighter balls, but they are difficult to control, which then begs the question of which bowling ball to use in particular.

Most people think that the best bowling ball weight anyone should use is a 16 pound ball. But that is not necessarily always true.

The heaviest bowling ball one is comfortable with is the best bowling ball weight for a bowler. As a general rule, use the ball at 10% of your body weight; If you weigh 160 pounds or more, he should use a 16-pound ball because he is physically comfortable using the ball.

Don’t follow the formulas completely; It will work for most of you at first, but experimentation is key. In many cases you can be physically fit and weigh 140 pounds, that doesn’t mean your limits are only up to a 14 pound ball.

I recommend using this strategy – lift any ball (12-16 pounds) and see which ball you can comfortably carry vertically in your hands, and then try swinging your hand, did the ball stay stable? or the ball almost fell off?

If it stays steady when you swing your hands, it means that’s your comfortable spot at the moment.

Now do the same with each bowling ball that weighs 11/12 pounds, 13 pounds, 14 pounds, 15 pounds, 16 pounds. This hardly takes 5 minutes; You can do this while waiting for your opponent.

The heaviest ball you’re comfortable with is the one.

Give 2-3 trial strokes to the ball that is 1 pound more than the ball you are comfortable with and compare each of them to which ball you performed better on.

Then find the best ball weight for you.

There’s no shame if you find a 12 pound ball works best for you. Would you rather hit 160 with a 12 pound bowling ball or 110 with a 16 pound bowling ball? You will also improve and your wrist strength will also gradually increase.

Gradually your wrist strength will increase as you bowl 5-6 games or more (see other health benefits of bowling and how bowling affects your body here)

So, after 4-5 bowling games, do another experiment and start using the ball that is 1 pound heavier than your current ball weight. See how it goes; return to your normal ball weight if it doesn’t work for the first few shots (it means you’re not ready for it).

Do the same after every ten bowling games and you’ll gradually get to 16 pounds.

How do I know if my bowling ball is too heavy or too light?

If you can keep your bowling ball in front of you for several minutes, it’s too light for you. On the contrary, if you drop the ball immediately after holding it in front of you, then it is too heavy for you.

What Weight Bowling Ball Should You Buy?

The strategy mentioned above can work for purchase, but experimenting will take a lot of time. So,

As a general rule, if you are planning to buy a bowling ball, the best bowling ball weight is 1 pound more than 10% of your current body weight. If you weigh 140 pounds, buy a 15 pound ball.

What Weight Bowling Ball Should Beginners Use?

In general, beginners should use a 12-15 pound bowling ball. One should choose a ball based on the physical strength and comfort level of the person with the ball. The heavier the ball the better, but you will find it extremely difficult to control a heavy ball if you are not that physically fit.

What weight should kids use for bowling balls?

Children should use light bowling balls; Children under the age of five should not use a bowling ball that weighs more than 6 pounds, while children five years and older should use a bowling ball that weighs 8 to 10 pounds.

Since children are not as physically fit, it is recommended to use the lightest bowling ball (6 pounds). Often children are not able to bowl properly because they cannot throw a ball with enough force, so there is another bowling system for children; it’s called bumper bowling. Learn more here.

If you want to go bumper bowling with your kid, then bumper bowling is the best solution because with bumper bowling your kid will enjoy bowling even more.

What bowling ball weight should women use?

Most women will be comfortable and perform well with a 12-14 pound bowling ball, but it depends on the physical strength of the person. Always use the heaviest bowling ball you can comfortably throw.

Best bowling ball weight for hooks

In general, the heavier the ball, the more it will hook, so the best bowling ball weight to hook is 16 pounds. A heavier ball hooks easier and also has a larger hook.

However, make sure you use the ball you are comfortable with. not many people can use a 16 pound bowling ball without injuring their wrists.

What Bowling Ball Weight Should Seniors Use?

Seniors should use a light bowling ball as they don’t have enough strength to throw a heavy bowling ball. 10-12 pounds is an ideal weight for bowling balls for seniors.

You should pay attention to your physical well-being, whether you can lift heavy balls or not. Throwing a heavy ball is good, but see if you can throw it multiple times without getting hurt. In short, the weight of the bowling ball you should use depends on your ability to throw it for multiple games at once.

What weight do bowling balls use for pros?

Most professional bowlers use a 16 pound bowling ball, while many also use a 15 pound bowling ball as heavier balls give them power and hook opportunities. While professional female bowlers typically use 13-15 pound bowling balls as they feel comfortable with them.

The pro bowlers have become proficient with a 16 pound bowling ball after years of practice and that is why they are so good at controlling heavy balls.

Is a 14 pound bowling ball too light?

For most new bowlers, 14 pounds is the right bowling ball weight. Hold the bowling ball in front of you and see if you can hold it for a few minutes; if you can, then the ball is simply too light for your physical strength.

bottom line

Bowling ball weight is considered the most common concern when choosing a bowling ball for a serious game or match.

As a beginner, you must learn all these above facts about bowling balls. And as a bowler, you need to understand the difference in performance between a light bowling ball and a heavy bowling ball. These things determine your bowling experience. Use your best judgment and always check your body’s well-being before going out to buy bowling balls.

Whether you choose a light ball or a heavier one, first try to focus your energy so that you can throw that ball or not in multiple games. If the bowling ball you are using requires extra effort and reduces the effectiveness of your overall game as the frames roll up, you should choose the lighter ones.

Also, try to focus on each move and perfect your form instead of worrying about the ball. After all, every sport is determined by a player’s skills with the slightest change based on the ball.

Basics of bowling alley conditions

When you enter a bowling alley, you can be almost certain that the condition of a lane will be different than the condition of the previous lane you bowled on, even if you are on the same lane at the same bowling alley. This is because all sorts of people are playing on every lane. No two lanes are identical and wooden lanes play differently than plastic lanes. Here’s what to ask yourself as you throw your warm-up shots:

Are the bowling alley conditions oily, medium or dry?

It’s the first thing you try to figure out when you bowl. You throw your warm-up shots from the midpoint, then ask yourself, “Is my ball flying too far to the left?” If it does, the lane is dry and you need to dodge to the left. On the other side “Don’t you hook ball?” That means the trail is oily and you need to dodge to the right. The key to remember is to always adjust in the same direction as the error.

Sometimes you have to ask yourself, “Am I not posting it properly?” Most likely you’re releasing it correctly, it’s just that the road conditions aren’t medium. It would be easier to determine lane conditions if you could see the oil on the surface of the lanes, but that’s the tricky part. You can’t see it with your eyes. Sometimes you can tell by examining your ball when it comes back. You may notice an oil ring on the ball letting you know that the lanes may be oily. But for the most part, you have to watch how your ball reacts to the lane. If the lanes are oily and you’re moving to the right, rotate your shoulders in. In bowling, this is called “shrugging your shoulders” for oily lanes. When the lanes are dry and you move to the left, open your shoulders to allow the ball to go out and hook. Bowling lanes tend to start out a little oilier, but as the game progresses you’ll find your ball is more sticky and you have to adapt. Move left and open your shoulders to adapt to the ever-changing conditions at the bowling alley. As you can see, bowling on dry lanes is very different than bowling on oily lanes.

To determine the state of the lane and adjust accordingly, you must be consistent in your attitude, delivery, clearance, timing and enforcement. Adaptation to the road conditions is only possible if:

· You have a precise, even arm swing

· Your arm swing is properly timed with your foot movements

· Release has been mastered and is the same every time

Bowling Ball Basics

Here are some quick basics for building a bowling ball:

A bowling ball consists primarily of two main parts: the coverstock and the weight block.

The coverstock is the outer shell of the bowling ball, it’s the part of the ball that you see. It’s also the most influential element of the ball when it comes to hook potential, since it’s the part of the ball that actually makes contact with the lane surface.

Bowling balls are made from four different types of cover materials: plastic, urethane, reactive resin, and particulate (proactive). The big difference between these covering materials is how they work and react on the road surface. When a ball rolls down the lane, friction is created by the contact between the cover material and the lane surface. The more friction created by this contact, the more hook potential usually means. The amount of friction created depends on the coverstock type of the ball.

Plastic – This covering material has a very smooth surface and offers the lowest friction and therefore has the lowest snagging potential available. This type of ball is good for beginners who want their own ball that feels good in their hands. Intermediate and advanced bowlers also use this type of ball for shooting spares as it is a very predictable reaction due to its very low hooking potential.

Urethane – This cover material is more durable than plastic and provides more friction between the ball and the lane surface. Therefore, urethane has a higher hook potential than plastic. Due to the increased friction on the web, urethane tends to deflect less, resulting in better pin action. This type of ball is a good step up from a plastic ball as it is still very controllable while still offering increased hook potential.

Reactive Resin – This cover material is actually less durable than plastic or urethane, but offers much more friction, hook potential, and pin action. Due to the significantly higher friction, reaction resin balls tend to react more sensitively to road conditions and operating errors and are therefore generally a little more difficult to control. This style of ball is designed for the intermediate or advanced bowler who wants plenty of hooking ability and an “arsenal” of potential lane reactions.

Particle (Proactive) – This cover material is a winter tire with chains! The surface of this cover material has a “bumpy” feel, allowing the ball to dig into the lane surface, creating maximum friction

heavily oiled lanes. This type of ball is a must-have for the intermediate and advanced bowler’s arsenal.

heavily oiled lanes. This type of ball is a must-have for the intermediate and advanced bowler’s arsenal.

The weight stack of a bowling ball is located inside the ball under the cover (shell). There are two main types of weight stacks – high mass and low mass.

A high mass weight stack is typically a pancake-shaped weight stack that is usually placed close to the bowl of the ball (see image). This type of weight stack encourages a lot of distance on the lane because it doesn’t tend to cause the ball to roll heavily.

A low-mass weight stack can come in a variety of shapes and densities, and is usually placed nearer the center or center of the ball (see image). This allows for a heavier reel which increases hook potential.

As you can see, there is a lot of technology in today’s bowling balls! And we’ve only scratched the surface with these brief explanations! Visit the Bowlers Advantage Pro Shop and let one of our trained professionals help you with your ball selection. We can also watch you bowl with your current equipment and make recommendations based on your skills and desires.

If you don’t want to read, click here to watch a video instead.

Everyone agrees that the surface of the bowling ball is the best way to change a bowling ball’s performance. Surface matching is one of the least understood topics for most bowlers. One of the challenges in today’s competitive environment is being able to change the finish on a bowling ball’s face. In 2018, Creating The Difference introduced TruCut Grinding Pads – a grinding pad made specifically to cut a bowling ball at the number marked on the pad. They are easy to use and can be used by hand – dry or wet, as well as on a bowling ball spinner. To understand the effects of surface adjustments, you must first understand the 4 types of ball movement. Here’s a short video showing them and how surface adjustments work.

TruCut sanding pads are available in 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000 grit and the innovative P5000D. The P5000D grit gives you a 4000 grit finish when used by hand or a 5000 grit (gloss) finish when used with a ball spinner. Now that we’ve explained how to grind a sphere to match the surface, let’s move on to polishing.

Here are some things to consider to determine if polishing your bowling ball is a better alternative for surface fitting:

Are you throwing the ball slowly?

Do the tracks get too caught up?

Do you have a lot of turns on the ball?

Do you always have to stand far to the left and throw to the right (right-handed)?

Do you have trouble when the lanes collapse?

Do you need to use lower and lower bowling balls?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider a bowling ball polish to help change your bowling ball reaction.

Most current bowling ball polishes are really designed for use with a ball spinner or in a pro shop. Those that claim to be used by hand tend to be very dirty, leave a haze that needs to be wiped clean, clog the pores of reactive bowling balls, or are not very effective at actually polishing the bowling ball. In short, there is currently no good way to hand polish a bowling ball on the lane side. So what happens when you’re about to bowl and find that the lanes are sticking or the balls you’ve brought with you are too aggressive? The best option right now is to go to the pro shop and have your bowling ball polished with a ball spinner. What if no pro shop is available? You could also use a bowling ball polisher at the bowling center if they have one, but they are not designed for reactive bowling balls. Read what it says right on the machine.

If you look inside the machine you will actually see a white bar material. This is a wax and it will coat your bowling ball and clog pores. That’s really, really bad for a reactive bowling ball. It will make your ball slide and the hook will be very inconsistent as the wax coating wears off quickly. Plus, once the pores are clogged, it will take a complete resurfacing to unclog them. Watch this video and remember. Wax your car, NOT your bowling ball.

The solution: find an expert in Polish technology

Realizing that there was a performance gap from 4000 grit to a higher grit by hand, Creation the Difference decided to seek a partner with a rich history of innovation in polishing technology to develop a new type of bowling ball polish. Our goal was to create a polish that can be used quickly and effectively by hand. We found an expert at Turtle Wax Corporation; a recognized industry leader in polishing technology and innovation. We asked for their help in developing a special polish for bowling balls.

Our goals with this polish were clear:

Clean and polish the ball quickly

Create a long-lasting shine

Easy to use with no haze

Will not clog the pores of a reactive bowling ball

Work on all types of bowling ball cases

Create a long and angular bowling ball movement

After a little less than a year of development and testing. The result is a co-branded product called TruCut Hand Applied Polish Powered by Turtle Wax.

How does it work?

Combined with the all-new CtD Polishing Pad, TruCut Hand Applied Polish Powered by Turtle Wax uses a unique chemical blend of fine cutting ingredients and powerful cleaning agents to give each high-performance bowling ball a highly polished finish. This finish adds extra length and creates an angular ball movement. You can quickly polish a 4000 or 5000 grit bowling ball to a highly polished finish up to a 5500 grit by hand. This product is also safe to use with a bowling ball spinner. Using it on a bowling ball spinner on four sides for 30 seconds, you can polish a bowling ball to a stunning 6200 grit ultra-polished finish. This provides maximum length and backend response. TruCut Hand Polish Powered By Turtle Wax is designed to polish all types of decking materials, including that hard-to-polish, old-school conventional urethane. This makes it the perfect choice for anyone with a polished bowling ball who wants to keep the polished finish from the factory and increase performance.

Why polish a bowling ball?

When a bowling ball comes from the factory with a polished finish, that factory polish can wear off in as little as 6 to 12 games. This can alter the reaction of your bowling ball so that it catches on the back end of the lane sooner and less often. This means you can hit the pocket at a lower angle of entry, making it harder to hit and leaving more corner pins. Being able to hand polish your bowling ball will keep your bowling ball looking new and your reaction more consistent.

Who should use TruCut Hand Polish Powered by Turtle Wax?

If you bowl league or tournaments, you should have this product in your bag. TruCut Hand Applied Polish Powered by Turtle Wax is the perfect choice for someone who needs more length and backend performance from a ground or polished bowling ball. Having this product in your bag is like taking another bowling ball option to the league or tournament without the extra weight. We recently attended the Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational Bowling Tournament. A high profile professional bowler had a brand new Storm Crux Prime bowling ball. He used it on the practice pair and struggled to get it on the lane and respond to the back end with the factory sanded 2000 grit matte finish. When his bowling ball salesman mentioned the problem to me, I told him I had a new type of bowling ball polish that could be used by hand. The ball rep gave me the ball and I polished it up. Using TruCut Hand Polished Powered by Turtle Wax and a CtD Polish Pad, the ball shone to a high gloss and delivered the needed distance and backend response the professional bowler was looking for. He ended up using the ball on TV with a great ball reaction throughout the event. If you’re serious about bowling, this is a competitive edge to add to your bag.

How often do you need to use TruCut Hand Polished Powered by Turtle Wax?

This product is built to last. You can use it whenever your polished bowling ball becomes dull from use. We recommend a regular touch up with the polish every 15 to 18 games.

Applying TruCut Hand Polish Powered by Turtle Wax

For best results, prepare the ball surface by hand sanding with a TruCut 3000 sanding pad followed by a TruCut P5000D sanding pad. If you have a new ball that is 2000 grit or less OR are using a ball that was previously sanded to less than 2000 grit, you will need to take an extra step to prepare the surface. First use a 2000 grit sanding pad to lift the finish, followed by a 3000 grit sanding pad and P5000D. This grit set is called the TruCut 3 Pack High and can be purchased here. Next, press a 1¼” circle of the product onto a CtD Buffing Pad and apply in a circular motion first to the side and then to the top of the half of the ball. Then flip the ball and repeat. After both sides are done. Use That Purple Stuff or That Wow Factor Bowling Ball Cleaner to wipe off excess product.

Here’s a video showing you when and how to use TruCut Hand Applied Polish Powered By Turtle Wax

Remember that this product can be used before or after a competition, but not during it.

What type of bowling ball can I use this for?

This product can be used on bowling balls with any surface.

rubber ✔

plastic ✔

Urethane ✔

Reactive ✔

Particle Bowling Balls ✔

How much does it cost and where can I get it?

TruCut Hand Applied Polish is available in a 32-ounce bottle for $32.95 here. It is designed to last an entire bowling season. As a bonus, you get a 4-ounce bottle with every purchase. This makes Poland travel-friendly. Make sure you put it in your checked baggage and not in your carry-on.

In addition, we have some new combo packs for every level bowler.

The starter kit is available here for $19.95. It comes with a 4 ounce bottle of polish and a special synthetic fiber CtD polishing pad. This pad is designed to be used with the maximum performance polish. The polishing pad can be washed and reused.

The Polish Ball Maintenance Kit is available here for $24.95. It comes with a 4 ounce bottle of polish, a CtD polishing pad and a CtD bowling ball holder.

TruCut Advanced Ball Maintenance System is available here for $54.95. It comes with a 4oz That Wow Factor Ball Cleaner, a CtD Power Pad, a 4oz Bottle of Polish, a CtD Polishing Pad, a 6 Pack TruCut Sanding Pads and a CtD Bowling Ball Holder

No matter whether you want to care for the surface of your polished ball or polish your ground bowling ball. Creating the Difference and the TruCut brand now offer a complete line of innovative products designed to transform the surface of your bowling ball and fully maximize the range of bowling ball performance.

How to clean CtD polishing pad and durability

Just use dish soap to dissolve the dirt in the sink. Rinse thoroughly and then machine wash on normal cycle. When you’re done, let it air dry. Here is a video of how to clean a CtD cleaning pad. As with any cleaner or polish, do not let it freeze. TruCut Hand Polish Powered by Turtle Wax has a shelf life of 5 years at room temperature.

turtle wax

Remember when we said, “Wax your car, NOT your bowling ball?” Well, our friends at Turtle Wax can help you wax your car. Make sure you check out the full range of car care products.

Available here Turtle Wax

pro tip

If you want a more aggressive polished response, hand buff the ball first with TruCut Hand Applied Polish powered by Turtle Wax.

Then watch this video:

For more information visit us at

CtDBowling.com

How to use TruCut Abrasive Pads:

If you don’t like reading and prefer pictures and videos, click here.

These are all new out of the box bowling balls that have been scanned with a laser surface scanner and compared to manufacturers published factory surface specifications. We have had the surface scanner calibrated for accuracy. If you want to understand why the numbers don’t match the factory grits, read on.

Abralon

For the past 15+ years, most of the bowling world has used Abralon pads as the standard for sharpening bowling balls. Back then, sandpaper and Scotch-Brite™ were the most common. While Abralon was a great replacement, all of the processing changes manufacturers had to make made it almost impossible for a consumer to replicate—let alone maintain—a factory finish. In fact, most balls are nowhere near the finished grit that is published because Abralon will not cut to the grit listed on the pad. This means the ball would be less aggressive and have less hook potential than expected.

Watch this video four minutes later for an example of how industrial bowling surface finishing equipment works.

The consumer and pro shop do not have access to these tools or techniques, making it virtually impossible to reproduce any type of factory finish – whether polished or honed. That’s not to say that every manufacturer does it, or that one way is better than the other. For this reason, we recommend that you give your bowling ball a surface finish upon purchase that you or your PSO can repeat.

In short, we seem to be having a SURFACE CHANGING CRISIS in bowling.

What now?

As an engineer, I like to focus on problem solving and looking for innovative ways to make bowling better. We have a two-part problem here:

The pad and consistency problem

The training on how to use the pads

After more than a year of testing, we found a solution to the first part of the equation: TruCut by CtD. It is available in three different grits: 500, 1000 and 2000, with 1500, 3000 and P5000D available in October. These grit formulations are EXCLUSIVE to make the difference and will actually cut a bowling ball to the grit specified on the pad.

What makes the TruCut by CtD Pad different?

Why it’s important to take care of your surface.

A new bowling ball changes its surface as it is used. This is usually considered and referred to as “lane shine” because the ball appears shiny on dull balls in only a few games.

Here’s how the surface of a bowling ball changed from a fresh surface at the start of the league to the end of three games. The ball surface has changed by 34% in three games! The truth is that the lane has a lot less to do with “lane shine” than all of the other components your ball comes into contact with during play – the pit, the carpet area and the ball lift system. These are the ball return systems that change the surface of the ball the most. This is evident because the only part of the ball that touches the lane is the track area; However, when you look at the ball, the entire ball appears fairly uniform in appearance. Depending on the road surface, however, there may be deviations in the measurement in the track area. The friction created by contact with the ball recirculation systems causes most of the change in appearance and a reduction in performance. A highly polished bullet will also appear duller for the same reason.

Stop!

Take your bowling balls and line them up in a row. Now look at them and see how many seem to have the same surface appearance.

The surface is the best way to change your ball reaction after the ball is drilled. When you bought your bowling balls, they most likely didn’t all have the same finish. If yes, then watch this video to understand the 4 types of ball movement.

If they look the same now. It’s time to take better care of them. The closer you look, the more accurate they will appear. When they perform the same, it’s time to spread them out so you have different ball moves.

How to use a sanding pad

The majority of consumers have not been educated on how to properly use a sanding pad to customize or maintain the finish of their bowling ball. Improper use of abrasive pads can result in flat spots on the ball or inconsistent performance. Don’t harm your bowling ball and it will quickly change shape and lose power. The change will make your reaction inconsistent until eventually it “track shines” and the reaction is very different than it was intended or when it was brand new. A track blasted bullet has a measured grit of about 4700 grit. Most sanded balls start lower than this. Lane shine also tends to make bowling balls work in a similar way. Because the surface plays such an important role in ball movement.

Here’s a video that explains how to PROPERLY care for the surface of a bowling ball.

Fun Fact: The more pressure used when grinding with a dry Abralon pad, the less aggressive the finish it leaves on the ball. This happens because the bowling ball chips charge up and clog the pad. This turns the shavings into a smoothing agent that can actually help polish the ball. The harder you press, the faster this happens. Once the pad is clogged, the cutting ability is gone. These pads are very difficult to clean. Because the chips can melt due to the heat generated during grinding and stick to the abrasive on the pad.

frequently asked Questions

Surface care and how often?

We recommend that you hand grind your ball every 6 to 9 plays using the technique outlined. Take a picture of your bowling ball after you sharpen it. Then take the same picture after bowling. When the two images look far apart like in the image below, it’s time to condition the surface.

Will this hurt your ball?

The average bowling ball is 8.585 inches in diameter. The minimum allowed size of USBC is 8,500. Use the most common 2000 grit pad. You would have to play more than 650 games using the recommended technique before your ball is in danger of going illegal. Grind your ball to get the finish is safe for consistent use.

Is refinishing your bowling ball the same as refinishing it?

Resurfacing is different than the pro shop resurfacing your bowling ball. Resurfacing should be done when you have developed deep rut marks in your bowling ball as follows:

The track marks will cause your ball to bounce and lose contact with the lane, reducing performance and should be removed by a qualified professional shop trained in how to revive a bowling ball.

What grit are you using?

The grit required depends on the lane pattern you are playing on. However, to restore the finish to intended performance, check the manufacturer’s website for the final factory finish. For example, some balls have multiple steps listed. It can be 500 / 1000 / 2000. The last grit listed is the final finishing step. Using TruCut by CtD Pads. This is the grit you want to use. You don’t have to follow all the steps. You can just use the last recommended step as the TruCut by CtD pads will cut as the pad number indicates. So for this example you would only use the 2000 grit pad. The most common grit is 2000 grit, so if you are unsure, start with that grit as you can always go down to a lower grit. Keep in mind the higher the grit listed. The less cutting and the smoother the ball will be.

Can you grind every bowling ball?

While you CAN grind every bowling ball, you don’t get the same benefit from all bowling balls. Grinding works best on reactive and urethane bowling balls. If you are unsure what type of bowling ball you have, visit the manufacturer’s website and look at the case. If it says anything other than polyester it’s a safe bet, you can sand it.

Can you grind a polished ball?

Yes you can, and you can have the pro shop polish it up if needed. It is ok to grind and polish it several times. Remember that you can only change the surface of your ball before and after the competition.

Surface Care How to TruCut by CtD

So what we have is a new pad that fits in your hand, cuts better dry or wet, is reusable, resists web shine, and is inexpensive.

Here is the step-by-step guide on how to use TruCut by CtD to your advantage:

Step 1: Place the bowling ball on a bowl with the holes facing up

Step 2: Mist half of the ball with So Fresh and So Clean and leave for 20 to 30 seconds.

Step 3: Select the TruCut by CtD pad with the appropriate grit and lightly sand the ball in a circular motion, constantly moving around the entire top half of the ball, for 30 seconds.

Step 4: Apply That Purple Stuff to a CtD Power Pad and wipe the ball clean.

Step 5: Tap the TruCut Pad on a hard surface to knock out the shavings

Step 6: Flip the ball 180 degrees and repeat steps 2 – 5 on the other half.

Why not four or six grinding sides?

Two sides cover the ball and apply the true grit when sanding by hand. More sides than this will not add extra grit and should be reserved for resurfacing or using a ball spinner.

Use the listed process by hand to maintain your bowling ball’s finish and keep your performance at its peak. Next time you need a pad to change the surface of your ball. Think TruCut by CtD to your advantage.

Click here to buy

We make the difference in bowling.

In general, if your ball rolls or hooks too early due to dry turf conditions, a reliable adjustment is to adjust the position of your feet on approach and your sighting target on the turf toward the center of the turf to compensate for early hooking motion. A good technique is to move your feet two planks on the approach and your target on the lane one plank in the same direction so you automatically make an effective change in angle and increase your chances of the ball hitting the pocket.

Be sure to move both feet and your target on the lane together and in the same direction. There are always exceptions to “rules of thumb”, such as B. Using 3:1 ratio adjustments, 1:1 ratio adjustments and 5:3 adjustments. The 2:1 fitting technique is effective in most house conditions, and the use of multiple fittings (4:2, 6:3, 8:4, etc.) can be boldly made to reduce the time it takes to set up again on a dry road.

Change Your Release – Creating a small and consistent hook requires less finger rotation at the moment of release than when you want to create a larger hook action in heavy oil. Less hook is easy to control.

Place your bowling hand under the ball in your approach setup, palm facing up towards the ceiling. Try to maintain this hand position throughout your arm swing cycle and while your hand releases the ball.

The less rotation with your bowling fingers allows your hand to stay behind the ball during the release and pass motion and promotes less axis tilt applied to the ball and less hooking at the back end of the lane.

Releasing the bowling ball with little or no finger rotation develops an end-over-end rolling motion on the bowling ball. It’s important to also reduce RPM without losing ball speed to keep the ball on the line and avoid early hooking on dry lanes.

Tilting your wrist back, as if trying to keep your thumb in the ball longer than usual, reduces ball speed and increases blade length at the front end. By allowing your fingers to exert less releasing action on the bowling ball and merely allowing the ball to flow from your hand, a long slide of the ball is encouraged.

Reducing finger rotation during release and allowing the ball to flow off your hand with your wrist tilted back slightly will definitely decrease RPM and increase ball slide on dry lanes.

Combo Effect – Combining a rally from an aggressive deckstock to one with a smooth texture and stiff deckstock, a change in orientation to increase the angle of delivery from the front-end trigger point to the back-end break point, and the elimination of finger rotation while holding your hand holding behind the bowling ball will work together to reduce overall hook in dry lane conditions.

Whenever possible, practice on dry pavement under non-competitive circumstances so you can experiment with these techniques and find a way to control yours effectively

bowlingball.com always recommends that you consult with your local certified bowling instructor or experienced coach, possibly your pro shop professional, to help you develop a strategy for overcoming excessive hooks on dry lanes.

bowlingball.com has become America’s #1 e-tailer of choice for bowling gear consumers. Once you’ve found an item you’d like to order, please remember that every item on our site comes with free shipping, free insurance and no hidden handling fees. To place your order, simply follow our simple online instructions. Thanks for the visit.

has become America’s #1 e-tailer of choice for bowling equipment. Once you’ve found an item you’d like to order, please remember that every item on our site comes with free shipping, free insurance and no hidden handling fees. To place your order, simply follow our simple online instructions. Thanks for the visit.

– Combining a rally from an aggressive coverstock to one with a smooth texture and stiff coverstock material, an alignment change to increase the launch angle from the front-end trigger point to the rear-end break point, eliminating finger rotation while holding your hand behind of the bowling ball to reduce overall hook in dry lane conditions. Practice on dry lanes in non-competitive circumstances whenever possible so you can experiment with these techniques and find a way to effectively control your bowling ball hook. Always recommends that you consult your certified bowling instructor or an experienced local coach, possibly your pro shop Pro to consult to help you develop a strategy to overcome excessive hooks on dry lanes.

Reducing finger rotation during release and allowing the ball to flow off your hand with your wrist tilted back slightly will definitely decrease RPM and increase ball slide on dry lanes.

Tilting your wrist back, as if trying to keep your thumb in the ball longer than usual, reduces ball speed and increases blade length at the front end. By allowing your fingers to exert less releasing action on the bowling ball and merely allowing the ball to flow from your hand, a long slide of the ball is encouraged.

Releasing the bowling ball with little or no finger rotation develops an end-over-end rolling motion on the bowling ball. It’s important to also reduce RPM without losing ball speed to keep the ball on the line and avoid early hooking on dry lanes.

The less rotation with your bowling fingers allows your hand to stay behind the ball during the release and pass motion and promotes less axis tilt applied to the ball and less hooking at the back end of the lane.

Place your bowling hand under the ball in your approach setup, palm facing up towards the ceiling. Try to maintain this hand position throughout your arm swing cycle and while your hand releases the ball.

– Less finger twist is required on release to create a small and consistent hook than when trying to create a larger hook action in heavy oil. Less hook is easy to control.

Be sure to move both feet and your target on the lane together and in the same direction. There are always exceptions to “rules of thumb”, such as B. Using 3:1 ratio adjustments, 1:1 ratio adjustments and 5:3 adjustments. The 2:1 fitting technique is effective in most house conditions, and the use of multiple fittings (4:2, 6:3, 8:4, etc.) can be boldly made to reduce the time it takes to set up again on a dry road.

In general, if your ball rolls or hooks too early due to dry turf conditions, a reliable adjustment is to adjust the position of your feet on approach and your sighting target on the turf toward the center of the turf to compensate for early hooking motion. A good technique is to move your feet two planks on the approach and your target on the lane one plank in the same direction so you automatically make an effective change in angle and increase your chances of the ball hitting the pocket.

Usually, nightly bowling during the late leagues, after the leagues, or on weekends (after a lot of descent has accumulated in the middle) causes the lane oil to collapse in the front end and carry over to the back end. The first sign of this is when your ball hooks earlier than you expect and then an adjustment is required on the lanes to change your angle to the hold point on the lane.

Improving your bowling game can take more than just working on your technique. Those who are really serious about maximum performance should also consider resurfacing the eggs. Resurfacing is the process of either grinding or polishing bowling balls to change the way they go down the lane and suit individual bowlers’ strengths.

Ribbons

One reason people choose to sharpen bowling balls is to get rid of the dirt and scratches that accumulate over time and use. Such blemishes create inconsistencies in the movement of the balls and should be removed as soon as they are discovered. Grinding a bowling ball can also increase either its hook and arc or its snap and skip, depending on what you’re using to grind.

The process can be carried out with sandpaper of different grit, as well as gray and burgundy scouring pads. Using a low grit sandpaper or burgundy pad will produce the greatest amount of hook and bow. Grittier sandpaper or a gray pad will add length and hook lag to the balls and also smooth out their movement.

polishing

Polishing a bowling ball reduces slippage and friction as the ball rolls down the lane, which can save energy. Balls that are too blunt hooked early and sapped energy that would otherwise be stored for backend reaction.

Balls can be polished with pastes, ball polishes and ball polishes with lubricants. Of the three, compounds have the most moderate effect, while a ball polish with a lube offers the maximum length, least hook, and sharpest breaking point.

When to show up again

A ball should be replaced when you notice a ridge or indentation in it, or about every 30 games. While both types of resurfacing can be done by hand, it is recommended that you use a ball spinner for a faster and more efficient process. These generally range from $300 to $2,000, although many pro shops will offer use of their spinners.

considerations

While surfacing during practice play is perfectly acceptable, the United States Bowling Conference (USBC) prohibits altering the surface of balls during sanctioned league or tournament competition. So make sure your ball is conditioned to your liking before entering official competitions.

It is recommended that less experienced bowlers seek professional help for resurfacing, especially sanding. Only after you are familiar with how to do it properly should you attempt your own resurfacing.

Making small, incremental changes to the surface of your ball is generally preferred over large, one-off overhauls. Progressive changes allow you to target your ball’s specific problems.

Bowling Ball 5 steps to choosing the right bowling ball for you

Bowling with the right ball will dramatically improve your score and consistency, but there are so many types and sizes of balls. Finding the right ball is often a daunting and overwhelming task for beginners. So you may want to contact your local pro shop or bowling center operator for help.

5 steps to choosing your own bowling ball

Most likely, especially if it’s your first ball, you’ll want a reactive resin cover that will give your shots greater hook potential.

Find your ideal ball weight. Some say your ball should be about 10 percent of your body weight, up to a maximum of 16 pounds. Most pro bowlers use 16 pound balls, although more than you think use 15 pounders. Another method is to add a pound or two to the weight of the house ball you usually use. A heavier ball drilled specifically for your hand appears to weigh about the same as a house ball that’s two pounds lighter.

Despite these guidelines, you should never use a ball that is too heavy just because you feel you should. The really optimal ball weight is the heaviest ball that you can comfortably throw

.Determine your ideal cover material. Coverstock is the material on the outside of the ball and is very important in determining how your ball will respond to lane conditions. There are three main types of cover materials: polyester (more commonly referred to as plastic), urethane, and reactive resin. To find out which one is best for your game, check out the tips below for detailed information on each case material. Choose your ball. Once you know what weight and cover you need, you can find a large number of balls online or ask your local pro shop. There are differences in each category, but a chat with a pro shop operator or some online research should be enough to find the right type of ball for your game.

You can find a good plastic ball for $50 or even less. Reaction resin balls start at around $100 and go up from there, although some can cost several hundred dollars. Have it drilled to fit your hand. You can find pre-drilled bowling balls, but if you use one of these you might as well save your money and use a house ball. A ball drilled specifically for your hand gives you more control and also greatly reduces the risk of injury. Take your ball to a pro shop and have an expert measure your hand and drill your ball. Some stores offer free drilling with the purchase of a ball, but in other cases, don’t expect to pay more than $30 for drilling — and it’s worth it. Be patient. When you first hold (and release) a ball drilled in your hand, you may worry that it won’t fit. That’s because the house balls you’re used to really don’t fit. With practice, your new ball will prove infinitely more comfortable and controllable than a pre-drilled house ball.

How important is the weight of the bowling ball?

I get a new ball but don’t know how to choose the right bowling ball weight? This question has probably crossed your mind more than once when looking for a new ball. Perhaps you would like to get into the sport of bowling. Maybe you want to get more serious and take your game to the next level. Or maybe you’re tired of using the alley balls. Either way, you want to buy a bowling ball and you need to know how to choose the right bowling ball weight for you. Did you know that all 10 pins weigh 32 pounds in total? That’s a lot of mass to knock down. So you need the right combination of speed and mass of the ball to consistently hit a few shots.

Physics – masters of the universe

Ultimately, it boils down to physics, which says that the total energy of the ball is equal to mass times velocity squared. This means you can send more energy into those pins by throwing the ball faster, and lighter balls will move faster. However, there is also a safety and control issue with throwing bowling balls too quickly. If you throw a ball too fast, you lose a lot of ball control, which means your technique becomes inconsistent. Likewise, a fast ball will send the pins flying, which can be dangerous and against the rules in most alleys.

If you’re wondering, “Does the weight of the bowling ball matter?” The answer is an absolute yes! This article will try to get you as close as possible to your ideal bowling ball weight. However, remember that the following information is general. If the bowling ball hurts when you throw it, use a lighter ball. If you’re throwing it too fast or can’t control it, then maybe add a pound.

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How to choose the right bowling ball weight for kids

You’ve probably heard the general rule for choosing the right bowling ball weight for children: “The ball weight should be appropriate for the child’s age up to about 10 years of age.” This serves as a good starting point. If your child is 8 years old start with an 8 pound ball, if they are 10 years old give them a 10 pound ball. Slowly swing it back and forth a few times and see how it feels. If he’s unable to make the full swing motion, the bowling ball is probably too heavy for your child – find a ball that’s a pound lighter. If they’re flinging the thing around like a toy, try adding a pound. Another general principle is that girls gain a pound less and athletic boys a pound relative to their age.

Choosing the right bowling ball weight for adults

Much like with children, there is a guiding principle that will help you determine where to start when finding the right weight for adult bowling balls. That means dividing your body weight (in pounds) by 11. So, for example, if you weigh 150 pounds, then 150/11 = 13.6. If you’re a man, start with a 14-pound ball, if you’re a woman, start with a 13-pound ball. Similar to kids, swing it back and forth in your arms like a pendulum a few times and see how that feels. You’ll know the bowling ball is too heavy if you can’t fully extend your arm or if you strain yourself.

As another general rule, if you’ve already determined the weight of the ball that works best for you by using alley balls, you’ll probably want to add a pound if you buy your own ball. This is due to the fact that when you drill the holes for your hand you get extra grip and control that you don’t get on the generic house balls.

Choosing the right bowling ball weight for seniors

As we age, our muscles slowly deteriorate and we can no longer do the same things we used to do or at the levels we used to do. When choosing the right bowling ball weight for seniors, the same rule applies, divide by 11 to get a starting point. However, once you have that race number, you should generally shed 1-2 pounds based on your fitness level. Remember that a lighter ball is easier on the joints and allows you to put more energy into the ball and ultimately the pins as you swing. So if your ball hurts, try a lighter ball.

Other factors to consider when choosing a ball

Weight is just one factor in the equation for determining your ultimate performance. A properly weighted bowling ball will help you send the ball down the lane with enough energy to knock down all the pins. Once you know the right bowling ball weight for your body and style, you can look at other factors that will help you improve your overall skill. This includes things like choosing the right core for your bowling ball (asymmetric, symmetric, large, small), choosing the right bowling ball cover, and drilling the holes for your hand and throwing style.

Now that you know what the best bowling ball weight is for you, why not get everyone on the lane with this basketball bowling ball, available in weights from 10 to 16 pounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What weight range of bowling ball should I use?

Here are some general rules to help you determine if you’re within the normal range:

Children: The best bowling ball weight for children is usually 6-10 lbs

Women: The best bowling ball weight for women is typically 11-14 lbs

Men: The best bowling ball weight for men is typically 13-16lbs

Seniors: The best bowling ball weight for seniors is typically 10-14lbs

What weight do most pros use for bowling balls?

Because professional bowlers are professional athletes, their bodies are designed specifically for the sport they play. When you look at the weight of the balls used by the pros, they’re usually at the higher end of the weight range for their age and gender. So male pro bowlers typically use 15 or 16 pound balls and female pro bowlers typically use anywhere from 13 to even 15 pound balls.

Can you add weight to a bowling ball?

While there are ways to add static weights to a bowling ball, most pro shops won’t do it for you. This is because the ball is brought outside of the USBC’s regulations. However, you can drill balancing holes that reduce the weight of part of the ball. This in turn affects the overall spin of the ball. Just like adding static weight, there are rules for leagues and bowling associations that dictate where the ball is and how much material can be removed. For details related to your bowling ball, it is best to contact your local pro shop.

Which is better for a bowling ball: weight or speed?

As mentioned earlier in this article, weight is not the only factor in determining your ability to knock down all pins. The simple answer to using a heavy ball is whether or not you’ll be able to throw a 16-pound ball for ten frames and over the course of multiple plays. If you can, that’s impressive. However, you may find that when you drop the weight of the ball a pound from your maximum comfort weight, you actually have more control and send the ball with more speed. Since the energy is E = 1/2 mv^2, you’ll find that adding a little more speed down the orbit will drastically increase the total energy delivered to the pins. Now let’s crunch the numbers to visualize this:

Impulse mass speed energy 100 6 16.7 83.3 100 7 14.3 100 8 12.5 625.0 100 9 11.1 555.6 10.0 500.1 454.5 100 12.3 416.7 7.7 384.6 14 7.1 357.1 100 15 6.7 333.3 100 16 6.3 312.5 312.5

Here we assume that the player can throw a 10 pound ball at a speed of 10 units per second. We won’t use miles per hour or real units as this illustrates the same point. Using the equation for momentum (p = mv) or momentum equals mass times velocity. So we find out that this player can throw with a swing of 100. We use this momentum in the equation to find the speed at which each legal ball weight can be thrown. Then putting the velocity back into the energy equation (1/2 mv^2) we find the energy for each ball.

A quick analysis

What you will see from the results here is that the heavier the ball, the less energy the player can put into the ball and thus knock down the pins. And I know what you’re thinking: “I’ll just start throwing a 6-pound ball and I’ll hit it every time!” While it’s true that you’ll be able to throw a 6-pound ball the give the most energy, but you lose control. Hurling a 6-pound ball with nearly three times the energy of a 16-pound ball may sound like a good idea, but it makes hooking and getting the ball straight into the pocket almost impossible. Also, you will end up getting a lot of gutter balls. Last but not least, cracking the pins behind a 6 pound ball will sound exciting and will definitely turn some heads – especially the heads of the bowling alley staff. This is likely to violate league, tournament and bowling alley rules as there are safety concerns at some point.

The bottom line here is that you don’t always want to throw the heaviest ball you can since you can sacrifice stamina over multiple games and not put as much energy down the lane. So find that sweet spot for yourself and don’t feel pressured to use the absolute heaviest ball you can muster.

Last takeaways

You can see a nice summary here:

What do you think about the weight of your ball? Are you trying to throw the hardest ball to impress your friends? Throw a lighter ball to hear the thunderous crack of skittles? What did we miss when explaining how to choose the right bowling ball weight? Let us know in the comments below.

The legal maximum weight of a bowling ball is 16 pounds (or 7.27 kilograms). For this reason, many bowlers use 16 pound bowling balls whether they should or not. If a 17-pounder ball were allowed, many of those currently using 16-pounders would step up to 17.

Some of that comes from a bowler’s ego. That is, a bowler will think, “I can bowl anything, no matter how much it weighs.”

Aside from a macho mindset, many bowlers throw the heaviest ball possible, believing that a heavy ball knocks down pins more often than a light ball.

Is heavier better?

Generally yes. If a 16-pound ball and a 15-pound ball are thrown at the same speed, the 16-pounder’s impact will be greater. But in this scenario, we assume everything is the same except the weight of the ball. When it comes to bowling, few things are the same.

If you can’t throw a 16-pound ball comfortably, you’re not going to bowl well and you’re going to hurt yourself. Getting down on a 15 or 14 pound ball will improve your game dramatically as you can throw the ball all night without putting as much strain on your body. This also lowers your risk of injury.

What is the best ball weight?

There is no universal ball weight that works for everyone. A child has nothing to do with a 16 pound ball and most adults have nothing to do with an 8 pound ball. In general, the best ball weight for you is the heaviest ball that you can comfortably throw for an extended period of time. A ball that you can easily throw for just one game isn’t going to do you much good if you have two more games to play. For most adults, this ranges from 14 to 16 pounds. Children, teens and young adults use a ball between 6 and 14 pounds depending on their age and strength.

There’s no shame in using a ball lighter than 15 pounds. Would you rather bowl a 170 with a 15 pound ball and feel great the next day, or bowl a 130 with a 16 pound ball and deal with sore muscles for days? If you throw a ball at your ideal weight, you’ll bowl better and avoid injury.

Determination of the best ball weight

Some people say you should take a ball that’s 10 percent of your body weight (up to a maximum of 16 pounds, of course), which is good as a general guide but shouldn’t be taken as a strict rule. It all comes down to comfort. If you can only throw a 16-pound ball for five frames before you feel tired or in pain, you need a lighter ball. If you can throw a 12-pound ball all night with extreme ease, you need a heavier one take ball

Many bowling pro shops allow you to try different weight bowling balls to determine which one works best for you. You can also test it yourself by using house balls of different weights, although it’s important to note that a house ball will feel heavier than a specially drilled ball of the same weight. That is, a 14-pound house ball may feel more like a specially-drilled 15- or 16-pound ball. This is due to the perfect grip you have with your own ball, making it easier to lift and hold than a house ball which has been drilled to fit as many people as possible.

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Bowling Ball Basics

Here are some quick basics for building a bowling ball:

A bowling ball consists primarily of two main parts: the coverstock and the weight block.

The coverstock is the outer shell of the bowling ball, it’s the part of the ball that you see. It’s also the most influential element of the ball when it comes to hook potential, since it’s the part of the ball that actually makes contact with the lane surface.

Bowling balls are made from four different types of cover materials: plastic, urethane, reactive resin, and particulate (proactive). The big difference between these covering materials is how they work and react on the road surface. When a ball rolls down the lane, friction is created by the contact between the cover material and the lane surface. The more friction created by this contact, the more hook potential usually means. The amount of friction created depends on the coverstock type of the ball.

Plastic – This covering material has a very smooth surface and offers the lowest friction and therefore has the lowest snagging potential available. This type of ball is good for beginners who want their own ball that feels good in their hands. Intermediate and advanced bowlers also use this type of ball for shooting spares as it is a very predictable reaction due to its very low hooking potential.

Urethane – This cover material is more durable than plastic and provides more friction between the ball and the lane surface. Therefore, urethane has a higher hook potential than plastic. Due to the increased friction on the web, urethane tends to deflect less, resulting in better pin action. This type of ball is a good step up from a plastic ball as it is still very controllable while still offering increased hook potential.

Reactive Resin – This cover material is actually less durable than plastic or urethane, but offers much more friction, hook potential, and pin action. Due to the significantly higher friction, reaction resin balls tend to react more sensitively to road conditions and operating errors and are therefore generally a little more difficult to control. This style of ball is designed for the intermediate or advanced bowler who wants plenty of hooking ability and an “arsenal” of potential lane reactions.

Particle (Proactive) – This cover material is a winter tire with chains! The surface of this cover material has a “bumpy” feel, allowing the ball to dig into the lane surface, creating maximum friction

heavily oiled lanes. This type of ball is a must-have for the intermediate and advanced bowler’s arsenal.

heavily oiled lanes. This type of ball is a must-have for the intermediate and advanced bowler’s arsenal.

The weight stack of a bowling ball is located inside the ball under the cover (shell). There are two main types of weight stacks – high mass and low mass.

A high mass weight stack is typically a pancake-shaped weight stack that is usually placed close to the bowl of the ball (see image). This type of weight stack encourages a lot of distance on the lane because it doesn’t tend to cause the ball to roll heavily.

A low-mass weight stack can come in a variety of shapes and densities, and is usually placed nearer the center or center of the ball (see image). This allows for a heavier reel which increases hook potential.

As you can see, there is a lot of technology in today’s bowling balls! And we’ve only scratched the surface with these brief explanations! Visit the Bowlers Advantage Pro Shop and let one of our trained professionals help you with your ball selection. We can also watch you bowl with your current equipment and make recommendations based on your skills and desires.

Simple differences between solid, pearl and hybrid bowling balls

Keeping things as simple as possible when choosing a new ball makes your job easier than getting bogged down with too much technical information. The cover is the real key for every bowler. The simple differences between solid reactive pearlescent and hybrid cases can help you choose your next bowling ball. The core design and symmetry of a given ball are also points to consider, but the cover is the real key to achieving a desired ball response. Solid reactive cover materials have a large amount of microscopic reactive pores on the ball surface. Thus, the degree of surface friction can be controlled within the solid reactive bowling ball subcategory. Solid reactive covers are typically factory matte finishes and are a good choice for conditions on lanes with heavy or medium oil mica mixed into the reactive cover. The inclusion of mica roughens up the microscopic pores, increasing ball response on dry lanes. Reactive bead balls have the ability to react quickly to high friction sections of the lane and create a long sliding motion at the leading end of the lane, which helps when lane oil conditions collapse. The mica in pearlescent reactive bowling balls adds some shine to the surface of the ball utilizing the advantages of both types. Hybrid coverstocks offer the mid-lane response of a solid coverstock and the back-end response of a pearlescent coverstock. Hybrid balls give you the front end glide you’re looking for in medium oil conditions and respond to the pocket at the break point much like pearl reactive ball coverstocks. Hybrid coverstocks are now also available in polished or matte finishes. As with all reactive covers, the hybrid covers allow surface textures to be altered to slightly fine-tune your ball response. Make your decision when choosing your next ball based on the type of cover you need to match the local lane conditions you frequently encounter. Your pro shop expert can help you make the decision.