A 14 pound vs 15 pound vs 16 pound Pin Carry in slow motion

[bowl1820]

A 14 pound vs 15 pound vs 16 pound Pin Carry in slow motion

This video shows the entry and exit of different weight bowling balls hitting the pins. The same bowler is throwing the balls and the only difference between the balls is the gross weight.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Q7jyZl6pGQs

[RobLV1]

Interesting. I appears that the difference in entry angle, based on the number of boards covered by each ball, has a greater impact on deflection than the total weight of the ball. The 15 lb. ball looks like it is deflecting more than either the 16 lb. (expected), or the 14 lb. (surprising).

[mc_runner]

Interesting. I appears that the difference in entry angle, based on the number of boards covered by each ball, has a greater impact on deflection than the total weight of the ball. The 15 lb. ball looks like it is deflecting more than either the 16 lb. (expected), or the 14 lb. (surprising).

Agree, surprised as well the 15lb looks to have the most deflection. Wondering if it has something to do with the particular entry angles/pocket entry on the shots they chose to demonstrate?

[circlecity]

Rob, do you think bowlers will switch back to 16lb eventually?

[got_a_300]

Rob, do you think bowlers will switch back to 16lb eventually?

I don't know what Rob's opinion will be but I do know what
mine is about switching back to using 16# equipment is and
that is it ain't going to happen 15# is as heavy as I'm going
to use from now on.

[J Anderson]

"This video shows the entry and exit of different weight bowling balls hitting the pins. The same bowler is throwing the balls and the only difference between the balls is the gross weight."

Just to nit pick here:
Different weights of the same model ball will usually have slightly different R.G.s and differentials---enough to make a difference? I don't know.

Human bowler, not machine, could be slight differences in execution on each shot.

15# ball looked to be about one board right of the other two balls. I think that has more to do with the greater deflection than any other factor.


I too was very surprised that the 14# ball didn't deflect more.

[Mudpuppy]

I guess it was just me but all 3 looked the same to me - slight difference on entry angle, very slight. But overall wasn't a big difference I was expecting. Maybe it was a case where slo mo video wasn't the best media to show the example.

[fortheloveofbowling]

The video i want to see is the ball hooking a total of 10-12 boards and hitting half pocket and ball speed shown. With the type of total boards covered in the video i'm sure the ball was coming in from some friction. You can take a 12 lb house ball and throw it on top of the friction at a lesser ball speed and it will roll straight thorough the pin deck. Does that mean anything? No. I still think a 16lb ball is stronger overall at the pins. I just have old school thinking i guess.

[Mike White]

The video i want to see is the ball hooking a total of 10-12 boards and hitting half pocket and ball speed shown. With the type of total boards covered in the video i'm sure the ball was coming in from some friction. You can take a 12 lb house ball and throw it on top of the friction at a lesser ball speed and it will roll straight thorough the pin deck. Does that mean anything? No. I still think a 16lb ball is stronger overall at the pins. I just have old school thinking i guess.

The people I see that benefit most from the 16 # ball are the lower hook "strokers".

The larger the angle of entry, the smaller the effective pocket with a 16 # ball.

[fortheloveofbowling]

The people I see that benefit most from the 16 # ball are the lower hook "strokers".

The larger the angle of entry, the smaller the effective pocket with a 16 # ball.

I think the higher rev guys started going to the lower weight because they were looking for extra deflection because of the angles created by new equipment. I would probably be defined as a tweener as i probably would have a 350-400 rev rate.

[Blacksox1]

Good video. The 14 and 16 were dead flush. 15 was a little more right at contact with the 1 and 3 pins. Go with the weight that does not tire you out, 14 no problem.

[Mike White]

Good video. The 14 and 16 were dead flush. 15 was a little more right at contact with the 1 and 3 pins. Go with the weight that does not tire you out, 14 no problem.

Actually I think the 14 and 16 where just a hair high, because the head pin didn't follow the line towards the 7 pin, it bounced a bit back towards the 5 pin area which tends to cause solid 8 pin leaves.

[Blacksox1]

Actually I think the 14 and 16 where just a hair high, because the head pin didn't follow the line towards the 7 pin, it bounced a bit back towards the 5 pin area which tends to cause solid 8 pin leaves.

I do not know anything about being high. On the 14, 16 shot, I liked the 3 pin following a direct line to the 10 pin. :D Have a good evening!

[Mike White]

I do not know anything about being high. On the 14, 16 shot, I liked the 3 pin following a direct line to the 10 pin. :D Have a good evening!

yep, if you can get the combination of the head pin going towards the 7, and the 3 towards the 10, there is ALMOST no way you can't carry.

[Aslan]

Rob, do you think bowlers will switch back to 16lb eventually?

Not Rob: I don't think so. I think the taboo has been eliminated and now bowlers no longer feel like they HAVE to throw 16lbs or they aren't "manly". And given the importance on hook and entry angle of new technology balls...I don't think bowlers are willing to sacrafice the revs to move up in weight.

If anything, I think you'll see a trend towards 14lbs. As long as the technology is the same in 14lbs as it is in 15 and 16...I think more and more players will start to look at how they can increase that rev rate and open up the lanes by simply throwing lighter equipment.

[Aslan]

15# ball looked to be about one board right of the other two balls. I think that has more to do with the greater deflection than any other factor.

Thats what I thought too. The 14 and 16 hit the headpin more straight on causing them to deflect less. The 15lb ball was right a bit so obviously it's going to deflect a little more.

[Mudpuppy]

Not Rob: I don't think so. I think the taboo has been eliminated and now bowlers no longer feel like they HAVE to throw 16lbs or they aren't "manly". And given the importance on hook and entry angle of new technology balls...I don't think bowlers are willing to sacrafice the revs to move up in weight.

If anything, I think you'll see a trend towards 14lbs. As long as the technology is the same in 14lbs as it is in 15 and 16...I think more and more players will start to look at how they can increase that rev rate and open up the lanes by simply throwing lighter equipment.

Oh wise one - do you think they will ever go to a 17, 18, 19, or 20 # ball?

[Aslan]

Oh wise one - do you think they will ever go to a 17, 18, 19, or 20 # ball?

No. I think the tred will go towards 14, 13, 12, 11, 10... Bowlers don't care about striking and average and scoring anyomore...they just want to spin the shiny ball and make it go from one gutter to the other and back and then slam down a Blue Moon in an attempt to impress their girlfriends. Heavy balls are boring. Form is bowing. Technique is boring. Specs are boring. The kids today want "SPIN SPIN SPIN....BIG HOOK...Ooooo....wow, did you see THAT ONE!!? Sure, I only shot a 97...but MAN did that ball hook!!?"

[Bradski9]

No. I think the tred will go towards 14, 13, 12, 11, 10... Bowlers don't care about striking and average and scoring anyomore...they just want to spin the shiny ball and make it go from one gutter to the other and back and then slam down a Blue Moon in an attempt to impress their girlfriends. Heavy balls are boring. Form is bowing. Technique is boring. Specs are boring. The kids today want "SPIN SPIN SPIN....BIG HOOK...Ooooo....wow, did you see THAT ONE!!? Sure, I only shot a 97...but MAN did that ball hook!!?"
You just described a 14 year old in my league haha, hes got 2-3 of motiv's strongest balls but this year he is averaging like 120. He has a big hook though!

[Aslan]

You just described a 14 year old in my league haha, hes got 2-3 of motiv's strongest balls but this year he is averaging like 120. He has a big hook though!

I think it's pathetic. I kinda expect it from middle schoolers and high schoolers…but I definitely look down on adults that I see in "real leagues" that are averaging sub-170 but insist on throwing thumbless or in some "big hook" way. Listen…if a guy can throw that way and average 190+…I guess more power to them. But if they're throwing that way…and they're all over the lane…and they can't pick up spares…at some point an adult has to think to themselves, "Okay…do I really want to bowl in a USBC league or do I just want to go out with friends once a week and get drunk and make a 10lb bowling ball hook the lane?"

And sometimes, to be fair, it's not something totally in their control. Like it or not, there are bowlers with knee issues and therefore they can't get down into that 'classic' form/release…so they make due. And not being able to get lower…not being able to stay behind the ball with that 'classic' follow-through…sometimes you have to come more up the side and with the technology being so aggressive…sometimes you gotta move inside and play that big hook. I get that.