If you’re at the point in your game where you are considering purchasing a new bowling ball or adding one to your arsenal, knowing the differences between stronger and weaker bowling balls can be a pivotal turning point in your game.
Everyone likes to see the bowling ball hook on the backend and strike, but when you are choosing between stronger and weaker bowling balls it important to note where the bowling ball begins to hook – not just how much.
Stronger Bowling Balls
Stronger does not mean more hook… necessarily. A stronger bowling ball hooks more through the heads (foul line to just past the arrows) than a weaker bowling ball will. Stronger bowling balls typically have a duller finish with a symmetrical core. These bowling balls are designed for a higher volume of oil, so they grip on the lane earlier instead of sliding.
A stronger ball will have less right-to-left hook down lane because it has exerted much of its energy on the first half of the lane.
Weaker Bowling Balls
Now that you are watching your ball travel down lane and are focusing on where it begins to hook, a weaker bowling ball is going to slide through the heads more than an aggressive bowling ball and show more right to left movement on the backend part of the lane.
Think of it like a snow tire on ice. When a snow tire hits ice, it slides. But when it gets back onto pavement or snow, it grips.
After a weaker ball has traveled down lane to the end of the pattern, it will begin to grip and turn much faster than a stronger bowling ball would at this point of the lane.
A weaker bowling ball saves its energy because of its shiny coverstock and asymmetrical core inside.
Decision Time
Which one do you need in your bag? The answer depends on what the lane conditions are:
If it’s lower volume (dryer), you want a shiny, weaker coverstock bowling ball.
If it’s higher volume (oily), you want a duller, aggressive coverstock bowling ball.
Things to remember when adding a new ball to your arsenal
- Check for proper bowling ball weight
- Make sure each grip feels the same
- Change the surface of the bowling ball
It’s always important to make sure you are using the proper bowling ball weight with any bowling ball. A good gauge is to be around 15mph. If you find yourself regularly dipping down below that it may be time to go down in weight.
Adversely, if you are regularly throwing above 16mph and you are not yet using a 16lb pound bowling ball, it’s time to move up in ball weight. If you are looking to get an exact fit for every one of your bowling balls, consider having your balls drilled with interchangeable thumbs. Remember, you can always make a bowling ball hook earlier or later by adjusting the surface of the ball with an Abralon pad. Don’t hesitate to talk with your pro shop operator about what you’re thinking of doing to get a second opinion.
Lastly, we talked briefly about stronger and weaker bowling balls and their cores. Check out this video on different cores bowling balls have for more information.
It seems that I have a hard time reaching that skid to hook point with my IQ? I am a senior bowler, and I find it hard to get the revs/rpms for consistancy? How do you decide between shiny, Urethane, solid, or Reactive balls? I had to move to a 14lbs, as I ran out of revs by third game?
Hi, I am wondering if I am understanding bowling ball specs correctly. Kindly see the two links below. https://www.stormbowling.com/hustle-ink-bbmrhi10 https://www.stormbowling.com/hustle-pbr-bbmrqs10 Other things being equal will the Hustle PBR break later because of it's 3000 grit compared to the Inks 1500 grit? Thank you. --Joe
I use a 12lb. ball that hooks at the very end of the lane, I am getting many splits! Where should I be standing to start and what arrow should I be looking at? Can you help?
I am 80 yrs old with low ball speed (less than 10). I am in good shape and can get to the pocket on a regular basis. Bowl in Baltimore in a bowl mor house. In general, what type ball would you recommend
I have 2 fingertip balls , one a bit lighter than the other. The lighter one hooks so much I cannot trust it for picking up spares. The heavier one now slips off my fingertips due to arthritis. What is your suggestion I do to continue enjoying the sport?
leave to many 7or10 pins on good locking pocket hits.i'm 95 years in age
Great info, thanks
<strong> Hi I am 67 years old last year i averaged 193 like to get it up higher my ball rev is low. I am right handed don't want to quit my right arm gets tired after 2 games because of basketball injury what can I do and I throw 14 lb. balls
There are a multitude of strong asymmetrical and weak symmetrical balls on the market. The suggestion to move up to 16 lb weight or down in weight if you're exceeding or not hitting 15 mph... it is hard to imagine that the USBC coaches featured in the videos on this website would agree with that.
<strong> Age 72. Left handed using a Vintage Brunswick 12lb. Ball travel 10.78mph. Next day back is sore. What weight ball and type to increase speed and be more comfortable? 10 11lb?