Select The Right Weight Bowling Ball
bowlingball.com,
Originally Posted: 10/2/2012; Updated: 8/28/2021If you are a new bowler, learning how to
select the right weight bowling ball is key to making
consistent deliveries and especially important when you are first starting out in the game.
When you arrive at the local bowling center and and prepare to bowl, you will need to know how to
select the right weight bowling ball and one that feels comfortable to handle when bowling. Keep in mind that all of the “house balls” provided courtesy of the bowling center are drilled at random for the general public and may not come very close to fitting your hand and gripping fingers.
House balls typically range in weight from 6 lbs to 16 lbs maximum weight, are labeled for total weight, but might not come close to the precise weight if placed on a scale. The lighter weight bowling balls, 6, 8, and 10 lbs, are intended for use by children. Teenagers might use 11, 12, 13, or 14 lbs. depending on their strength and hand sizes.
A “rule of thumb” for the
kids bowling balls is that they should start by choosing a ball weight that matches their age - a 6 lb. ball for a 6 or 7 years old, a 10 lb ball for a 10 or 11 year old youngster, and so on. Slight adjustments in weight selection might be necessary but this is a good guide to follow for kids bowling for the first time.
Senior bowlers will use lighter weight
bowling balls ranging from 10 lbs upward. Depending on a senior bowler’s hand flexibility and strength, the heaviest weight ball which can be handled comfortably should be used to maximize bowling pin action.
Adult bowlers should begin by choosing no less than a 14 lb. bowling ball, if possible. Taking advantage of a near full weight, or full weight bowling ball will help the adult player control the ball and benefit from solid impact with the bowling pins.
One thing all new bowlers, regardless of age, need to know is that being fitted and measured for your own bowling ball will help you improve in the game.
Having a ball that properly fits your hand and has the gripping holes contoured and shaped specifically for your fingers is a big step in learning to bowl.
Accuracy in delivering the ball is key to good bowling scores and owning your own bowling ball, professionally fitted to your hand, makes all the difference.
Once you have made up your mind to get a new bowling ball, the best way to begin the process is to consult with an experienced pro shop professional. You may be asked to bowl with a particular weight house ball so the pro shop pro can evaluate your ability to handle various weight
bowling balls.
Once you select a weight, keep in mind that your new ball will actually feel lighter to you than does a house ball because the new ball will be fitted perfectly to your hand and gripping fingers.
An important bit of information about using your own bowling ball: Our staff at
bowlingball.com wishes to point out that using your own bowling ball is also a safety issue. Using a house ball might causes skin irritation, chaffing, breaking of your skin, or possible injury to your hand and bowling arm if the ball does not come close to fitting you properly. You will undoubtedly have to force the release in some way when using a house ball not fitted for your hand. Why risk injury? Get your own bowling ball.
Since you will not have to squeeze your new ball to hold it comfortably, you will not have to do anything but allow the ball to flow smoothly off of your hand when you bowl.
If you find yourself taking to the game, then by all means invest in your own bowling ball. You will enjoy having your own ball to use when taking to the lanes and you will certainly enjoy getting good bowling scores.
Selecting the right weight bowling ball begins by consulting your pro shop professional and then by investing in a new bowling ball so you are properly fitted.
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bowlingball.com.
