Just wondering, is it a bad thing to switch weights between bowling balls? Currently, I have two 15# balls in my arsenal. The black widow solid and the black label (Pilot). I've been noticing that I can't comfortably hold them properly, and it's not because of fitting. The Pro Shop said that the drilling was fine. I'm beginning to think that I should move down a pound to a 14# ball. But before I dump money into a new ball, I just want to make sure that it's the right choice.

Also, I heard that since the cores and cover stock is the same between 14 and 15 pound balls, there shouldn't be a big difference of deflection. Is this true?

And is there a ball that anyone would recommend that would complement my Widow and Label?

Thanks a lot.

There will be more deflection, unless you increase revs and ball speed with the drop in weight. If everything stays the same...you will see deflection.

Erin

The Pro Shop might be saying they are drill properly, but that doesn't mean they are fitted correctly. Some pro shops believe a stretched span with lots of reverse pitch in the thumb hole is correct and will rarely admit that they did it wrong. Have you tried to get a second opinion from another shop? You can actually do a basic check to see if your span is correct or even close. Put your thumb in the thumb hole and with your hand totally relaxed lay it across the ball with your fingers across the finger holes. If the leading edge is not at the halfway point between the first and second knuckle the span isn't correct. If its closer to the first knuckle (closer to the finger tip) then its too long, if its closer to the second knuckle it could be too short. Also if with your fingers and thumb fully in the ball and your fingernails press against the back of the finger holes/inserts the span is too long.

As for the difference between 14 and 15 pounds, well I'll let my signature speak for me. I use that weight because it puts less stress on my wrist and hand because I have a job that I need to requires me not to have pain in that area.

I was going to pretty say the same thing that Atochabsh and infernocal said. You'll see morre deflection but it lowered weight of the ball will relieve some of the tension issues if that is the problem. The transition will be a little weird but it's doable. I throw 16 pound balls and then a 15 pound spare ball. It is definately strange but doable.

I am confused. How can your ball be drilled properly, but it doesn't fit? If you get a new ball, and they drill it the same, the new one won't fit.

Where is the non-fit? Fingers? Back of hand? Wrist? Thumb? Need more info.

Dennis....the main problem that beginner to intermediate bowlers have to fight is that they do not KNOW what a proper fit feels like. They cannot give back constructive feedback to the driller when asked questions. The driller has to be able to spend time with you if you are in this type of situation. And the problem with that is, that if you bring them an internet ball that is already configured to be a challenge to drill, its very limiting in what can be done and time intensive that will not be gained back by the driller's effort. So at this point you are dependant on the driller. If the driller cannot expertly copy good fitting balls (and most cannot) then there's no sense in copying an existing ball. But at the end of the day, the driller is at the mercy of the bowler......" the ball feels good, the ball feels bad". We can only go on the feedback we get. And we have to adjust the ball so that the customer feels that it fits good. We cannot totally change a bowlers game for the fit. Nearly 100% of customers do not have the time or desire to go into intensive fitting. We have a repetroir of questions that hopefully gets the most out of the customer, but there's always more. Its like pulling teeth with most people. Most customers come in totally uneducated. They want to be fitted up, comfortable and out on the lanes. They do not have the time, the inclination or the desire to search our precis fits, nor would they know one when they felt it. They have no inclination towards lessons and if you suggest it, they usually get this blank look in their face. Now you've totally overloaded them on information on an activity that they just wanted to "get a ball and bowl". Every once in a while you get one or two that catch on and ask productive questions like "how am I supposed to hold the ball", "is it supposed to feel like X...." When you find those customers, then you can invest the time. The main problem is that most are the "just get me out on the lanes" type of customer and you can hopefully implant a seed that is laying out there in the dust drying out, but maybe, just maybe it will catch a bit of interest and start growing.

You can engage a coach. That coach should be able to evaluate your fit and start working on the aspects of your game most readily fixable. If you do not engage a coach then the process is much longer.

Erin