Expert: - 5/22/2008

Question
i averaged 188 with 13 lb equipment last year Will 14 lbs make much difference? If so how? Always?  Also I use a Pro release wrist support. Want to experiment with something else. Any suggestions? THANKS

Answer
Gary
I start customers at about 10 percent of their body weight with their first ball.

If you are 130lbs or less, a 13lber is fine. The core of a lighter ball by it's nature doesn't allow for much benefit. A heavier ball will slow your approach and ball speed some, would that be a problem?

The heaviest weightblock in the business is 7 and a quarter pounds in a 15 lb ball. Quite a ratio of core to cover to total weight.

Many high performance balls have little or no benefit (obviously except for the coverstock) from the core. Many lighter high performance balls have very simple weightblocks (like in plastic balls) in 10, 11, 12, and 13.

Could you handle heavier? Do you need more effect? Have you maxed out your skills, and can't effect a ball any more because you throw very slow or very fast? More weight can throw pins around, but many pros use 15lbers because with their skills, power and speed, pins are thrown around too much and miss pins they should be hitting.

Do you use the wrist support because you need support, or does it help your hand action at delivery? I'll need more background to offer any opinion on your wrist device.

Thanks for the questions.