Expert: - 9/2/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have been doing a good deal of research on upgrading my current ball. I currently use a Brunswick power groove reactive that is actually about a pound lighter than I think I should be using. It is actually a mere 11# and I can handle a 12# no problem. I only weigh about 125 lbs anyway though. The ball I am interested in is the Brunswick twisted fury but I have found that the asymmetrical torsion core is only in the 14-16 lb balls. I don't know if I am capable of handling a 14 lb ball to get the actual torsion core and yet I'm worried that a 12 lb. ball with a generic core won't get the added affects that the torsion core is meant for in the first place, which is mainly what I am interested in to begin with. So in the case that I am physically required to go with a 12 lb. ball or possibly 13, thus getting the generic core, would my ball still have the abilities that the 14 lb would grant me or would the lighter ball be far less reactive still?

ANSWER: Shawn,
High tech balls don't have much inside when you get down below 14lbs (sometimes making them too costly for the effect they can provide).

If you want performance in the core, lighter balls don't give you much, I think because they expect the player is smaller in stature (woman, or kid, or older bowler) and the speed the ball is thrown (typically slower in lighter balls) needs to get a minimal amount of skid down the lane. A strong core in a 12 lb ball might get it hooking too much or too early when only thrown 10, 12, 14 mph.

Your Power Groove is an exceptional ball for the money, how much does it hook? how much can you hook a ball (plastic)? How much more are you looking for?

Follow this link to specific info about the core in all the Twisted Fury balls down to 12lbs: http://www.brunswickbowling.com/uploads/eP/Pg/ePPg5ce2C6BRf-917YmH-Q/Fury-Twiste (look at the bottom of page 2 for examples of all the core shapes). The shape in 13 and 12 isn't bad.

Back to your desire, what are you looking for?

Thanks for the questions.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the answer and it truly does help. The only thing left I am puzzled by is whether or not the 12 lb. twisted fury will still achieve results similar to that of the 14 lb. twisted fury. The ball I have now I do like but I would like a bit more of an aggressive hook towards the pins nearing the end of the lane. My choice to upgrade my power groove is based mainly on my desire for a greater hook potential and back end reaction. Also, the grip on my power groove fits surprisingly well with my father's, who also took up bowling alongside me. We put our heads together and decided that considering the minor adjustments needed on the power groove could be made to fit his grip and I would in turn purchase a more aggressively hooking ball.  My problem lies in whether or not I am capable of handling a 14 lb. ball in which case I would upgrade to the 14 lb. twisted fury, or I would happily stick with a 12 lb. twisted fury in the case that 14 was too much, but obviously hoping that the 12 lb twisted fury would still react quite similarly to that of the 14 twisted fury. So my follow up question is simply, whether or not the generic cored 12# twisted fury would react similar to that of what the twisted fury is said to do, or would the only way to get the benefits the twisted fury possesses be to use a 14# with the actual torsion core?

Answer
Shawn,
The web link I included showed the core in the 12lb Twisted Fury. While the 14lb core is different, the majority of effect is from the additional two pounds of ball weight.

How you use a bowling ball (you impart lift, turn, rotation) provides most of the effect.

Establish where you want to be with the weight of your bowling equipment. The Torsion Core provides some benefit, but the red/blue Avalanche has the same coverstock as your Power Groove. Not knowing anything about your game, speed, rev rate, etc. would the cover effect your consistency more than the core?

A Power Groove vs an Avalanche vs a Twisted Fury. I expect if you threw a 12lb Power Groove, 12 lb Avalanche, 12 lb Twisted Fury and 14 lb Twisted Fury, you'd find benefits in each ball. Not knowing what you want other than more backend hook, they all could provide that.

If you can't hit a golf ball, a $1,000 driver, won't help. If you can't throw a bowling ball, the most expensive one won't do much more than a basic one.