Expert: - 9/20/2009

Question
I am a 60+ year old right hander throwing 14# bowling balls from high end Brunswick, Roto Cell and Ebonite balls with a 215 ave and ball speed of 15.5, standing in the middle and throwing to 3 to 5 board at arrows.  Is there and 13# balls out there that still have the power of a 14# or 15# ball?

Answer
Scotty,
I don't know of any 13# balls that have the same core dynamics of their 14# or 15# big brothers.

The loss of a pound limits the weight and type of cores in lighter balls. The 13# is typically outfitted with a different core than the #14 ball from the same maker.

When ball speed is reduced the bowler has more time for the ball to do what they need it to do. So, often stronger cores might roll to soon or too strongly. So if ball speed is slower (as you age, if your a little kid or a smaller woman) more core isn't needed (as much).

Dropping your ball weight might up your ball speed and rev rate, so while you won't have as strong a ball (core), you may still have an effective entry angle and more energy transferred to the pins.  Let me know if you try it and how it shakes out. Thanks for the question.