Expert: Chip Aki - 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
As far as power goes, all of the ball companies make 13# bowling balls with the same core dynamics as the heavier weights.  This will give the lighter ball the same roll and hook characteristics.  Going with the lighter weight will affect the hitting power as you are losing mass.  If you pick up some ball speed by going to the lighter ball, the extra speed will make up for some of the loss in mass.  It will not cause you to lose as much hitting power as dropping in weight would have caused back in the 70s and 80s.

Good luck,
Chip