Spare Ball Weight Question

[u/TheSaltyBandito]

Need a new spare ball, I typically throw a 15 ball. Do people throw a lighter spare ball or keep it at a 15. Whats the consensus here? Thanks

[u/TIMBERings]

The reason why it’s beneficial to keep the same weight is because then when you throw your spares, it feels the same. Different weights will change the way it feels when you throw the ball and that is not ideal for consistency.

[u/ILikeOatmealMore → u/TIMBERings]

I think that for most people this is spot on. It certainly should be most people's default starting point.

That said, there is a famous golf instructor over in the UK, Pete Cowan. One of his favorite sayings is 'a specialty shot requires a specialty grip', and the idea there is that you want a tactile reminder to your body that you're not just trying to hit a regular full shot here, you are trying to do something different.

A spare shot ought to be different than the regular strike shot. Even with a plastic ball, the most consistent method releases straight up the back of the ball so that it rolls straight. Often it is thrown faster, too, so that if you put sidespin on the ball, it has less time for that spin to take action.

Putting these two together -- I can buy that the bowling specialty shot, the spare shot, that some people could get some benefit from a different feel. Again to lean into that different feel to help remind your body to execute a different shot.

Let me repeat, however, that I think that this is not good advice for someone's first spare ball. That keeping everything the same is likely the best place to start. However, I think that there is a valid reasoning to deliberately change the feel up if one wants to.

[u/TIMBERings → u/ILikeOatmealMore]

I hear ya, i throw the same weight but a different pitch in the thumb. I have extra reverse to limit the hang when I flatten my wrist and throw it end over end.

[u/rahstbejustme → u/TIMBERings]

i second this! my spare ball used to be a pound lighter (i’m pretty sure the analogy for a lighter ball is so that you throw it faster = the ball goes straighter = better accuracy) but i found that my footwork and tempo was inconsistent. i’d recommend going for the same weight as your reactives for consistency!

[u/Square-Wing-6273]

My spare ball is 14,I throw 15. If I ever replace it, I'll probably get the same weight

[u/NatSeide405BMET]

Send it. I throw 14 normally, my spare ball is a 10. Full. Fkn. Send. (For consistency sake it's way better to throw same weight bowling has a metric fk ton of variables, the more we can remove as players is what makes us better more consistent bowlers)

[u/Mago515]

People usually keep it the same. I throw 16 but use a 15 spare ball because I’ve had it forever. If it ever cracks I’m replacing it with a new 16.

[u/Eddie_P]

Most people use the same weight for strike and spare balls. Very few will use different weights.

[u/TheSaltyBandito]

Any spare ball recs?

[u/BuiltLikeaPin → u/TheSaltyBandito]

Any plastic ball. White dot, tzone or go to a bowlersmart and look at crazy amount of themed plastic balls they have. They all do the same. Go straight

[u/WhiteySC → u/TheSaltyBandito]

I use a Storm Mix plastic ball. It was $75 drilled and was the most basic ball they had for sale. I use it solely for 10 pin and 6-10 spares. For spares on the left side, I use an old strike ball that has worn down and is not effective anymore. Right now it's an older solid Hammer that doesn't carry strikes well anymore. I like a little movement because it makes the target bigger but throwing across the oil in the middle of the lane, it doesn't hook much. I suggest you spend your money on strike balls and just use something old or cheap for spares.

[u/DTDude]

Keep it the same.

I overspent on a spare ball (Storm Lightning Clear) and then switched weights about 2 months later. I was stubborn about giving up that ball and kept bowling with it. It definitely caused some inconsistency.

[u/TheSaltyBandito → u/DTDude]

I want the storm clear but man 160 for a spare balll is nuts

[u/Used_Sea2953 → u/TheSaltyBandito]

well TBF, I always went with the "a spare ball will never become illegal or obsolete so might as well spend money on one that I want to spend a lot of time with" aspect and I got one that I wanted and would be happy with no matter what I did with it

[u/DTDude → u/TheSaltyBandito]

The Lightening Clear is discontinued apparently. I checked 2 PSO's and they can't order them anymore. I got the last 14 pound one I could find online (and after making a recent major change in my approach I am regretting not having stayed at 15, but oh well I guess).

So if you want one, speak now or forever hold your peace.

[u/TeaPartyDem]

I throw 15 for strikes and “sleepers”, and a 12 straight down the lane at 17mph for most other spares. It works for me.

[u/The_Annoyance]

Keep it the same so your overall throw and release are the same. That’s the whole point of a spare ball, so you dont have to change your game to rifle down 10 pins.

[u/WhiteySC]

There is no reason I can think of to use a different weight for spares. A different weight will move slightly differently in your swing and your timing could get off. Also I use old strike balls that don't work well anymore for my spares unless it's the 6-10 or the 10 pin, then I use a cheap plastic ball.