In most cases, males use weights that range from 12-16 lbs., while females use weights ranging from 10-14 lbs. For children, the rule is to choose a ball weighing 1 lb, per their age. Therefore, if your child is 9 years old, they would probably use a 9 lb. bowling ball. However, also take into consideration your child's gender and physical condition.
General Guidelines for Picking Bowling Balls
When you go to a bowling alley, selecting the right ball weight to use is one of the most common concerns that many people face. You should take your time and think carefully before picking a ball or as around for assistance.
Some people love impressing their friends by picking a 10 lb. ball and throwing it at unbelievable trajectories or speed towards the pins. Not only is this potentially hazardous but it is also disrespectful to the bowling center. Any ball that you can hurl at such speeds is probably too light. While you may get a few strikes, often the ball is not heavy enough to knock down all the pins consistently.
On the other hand, you should not pick up the heaviest ball on the rack just to impress your friends with your brute strength. Bowling is a beautiful sport that needs precision and consistency to become good. Moreover, throwing heavy bowling balls can cause serious injury or discomfort.
How Heavy Should you Go
Your ideal bowling ball weight should be the heaviest ball that you can comfortably throw throughout your session. If you are using a 14 lb. ball but later get tired or sore, then you need to switch to a lighter ball. Conversely, if you can throw a 12 lb. ball with ease you need a heavier ball.
You need force to knock down pins. This means that you need the heaviest ball you can throw comfortably at the right speed to gather the force required to knock down the pins. However, if you cannot throw the ball with any speed you risk cancelling out it's weight.
To learn more about bowling alley's and facilities, contact US Bowling at 909-548-0644.
