Who would have thought that there are bowling balls that weigh less than 8 pounds? Today, you can find bowling balls weighing as little as 1 pound and 14 ounces, or 6.35 kilograms.
The lightest bowling ball on the market is the Storm Bowling Ball from Ebonite International, which comes in at 5 pounds and 15 ounces. The ball was created for people who require a lighter ball to throw down the lane due to age or injury.
In this article, we will be analyzing the weights of bowling balls and how they vary according to different characteristics of the ball, such as the model or material.
Weight
The weight of a bowling ball is an essential factor in determining how well you perform in a game. It determines how much effort you need to put into your shot. This can be regulated by modifying your body position when shooting, including the thrower’s shoulder tilt and body rotation.
It will gain more speed when you throw a heavy ball as it slides down the lane due to the friction between the ball and lane surface. The ball then tends to hook more on the lane, which gives you greater control over your throw. This is because greater hooking means that you can reduce the reaction time of your target. However, it can be pretty tricky for you to maintain control over a heavy ball at high speeds compared to a lighter one.
Bowling balls are graded according to the weight they support, which is measured in grains. Whereas a pound contains 454 grams, a grain is equal to 64.79891 milligrams. This means that the difference between the heaviest and lightest ball is approximately 7 grains. If you do not know your units of measurement, using the following conversion table will help you:
1 grain = 0.0648 grams
1 ounce = 28.3495 grams
1 pound = 453.592 grams
Ebonite International, the standard and official ball for the USBC Open Championships, has balls weighing upwards of 18 pounds. The company has been in existence since 1906. It is based in St Louis, Missouri, and specializes in producing professional quality bowling products that are standards for many players worldwide.
A heavier ball will also be able to carry more oil down the lane and therefore be able to hook more effectively.
According to the USBC Open, the heavier a ball is, the more aggressively it will react when going down the lane. This means that you will have greater control over your swing. However, at high speeds, if your ball hooks or slides too much out of control, it can gain momentum, leading to trouble.
What Factors Affect the Weight of a Bowling Ball
According to research, the weight of a ball can be affected by the following characteristics of the ball:
The weight of a bowling ball can be decreased by removing the ball’s core, which is usually made using a polyester resin. Its physical properties include electrical insulation, low thermal conductivity, and high compressive strength.
On average, a polyester resin has a density of 1.06 grams per cubic centimeter. To reduce the ball’s weight, manufacturers will remove as much as 6 grams.
Weight is also reduced by removing the cover and weighting material, usually made using cotton-polyester materials. The properties of these materials include high thermal conductivity, lightness, and insulating properties.
Bowling balls that use a polyester resin will reduce their weight by up to 10 grams compared to the typical polyester balls on the market. This is because polyester resin balls tend to be lighter than the typical polyester balls.
Features of the Ball
One of the most critical factors for your game is your ball. You must be familiar with the features of a ball if you hope to get better at bowling. If you want to improve your skill level, you must know more about all aspects of your bowl. Below is a list of features that you need to be aware of when choosing a ball.
The USBC Open recommends that you check out the following parts of a bowling ball before buying:
Color
Different balls come in different colors, such as red, tan, and bright green. They resemble the color of grass or trees. Your choice can depend on personal preference or the type of lane surface you are bowling on.
Pattern
Balls come in different types of patterns, such as star-pattern and round-pattern. As the name suggests, these patterns are formed by the surface of the ball. A rounded pattern is less likely to hook on the lane, while a star pattern strongly affects the ball when it grips. Hence, if you want to obtain more control over your shot, star pattern balls are better for you to use.
Weight
Weight plays an important factor in how the ball reacts to the lane surface. Generally, the heavier a ball is, the more it will react when going down the lane. This means that you will have greater control over your swing. However, at high speeds, if your ball hooks or slides too much out of control, it can gain momentum, leading to trouble. If you are using a heavy ball, it will be hard to control your reaction time.
Coverstock
The coverstock of the bowl is made of polyester and polyurethane materials. It is available in a variety of colors, such as blue, shiny gold, and red. It can also come with printed designs on the surface. Your choice will depend on your personal preference or the type of lane surface you are bowling on.
Size
A standard size ball for the competition is 9 pounds. With this weight, you can expect to hit your target with greater accuracy. This will allow you to become a more accurate bowler while you are on the lanes.
Core
The ball’s core combines the coverstock and a shell made with a polyester resin and a polyester foam material to make the ball. The core is made by filling one side of the ball with polyester resin and filling the other side with foam.
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Conclusion
Now that you know all about bowling balls, it is time to get out there and start playing. Make sure you choose the ball that suits your skill level so that you can perform well. By choosing the wrong ball, you can do more harm than good. Remember, practice makes perfect! Good luck!