Bowling Spare Ball: Should I Get Lighter?

Bowling Spare Ball: Should I Go Lighter? Pleurisy sets his sights on bowlers for whom shooting spares is a priority but who feel they can’t use a heavier ball. This is the short and sweet answer: the majority of bowlers should use a spare ball with the same weight as their strike ball. While a lighter spare ball can do the trick occasionally, it usually causes timing, feel and accuracy issues.

Try not to ask, “Bowling spare ball should I purchase lighter?, you either have no corner pins while lanes turn to crap or you throw the ball crooked.

That is a common problem. However, the answer is not to just purchase a lighter spare ball.

A standard plastic spare ball to match the weight of their primary strike ball is the best option (for the majority of these ballers). This allows you consistency in your swing, timing, when to release, and your footwork.

Sure a lighter ball might seem easier at the start. At the same time, it could also cause you to pull shots, start rushing your swing, or simply be off with your accuracy.

The wiser thing than running only after comfort. You want a spare ball that supports the repetition of throwing under pressure.

What Is a Bowling Spare Ball?

In general, a spare ball is a plastic or polyester bowling ball which is intended to travel in a more straight line direction than a reactive strike ball.

It assists you with shooting corner pins, single-pin spares, and difficult leaf combinations.

The average seasoned bowler keeps some kind of plastic or urethane spare ball handy because reactive strike balls will over-hook on spares.

In other words, your strike ball angles. Your spare ball creates control.

Is a Bowling Spare Ball Lighter?

In most cases, no.

Your spare ball weight should typically be the same as that of your strike ball.

If you are throwing a 15 pound strike ball, you should also throw a 15 pound spare ball.

This maintains your muscle memory.

Using a lighter spare causes the feel, speed, swing path, and timing.

Why Same Weight Almost Always Works Best

Bowling depends on repeatable motion.

One ball can weigh you down, another can make you feel light, your body will respond accordingly.

You can throw the lighter ball faster without feeling it.

Hence, your release might modify.

If you care about your accuracy in spares, that trade is too bad.

The Problem With Going To Lighter

If the ball is too light – you can be struggling with control.

According to USBC coaching material, when a ball is lighter, a bowler can more easily change the direction of their arm swing during the delivery, which can impact accuracy and ball speed.

That point matters for spares.

You want a smooth, reproducible line.

A non-complicated ball could seem uncomplicated but fly off-target.

When it Makes Sense to Use a Lighter Spare Ball

If you are already throwing a heavy strike ball, a heavier ball is also a reason not to take another heavy ball as a spare.

That said if 16 pounds goes flying out but you lose balance, feel pain or force the swing that would mean less total weight as well.

Well, in such a case, spare ball subtracting is not the only thing that you should do.

Reduce your whole arsenal.

You are still a little less than bits of ego with consistency.

When Your Strike Ball Has Too Much Weight

Many buyers use heavier equipment because he thinks heavier means better.

That is weak thinking.

Proper ball weight should correlate with natural body motion and not pride surfaced at USBC coaching materials.

A slower but heavier ball arcing uses up more time to hit so therefore all this applies if you can throw a lighter ball with more speed it has more energy than a heavier ball thrown slower too.

Therefore, comfort and control matter.

Recommended Weight of Spare Ball for Beginners

Beginners should feel as though they can swing a spare ball naturally.

If you already have a correctly fitted strike ball then use that weight

If you exclusively use house balls, get fitted first.

Why does a drilled ball feel lighter than a house ball? Because it fits your hand.

So weight should not only be evaluated based on house-ball experience.

Maximum Spare Ball Weight for League Bowlers

In league play, bowlers should almost always match spare ball and strike ball weight.

League scoring depends on repetition.

You have to get around a ball that adjusts your timing unwittingly every ten frames.

You throw 14 pounds for strikes, you throw 14 pounds for spares.

That allows your body to have one unbroken pattern of movement.

Spare Ball Weight Recommendation for 2-Handed Bowlers

The same is true for most two-handed bowlers in matching spare ball weight.

Your rev rate could be nearly too high, therefore a plastic spare ball assists with less hook.

But if you go too light you can throw too fast or miss inside.

Use the same weight instead, then flatten out your release.

Well, that gives you control, without forcing you to overhaul your entire motion.

Senior Spare Ball Weight

A suitable pair of bowling shoes for a senior bowler would be comfortable, balanced to the bowler’s body frame and eased on his joints.

Your spare ball has no meaning of light, when it takes over the function of your main ball–your main ball should feel heavy under your hand!

This means that your entire setup may be able to change.

Also a 14 pound strike ball and 14 pound spare ball can be more intelligent than a 15 pound strike ball and 13 pound spare ball.

Consistency still wins.

Most Recommended Spare Ball Weight For Youth Bowlers

Youth bowlers require weight for proper technique, not maximum weight.

Too-heavy balls can hurt mechanics.

Using a ball that is too soft produces erratic swings.

USBC coaching instructions say that both balls that are too heavy and too light can negatively impact delivery.

This is why young bowlers should always be fitted by a coach or pro shop.

Does a spare ball that is lighter deliver more of a straight line?

Not automatically.

Higher ball speed with a lighter ball, but coverstock becomes more important.

The low-friction line of the plastic ball means they will go straighter on the lanes.

If your spare ball hooks too much, that could be a surface, release, or ball type problem.

Do not blame weight first.

Comparing a Plastic Spare Ball with a Reactive Ball

Shooting Straight – A plastic spare ball is often ideal for shooting straight.

The lane is much more responsive to reactive balls.

Consequently, they may hook off the corner pins.

Bowling. According to com, reactive balls that are right for strikes can over-hook or end up very different than actual conditions by the time the 10th frame comes due to the lane through multiple bowler games.

And that is why plastic is sought.

Just Like Your Heavy Hitters, Should Your Spare Ball Be Drilled the Same?

Yes, in most cases.

Your spare ball should be the same as your strike ball minus your hand.

All those aspects should match as closely as possible, including grip, span, pitches and thumb feel.

The release could change if the spare ball feels odd.

Since it makes it completely pointless to use a control ball.

Alternatively, It Can Be 10-Pin and 7-Pin Spares

Expose weak spare systems quickly with corner pins.

The 10 Pin… for a RIGHT-HANDED bowler (basically, it is our nemesis).

That’s why left handed bowlers often find the 7 pin to be the toughest.

A poorly aligned ball can not be fixed with a lighter ball.

The key is that instead of trying to throw a curve, you throw a straight plastic ball, adjust your foot position, and repeat a single clean spare routine.

How to Throw the Spare Ball: Is Harder Better?

Others throw their spares a little harder.

That can help reduce the hook.

But “harder” does not necessarily mean crazier.

You still need to put your feet together, be on target, and not fall over every time you finish.

If too much speed hampers precision then it is not helping.

When Is Your Spare Ball Too Light

If you are pulling shots frequently, your spare ball may be too light.

And, while riding down the swing you may feel rushed at the bottom.

Another sign is inconsistent speed.

You can also miss the target left and right for an incomplete way of arm swing.

In other words, that ball is probably not aiding your spare game.

How You Know If Your Spare Ball Is Too Much Weight

If your shoulder, wrist or elbow hurts this could be too heavy and possibly be a spare ball.

Early on [-0.03, 0.02], you may also fumble or volley

Also, your speed may slow down too much.

If you tighten up before release, the ball’s probably too much for you.

Some of this can also be solved with a good fit.

What Most Bowlers Should Do

Every bowler should buy a plastic spare ball that is the same weight as their strike ball.

That is the boring answer.

However, boring is often correct.

Forget drama for a spare game, it requires repeatability.

Build a spare system unless you want a route through with a better score here.

Should my spare ball be weaker than my strike ball?

Usually, no. Your spare ball should usually weigh the same as your strike ball. It maintains the same timing, swing and release. A lighter spare ball may seem more manageable, but can do harm to accuracy if it alters your natural motion.

It is perfectly fine if your spare ball weighs 14 pounds and your strike ball weighs 15 pounds.

This can work, but as you can imagine, it isn’t the best option for the majority of bowlers. That one-pound difference could change the way your swing feels and when you time your swing. If your entire 15 pound going strike ball is a little heavy transitioned, all of the systems are 14 instead of jeddah pounds.

What kind of bowling ball is best for spares?

For s take a chalk or polyester bowling ball. It is more completely straight than a reactive strike ball and will help reduce over-hook. This allows you to shoot corner pins and simple spare leaves much easier.

Spares with Strike Ball Are they allowed?

Yes but tougher for countless bowlers. Reactive balls will skid too far, specifically on drier lanes. Many seasoned bowlers prefer to use a plastic spare ball to shoot straighter, more predictable spares.

How much spare ball should I buy?

If that weight is fine, then buy the same weight as your primary gun. If you are experiencing pain, balance issues or forced movements with your current ball, reduce the weight of all your bowling balls instead. Avoid sculpting the perfect mismatched setup for no reason.

Conclusion

So which bowling spare ball should I get lighter? Well, for most of the bowlers, the answer is No.

Buy a ball with the same weight as your strike ball. Select the plastic or polyester, if you wish to go straighter. You are working from the data until October 2023.

Having a spare ball you use is only sensible if your bowling weight is overall too heavy.

Well, the uncomfortable truth is this: when we miss a spare, it is usually due to poor alignment, poor release control, or improper equipment fit. Those problems will not be solved by a lighter ball.