Increase Bowling speed?

Question

I'm bowling a straight ball and a plastic 12 lb ball and I'm not getting a whole lot of pin action or speed .. if I bump up to say, a 14 or so.. would there be any appreciable pin action increase?

Answer 1

I would simply hold your bowling ball higher at address, which is right before you take your first step on the approach towards the foul line. This will increase your ball speed after delivery.

Aim at an angle from the right side towards between the 2nd and 3rd arrows and go straight into the pocket. If your bowling ball goes basically straight through, it will cause deflection. Going into the pocket at an angle will lessen splits and deflection.

No need to purchase any expensive bowling equipment or newfangled coverstock balls, I can easily make my Brunswick Zone plastic spare ball react on a dry lane the same as my Radical Inferno on an oily lane.

Answer 2

Bumping up to a 14lb ball will not necessarily get you more pin action. I've bowled with 10, 12 and 14lb and can bowl a good game with any of them. But definitely dump the plastic ball. While you don't have to invest a lot of money in a good ball, if bowling is only for entertainment value. However, if you plan on applying/advancing your skills in professional tournaments, then you should get a more expensive ball. A Rhino was a high end bowling ball, when I was team bowling. I don't know what the better brands are now.
A lot depends on the lanes (oily or slightly dry), arm/wrist movement, stance, and where you're hitting the pocket.
Hitting the 1-3 pocket you're more likely to get a better reaction from the pins. Hitting it straight on, will most likely get you a split.
Try different positions/distances from the foul line, turn your wrist inwards and go for spin action. Throwing your ball harder for speed will not always get the desired result.
The best thing to do is practice, practice, practice.

Answer 3

First of all if you throw a straight ball, there is no reason to buy an expensive ball, plastic will work just fine. Going to a 14# ball will definitly help as the ball will deflect less and you will get more ball speed. If you are right hander aim for the 1-3 pocket from the outside boards, if left handed aime for the 1-2 pocket. Coming in from the outside will lessen your chances of getting splits. speeding up your approach will increase your ball speed, but will also affect the accuracy of your shot, you will just have to practice to find that happy medium.

Answer 4

Possibly there would be more deflectrion. Get rid of the plastic ball. They are for kids and ten pins, not for throwing strikes. Go to the pro shop and find a mid-range reactive resin ball. I prefer Ebonite balls. Gett it drilled finger tip with about five eights side. And yes go for the fourteen if you think you can throw it. I carry a 200 average if you would like to talk about more. Go ahead and send me an IM

Answer 5

same here i use a 15# myself and i can increase the speed of my ball of making simple adjustments....you need a heavier ball to get more pin action ask your pro shop if they have any good used reactive resin balls, if you cant afford to get a new one that is but it is well worth the investment it is sort of hard to explain but i increase my ball sped by holding my ball higher than i usually do on my push away..i do the opposite if i need to decrease my ball speed i also have been carrying avgs of over 200 for the past 10 years

Answer 6

yea, the heavier the ball, the increase in pin action. I also use a 12, and a faster approach helped my bowling... i just like walk faster... it helps