Before you ask how much weight is too light for a bowling ball, tell me, how old are you? How much do you weigh? Are you a beginner? The reason these factors are important is that your bowling ball weight is standardized based on a bowler’s weight, bowling skills, and age. You can’t just grab any bowling ball of your choice. So if you try to bowl with a 12 or 13-pound bowling ball, will that be appropriate? Is a 12 or 13-pound bowling ball too light? I have all the answers you need.
Is a 12 or 13 pound bowling ball too light?
Technically, a 12 or 13-pound bowling ball is light. But not if you’re a 10-year-old kid. They are only considered light by grown-ups and experienced league or professional bowlers. Contrarily a 12 or 13-pound bowling ball may seem heavy if you weigh less than 100 pounds. So there’s no right or wrong answer. It all comes down to the bowler’s weight, age, physical ability, and bowling skills.
What pound bowling balls are considered light?
Generally, standard bowling ball weight ranges from 6-pound to 16-pound. Any of these sizes may be suitable for you. Bowling balls that are made of plastic are the lighter ones, starting from 6 pounds. Moderately heavy or the heaviest ones are made of urethane, reactive, and other bowling balls that can weigh up to 16 pounds.
Most popular brands offer balls from 10 to 16 lbs. Based on the ball weight, the price point is set by these leading manufacturers. Usually, lighter bowling balls are cheaper in price. So if you are playing to buy that weighs less than 14 lbs, you might find them at a great deal.
Who are eligible to use light bowling ball?
So apart from being a young bowler, what are some of the other factors that make you eligible to use a lightweight bowling ball? The best way to find that out is by performing an easy calculation using the universal bowling ball weight calculator.
The standard bowling ball weight = 10% of a bowler’s body weight + 1
As the formula suggests, the calculation is going to be straightforward. Once you know your body weight calculate what will be the 10% of that number. What to do next? Simply, add 1 with that calculated number (10% of your body weight). And, there you are! The final number is your standard bowling ball weight. With this calculation, you can tell whether a 12 or 13-pound bowling ball is right for you.
Let’s consider that you weigh 110 lbs.
Now, what is 10% of 110?
The calculated number is 11.
Now, add 1 with 11 and you will get 12.
So your ideal bowling ball weight will be 12 lbs.
Now, what if you weigh 130 lbs? What would be your standard bowling ball weight?
Well, 10% of 130 is 13.
And, 13+1 = 14.
So a 14-pound bowling ball is just what you want. A 12 or 13-pound bowling ball will be too light for you. However, if you feel any kind of discomfort with your 14-pound bowling ball, you can go a size down and bowl with a 13-pound bowling ball which seems more comfortable as you bowl.
Now, if you are a 160 lbs adult and decide to use a 12 lbs bowling ball, what do you think will happen? Well, be ready to be disappointed with your shots. Most of your shots will be jeopardized and forget about seeing desired ball action, or back-to-back strikes. So for a case like this, a 12 or 13-pound ball will be too light to play with.
Who else is eligible to bowl with a lighter bowling ball? First of all, beginners. As a new bowler, you should never opt for heavier bowling balls as they will cause you a great deal of pain. On top of that, it can cause serious injuries to your physique.
Then comes the disabled bowlers. If you have a disabled bowler in your league, you will notice that the person uses a lighter bowling ball. Based on the kind of disability the ball weight varies. For example, if the disability is on the non-dominant hand then a lighter bowling ball may not be a problem. However, if the bowler is temporarily or non-temporarily disabled in the dominant hand, then a lighter bowling ball is definitely something the bowler need.
Age is another important factor to consider. Besides teen or preteen bowlers, older bowlers may also be eligible to use a 12 or 13-pound bowling ball. If you are a pro bowler in your adult days, you may be eligible for a lighter ball in your older days. Physical condition, strength, etc should be considered when selecting the bowling ball weight.
Conclusion
So there you go, my favorite bowlers! Many of you think bowling ball weight is up to a bowler’s preference. But that’s not the case! The abovementioned factors will determine your true bowling ball weight. The numerical calculation will somewhat help you. You will know whether a 12 or 13-pound ball is light, right, or heavy for you. However, going to a local bowling center and trying out different ball weights would be wise. This will give you the optimum bowling ball weight. Your ball being too heavy or too light is unacceptable. Good luck and see you later!
Passionate Bowler and Bowling Enthusiast
Jess Pinelli is a dedicated bowling enthusiast with a deep love for the sport that spans over 6 years. With numerous strikes, spares, and a few gutter balls under hes belt, he has honed his skills on lanes across the country. Pinelli’s journey in the world of bowling has been a remarkable one, from casual weekend games with friends to competitive league play and even a few local tournaments.
Driven by her passion for the game, Pinelli decided to channel her expertise and knowledge into the digital realm, becoming a prolific author on this bowling website. She’s your go-to source for everything bowling-related, from mastering the perfect hook to choosing the right bowling ball and even navigating the world of bowling etiquette.
When she’s not busy writing informative articles or reviewing the latest bowling gear, you’ll likely find Pinellis at her favorite local bowling alley, helping newcomers improve their game or enjoying some friendly competition with fellow bowlers. She firmly believes that bowling is not just a game but a community, and she’s committed to fostering that sense of camaraderie both online and offline.
