Hook bowling

[Zeon]

Got my first proper bowling ball last friday, was just wondering how long it took you guys to get "good" at hook bowling. I don't mean averaging around 200, but around the 140 - 160 mark. So far bowled 11 games with it, averaged around 90, i'm not too upset with that, getting used to it and all...but i also don't think its too great. Basically I want someone to tell me that for a new ball and new technique, scoring badly ain;t the end of the world

Cheers

[Re-Evolution]

Don't get discouraged it will come to you.
I suggest you find someone that can help you learn the proper technique to hooking the ball.

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STORM TRACK
 
formerly : Stormin1

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[Zeon]

I'm not bothered that i'm scoring "badly" at the moment, it is all in the practice, Just wanted to know if a drop of about 40 in my average was normal!!

[dizzyfugu]

Hmmm, dropping 40 IS a lot, but I think it is just a snapshot, "New-Ballitis" and anxiety will be influentual. A girlfriend of mine just got her first fingertip ball some days ago. and beforehand she easily played a 130 on oily boards with her conventional polyester ball. With the first steps towards fingertip this dropped to a mere 112 - but it was with a completely different technique and ball.

I do not think that you should be worried. Give it time and practice to get used to the new ball.

Gut Holz!
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany

"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

[born1]

First of off I have no clue of your age, get some lessons even it is a youth coach at your center, some are even certified. The ones at our center charge very little. They can get you started just in the basics.

 Watch some of the better bowlers at your center and ask questions. Most of them will be helpful if you want to improve your game.

So what kind of ball did you get?


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prescriptionally sane

[T Brockette]

I know that just about everytime I try something new like
a different release, or maybe different approach, at
first my scores usually go down. Hang in there, keep
praticing and I would also suggest some coaching.
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Tracy
GO COWBOYS / NEXT YEAR

[Zeon]

Well i'm 20, only been bowling since September. As far as i am aware there are no coaches around, so far i've been learning purely by vidoes i've seen on the internet.

I got a Brunswick red/black monster

[dizzyfugu]

When you only have been playing since September you shouldn't worry about your average and your style. It is just a 2 month's time!

A good release is based on routine and relaxation (except for hard core crankers, O.K.) - and a comfortable feeling. Take your time and start out with a release you feel comfortable with. Some books are great help, too, I got a trainer book from amazon which focusses an bowling basics, and it helped me well to improve my personal style. But this takes time.

Another great asset is either a trainer or a good bowler at your local alley. You should ask either the proprietor if he or she can recommend somebody, or simply ask a player if he or she could take a look at your COMPLETE approach.
It should be fluid and comfortable.

I can confirm that this has helped me improve my release considerably, and I have only been playing fingertip since February. My average increased since then by 60-80 pins (depending on the lane i play), and I have been testing out  several balls and manufacturers.

The Red/Black Monster should work on light oil. Hope that this ball fits your regular oil pattern? If not, starting out with a hook is really disappointing (too much oil), since the ball will slide too much and you might doubt your release without reason

Keep it up! And try to be patient.
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany

"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

[janderson]

As others have said, it is a good idea to learn a proper technique when learning to hook the ball.

When working with newer bowlers who want to improve, I generally stress good fundamentals (Grip, Swing, Footwork, Release, Follow-through, etc).  They can (and should IMO) be well learned before learning to throw a hook.  Indeed, many bowlers throw fundamentals out the window when trying to generate a hook and it ends up hurting their overall game.

A good coach is invaluable regardless of your skill level.  Where are you? It is likely someone from here would be able to recommend a good coach in your area.

As for a drop in scores - any time you make a change to a major part of your game, such as the release, you can and should expect a drop in scores.  Don't get discouraged!  Keep to your belief that the change will help your game in the long run - or don't make the change in the first place

Good luck!
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Kill the back row (or maybe this should read "make your spares, dummy")

[Zeon]

Thanks Guys... went bowling today with a mate of mine who is good with a hook ball, his coach was there and gave me afew pointers... on a side note the lanes were much oiler at this centre than my normal one, and i noticed a considerable lack of movement from the ball. Got my best score with my new ball tho, a 145, which I was happy with!!

I'm based in the UK by the way!