Learning the hook

[canesrock82]

I started bowling again 2 years ago. I avg high 150's. I've bowled a few 200 games but with no consistency.

I throw hard and fast. I want to learn how to throw a hook. I have a entry level ball and want to upgrade. The ball I have now is not made to hook.

So the input I'm looking for is ball recommendations(cost isn't an issue) for the way I bowl. Hard and fast.

I've read a lot of good reviews on the hammer Black widow, but I'm wondering if I should jump to that ball right away or possible learn how to hook with another ball.

Thanks in advance!

[shelley]

What kind of entry-level ball?  It sounds like a plastic ball (Target Zone, Maxim, White/Blue Dot, or Vis-a-ball; those are the big names in plastic) and no, those aren't designed to hook.

If your ball is plastic, moving up to a resin ball drilled with fingertip grips will help you learn to hook.  There are a lot of good entry-level resins out there:

Tropical Storm
Roto-grip's planet line
Ebonite's Element line
Storm's Jolts
Power Grooves
Scouts

The Black Widow is a high-end, high-powered ball.  It's very strong and if you're learning how to hook, will likely be a lot more ball than you know what to do with.  You say you're a high speed, hard throwing guy, but that may (will) change.  You can't throw a ball 20mph and expect it to hook much unless you've got a butt-load of revs.

SH

[canesrock82]

I have a Scout Reactive. It's drilled for me and I have inserts. Not on the thumb, but I'm correcting that. I've formed some bad habits, throw way to hard, and am trying to correct that now. Hence learning how to throw a hook.

I also get the weirdest blister on the inside of my pinky. Haven't figured out how I do that yet.

How do you up the revs? I think that will be easier to learn than slowing down. It's a guy thing.

I also found something very odd the other night I was bowling next to two guys and they were giving me pointers as well. I throw a 16 and they were throwing a 15 and I tried their ball and seemed to have more control and didn't throw as fast. So now I'm questioning if I should be throwing a lighter ball.

At any rate I know I can bowl way better than I have been.

Thanks for the input Shelley!

[canesrock82]

Andy,
The lanes I bowl are medium to heavy oil.

Thanks for the great advice. Agreed on the release point. Until I get that dialed in and actually throw a consistent hook with the ball I have now, I shouldn't upgrade.

Any suggestions as the higher up that you were referring? Knowing I bowl medium/heavy oiled lanes.

[Grayson]

my 0.02 € (Eurocent):

Pick up a mid or low-performance ball and have it drilled for a "stroker" meaning aggressive for few revs... my oppinion
about the weight... you throw a Scout... that ball isn't that strong imho
 And how is it drilled (layout? photo?)... fingertip or conventional

You want to learn to throw a hook?

Do you have someone to show you how to hook the ball? If not it will be a long and hard way (at least it was for me)... maybe you get into the whole thing quicker...

´some good advices are given here:
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm

hook comes from release... here's a Vid of some releases in slowmo:
http://www.bowlingdigital.com/bowling/bld2/824

Wish you the best!
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"Have fun and bowl well!" - Grayson


Check out my Vid in my profile.. just short clips cut together about how I bowled and how I play today

and by the way... I am a "Fritz" a "Jerry"... I am from Germany! (And please don't call me Kraut! Cause then I call you Dumbarse)

Edited on 3/1/2007 3:35 PM

[dizzyfugu]

Do NOT get a new ball, get a COACH as a 1st step to success! Seriously. The money will be better invested, and think about a stronger ball as a next step.

Playing slower and with good timing will not only improve consistency, but also your ball's hook and probably carry potential. I am sure you can improve your average by 20 sticks in the course of 6 months when you get some help to stabilize your game.

Good luck, though!
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
"Put some make-up on your face -  Make this world a better place!"
Kahimi Karie, 'Good morning world'

[canesrock82]

Thanks everyone for there input!

I bowled 3 games last night and did slow down. (Scores weren't great, but I had some nice looking strikes)I'm laying the ball down better, getting revs and the ball is rotating in the right direction , so it's a start. I had a little hook, not much. (I've read on this site the Scout doesn't like oily lanes and both lanes I play are very oily, so it may not just be me. I did read most have better luck from the outside with the scout on oily lanes so I will be giving that a try)

There was league going on so I stood and watched some of the better bowlers. One thing I noticed, and I don't know when I changed this from the beginning lesson I had a couple years ago, I start off with my right leg step first, most right handers start with their left leg step first. Not sure how much that throws you off, but I'm going back to the way I was originally taught.

Slowing down isn't easy, and I've formed some bad habits trying to power the ball instead of letting the ball do it's job.

I appreciate all the advice. I'm really glad I found this site, you guys and girls are AWESOME!

[earmite26]

Where do you bowl?  Some centers have certified coaches, if you have the time this would be worth checking into also.
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VOTE FOR PEDRO

[williewc]

if money isnt an issue id say sign up for a coching course, then you learn the mechanics of throwing and learn all sorts of stuff, plus the coach or whoever is putting on the class can help you pick out a ball for your style

[canesrock82]

quote:Tell us if you do end up purchasing a new ball.

Can I ask what line you usually play with these med-heavy lanes and the scout? (where you start/end up at the line, what board/arrow you aim for)
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Highs of 219/527, avg 165ish, new highs expected pretty soon.

Andy,
I will be buying a new ball. Learning to hook with a ball that wasn't made to hook is kind of silly.

My lines have changed over the last couple of months. Watching the PBA pro's and how they attack the pocket from different angles. I throw straight, so I have moved from the 2nd dot to the middle dot and everything in between. I have gotten the most strikes going middle dot with slight ball movement right at the pocket. I seem to be the king of brooklyn strikes in my league.

I'm focusing more now on revs and getting the ball to roll consistantly with the rev flowing in the same direction. I also did the ball weight test. I can hold my 16lb ball the 10sec with a slight break in my wrist, but it's not easy. I'm going to drop back to a 15 for more control.

I'm looking at the Hammer Hawg Wild and the Hammer Toxic. One is medium/heavy oil and the other is medium oil.

I'm reading up now on pin placement and pap. I'm not sure what layout I would prefer, so it will take time to figure that out as well.

I will be spending a couple more weeks with my Scout and seeing if I can get it to hook some.

[canesrock82]

The Hammer rep replied to my e-mail and told me to go with the black widow.

[chitown]

Make the correct decision and buy a mid-priced ball first.  Choose something like the Raw Hammer Pain or DOOM.  Great performance without the high price.

It would be wise to find a bowling coach and get a lesson or two.  This will help you out big time.
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HAMMER NO MERCY is Un-freaking real!  Using this ball is like cheating!

[cvt01]

3 months ago I took a lesson were I learned the four step approach which I practiced for 2 months then I took a second lesson. By the end of the lesson I was able to throw a hook. It was not a big time hook since the ball was a groove reactive but it was something to start with. Then I practiced this new skill for an other two-three weeks and when I felt comfortable with my delivery I showed it to a highly qulified pro shop owner. He did some magic stuff with a tool I think called armadillo or something and then he recommended three balls. I picked the one with the nicest color and he drilled it to a fingertip grip (the old ball was convetional). Last weekend I bowled a 198 and a 180 game - both are my personal best, previous best was like 160.

My point is: listen to the guys saying GET a coach first. That will help to develop a consistent style so when the pro shop guy (find a skilled one) sees what you are doing he can tell you exactly what type of ball you need and etc

[canesrock82]

I'm getting the hook down. It's a small hook, more on the ball than me. But my ball rotation has improved and I'm getting more strikes consistantly. I'm still learning to slow the ball down and give it time to react to the lane conditions, but it's coming along.

[xrayjay]

IMO, I would spend the money on a coach/lessons if you haven't had a lesson yet before getting a another ball. without the proper technique, or just even the basic fundamentals, it'll be hard to repeat shots - or "hook the ball"

But that's my opinion.