New guy needs help

[robwcormack]

Ok, I just bought my first ball. I got what I have read is a good ball, the Brunswick Aura Mystic 14 lbs. Actually, it's my 2nd ball. I bought a dv8 misfit pearl that is too light (12 lbs). I had it drilled relaxed fingertip which I've never used and I can not seem to get any sort of hook release at all figured out after 4 long days at the lanes and the best I can seem to bowl is like 80-85. With house balls and conventional grip I was averaging 160-180. I'm thinking I probably need to get this aura drilled conventional and work more on my fundamentals before I jump to a new grip, but I'd also like to try to learn to hook the ball. I know I can plug and re drill fingertip after my fundamentals are more sound, and I know it is possible to hook with conventional although not as well. My question is, if I go conventional is there a better way of having it drilled other than the pro shop guy just measuring me and making some holes that would help me develop a hook release? I don't know anything about PAP or pitch or anything, so I'm coming to you guys for help. The pro shop guy that drilled my dv8 said since I had never had that grip or my own ball before that there's no need to worry with any of that because basically I don't know what I'm doing. Thanks for any help or advice u have.

[Ken De Beasto]

Are you throwing a hook with the conventional grip? Or straight ball. And 12 lb to 14 is big difference. It could be your throwing the 12 lb way to fast cuz its pretty light thus killing any hook potential because too much speed.

[robwcormack]

I'm not throwing a hook conventional.  Wanting to learn.  I've gotten a little coaching in a beginner "learn to bowl better" class that started last week.  He said I'm throwing awfully fast and to try to slow down and relax.  I'm also squeezing and can't seem to make myself stop.  I do have a wrist brace but that hasn't seemed to have made any difference. 

When I throw the dv8 it doesn't look like there's any revs, so that's why I'm guessing release issue.

[Ken De Beasto]

Yeai figured it be hard for your to hook a 12 lb ball because you would be throwing that sucker pretty fast. The wrist brace doesn't really help you hook the ball it just helps you hold your wrist in a certain position. Yea if your squeezing your ball with your thumb it would be even harder to hook the ball because your thumb should leave the ball first then followed by your fingers lifting the grips thus causing revolutions on the ball. Squeezing kinda just adds more speed cuz your forcing the ball to go.

[UpstateProShopChris]

I would suggest you continue to seek out good coaching and instruction in your area.  It sounds like you may be trying to learn and make too many changes at once.  Your mind can only process so much at one time before everything just becomes a jumbled mess. I usually tell my students to focus on one or two key things at a time for that reason.   Your muscle memory also can take quite a while to reprogram.   Try not to get too frustrated if you don't learn how to rotate a ball properly in a short period of time.  It can take a while.  A good coach can help you evaluate your problems and fix them step by step far better than we can without knowing your game. Let us know if there is some other way we can help.

[robwcormack]

What about as far as drilling though.  if I go conventional is there a better way of having it drilled other than the pro shop guy just measuring me and making some holes that would help me develop a hook release?  Like in relation to the pin or anything?

[itsallaboutme]

No.  You need to develop some solid fundamentals before you worry about the layout of the ball.  The layout of the ball can only help what you do to it.  The ball can't hook unless you rotate it in the proper direction.

[tuckinfenpin]

Rob - I agree with Chris about coaching.
Now to your drilling question and how I suggest you address it.

Many pro shops also offer coaching. What I would do is find the best coach/shop in your area, usually they are one and the same shop. Call them up and talk to them. Tell them you want to improve your game, and also have a ball that needs drilled. A good shop will want to watch you prior to drilling your equipment anyway.

I would not worry one bit about pin placement, PAP, or anything else, that is what you are paying your pro shop for. Once you get a few lessons, learn your style and so forth, then worry about what you want the ball to do and the placement of the pin.

I've been bowling for quite some time, I never worry about pin placement, the pro shop operator is the expert at that, not me. When I fell I need a certain type of reaction, I ask the pro shop what I am looking for, then they recommend me a ball and punch it up. Sometimes I get pin up over ring, pin up over middle finger, pin down under ring, pin in ring...........

The shop I go to offers a free lesson for premium balls purchased there.

Good luck and the aurora mystic is a good ball IMO.

[Azaelv]

Rob, i have been in the same spot as you, I bowled only with 2 fingers for a year with an average of 178, problem was that i could throw 240 and next game 140 lol, asked for some lessons.

My coach, former Wichita State Champion made emphasis on my approach, nothing else than my approach, have good fundamentals so then we can move on with release, hook, hand position bla bla bla and drilling specs, so  IMO since I've been in the same situation as you, get good fundamentals, your game will drastically improve by just doing that, for me it was a full transition and start ALL OVER again, now im in the high 160s in 6 lessons, plus I do my homework.

P.s. it might take a while! im not a patience guy, but trust me, its worth it!