I have not been bowling for that long, i started about 3 months ago with a lanehawk plastic ball that i got free from a class. Then i started to get the hook motion down, and decided i needed a new ball.
I had just joined a league at the alleys, and they were offering a discount on either the columbia hyde or jekyll. The dude at the shop who is a pro, said that for beginning bowlers, the hyde is sometimes difficult to control, and i should opt for the jekyll. I got this ball, and instantly fell in love with it. I have a medium to fast speed on my shot, and I get medium revs. This ball has a very smooth, looping hook, and it hits hard through the pocket. It likes to work on dry backends, because it gets a little surge of hook if it is dry. However, if the lane is flooded, then this ball can be hard to hook unless you throw it completely down the side of the lane, which I have never liked as a shot. Now that i am getting a better hook on the ball, I think i will purchase the hyde, as i am ready for the stronger hook.
-Happy Bowlin Ya'll