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Author Topic: Do you need to throw a hook?  (Read 3511 times)

Kevin

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Do you need to throw a hook?
« on: May 06, 2003, 05:03:21 AM »
Do you need to throw a Hook to have a good avg. I can throw a straight Ball 25 mph and be pretty accurate. I am thinking of just concentrating on throwing a straight ball and perfecting that aspect of my game and give up on the hook.
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DON DRAPER

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Re: Do you need to throw a hook?
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2003, 08:09:18 PM »
first of all, kevin, do you throw a perfectly straight ball or does it hook a little at the backend ?  your ball speed will be an asset when the lanes dry up but will be a liability on oily lanes. your idea to throw the ball straighter has much merit---the greatest bowlers on the pba tour have usually thrown the ball somewhat straighter than their peers. good luck !
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Do you need to throw a hook?
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2003, 08:23:32 PM »
Can you throw a straight ball and have a good average?  Yes, provided you are a good spare shooter.

Can you throw a straight ball and be competitive?  I dont think so, or at least it will be very difficult.  As was mentioned in another thread, with a straight ball you can only get an entry angle of about 1.3 degrees and it has been mentioned that the optimum entry angle for best carry is about 6 degrees.

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Kevin

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Re: Do you need to throw a hook?
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2003, 09:15:26 PM »
I do not throw a perfect straight ball. It slitely hooks on the back end but I seem to be more acurate than when I am always trying to hook.

Before I ever learned how to hook the ball, I was able to throw a 243 once. That is still to this day my High Game.
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Winning and Losing are both very temporary things. Having done one or the other, we move on. Gloating over Victory or Sulking in Defeat is a good way to Stand Still.
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Do you need to throw a hook?
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2003, 09:24:22 PM »
Kevin, why did you want to give up on the hook?
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HamPster

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Re: Do you need to throw a hook?
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2003, 10:27:23 PM »
Yeah, it takes a little while to learn.  Unless you have the natural feel for the game, it could take a few months of practice, and that's just to get you on your way.  People that have bowled for thirty years are still working on their games, it's a neverending process.
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baiki

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Re: Do you need to throw a hook?
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2003, 11:07:51 PM »


IIRC, Dave Ferraro does that some years ago and have had some success.

Baiki
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Kevin

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Re: Do you need to throw a hook?
« Reply #7 on: May 07, 2003, 04:56:25 AM »
My hook is not consistant.
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Winning and Losing are both very temporary things. Having done one or the other, we move on. Gloating over Victory or Sulking in Defeat is a good way to Stand Still.
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Pinbuster

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Re: Do you need to throw a hook?
« Reply #8 on: May 07, 2003, 09:53:51 AM »
By throwing the ball staight you limit your scoring potential as it is difficult to generate enough entry angle into the pocket to get good carry and your area to hit for a solid pocket strike is very narrow.

Throwing a hook does two main things. One is to increase the entry angle into the pocket providing a wider area that you can hit and still strike. Two is you can take advantage of the easier lane conditions. If their are drier boards to the outside and you are throwing a hook then when you make a mistake wide the ball will hook more and have a chance to hit the pocket. If there is more oil inside of your hook then the ball will hook less and can still hit the pocket. The amount of this area is dependent on the lanes and how strong of a hook ball that you throw. Throwing a straight ball you must hit what you are trying to hit as the lanes will not give you any additional area. The most area you will ever see for a staight ball is 3 boards. The one you are aiming at and one on each side. Hook players on soft conditions can often get 2 or 3 boards on each side of their targets.

As Sawbones said the key is developing consistency in how much hook you generate. Once that becomes automatic then reading the lanes for play comes to the forefront.

The straight ball is still always good and often desirable for spares.
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atomized

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Re: Do you need to throw a hook?
« Reply #9 on: May 07, 2003, 11:57:31 AM »
If I could throw 25mph, (which will never happen) would definitely work on the down and in shot. Even with a weak release like the suitcase release, something to give more room for error as others have mentioned. Then keep practicing the straight ball  for a backup shot or dry lane shot. Then develop a slower speed shot for those wetter conditions.
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Do you need to throw a hook?
« Reply #10 on: May 07, 2003, 08:08:01 PM »
Kevin, have you looked into talking to a coach or a high average bowler about getting some tips or lessons?  They could watch and see what you have to correct or work on to gain consistancy.
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