Author Topic: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why? (Read 3442 times)

punkrawk77 · « **on:** April 27, 2004, 09:24:00 PM »

I was a sub in a league last wednesday night. Bowlers with higher averages than myself were hooking the ball at corner pins. Some were hitting the gutter, some the ball would hook out of the way and miss, some the ball would hit the 6 pin but miss the 10.

I am an average bowler 175 currently, even I know you shouldn't do that.

Does anyone here think that spare shooting has gone down in leagues? For open play sometimes I'll watch the league before hand and you see the same thing, people hooking the ball at corner pins and missing most of the time.

It seems as if the emphasis is more on throwing strikes and less on spares. Has anyone noticed this? Seems like a lot of bowlers don't practice spares or are so sure they will strike every time that picking up spares is not important to them.

Whats your opinion?

bennett · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2004, 12:51:19 PM »

punkrawk77,

Part of the reason why my spare shooting was down this year is because I'm making the transition from throwing a hook at my left handed spares (I'm a righty) to using a plastic and going straight. When you've been throwing a hook for years it's hard to make the change and feel comfortable. I know in the long run I will be better off and I'm doing better at my straight ball. So, I use plastic on just about any spare unless it is a double wood spare.

People throw hooks because they are comfortable with it and they can move off their strike line. However, as the lanes change and if you bowl in many different houses as I do with different conditions I've found the hook ball gets me in trouble (e.g. throwing a hook at the 7 for instance). It becomes difficult to gauge how much the ball will hook. Therefore, with plastic, the ball is less sensitive to the conditions.
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I want to have a 220+ average like everybody else around here, so give me fresh oil.

northface28 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2004, 01:10:09 PM »

Get on something tough and hook it at a 7 pin when there is no buff or hook at a 7 pin on a 48 ft flat pattern and Im sure your spare shooting methods will be revamped.
--------------------
"I dont have a girlfriend. But I do know a woman who would be mad at me for saying that."- Mitch Hedberg

punkrawk77 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2004, 01:15:16 PM »

My average was 180 previously. I started throwing straight at some of my spares and my average fell 30 pins easily. Its almost back up to where it was, currently its 175.

When I first started out throwing straight at 10 pins, 6-10 spares it felt very unfamiliar. Average fell, but now its coming back up 3 months later.

Also recently my strike percentage is coming back up too.

Also at league I would see guys hook the ball over the 5th board when shooting for 7 pins. I use to do that myself, but find it easier to shoot cross alley and knock it down.

sheppy335 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2004, 01:23:18 PM »

I know you will say that we arent them but if the pros shoot spares with a straight spare ball and make a ton of them, then to me it is the way to be! But tha tis just my opinion.
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Oil is served Best with fingers!

Why does the 8 Pin laugh at me!

Sheppy

bennett · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2004, 01:24:12 PM »

mcm42,

I used to throw hooks at all my spares except the 6 and 10's for the reasons you've mentioned. But, that was back in the rubber,plastic,urethane days for me. Now that I'm returning to league play in 3 different houses and I'm open bowling in a variety of houses I can't gauge how much my ball will hook at the 7 pin (especially with today's balls). I can go 2-3 games without shooting at the 7 and many times this year my ball snapped past the spare unexpectedly. Other times there was more oil in the center and my ball didn't hook enough. How do I know? I don't until I play in that area. Plastic will eliminate that snap especially if you don't cup the wrist (just keep it straight or break it a touch).

Also, if you bowl on a sport shot (which I bowl in one tournament a year and this is what they put down) you'll be in big trouble throwing a hook at spares because the ball will hook like mad in the center of the lane which is what you will use for cross alley spares. I've seen my plastic ball move like mad in that area.

Most pro's use plastic for spares for the reason's I've just mentioned.
--------------------
I want to have a 220+ average like everybody else around here, so give me fresh oil.

Edited on 4/28/2004 1:18 PM

9andaWiggle · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2004, 01:26:25 PM »

Because hooking the ball coast to coast is cool, even when shooting spares. Straight balls are for dweebs. LOL

Actually, it is easier for me to move a little off my strike line and hook into the left corner, and shoot straight straight across the oil at anything in the 3-6-9-10 area.

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9~

9 is back with a Vengeance!

Doug Sterner · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2004, 02:00:39 PM »

Before this past winter season I went to a plastic ball exclusively and started throwing dead straight up the boards at all of my spares except for double wood.

By doing this I took the lane completely out of play. Did it make me practice? absolutely. DId I have to learn to repeat my release? Of course but think about it....are we not supposed to do those things anyway?

I have basically 4 shots to throw now...

1. strike ball
2. shot for the 2-8
3. shot for the 3-9
4. straight up the boards shot

My average did not go up or down significantly but I becamse much more consistent. My main rub this past season was the inconsistency of the shot and the layout of my equipment. With going to an all Lane 1 arsenal it forced me to drill some weaker layouts to get the ball down the lane and not bungee on the back for me. So my spare % went up but my strike % was down a bit...196 avg so it's all good.

Here's what I do....
Single pin left........shot played
10 pin.................stand 15 throw up 6
9 pin..................stand 10 throw up 6
8 pin..................strike ball
7 pin..................stand 40 throw up 6 on left
6 pin..................stand 15 throw up 6
5 pin..................strike ball
4 pin..................stand 40 throw up 6 on left
3 pin..................strike ball
2 pin..................stand 30 throw up 20-25
1 pin..................strike ball

On the combinations I'll throw the ball straight into the cluster with allowances for ball deflection. Only exceptions are double wood which I move off my strike line for.
--------------------
Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
The Cherry is the Bomb
but the Nugget is Golden!!!
Now accepting VISA/MC and Discover for your purchases

Urethane Game · « **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2004, 02:25:58 PM »

Before resin, I used the 3-6-9 spare system using my strike ball at my strike target. But if I moved nine right today to shoot a 7 pin with my strike ball, the ball would peel off the dirt way too fast. Worse yet, if I made those kind of moves on a Sport Condition my ball would very likely not hook at all or hook off the lane due to no lane help.

mcm42,

You seem to have it all figured out. I await your success from sanctioned sport competition. I don't recall seeing anyone on tour recently who hooks it at spare shots. Bowling on the China has evidently given you and thousands of other bowlers like yourself way too much confidence in your game.

Remember if you have lane help on strikes, you will also have lane help on spares. Going straight works well from crankers like Bob Learn, Jr. to the best on the planet like Walter Ray.

Edited on 4/28/2004 2:21 PM

northface28 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 28, 2004, 02:26:35 PM »

mcm42,

Seems you are set in your ways and nothing will change them. If works for you, then it works for you.
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"I dont have a girlfriend. But I do know a woman who would be mad at me for saying that."- Mitch Hedberg

omegabowler · « **Reply #10 on:** April 28, 2004, 02:54:53 PM »

I missed so many 7 pins by hooking at them so I learned to use plastic.

It is simpler than you think.

you need a target and your sarting point. every pin is a 3 baord adjustment.

Left side spares:

3rd arrow as target. closed stance.

starting line
7 pin = 8 board ( for me and my drift on left side spares)

4 pin = 3 bords left
3 pin = 6 boards left

4/7 = 4.5 boards left

not much thinking to remember other than were you line up best and adding 3 per pin and 1.5 per pair.
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"deserves got nothing to do with it."
-- William Munny

Edited on 4/28/2004 2:47 PM

bennett · « **Reply #11 on:** April 28, 2004, 02:55:58 PM »

quote:
Go onto a fresh strip, and the first one that I think is flat hooks in the gutter. 15 frames latter I could throw the same shot and whiff it to the right.

Fully agree and the very reason why Iâ€™ve switched to plastic.

Mcm42,

Iâ€™m still with Ragnor and Bob Hanson on this for the same reasons theyâ€™ve mentioned along with what I stated earlier. In addition, it was mentioned, when you walk into a strange house you canâ€™t tell how the spares will be. With plastic you know youâ€™re going to be pretty close especially if you flatten out your hand. You donâ€™t always shoot at the 7 pin, you do however at the 1 pin. Just how do you know the 7 pin shot will be the same as it was when you shot at it 2 games ago? This is the point Iâ€™m trying to make. Basically, youâ€™re taking an educated guess and you canâ€™t just say that youâ€™re adjusting. Thatâ€™s a fallacy in your own mind. Just last night I threw only 1 ball at the left side (I was in the pocket all night). I left a 4 and I used plastic because I went through 5 games without shooting something over there. I didnâ€™t have to guess because I threw it dead straight.

quote:
NEVER have I failed to miss the 7 pin because of what's been described. I have missed it because I pulled, or let up on hook, but never has it been because of the lane.

Your spare shots are changing from frames to frames just like your strike shot. Using plastic eliminates the chance your ball will hook past something. I find it hard to believe that youâ€™ve NEVER had a ball overhook on a single pin spare in reference to what has been stated (i.e. lane condition).

--------------------
I want to have a 220+ average like everybody else around here, so give me fresh oil.

a_ak57 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2004, 03:00:35 PM »

I think the most apt question is, how much do you hook? If your throwing like 30-5, well, that makes a difference for hooking at spares than if your playing up 10....

I have a cool 10 pin shot. I stand about 40, swing it over the 4th arrow with very little axis rotation, then about as it gets to the gutter, it will take reaction and pretty much go straight up the 1 or 2 board. That's only on days when I'm confident in my accuracy, otherwise I'll just throw it straight.
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-Andy

And yes, I have already replied to your post that quick.

Edited on 4/28/2004 3:53 PM

crankncrash · « **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2004, 03:34:39 PM »

i used to throw 7 pins off the three board at the arrows and cover it.. i dont know whats wrong with it! I now just throw a pearl reactive strait and HARD so i know the plastic won't skate if i am in a house i don't know. I like that much better

Doug Sterner · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2004, 05:16:08 PM »

WHy the strike line adjustment for double wood? SImple...you need a bit of angle to give yourself some leeway with the back pin. I tried the straight plastic with that and I left a lot of back pins.

Wit htopur lanes the way they are throwing any type of ball that does anything is potentially hazardous for the spares. Backends are so dry and the middle is so asturated that spares are a crapshoot after the first game. You never know if it'll sit or move. So with plastic I take the coverstock out of the equation :-) I know it's goin straight !!!!
--------------------
Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
The Cherry is the Bomb
but the Nugget is Golden!!!
Now accepting VISA/MC and Discover for your purchases

Author Topic: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why? (Read 3442 times)

punkrawk77

Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

bennett

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

northface28

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

punkrawk77

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

sheppy335

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

bennett

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

9andaWiggle

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

Doug Sterner

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

Urethane Game

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

northface28

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

omegabowler

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

bennett

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

a_ak57

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

crankncrash

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?

Doug Sterner

Re: Hooking the ball at corner pins, why?