Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to take a survey on how everyone picks up their corner pin spares. Most importantly the 4 & 7 pin for Right handers or 6 & 10 pin for Lefty's. I like to Rev the ball a bunch and I've been working on Throwing straight at most spares.

3 years ago I entered a tournament in which the lanes were heavily oiled. I didn't have the luxury of hooking the ball at the 4 & 7 pins like I did at home. This opened my eyes and was a "Reality Check." At home, there is enough back end for the ball to recover and "hook" at the corner pins. I no longer had that luxury at tournaments (Tons of room for error)

However, as I start to bowl more tournaments, I am noticing more oil. To combat this, I'm learning to throw it straight cross alley or more direct at the pins. I'm still inconsistent, but I'm working on it.

Have you guys had the same problem? Do you throw hard and straight at corner pins or do you still hook the ball at it? (Depending on conditions). I'm interested to know about changing balls, changing hand release, speed.

Thanks!
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Ram
S.F. Bay Area, California

I must concur with the majority of responses here.  My Big Blue Spare gets called into for virtually all spares that don't require angle.  Double woods and combinations of double woods (i.e. bucket, 2-4-7-8, etc.) call for using my strike ball with some modification of feet and target.  I also use my strike ball for 5 pins, not that I leave a whole bunch of those.

Everything else gets attacked by Big Blue Spare.
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Nut

Proud owner of a 1046/4 series courtesy of Columbia 300.

None are more hopelessly enslaved, as those who falsely believe they are free....

I use a strike ball and hook it 3 or 4 boards at all spares. Throw normal speed.

You guys that are throwing HARD at spares make sure you are as accurate throwing hard as you are normal speed. Some people are not as accurate and find that they really don't have to throw any harder than normal using plastic.

Bowl great!
Ron Clifton

I mix it up depending on what I see. I hook the ball at a lot of my spares and am very successful doing so, unless I see a flood...whereas I would then use my spare ball. Being a righty, I throw straight at the 6, 10, and 6-10.
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I am the best kept secret....  

The 10 Pin will be the death of me!

Single pin spares on the right side... i just throw a straight ball.  Not necessarly hard but straight, normal relase minimal hand put into the ball.

With any combination on the right side or a double wood, i hook at the spare so as to get the ball to carry through the pins to take out the back pin.

I have noticed that throwing a straight ball at spares makes me less prone to chopping spares like the 3,6,10... or the 6,10.
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AIM = y2moe99

Hard and straight at all single pins and side by sides (7/8,8/9, etc.).
Varying degree of hook for multi pin spares depending on what gives me the best chance to spare.
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STORM TRACK
 
formerly : Stormin1

If you get caught in the Storm Track beware it could be a Typhoon or Monsoon with Rolling Thunder and Lightning Flashes that when Unleashed may send splintered Wood flying everywhere.

Storm Track's Web Page

Learn how to throw a plastic ball straight....not even have to be hard.  Why let the lane condition determine where the ball goes?

My spare % went way up when I went straight.
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It is by Caffeine alone that I set my mind in motion.  It is by the beans of Java that my thoughts acquire speed.  The hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning.  It is by Caffeine alone that I set my mind in motion.