How To Make Your Bowling Ball Hook More
Written By: bowlingball.com | Written On: Sunday, October 6, 2024 | Updated On: Monday, October 7, 2024
bowlingball.com Originally Posted: 08/16/2010; Updated: 10/6/2024
If you are trying to learn how to make your bowling ball hook more, then begin with understanding four available options:
1. Alter Your Bowling Ball Surface
2. Change Of Bowling Balls
3. Release Change
4. Alignment Adjustments
Pro shops provide services to prepare bowling ball surfaces to match best with lane conditions in local centers.
How to make your bowling ball hook more can be accomplished easily by use of a high speed ball spinner to screen and re-surface the coverstock of your bowling ball, an acceptable method of properly dulling or adding texture your ball surface. Pro shop operators will use Abralon pads with various grits to screen the ball surface to a known texture. The lower the Abralon grit on the pad, the more porous and textured the ball surface becomes. A 500 grit pad will allow for the most aggressive friction factor on the lanes and works best if your bowling in heavy oil.
Generally speaking, no one complains about their bowling ball not hooking enough on dry lane conditions. Because of very heavy concentrations of oil on the front end of the lane, screening your ball surface with a low grit pad will help you learn
how to make your ball hook more and attain an earlier response in the heavy oil than with a ball surface which is smooth or saturated with oil. Remember, a bowling ball constructed with a hard polyester coverstock will not dull sufficiently to hook a great deal more than when first drilled out of the box. However, the reactive resin coverstock balls with aggressive core designs will respond more noticeably than will low friction reactive balls or polyester balls. Don't be afraid to change bowling balls in competition and switch to a ball with an aggressive coverstock prepared to combat heavy oil.
Changing your release to create more hook can be tricky and in many cases, cause a series of poor deliveries unless you are well practiced with the use of a variety of releases. A pronounced rotation of your bowling fingers from directly underneath or behind the bowling ball to a point about 3 hours on the clock dial ( 6 o'clock to 3 o' clock for right handed bowlers) occurring at the moment of release when your arm reaches a vertical position to the approach surface on the forward swing motion will certainly maximize your hook potential. Be careful not to rotate your entire arm but rather only your wrist action. Another tip is to use a wrist device which allows for a setting to be adjusted to create upward wrist tilt. Tilting the wrist upward while you are releasing the ball will fly your thumb out of the ball well before the fingers so the fingers can rotate the ball decisively and create additional revolutions on the ball or increase the amount of tilt in the rotating axis of the ball.
Adjusting your alignment positioning on the approach toward the edges of the lane so your ball will roll on a dryer portion of lane surface will create increased friction and cause your ball to hook sooner and cover more boards on the lane than if the ball were to travel in heavy oil a longer distance. A well known strategy is to adjust your feet closer to the edge of the lane (to the right edge for right handed bowlers) two boards and your target on the lane where your eyes sight one board - a 2:1 adjustment. This type of adjustment system is known as a "parallel adjustment" and may be done multiple times until you achieve desired results. We hope these tips help and be sure to practice as much as possible.
Also keep in mind the following tips:
Here are some effective tips to help you get more hook on your bowling ball:
1. Use the right ball: A ball with a reactive resin coverstock grips the lane better and enhances hooking potential. Avoid using plastic balls, as they are less likely to hook.
2. Proper grip and release: The key to generating hook is a strong, yet controlled release. Use a fingertip grip, where only your fingertips are inside the ball. As you release, rotate your hand slightly counterclockwise (if right-handed) or clockwise (if left-handed). Think of it as a handshake motion.
3. Rev up your ball: To generate more revolutions (revs), use your fingers to lift up on the ball as you release. This will give the ball the necessary spin to hook.
4. Adjust your hand position: Experiment with your hand positioning. The more your fingers are underneath the ball at release, the more lift and spin you’ll generate, resulting in a stronger hook.
5. Increase ball speed: Slowing down your ball speed can allow more time for the ball to react with the lane and create a hook. However, don’t go too slow, as this could make the ball lose momentum.
6. Focus on the release point: A consistent release at the bottom of your swing will maximize your ball's hook potential. Avoid "pulling" or muscling the ball; instead, let the ball roll naturally off your hand.
7. Adjust your starting position: If your ball isn’t hooking enough, move a little to the right (if right-handed) or left (if left-handed) on the approach. A steeper angle can help you target more of the oily part of the lane, allowing the ball to hook more when it reaches the dry area.
8. Use oil patterns to your advantage: Learn to read the lane conditions. Hook potential increases when the ball reaches the drier parts of the lane, so adjust your line to make sure your ball hits the friction zone.
9. Practice wrist strength: A stronger wrist helps maintain a firm release, which gives you more control and consistency when applying spin to the ball.
10. Use a professional fitting: If your ball isn’t properly fitted, you may be losing control and spin. A professional fit ensures that your grip promotes a proper release for more hook.
Implementing these tips can enhance your ball's hook and overall performance on the lanes. Would you like more detailed guidance on any of these steps?
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