Every Beginner has one simple question in mind, How to hook a bowling ball?
Let’s Discuss,
Hooking a ball seems easy, but it can make you sweat like no other human being! Trust us, the curve you get when the ball is near the gutter, you have to work hard for it. A straight shot might be easy, but hooking a ball to knock out the pins requires knowledge.
And if you are a beginner, today, we will show you how to hook a bowling ball. The approach, the grip, the release of the ball-we will unfold everything before you so that you never get nervous!
For the newbie, this easy step by step method will be constructive. Here, you will know the details from picking up the ideal hook to knocking all the pins down like a PRO! Let’s jump right into it!
Table of Contents
Get the Right Ball for Hook
Before you know how to hook a bowling ball, you must know how to pick up the right bowling ball hook! Hare, we will tell you the easy ways to get the ideal hook for you!
- First of all, go through the material of the bowling ball. The reactive-resin balls are great for better hooks. We do not recommend plastic balls as they are hard.
For gripping to the lane, you need a porous surface. And reactive balls help you in this.
- You might have oily or dry lane conditions. If you want the ball to match the lane condition, you will also need the ideal coverstock. For the oily lanes, you have to go for a solid coverstock.
It will help in increasing the gripping action. On the other hand, if you have a dry lane condition, settle for a stiff coverstock or a pearl one.
The three different coverstocks are reactive resin, urethane, and plastic. As we have told you before, go for the reactive resin to get the best outcome.
- The weight of the hook is essential. Check out different balls and see if you are comfortable with it. In most cases, the top-notch brands of bowling balls weigh from 12-16 lbs.
If you are in a dilemma, you can pick up the 15 lb Roto Grip Halo Bowling Ball for learning bowling. It will not only teach you bowling but will also make you a seasoned bowler!
- After getting the right weight, you have to get the ball drilled. Customizing is the best way to make the ball fit to the fingertips. Go for a professional and make sure that the grip is not too tight and not too loose.
- Maintenance is another important factor here. You cannot skip taking care of your bowling ball. After every 15-18 games, you should polish your hook. Otherwise, the ball loses its shine and gets dull.
Techniques of Hooking a Bowling Ball
Grip
How you hold the ball will decide how the ball will hook. The best technique of holding the ball is to put some gripping pressure on the bowling finger but to keep the fingers pressure-free. However, for the entire swing circle, you have to maintain consistent pressure.
Approach
Approaching in terms of a bowling ball for a hook positioning your body and body parts in a way that makes the hooking process easier.
Finding the right position is necessary before you throw the ball. Keep the left foot forward when you release the ball.
Release: For releasing the ball correctly, you should know about the axis rotation. Also, the angle of motion is very vital here.
It is always said that you have to keep the bowling fingers inside but let the thumb go when you release the ball. Also, the twist movement should be too much; otherwise, the ball will go out of control.
Aim
Aiming is very important. Though we are talking about it in the end, it is as important as the release. In bowling a ball, you aim to knock down the pins. The more pins you hit, the better.
So, you don’t have to stare at the pins to know where the ball exactly needs to go when you hook it. All you have to do is follow the ball’s path to the target of the ball.
You have to hook the ball slightly to the left when the ball gets into the left gutter for the right-handed people.
Step by Step Guide for Hooking a Bowling Ball
Step 1: Gripping the Ball
If you are a new bowler, the gripping might be difficult. So, how do you hook a bowling ball to a beginner? First, you need to make the grip perfect!
If your grip is not right, you will fail every time you approach. So first, get your fingers ready! You need to use the fingertip grip in a bowling ball.
Get your fingers inside the holes of the hooking bowling ball. Get your middle two fingers inside the holes first. Then place your thumb on the ball.
Remember that you need to keep the ball on your palm and the hand under the ball.
Step 2: Making Normal Approach
Now that you are ready with gripping the ball correctly, you have to make your approach. You have to know the starting position.
Keep a distance between the foul line and your feet. The length should be nearly 3 feet. At first, keep both of the feet in the same line.
All you have to do is keep the call in the right hand. Now make the swing and, at the same time, move the left leg forward a bit to do the release. For the left-handed people, go for the opposite posture.
Step 3: Swinging the Arm
After making the standard approach, you have to go for swinging the ball. You might think this is easy, but trust us, this is not!
When we tell you to swing your hands, you have to swing it like a pendulum! Make sure your arm swings back and gets back to the front with the same force.
From the back to the front, you have to make a half-circle by swinging your hands. Keep the hand straight and never bend it. Also, make sure you stop in between the bodyline when you swing the ball to the front.
Step 4: Releasing the Ball
When you are ready to release the ball, you don’t need to focus anywhere else. Instead, try to focus on your finger when you are releasing the ball.
But here, you must remember that you cannot release the ball from all of your fingers together. First, you need to get rid of your thumb.
Here, the other two bowling fingers will take control of the ball. Flick the fingers naturally when you release. Release the ball moving the wrist a little back, and get rid of the two other fingers.
However, if the ball is not perfect, it will not release the way you want! For this, you have to get the best bowling balls for hook and then make the right swing to get the pins!
Step 5: Practicing and Practicing
While releasing the ball, do not put additional pressure on it. You don’t want to hurt your fingers by putting extra pressure on the 16-pound object!
You will not learn in a day. So, all you need to do is put effort into practicing. The much you practice bowling, the more you will know the tricks.
If you’re in a Hurry, Watch the Video for Quick info
Pro Tips
- Start with small curves before you master the technique
- Do not cross your body when you are swinging your hand
- Move the wrist slightly back while releasing
- Keep the hand under the ball while releasing
- Release the ball without spinning, keep the elbow straight
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the proper method of hooking a bowling ball, you must be interested in playing a game! Get your friends and go for a bowling ball session.
And if they don’t know how to hook a bowling ball, teach them the techniques! Besides, don’t forget to comment below about the best method that works for you in hooking a bowling ball!
