Expert: Susie Minshew - 6/16/2009

Question
I've been using a 13 lb Storm Hy-Road ball with a fingertip grip for about 4 months. The ball breaks very late and hooks very hard. For example, I have to start around the 35 board and aim around the 15 board to hit the right-hand pocket, but I'm just not comfortable starting that far left. What can I do to lessen that hook? I'm not ready to buy another ball right now--I want to try to work with this one.

Answer
There are many reasons the ball might make such a dramatic move down lane: not enough speed, the lanes are dry in the heads and midlane, the coverstock on the ball is too aggressive, you are playing the wrong part of the lane, your hand at release is in too aggressive a position. Of those choices, the second is the only one you cannot control.

Pick up your speed by going faster to the foul line. It never works to try and "throw harder" or make your feet go faster. Ball speed is a result of many things one of which is your approach speed. If you go faster to the foul line that energy will be transferred to the ball. More ball speed equals better pin action (up to a point - past 20 mph pins fly rather than lay down).

Have your pro shop operator adjust the cover stock on the ball to tame down its reaction on the lane. Tell her/him what you are experiencing and they should be able to easily polish or wax (two very different things) the ball to give you a calmer move off the breakpoint.

Move a lot further right and see if there is any oil around the first arrow. If you are playing that deep because of friction, it is common that the oil has been pushed to outside and you'll find hold out there. If you have gutter fear, get over it! If you toss it in the gutter, nothing happens. The ball will be right back. Not being able to play the ditch means at least 1/7th of the lane is not available to you. That's a big advantage to give your opponents.

Change to a weaker hand position. Take off your brace if you are wearing one. Bring both your pinky and your index finger in next to the two middle fingers. Come up the back of the ball at release rather than rotating around the side of the ball at delivery.

There are a lot of things you can do. Find a USBC certified coach in your area. That should help a bunch. Good luck!