Expert: Chip Aki - 10/21/2006

Question
hello
i am buying a 16 pound black widow
right now i am throwing a old Excalibur bowling ball and i have very little hook to it don't matter how hard i try to crank it i was told its due to the pin and top weight
so this is where my question comes in i cant figure out what top weight and pin location to go with to get a ball that will do max hook with the way i throw
not just the way i throw but if like U or anyone was gona throw it i am looking for what would be best for hook i guess is what im trying to say  

Answer
Pin and top weight do not control how much a ball hooks.  They can influence the shape of the hook.  Surface is the number one aspect on hook poetential, then the core design, and then the layout.
Shorter pins tend to react earlier on the lane as does lower top weights.  Longer pins and higher top weights tend to add length and a sharper reaction.

I usually look for balls with pins of 3-4 inches and top weight in the 3 ounce range.  These allow for the largest choices of layout combinations.

Good luck,
Chip