Expert: - 11/22/2007

Question
When I first started bowling about 8 weeks ago, I threw only a straight ball and was doing well. However, someone told me (Good Player) that if I ever wanted to pass the 150's I would need to learn the hook. I bought a used ball and had it drilled fingertip style. I started the hook journey. I was turning my hand to the handshake position about halfway down and then when I would release, I would let it drop off my fingertips and it went well. However, I do not get hardly any hook and it seems to vary. I began looking at my ball and noticed that it is not drilled for a hook, but for a dead straight ball. Question - Can a good hook be thrown with a ball drilled for a straight shooter, or is this my major problem?

Answer
Stephen, there is no "hook" drilling. Balls need to be drilled for the axis tilt, speed, axis rotation and rev rate of the bowler. So a good drilling is specific to the player.

You should be able to hook anything. Position on the lane may have you rolling on the heaviest concentration of lane conditioner. Where do you stand on the lane? What is your target?

How fast is your ball speed? What kind of ball did you get?

Let me know (revbowl@gmail.com) and I can suggest further. Happy Thanksgiving.