Expert: Kyle - 5/29/2006

Question
Hello. I am a left handed  bowler and I am having trouble with the seven pin . The problem is I throw a right hook on the ball. I have figured out every other pin on the left side (2 4 8). My usual mark is the second dot and three boards rightof center and throw to the second arrow in from the left. I have tried to stand far right of the lane and throw out to the center arrow and a few boards to the left of the center arrow. But my ball will still break to the right just before  it will get to the pin? Is there any advice you can give me? It would really be appreciated.

                 Paul Dorsey

Answer
Hello!,
I think I have some advice for you.  As with every other bowler, the corner pins (7 pin for the left hander and the 10 pin for the right hander) are by far the most difficult single pins spare (since there is no room to the left for left handers and to the right for right handers (gutters)) to convert.  If you watch the PBA (professional bowlers tour), you will often notice that the bowlers will use a different ball or a different release when they shoot thier corner pins.  The reason that they do this is to eliminate the hook on the ball and thus eliminating one more factor that can change from shot to shot.  If you throw a ball straight (without a hook that is), you will find that no matter what lane condition you are bowling on, the ball will always end up in the same place (assuming that the ball has been thrown the same).  So, my advice to you is to either buy a cheap plastic ball (a ball that is designed NOT to hook - - - about 50 bucks)  or, relaxing your wrist at the bottom of the swing (aka flattening the wrist).  By doing this, you should find that you have minimized hook.  This will make it much easier to pick up corner pins more often.  When you first try this out, you may find that you pick up even less!  But, you need to practice and get used to it.  Once you get used to it, you will not even have to think about them when you go to pick them up.  I recommend that you buy a Columbia 300 White Dot (plastic ball) to pick up corner pins.  Once you eliminate the hook factor, you have less factors to put into the equation, thus making it easier for you to pick up your spare.  Please let me know if you have any more questions!  -Kyle