Expert: Chip Aki - 2/21/2007

Question
Chip
I have been bowling for about 15 years. I bowl twice a week, try to practice at least once a week and average 200 in one league and 192 in the other.  My problem is recently I have started doing something at release that causes my ball to track over the thumb.  It is so bad at times that the ball actually bounces up off the lane as it travels towards the pins.  It seems to be the worst in the mid-lane, once the balls flips it's okay, but many times the bouncing on the thumb hole kills the hook.  I've tried adjusting hand position and release point but nothing seems to help on a consistent basis.  I would appreciate any ideas you may have.  

Answer
There are two things that occur during the release that can cause this.  If you are too concerned with lift, you will create a clockwise rotation of the hand through the release.  This will cause the ball to roll over the thumb hole and tends to kill the roll.
If you are turning the ball to early, you will also come out of the ball in a clockwise manner.  In order to create a better ball track, you will need to make sure you have counter clockwise rotation.

Good luck,
Chip