Most bowlers want to go out and have a good time with friends or loved ones. They want to enjoy the time they spend when they are in the bowling center. Even recreational bowlers want to be able to knock more pins down. They always see the guys on T.V. that hook a bowling ball and they try to do the same thing. But how many of them know exactly how to do this?  Many people really have no clue how to hook the bowling ball. They try various ways to achieve this. This week’s tip is for those bowlers who want to truly understand how to create the hook on the bowling ball the right way. 

Making a bowling ball hook means that you have a bowling ball that changes directions from its intended initial path back to the pins. Why do bowlers want to hook a bowling ball?  Because it’s cool, right?  Well I will give you that, it does look cool when you can bring a bowling ball back to the pins in a big motion.  The real reason bowler’s hook a bowling ball is simply for better pin carry.  Pin carry will increase with a bowling ball that hooks. When you hook a bowling ball you create what they call entry angle.  Entry angle is the amount in degrees that a bowling ball enters the pocket.  Creating a bowling ball that has entry angle will create the bowling ball to enter the pocket at such and angle that pins move around more.  By having pins that move around more, you have a higher chance of knocking more pins down on your first ball.  There are lot of technical means to make a bowling ball that hooks that I won’t get into this week. This week I am trying to keep things simple. You all remember the K.I.S.S. method. “Keep It Simple S*****”   

Now you know the basics of why you want a bowling ball to hook, the next question should be, “How do I hook a bowling ball?”  Today’s new equipment has some major contributions to help you get the hook. Today’ new equipment has much softer, more porous cover stocks on the bowling balls. This act’s like the tires on your car. The more tread you have, the better your tires grab the road. Bowling balls do not hook all by themselves.  It doesn’t matter if you have the strongest bowling ball on today’s market, if you can not deliver the bowling ball correctly it won’t work. Does your car turn without you using the steering wheel? So let’s talk about how you can “steer” you bowling ball correctly. If you hold the bowling ball in your starting position, with your palm facing up towards the ceiling, and release it the same way the bowling ball will not have any side rotation and result in a bowling ball that will go straight. So now imagine you are making a left hand turn with your car. You have to turn your steering wheel to the left correct? The same applies to a bowling ball. If you are a Right Handed Bowler you need to make the bowling ball turn left.  By starting with your hand in a neutral position, directly under the bowling ball, upon your delivery you make a left turn with your hand, will you create rotation on a bowling ball!  Yes you will.  

So let’s recap with this week’s tip. No bowling ball will hook by itself. The bowler must create side rotation on a bowling ball to create the bowling ball to hook. Now I do want to stress that when you try this, you do not turn the “steering wheel” with your entire arm. Make sure that upon release you only turn with your bowling hand. By using your entire arm, you will let your bowling elbow move away from your body, and cause you to “top” the bowling ball.  By creating the bowling ball to spin like a top, you have affected the amount the bowling ball will actually hook. I will explain all that in next weeks tip: Chicken wings are for eating, not bowling.  

T.J. Yeip is the Manager of GLC Bowling and the Lead Technical Advisor. He is an IBPSIA Advanced Certified Member and former PBA member. You can email your questions to him personally at thomas.yeip@glcbowling.com