How to Hook or Curve a Bowling Ball

Ever wonder how bowlers get so much hook on the bowl? Ever want to throw a hook ball yourself and see if you get better pin carry and more strikes? Here is a great way for a beginner to learn to throw a hook or curve.

The first thing I recommending doing when learning to throw a hook is to visit your local pro shop. They can help you get fit with a good performance ball for beginners, like the one shown above. They can also help you "layout" the ball so that it is not drilled to hook too much, making it hard to control.

Now that you have a good bowling ball, drilled to fit your hand perfectly, you may be asking, how do I throw it? Well the best way I know how to start learning is to remember how you give a handsahake. When you start your approach, try and keep your hand behind the ball, with your palm facing towards your target down the lane.

Now comes the tricky part, but it is not too terribly hard. When you reach the bottom of your swing at your release point, as the ball begins to roll off of your fingers and thumb, simply turn your hand up as if you are going to give someone a handshake. This will put side rotation on the ball, and the coverstock and core of the bowling ball will cause the ball to turn in the direction you rotated it.

Remember, when first starting to hook, you do not want to hook the ball too much. The more you hook the ball, the harder it can become to control. Also remember, when bowling on different lane conditions, your ball will react differently. If there is lots of oil on the lanes, your ball may not hook at all. If there is little oil on the lanes, your ball may hook too much. This is where your local pro shop operator can help you select the right ball for the shot you will be bowling on.

To find out more, check out my bowling blog, full of good bowling tips and videos!