Buying too much ball.................

[Big Daddy]

Yep, that's what I did! I bought too much ball for my skill level and can barely get a strike now. My First Blood doesn't even hook, I'm so lame. I think I'll put it away and buy a MUCH lower performance ball and not worry about trying to bowl like the cool kids. I'm kinda pissed right now. I have no idea how you guys get your balls too hook! I think it's too heavy, making it even worse. 16 lbs. :(

[Aslan]

I'll preffice this by saying I know nothing...at all...about anything...and am 80% mentally "lost"....AND am the worst bowler in the history of the game...thus EVERYTHING I say is merely for entertainment's sake...and you probably should do the opposite...

But hook is based on revolutions and speed and the ball. Posting a video is your best bet to getting some of the better bowlers help you...but you'll find that if you increase the revolutions and lower the speed it'll hook. I have been struggling with this as well...did the SAME thing you did....got a new ball...and it went straight just like my old ball. Because it's not the ball thats the problem...it's how I'm throwing it and the speed I'm throwing it at.

Again...purely for entertainment's sake...because I suck...next time you're at the alley...if it's one that shows you your speed (of the ball)...see what you're throwing it at now...then try to lower your backswing and throw it slower. Aim at the same target...release it the same...but slower. For me I saw:
20mph: no hook
19mph: no hook
18mph: not really
17mph: slight hook
16mph: okay, it's hooking a "little"
15mph: now it's hooking
14mph: okay, it's hooking now

If you get down to 13mph and it still isn't hooking, then it's your release. Your hand has to come up the side of the ball (don't release it with your hand behind the ball) to create sideways spin. The whole "shaking hands" thing.

If your release is creating revs AND you're throwing it at a slow speed...and it STILL isn't hooking...then it's the apocolypse because you've broken the laws of Physics.

And..work with a coach/Pro. Literally one time, 20 minutes and your game will improve 20-40 pins.

[dnhoffman]

Hook has almost nothing to do with speed until you learn proper release and timing.

BD - I would highly suggest finding a coach to help you learn both of these!

[e-tank]

Hey at least you were smart enough to be able ot realize it and are willing to do something about it. I second finding a coach as it will prob be the easiest and fastest way to get the basics down. Another option would be to video yourself bowling and post it here or on other bowling forums so that coachs that post can give you some pointers. Lastly the way that i learned to hook was by going from palm facing up to going into a handshake motion or throwing an underhand spiral with a football.

for lower performance balls you could look into(off the top of my head):

Hammer Nail titanium

Brunswick Strike King

Storm tropical breeze/heat

Ebonite cyclone

[Hammer]

What lane condition do you bowl on: heavy oil, medium oil or dry to medium dry conditions? How long have you been bowling? Have you ever bowled on a league of any kind? Answering these questions will help to get a ball for your style.

[Big Daddy]

Thank you everyone. Really. Most of what has been said, save for the technical stuff, is just what I was thinking. I think the best thing to do is get over myself, admit I know little to nothing about bowling and hire myself a coach.

I'm in a league, have a total of maybe two years bowling experience, 20 years ago, and I'm on medium heavy oil.

I can honestly throw it, my First Blood, as well as my other ball, straight, but I want to "hit the pocket!" I won't give up. I like the challenge. Stay tuned, I'll keep you all posted and I guarantee improvement!

[Bunny]

Hang in there. It takes time. Getting a coach is a great idea. You can have the pro shop change the surface for around $5 too.

[J Anderson]

Hang in there. It takes time. Getting a coach is a great idea. You can have the pro shop change the surface for around $5 too.

Big Daddy, get some coaching before you start messing with the surface. From the way you described the way you hold the ball during your swing, you're not going to get any hook from any ball.

[Big Daddy]

Big Daddy, get some coaching before you start messing with the surface. From the way you described the way you hold the ball during your swing, you're not going to get any hook from any ball.

I agree.

[Bunny]

I'm not saying don't get coaching. I'm saying you don't necessarily have to ditch the First Blood and immediately go out and buy another ball. I've heard/read you can't out bowl a bad ball reaction. If the surface of the ball is sucking up all the energy or rolling out, technique isn't going to change that.

I had a similar experience after I purchased a First Blood. So I'm speaking from my own personal experience. I was pretty new to bowling thinking I just wasted over $200 which I don't have to waste. Now what? I explained my situation to the pro shop guy and he changed the surface and it worked great for me. The only thing I changed was the surface of my ball and I'm very pleased with the results. It's one thing that you can easily and inexpensively change and change right back if you want. You're not stuck with the oob surface.

Good luck and good bowling!

[Mudpuppy]

Read winning bowling by earl anthony and use that first blood. It's not rocket science. Very easy.

[Bunny]

Among all of the diverse opinions about bowling balls, the one thing about which most of us agree is that the surface of the ball, both the material and the finish, is the one factor that is the most important in determining ball reaction. While bowlers can’t do anything about the cover material other than to listen to marketing rhetoric from the manufacturer and opinions and observations from a trusted pro shop operator, the finish is something over which every bowler has total control. I truly doubt that there is a professional bowler on the planet who doesn’t understand and utilized surface changes to fine-tune ball reactions to specific lane conditions. I wonder, however, why so many bowlers choose to ignore this important tool.

See what polish does to an early-rolling, low rg ball. See what surface does to a ball that goes long.

Spending a few dollars to change surfaces to find just what’s right for you could be the best investment you ever made for your bowling. As Ron Mohr said, after winning the Senior U.S. Open this year, “You can’t out bowl a bad ball reaction.” I totally agree.



Link to full article...
http://www.modern-bowling.com/Bowling-Coach-Bowling-Balls-Las-Vegas-NV.html

[Hammer]

What kind of league do you bowl on where they use medium heavy oil? Usually regular house leagues bowl on Typical House Shot patterns which are usually dry to medium dry. If you are bowling on dry THS patterns the ball might not be hooking because it is losing energy being used on dry lane conditions so it will not hook. If you are using it on medium heavy oil then it won't hook because you do not have the correct release. By correct release I mean your wrist is straight or a little cupped when you reach the release area which is near your sliding foot and your hand is behind the ball. When your thumb comes out then you rotate your hand and fingers an inch or two. Remember to keep your fingers bent as the ball comes off your hand. If you straighten them to let the ball go then you can say good-bye revs which make the ball hook. To see correct form of swing and release go to YOUTUBE and look up a video called Analysis
of modern 10-pin bowling swing and release. It shows pros using correct form in slow motion with close ups. You will get the idea of how to put revs on the ball. Plus it shows the correct way to swing the ball and the approach.

[Big Daddy]

What kind of league do you bowl on where they use medium heavy oil? Usually regular house leagues bowl on Typical House Shot patterns which are usually dry to medium dry. If you are bowling on dry THS patterns the ball might not be hooking because it is losing energy being used on dry lane conditions so it will not hook. If you are using it on medium heavy oil then it won't hook because you do not have the correct release. By correct release I mean your wrist is straight or a little cupped when you reach the release area which is near your sliding foot and your hand is behind the ball. When your thumb comes out then you rotate your hand and fingers an inch or two. Remember to keep your fingers bent as the ball comes off your hand. If you straighten them to let the ball go then you can say good-bye revs which make the ball hook. To see correct form of swing and release go to YOUTUBE and look up a video called Analysis
of modern 10-pin bowling swing and release. It shows pros using correct form in slow motion with close ups. You will get the idea of how to put revs on the ball. Plus it shows the correct way to swing the ball and the approach.

I'll get the info on just how oily/pattern type used on the lanes tonight and let you know. You're probably right though. I've seen that video several times and for some reason I just can't make my hand do all those things. Perhaps I can concentrate on just one or two? The Hand shake and perhaps some lift? I'm going to have a few beers tonight and just enjoy bowling. When I'm feeling really good, all loosened up and such, I'll begin trying to get some revs on the ball. I think I was just too uptight when bowling yesterday. After that, I'm going to get a bowling buddy to help me out some, if I still just can't get it.

[Aslan]

Perhaps I can concentrate on just one or two? The Hand shake and perhaps some lift? I'm going to have a few beers tonight and just enjoy bowling.

I think the hardest thing for me about the release/revs is; I don't want to "muscle" the ball...I want to use a natural pendulum swing...lay it down earlier, etc... But if I just roll my hand gently along the side of the ball....no revs...very little hook. So I try to "snap" that wrist (to get revs)...but I end up muscling the ball...it lofts up...goes faster...the added revs are minimalized because the ball is skidding through to the pins. So I've been trying to slow down my swing...nice and easy...and make sure that all my arm action is only creating revs (going up the side of the ball) and not "pushing" or "throwing" the ball.

But I feel your pain. One minute I think I have the approah/timing figured out...but my release is horrible. Then I fix the release and I'm back to having a crappy timing/approach.

Just remember...it's a simple game. You roll a heavy ball...it hits lighter pins...they fall over. Sometimes when I'm totally lost, I have to remind myself of that and just "reset" especially when I find myself making it more difficult than it should be.

[J Anderson]

Just remember...it's a simple game.

Simple game, but when you think about it just walking on two legs is a pretty complex motion. Otherwise we'd be seeing robots like C3PO walking around instead of little robotic vacuum cleaners bouncing off chairs. Throw in a heavy object in one hand and a desire to throw said object in a way that will make its path curve and you have a very complex problem. That's why we have a number of drills, many of which can be done without a lane and ball return, that let us isolate parts of the process and practice them so that when it all gets put together, we don't have to worry about any one part.

[Aslan]

so that when it all gets put together, we don't have to worry about any one part.

Agreed. I think the biggest advantage an experienced bowler has is that so much of what they do, they do without necessarily focusing on it. When you get that "habit"...some things become second nature. If they are bad habits...good habits...I guess thats what makes one experienced bowler better than another.

[sprocket]

Use the dang ball. You bought and paid for it. It's yours so use it. It doesn't matter that it weighs 16 lbs. All of us old timers used to use 16lbs. Using 15lbs is something fairly new. Mostly 15lbs is used because it carries better than 16lbs on today's conditions, with modern balls, but that is ONLY true if you are a fairly skilled bowler. Their is nothing wrong with learning with a 16lb ball. FIT is extremely important. Have your fit double checked, particularly the thumb hole. There are plenty of us who add and remove tape all the time and ONE piece of tape is enough to make a big difference.

Take some lessons. If you want to improve take lessons from a good coach. Practicing without taking lessons just ingrains bad habits and that's the last thing you want to do.

[Hammer]

Description of your Hammer First Blood: RG. 2.48, Perfect Scale 220.8, Flare Potential-high, Differential 0.056, Lane Condition- heavy oil, Pro Performance 10, Coverstock Hybrid Reactive, Surface 500x3/1500 Abralon, Core asymmetric, Mass Bias. Reading the description
of this ball I would say it is too much of a ball for your skill level. This is made for a more experienced bowler with a decent release. You need a fingertip ball with a symmetric core that is entry level performance. A ball like the First Blood is not good for you because it is made for a more skilled bowler. A high performance ball is no good if you do not know how to use it or have the skill to use it. You can use it as a door stop until you develope more skill in your technique.

[Hammer]

I just looked at the bowlingball.com site and the entry performance balls are pretty cheap. They are under $100.00. A good ball can be the Storm Tropical Breeze Hybrid. It is a symmetric core ball which is easier to control and it will hook with a fingertip drilling. Just because they are cheap does not mean that they are garbage. This kind of ball will be easier to learn the correct technique for the release and to hook the ball which will be a more controlled hook.

[Big Daddy]

Description of your Hammer First Blood: RG. 2.48, Perfect Scale 220.8, Flare Potential-high, Differential 0.056, Lane Condition- heavy oil, Pro Performance 10, Coverstock Hybrid Reactive, Surface 500x3/1500 Abralon, Core asymmetric, Mass Bias. Reading the description
of this ball I would say it is too much of a ball for your skill level. This is made for a more experienced bowler with a decent release. You need a fingertip ball with a symmetric core that is entry level performance. A ball like the First Blood is not good for you because it is made for a more skilled bowler. A high performance ball is no good if you do not know how to use it or have the skill to use it. You can use it as a door stop until you develope more skill in your technique.

I agree, I think I'll just bowl with it for now and when I get my "other" ball I'll retire it until I get the skills to use it correctly.


I just looked at the bowlingball.com site and the entry performance balls are pretty cheap. They are under $100.00. A good ball can be the Storm Tropical Breeze Hybrid. It is a symmetric core ball which is easier to control and it will hook with a fingertip drilling. Just because they are cheap does not mean that they are garbage. This kind of ball will be easier to learn the correct technique for the release and to hook the ball which will be a more controlled hook.

Again, I agree, the Tropical Breeze or even the Taboo Spare ball might be a good choice until which time I start to get some reasonable revs. out of it and then I can start to play with the First Blood.

I'm not giving up, I just need a decent game plan and I'll be good.

Thank you all for your input, I'll do you proud, don't worry..

[Aslan]

I A good ball can be the Storm Tropical Breeze.

Why? Is he a woman. Because thats the only bowlers I see throwing a tropical breeze. The one that is pink/purple and smells like birthday cake?? Yeah.. :confused:

Take a look at these. They are all small steps down, which is what you're looking for, but still good quality.

- Ebonite Warning Sign
- Storm Hy Road Pearl
- Hammer Arson
- Motiv Venom Strike
- RotoGrip Wrecker

Now…I'll preface this by saying I agree with most of the others :eek: that you should stick with the First Blood and just make some adjustments…but if you want to make the move down (for now)…I just ordered a 16lb Ebonite Warning Sign on BowlerX.com for $59.95 shipped. I need another ball like Iron Mike needs white hair dye…but at that price shipped?? It can join my closet collection.

Good luck and keep us all informed!!

[J Anderson]

I need another ball like Iron Mike needs white hair dye…but at that price shipped??

How do you know that Mike doesn't artificially color his hair so that he can look as old as he really is?;)

[Big Daddy]

Well, I bowled a 160 in my second game last night so at least I know I CAN knock pins down with it. The other two games were rather pathetic, it seems I'm less than consistent. That makes me feel a little better. I don't HAVE TO get another ball right away. As finances allow, I'm going to get another ball in the near future but at least it's not and emergent issue as of right now. I did manage to get the slightest hook out of it a couple of times, not enough to be a game changer but it's there.

[Aslan]

I still think the next time you practice...try the "speed thing".

I play with a rather old lady on FRIDAYS (so Bunny doesn't think I'm talking about her) and she throws the ball at what I'd say is the same speed grass grows on a cloudy day. You can actually take a couple sips of your drink waiting for it to get to the pins. And I tell ya what...it hooks!! An old Brunswick Rhino Pro from 1993...a little bit of a helicoptor release...and it'll hook 18-20 boards (over a long, long time).

I only mention it...because I had the same problem (still do to a lesser extent). I saw people with the same ball I was using getting it to hook and mine was essentially straight. And I didn't feel like I was "overthrowing" it. But...once I got some instruction...shorter approach, lower backswing, slower footwork, easier/earlier release...I'll be damned...the ball hooked more.

I didn't see what I was doing wrong until a coach captured it on video. Suddenly I saw crazy stuff I never noticed. Like the fact that at one point during my approach, both my feet were in the air. I was literally "getting air" on my approach. And I always thought I had a normal, between hip level and shoulder level, backswing. Nope...the video showed my ball on the backswing WAY above my head. No wonder I was throwing it so fast...but it didn't feel like "overthrowing"...I was building up immense speed on my approach and immense ball momentum on my backswing. And at 19-20mph...on medium oil lanes even...it's gonna be a challenge to make a ball hook with an average bowler's release.

So...just something to consider. It's not the ball...I know of 3-4 people in the two leagues I play in that use that ball...I've seen it hook quite well. It's a very popular ball in these parts. Good luck!

[Bunny]

160 very nice. I'm glad you're feeling better about your purchase.

Hammer's website lists the FB as a medium oil ball.

http://hammerbowling.com/products/product_detail/first_blood/

I've personally used it on a variety of conditions including fresh oil, med-heavy oil, medium oil, and med-dry oil.


Good luck and good bowling!

[Hammer]

Storm Tropical Breeze Hybrid Black/Cherry is another good entry ball. And they are not for just women like macho Asslan said. Look at the bowlingball.com site and click on the Storm manufacturer. You can look at reviews of each ball and it tells you also what lane condition they are used for. The Crossroad is another good ball to learn a correct technique with.

[Aslan]

Storm Tropical Breeze Hybrid Black/Cherry is another good entry ball. And they are not for just women like macho Asslan said.

1) That spelling of my name is better than "asian" but unfortunately offensive…this is a family website.

2)
http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/7-mom-hits-daughter-in-head-with-bowling-ball.gif

[Big Daddy]

1) That spelling of my name is better than "asian" but unfortunately offensive…this is a family website.

2)
http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/7-mom-hits-daughter-in-head-with-bowling-ball.gif

Damn! That poor little girl!!

[Hammer]

Yikes! To Aslan, sorry about that. I usually read my post before I let it run. If spelling is wrong somewhere I edit whatever needs to be corrected. My wife needed me for something and was rushing me. I told her I had something more important here to do and she didn't buy it. She said that I could do this anytime. Ah, the joys of being married. Yes dear, I'm coming. No pun intended.

[Aslan]

Damn! That poor little girl!!

"Nothing hits like a hammer".

[e-tank]

"Nothing hits like a hammer".

The particular hammer was too strong. She got to much head......pin

[Aslan]

The particular hammer was too strong. She got to much head......pin

Woulda been a better video if the other kid was a "sleeper" and they both went down.