Bowling Ball not hooking

[BowlingGamer4000]

I am having a problem with getting my bowling ball to hook. It will only move a few boards, not a whole arrow unless I either throw it on the 1 board, or throw it under 10 MPH. I can see the ball spinning so I am confused. I bought the ball used though. My ball is an Visionary AMB Immortal Solid, and I think the lanes are light oil. It is even worse on heavy oil though. I tried cleaning it and it didn't help, so I am currently having it resurfaced to see if that helps. Can someone give some advice on this? Thanks.

[Amyers]

Well first off you have a very unusual ball. From what I read about it that ball has a strange core design that actual produces more flare than is allowed by current USBC rules all though your ball is legal since it was grandfathered in. It's hard to say exactly what the problem is without seeing you bowl but a few things to consider.

1. with the unusual core if your driller didn't know what he was working with it could be drilled incorrectly
2. the ball maybe burning up high flare balls use the hook potential of your ball more quickly especially in light oil conditions
3. your release my not be generating the revs necessary to cause the ball to hook

I would talk to the proshop operator who drilled the ball have them watch you throw a few shots and they should be able to let you know what the problem is. Contacting a qualified coach for some lessons would be an excellent idea also.

[BowlingGamer4000]

I bought it used from the person who runs the pro shop, and I am pretty sure he bowled with it before selling it, so I think he knew how to drill it. Also, even when I see a lot of revs on my ball, it still doesn't hook. I am confused what you mean by burning up, since I don't know many bowling terms.

[Amyers]

When a bowling ball encounters surface (less or no oil) it stops sliding and begins to hook this requires the use of the rotational energy you put on the ball if your ball uses the rotational energy up to quickly it appears to just go straight know as burning up. This becomes more of a factor when using high flaring (balls that change the area it rolls over so fresh surface is in contact with the lanes) and balls with more surface (1000,2000,3000). As I said earlier it would be best to have a qualified coach or the proshop owner watch you throw especially if you are newer to the game.

[mc_runner]

When you say it's spinning, is it spinning sideways, or more like a top? If it's spinning like a top, its not going ot move like a conventional "hook" ball would a whole lot.

When a ball is "burning up" it means it's using all the potential energy stored in the core before actually going into it's hook and roll and hitting the pins. If it uses all it's energy too early, its may look like it isn't hooking much when in fact it's closer to the opposite problem. If you're using an aggressive ball on dry lanes this could happen.

What would be most helpful is a video taking a look at your approach - without seeing how you're throwing it's a bit of guesswork.

[ALazySavage]

BowlingGamer4000, Is there anyway that you could post a video of some sort showing us how you are bowling. This would greatly help narrow down potential issues. Looking at the ball online I think Amyers could be correct in thinking that the ball is rolling out, it can use a lot of energy early.

http://visionarybowling.com/?p=805

[BowlingGamer4000]

I cannot post a video of me bowling unfortunately. I do know that my ball spins sideways (not like a top) when I release, but it often won't move many boards. My pro shop said that their best light oil ball is the RotoGrip Uproar. Is that a good ball?

[Amyers]

The Uproar is a good ball but before buying something else has this proshop operator watched you throw the ball? Have you asked him about your concerns about hat ball not hooking? If it is a ball problem then buy something else but it's just as likely if not more so that it's a you problem and a ball won't fix that. If your proshop is not watching you throw it's time to find a new proshop.

[BowlingGamer4000]

I haven't asked him if he could watch me bowl, but I think he would be willing to help if I ask. I have told him about the ball not hooking though. Thanks for suggesting that.

[mc_runner]

This is a really interesting sounding/looking ball, I will say that! I've never heard of it before.

[Amyers]

I haven't asked him if he could watch me bowl, but I think he would be willing to help if I ask. I have told him about the ball not hooking though. Thanks for suggesting that.

No problem my Proshop guy doubles as my coach as we don't have much in certified coaches in my area he has been a big help in my game.

[Blacksox1]

I am having a problem with getting my bowling ball to hook. It will only move a few boards, not a whole arrow unless I either throw it on the 1 board, or throw it under 10 MPH. I can see the ball spinning so I am confused. I bought the ball used though. My ball is an Visionary AMB Immortal Solid, and I think the lanes are light oil. It is even worse on heavy oil though. I tried cleaning it and it didn't help, so I am currently having it resurfaced to see if that helps. Can someone give some advice on this? Thanks.

Welcome to the board, BowlingGamer4000.

I have 4 Visionary balls; AMB Centuar solid, Immortal pearl and 2 Gladiator LE.

Ten years ago, when these came out, including yours, they were possibly the strongest equipment in the market. However, over the years, with cleaning, resurfacing and even baking, my VBP's are only a faint shadow of what they were.

I believe that Visionary's latest release "Samurai" would make an excellent ball, as a teammate has one, and it is as good as any pearl 1500 polished ball on the market.

What does all this mean? Hopefully you bought yours at a fair price. Maybe use as a spare ball. Maybe use it as trade in. I am a little surprised a pro shop operator would sell a used 10 year old ball.