awholtz
10-21-2010, 03:01 PM
Hello all,
I just started recently taking bowling seriously about 3 weeks ago. I no longer use plastic/house balls and my game definitely improved. I was struggling a bit getting a consistent hook and my thumb was getting brutalized. It was becoming swollen and the tip of it was getting very red and sore. As I've refined my technique, both of those things have become fixed and almost completely gone.
Anyways, I have been practicing and my games are somewhat inconsistent. I'll range from 130-200, 200 being my high. I was originally having trouble getting behind the ball and my spin was horrific. I bought a wrist support and have really been focusing on my wrist position/cupping the ball and my hook has become more consistent.
As I've become more consistent with a hook my speed has taken a hit. When I throw a bigger hook, the ball seems to go slower. When I get some more speed on the ball, the hook is very minor. Even at hardest, I'm only getting the ball about 14.5 MPH. When I throw a solid hook, I don't get too much speed on the counter-clockwise rotation of the spin, but it still has alright movement from right to left. But, when I throw a decent hook, I only get around 12-12.5 MPH. It's annoying because I hit the pins very well and can get strikes based solely on where I'm hitting the pins, but I know if I threw it a little bit harder, I'd be getting strikes and stringing strikes together more often.
I'm confused because I'm not a small/weak person. I'm 23 and been a high-level hockey player my whole life (The skills don't transfer from hockey to bowling, I'm aware, but I'm not a tiny frail person). I see 15-16 year olds that look about 115 pounds ripping the ball down the lane with giant hooks. So, that confuses me. Based on what I've watch from others bowling, I have pretty traditional throwing mechanics. (No weird approach, I don't launch the ball halfway down the lane, or have some wacky follow through) I'm just not getting speed!
Any suggestions on how to get more speed?? And, while I'm posting, any suggestions on how to get more rotations in my spin/hook?? I do have smaller hands, but the ball is drilled properly... Also, if it matters, I use a fingertip drill.
I understand there are only so many things one can suggest via an online forum, but I hope I can get some positive feedback here!
Also, if you could, try not to use too much bowling terms... as a relative beginner, I'm not totally aware of all the bowling terms.
I just started recently taking bowling seriously about 3 weeks ago. I no longer use plastic/house balls and my game definitely improved. I was struggling a bit getting a consistent hook and my thumb was getting brutalized. It was becoming swollen and the tip of it was getting very red and sore. As I've refined my technique, both of those things have become fixed and almost completely gone.
Anyways, I have been practicing and my games are somewhat inconsistent. I'll range from 130-200, 200 being my high. I was originally having trouble getting behind the ball and my spin was horrific. I bought a wrist support and have really been focusing on my wrist position/cupping the ball and my hook has become more consistent.
As I've become more consistent with a hook my speed has taken a hit. When I throw a bigger hook, the ball seems to go slower. When I get some more speed on the ball, the hook is very minor. Even at hardest, I'm only getting the ball about 14.5 MPH. When I throw a solid hook, I don't get too much speed on the counter-clockwise rotation of the spin, but it still has alright movement from right to left. But, when I throw a decent hook, I only get around 12-12.5 MPH. It's annoying because I hit the pins very well and can get strikes based solely on where I'm hitting the pins, but I know if I threw it a little bit harder, I'd be getting strikes and stringing strikes together more often.
I'm confused because I'm not a small/weak person. I'm 23 and been a high-level hockey player my whole life (The skills don't transfer from hockey to bowling, I'm aware, but I'm not a tiny frail person). I see 15-16 year olds that look about 115 pounds ripping the ball down the lane with giant hooks. So, that confuses me. Based on what I've watch from others bowling, I have pretty traditional throwing mechanics. (No weird approach, I don't launch the ball halfway down the lane, or have some wacky follow through) I'm just not getting speed!
Any suggestions on how to get more speed?? And, while I'm posting, any suggestions on how to get more rotations in my spin/hook?? I do have smaller hands, but the ball is drilled properly... Also, if it matters, I use a fingertip drill.
I understand there are only so many things one can suggest via an online forum, but I hope I can get some positive feedback here!
Also, if you could, try not to use too much bowling terms... as a relative beginner, I'm not totally aware of all the bowling terms.