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!