55 yr old newbie has a question or two

[Arnold]

Hi Y'all!

Long story short - I bought a Ebonite Tornado 2 yrs ago, but haven't really used it until this summer (reason - lots of abdominal surgery). The ball was drilled fingertip, the pin is just above and between the fingerholes and the "target" thingy is about halfway down a line between the pin and the thumb hole. I am pretty much a mess, trying just to get consistent. I only go to one bowling center closest (25mi) to home. The lanes are wood, the folks say they use a "christmas tree" oil pattern. I don't score well, or consistently. My timing is getting better, but the ball still wanders, usually across the lane into the left gutter if I don't concentrate, sometimes into the right gutter when I am very tired. Sometimes I stand around 20 and use the second arrow, more often I stand on 25 and use the third arrow ( I'm righty). I appear to naturally throw the ball straight - or this ball just doesn't hook much - or I don't know how to do it. When I do get it in straight, I usually get 8-9 pins, tho. I am not in the best shape and I am working on building endurance, but I have COPD...

My question is, should I continue to throw the ball straight until I am a lot more consistent, or should I be trying to learn to hook it while I am learning all the rest of the "moves"?

By the way, I am getting a 14# Brunswick Slingshot soon - I think maybe I won't get as tired (after 2-3 games) as I do now.

I appreciate any advice!

Arnold

[ursus]

Welcome to BowlingBoards Arnold!! That ball drilled in that fashion should have a nice controllable hook if thrown correctly. If your nearest lane has a certified coach, it would be really helpful for you to at least take one lesson to have them show you the fundamentals and get you pointed in the right direction. If there isn't a coach available, the internet has quite a few good articles/videos on the subject. Certainly others on here are more qualified than me to give you good advise on the proper release so I will yield to them.

[Josch]

The Tornado is a pretty weak ball. You need a high rev rate and/or a low ball speed to get much hook out of it on a typical house shot. My friend who bowls about 17mph uses his as a spare ball now since he got something more aggressive and he could never really get his ball to hook more than 5 or so boards. Your best chance with the Tornado is to play straight up the gutter. If the oil is a christmas tree pattern you will hit the dry boards earlier on the edges and you should be able to get the Tornado into the pocket with a good entry angle. A Slingshot is quite a bit stronger than what you have now and should help you learn to hook. If you want something a little bit stronger than a Slingshot but still around the same price point check out the Ebonite Cyclone and Columbia Freeze. They're both just a little stronger than the Slingshot.

If I were you I would try to learn to hook while learning how to aim. I don't think your ability to learn to hit your target will be affected by you practicing a release you plan on using in the future.

[eugene02]

Welcome to the forum Arnolds. I would recommend you to get the DV8 Misfit in my opinion as that balls hooks pretty much for a entry level hook ball.. Although I do not have that ball now. I certainly know that the ball will do well for beginners.

[billf]

Arnold, welcome to the boards. Personally, I believe in throwing as much at someone as they can handle. Being human we all handle things in different amounts. If you think you can handle the frustration of learning to hit your target and learning the proper hook release, then do so. Whatever you do, don't give up. With COPD there aren't a lot of other exercise options.
Wood lanes can be real finicky at times. What works on one lane may not on the other so don't beat yourself up too bad.
Here is a link to a video by the legendary Carolyn Dorin-Ballard showing the basic hook release and a drill to practice it. Good luck

[billf]

Also, what are you aiming at? Arrows, pins?