New bowler needing help!!!

[Sstech]

I haven't bowled since I was a teenager (41 now). I got the bug again after bowling with my daughters. I bought a new hammer scandal and I am having trouble throwing a hook. I get a few decent releases that give me a small hook. My release must be totally wrong since I noticed my ball is spinning not hooking. I will post videos when I go bowling next time. I don't remember it being so hard to hook a ball when I used to bowl in leagues.

[Timmyb]

I haven't bowled since I was a teenager (41 now). I got the bug again after bowling with my daughters. I bought a new hammer scandal and I am having trouble throwing a hook. I get a few decent releases that give me a small hook. My release must be totally wrong since I noticed my ball is spinning not hooking. I will post videos when I go bowling next time. I don't remember it being so hard to hook a ball when I used to bowl in leagues.

Without seeing, I'd say it's something with your release point. Your hand needs to stay behind the ball until you're ready to lift and turn. Since it's really hard to tell someone how and when to release the ball, my suggestion is to go to YouTube and watch a couple of the release videos that are there. You may be able to spot something you're either doing wrong, or not doing at all. There's a link for one of them below.

https://youtu.be/7s25PAv4eLk

[fokai73]

When I returned to the game after being away 15 years, it was my first experience with very strong covers, Particle. My last ball was a 88'(?) hammer urethane and "fisting" or hitting the ball was embedded in me from youth league coaching.

I could not make this new modern particle ball hook with my 3/4 release. I found out later why I barely made the ball hook. my slow 14.5 mph speed, wood dry lanes, and the fact I never knew about "10x10" wall patterns killed the Balls energy playing up 5.

So, it also could be a combination of your game, the lanes (may be dry), and your scandal being a strong ball.

Anyway, welcome back to the game! The rust will fall off and you'll be bang'n it on the lanes again!

[Sstech]

I was creating alot releases with rotation but it was spinning like a top. I tried cupping my wrist but I never got the release consistent only had a few decent ones. I'm hoping once my thumb hole fits me better I will find some consistency. Probably going with the vise it system. My thumb swells and shrinks so I ended up adding and removing tape the couple of times I have went bowling since I bought the new ball. I plan on filming myself this week.

[JasonNJ]

The Scandal is supposed to be a strong hooking ball so I would have to say it's your release as well. Since you are just getting back into bowling, I would suggest you learn the modern release of loading and unloading. I shared this video in another post but I think this will help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-opTE5xgBw

[Blomer]

Agree with Jason, strong hooking ball. Perhaps you are laying it down flat? Shake hands! lol

[Amyers]

It's the release or as Fokai suggested too strong a ball for the lane conditions. Around here finding enough oil on open bowling times to be able to throw a scandal is unlikely at best. I would suggest trying to get a lane right after league might get some more oil especially if they only have 1 shift leagues in your area. You may also want to look into some coaching to help nock some of the rust off and believe it or not the games changed a lot in the last 20 years.

[mishatx]

I was creating alot releases with rotation but it was spinning like a top. I tried cupping my wrist but I never got the release consistent only had a few decent ones. I'm hoping once my thumb hole fits me better I will find some consistency. Probably going with the vise it system. My thumb swells and shrinks so I ended up adding and removing tape the couple of times I have went bowling since I bought the new ball. I plan on filming myself this week.

It helped me visualize the proper ball motion and release by thinking about how a no-thumb two-hander throws the ball, then working backward to how that looks and feels with my thumb in it.

[Sstech]

I had my daughter video me today. I can't believe how early I turn my hand and how my hand is on top of ball instead of underneath and behind it. I am trying to to figure out how to upload the video now.

[Sstech]

Here is a link to my video. https://youtu.be/9K5-rm7lU0k
I'm going to try and get some better quality video next time. I shot it with my phone and the quality was fine but the upload to YouTube changed it.