straight vs hook at spares

[aussiedave]

You should always throw straight at your spares unless you have a sleeper, 2-4-8-10 (3-6-7-9 for lefties) or you want to throw a strike shot at an 8 pin to figure out your line. Basically, if you had your strike shot figured out you wouldn't be shooting at spares, so why would you throw your strike ball at your spares? Better to go straight at them and take the lane out of play.

I usually throw straight as well, but was faced with a 1-5-7 last night in league so decided my regular hook delivery into the pocket was the way to go. I am happy to report I picked it up - never looked like missing! Got a great cheer from the "gallery".
ad.

[greycat]

I was given advice I never understood til I struggled on difficult patterns or at new houses. Never throw at a spare your strike throw can't pickup. He explained you should know how to throw strong and weak pocket hits that will cover inside pins. he would never throw a brooklin to hit spares like 1-2-4-7. If he knew it wouldn't cover he threw the spare ball. In league it looked hard headed but tourneys came n went and he always cashed.

[BOWLWEST73]

I tend to throw straight at 90% of my spares with the exception being double wood (2-8) or something like a 3-6-9-10.

[CeKnauss]

As of late, I've been working to throw straight at my spares. I previously used a plastic spare ball, but as I have become more comfortable with my equipment, I prefer to use my oldest ball (a 14lb Brunswick Evil Siege). Being a bit lighter than my newer array of 15lb equipment, it can still hook if I use it on specific patterns, but as it has become quite oil soaked, I can get it to go straight with enough tip in the back end to cover slightly errant shots to the right. My 10 pin conversion rate has risen dramatically since switching to this as I can throw the ball like a strike ball from all the way left and it will hydroplane to the 10 pin. I can break my wrist and throw the ball straight if I need, but I generally begin to start pulling shots or assuming they have enough room and miss right.

[travkoiboi]

to me it's personal preference. I normally hook at my spares, but may go the straight route... less error %

[martin]

for me, it all depends on the remaining pins actually.. most spares i use straight w/ plastic ball, some other spares i tend to hook it..

[edpup316]

Im a righty. so when i was growing up, when YABA was a thing, all my friends hooked the ball. I thought to myself thats fine and all but what happens when you go to a sport shot tourny or even one with a pba pattern? That hook isn't always the same, but ya know what is? Thats right a straight ball. If you dont plan on bowling anywhere else then go for the hook but if not then a straight ball is a very valuable tool.