How to Hook a Bowling Ball

Frankly speaking, when I started writing this article, the first image that came into my mind was that of Fred Flintstones and Tom and Jerry. If you are a big time Fred and Tom fan like me, then I guess you remember Fred's superb bowling games, running on his tiptoes and his bowling ball throws and also, Tom being dragged down the aisle because his fingers had got stuck within the bowl...how we used to laugh when we used to watch them as kids (and even now). Coming back to reality, when you go bowling with your friends, you too would like to bowl like Fred and not embarrass yourself like Tom. But it always turns out to be just the opposite for those who are just beginners. Or even if you know how to throw a bowling ball, you just cannot score proper. What is that the pros have and you don't? What is it that they can score but you cannot? Hmm! Guess it's the way you hook the ball. Do you want to learn how to hook a bowling ball? Given below are some tips which are sure to make you no different from the pro.

Tips to Hook a Bowling Ball

You need to have knowledge about some of these advanced bowling techniques in bowling for a much better score. A person who does not know the tricks of how to hook a bowling bowl, usually goes for straight ball, which goes straight down the lane and knocks down just a few pins, and sometimes, if you are lucky enough, the pins knock each other down. If, on the other hand you can control where the ball should go and hit, then the chances of scoring more increases and for that the first advanced stage that you have to learn is how to hook a bowling bowl.

• The first thing that you have to be careful about is the material of the bowl. DO NOT use a plastic ball as throwing a hook with this becomes difficult unless the lane is dry. These balls are good for straight throws only.
• For a hook you need a urethane ball. These balls are the best for throwing a hook and you will get them for around USD 45.
• The next thing that you have to pay attention to is the way you grip the ball. This is a very important step while learning how to throw a hook. Choose a ball that you feel that you can throw comfortably. The ball hangs from your fingertip, hence you should make sure that you have a firm grip on it. This is because, it is your fingertip that is controlling the direction of the ball.
• Now firmly holding the ball, take your arm back as far as possible and then roll down the ball. Make sure that you do not drop it as it might break your fingers and the ball might also lose it's momentum. First few tries do not run as you need to concentrate totally on the throw and running will only confuse you.
• Just before you throw the ball, move a step to the left in case you are right-handed (just the opposite for left-handed people), keeping your shoulders straight, rotate your hand a quarter and then throw the ball. The correct posture right after throwing your ball will be your hand right in front of you with your thumb pointing upwards.
• If at first shot, you do not hit all the pins, try harder and step a little more to the left or right. Remember, while throwing the ball, do not rotate your wrist too much.

These steps will only teach you the correct method of throwing a hook, but it will not make you a pro in one day. For that you have to practice really hard.